Why should I attend events such as V.B.S., Sunday morning Bible school, Gospel meetings, etc.?

Text: Heb. 10.25

Thesis: To prove that every service of the church is important and should be attended by all

             members.

Introduction:

(1)    Illustration – Teaching class on 1 Cor. 13 – Sunday morning is the only thing that counts, right?

(2)    Why is it the case that consistently attendance is down for class, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and special services?

(3)    Obviously, work schedules play a role, but sometimes work does not get in the way.

(4)    Let us look at 2 points relating to this:

Discussion:

I.                   The Reason to Attend –

A.    We are commanded to attend (Heb. 10.25 – “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near”).

1.      Yes, there is a “thus saith the Lord.”

2.      The purpose for this command is “encouraging one another.”

B.     The motivation for attending must be love.

1.      Love is what causes us to want to do what the Lord says (John 14.15).

2.      Just doing what the Lords says without love is worthless (1 Cor. 13).

3.      Basically, worship is somewhere you should want to be.

4.      The concept of “punching your time card” doesn’t fly.

C.     Does this include “special services?”

1.      Well, the only “official” time that we are commanded to come together would be once on Sunday only to partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20.7) and to collect the contribution (1 Cor. 16.1-2).

2.      Thus, you could argue that Wednesday night, a second service on Sunday, etc. would be a “special service.”

3.      Yet, observe this:

a.       “And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple […]” (Acts 2.46).

b.      The 1st-century church came together often and when the Hebrew writer wrote Heb. 10.25, he did not say “Sunday-only gathering;” thus, we may conclude that he meant every time that the church got together.

c.       Acts 20.28 – The elders are to be responsible for “feeding the flock” and they have set aside various times for us to be feed collectively and since we are to submit ourselves to the eldership, then we should be here to be feed at each opportunity.

4.      Nevertheless, examine yourself and see where your heart is.

II.                The Reward of Attending:

A.    God’s Word is studied.

1.      It is a light for us (Ps. 119.105).

2.      It is food for us (1 Pet. 2.2).

3.      It keeps us from sinning (Ps. 119.11).

4.      It makes us wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3.15).

B.     Adoration to God is made.

1.      He deserves our honor, praise, and worship.

2.      We worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4.24).

C.     Our spirits are uplifted.

1.      You get out of it what you put into it.

2.      If you put yourself into it, then you feel better for having been here.

3.      We would then feel like David who wrote, “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord” (Ps. 122.1).

Conclusion:

(1)    This lesson is not meant to be negative but rather encouraging for us all.

(2)    I don’t want myself or anyone of you coming because I said for you to come, etc.  You should be here because this is where you want to be and that you want to be here every chance possible.

(3)    God wants you here in His presence.  Would you come and praise Him?