The Importance Of Church Attendance

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Francois Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher. King Louis asked the preacher, "What does this mean?" The preacher replied, "I spread the word that you would not be attending church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who is just here to flatter the king." - Source Unknown.

This problem that was prevalent in the 17th century is still a problem today! Here in the 21st century many people attend church for the wrong reasons. Could that be said of you? What is the real reason that you are here right now?

a. Are you here because of obligation? - Do you have certain job or position in the church and you feel obligated to be here to perform that certain task? I am grateful for those who are dedicated to their area of service, but simply coming out of obligation is not enough!

b. Are you here out of habit? - Has church become something that you just "do" because it is what you have always done? Attending church is very beneficial, but it should not be done simply because it is a habit.

c. Are you here to see or to be seen? - Christian fellowship is a fantastic benefit of attending church but it should not be our primary motivation.

d. Are you here because of what the church can offer you? - In our day many people have a "consumer mindset" concerning church. They choose a church and remain faithful to a church because of the personal benefits. These are the people that ask "what can the church do for me?" instead of "what can I do in or for the church?"

- In this church (and any other that you may visit) there are several different groups of people.

1. There are those who are CEO Christians: This stands for Christmas & Easter only....There is no need for explanation, the name describes the situation.

2. There is the Sunday Morning Only crowd: We often refer to this crowd as "SMO's" You can usually expect these folks to be present on Sunday Morning, but don't expect them to give, don't expect them to serve and don't expect them to return for the evening service or prayer meeting.

3. There are those who are somewhat active: These people attend on a somewhat regular basis. You can look for them to be present as long as there is nothing else going on in their life. These are the people who will attend church IF it is convenient for them. They may serve in some capacity but you never know if they are going to be present until church starts.

4. There are the faithful few: These are the people who attend: Sunday School, Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening worship, Wednesday night prayer meeting, Men's meetings, Women's meetings, VBS, Singings, Revivals, work days and any other functions that are held at the church.

5. There are those who are in transition. You see, many (if not most) of the SMO's & CEO's were once faithful church members. They were once teachers, choir members, committee heads, deacons, VBS workers, faithful givers, great encouragers and loyal servants. But a transition has taken place. Somewhere along the way their attendance began to slip. They began to miss Sunday School periodically. And then more and more, until they completely quit attending. But they were still faithful to attend all three worship services (for a while). Then after a while Sunday nights became to burdensome and they stayed at home or went other places. Then work got in the way and Wednesday night attendance became sporadic. Until (like Sunday School) they quit attending all together. Then all that was left was Sunday Morning. And before long Sunday Morning attendance became sporadic. And many of them woke up one day and realized they haven't been to church in months. And there are some of you who have one foot out the door as we speak.

- One of the factors that contribute to this problem is that many people have an unbiblical view of church membership. Listen to some actual statements made by church members about their local assembly. ------ "I will be faithful to this church as long as you play MY KIND OF MUSIC!", " I will be faithful to this church as long as you SING MY KIND OF SONGS!", " I will be faithful to this church as long as you MY PREFERRED TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE!", " I will be faithful to this church as long as you OFFER THE KINDS OF MINSITRIES THAT WILL EXCITE MY CHILDREN!" Some would say "I have been a member of this church for decades and I HAVE A RIGHT TO GET WHAT I WANT FROM MY CHURCH!" - I wish I was making these statements up but I have heard all of them at one time or another and many of them first hand.

- If you feel this way then you have an unbiblical view of church membership. Thom Rainer says in his book "I Am A Church Member" - "For too many people church membership is: about receiving instead of giving... rights instead of responsibilities and entitlements instead of sacrifices" He goes on to say "You must understand that as a Christian, God has placed you in the local church in order to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach and to give"

- It is time that we as a body of believers reject the "it's all about me" mindset concerning church, and adopt the "IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM" mindset. When people get the proper perspective concerning church then we will not have to beg people to show up! When you TRULY fall in love with the Savior, nothing and no one will be able to keep you away from this or any other church!!!

* I would like to take some time today and walk through the scriptures and consider "The Importance Of Church Attendance"

There are countless reasons and benefit's concerning regular church attendance. But let me say this...attendance is not enough! There is no shortage of people who walk in the doors of the church every time they are open. And these people are no more than "pew warmers". If this describes you, then you are in no better shape than those who stayed at home this morning! God is not looking for people who simply attend church, He expects HIS PEOPLE to BE the church!

- Maybe you would admit that church is no longer a priority in your life, and as a result your relationship with the Lord is not what it should be. And just maybe you would like to do something about it. If so, then I invite you to join me as we examine "The Importance Of Church Attendance. Look with me to Hebrews 10:25 as we see:

I. Church Attendance: The Priorities Involved

- The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:25 (Not to forsake) the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This verse is a warning for the people of God not to abandon gathering together with other believers. Simply put, CHURCH SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR YOU!!! Most people don't plan to quit attending church, this is a process that happens over time. When you miss one service, the next one is easier to miss, and the next one gets even easier. And there is never any shortage of things to do on Sunday Morning, Sunday Night or Wednesday Night. Let's consider some of those hindrances for a moment:

a. Children's Events - One of the biggest hindrances to church attendance in our day is events concerning our children. Baseball, basketball, band, cheerleading, soccer, academic events, etc. These are not bad things, and good parents should be involved in their children's lives. But if good Christian parents would take a stand and refuse to participate in events that would pull their children out of church, then the board of education and the sports leagues would have to make some changes.

b. Recreational Activities - Fishing, hunting, Golf, hanging out at the river, attending professional sporting events, etc. Once again, none of these things are sinful. But how many times do you allow these things to keep you from worshipping your Savior??? Consider this for a moment: How many hours a week do you spend on the river bank, at the Golf course, the ball field or at the hunting club? And how much money do you invest on recreation throughout the year? Now how many hours a week do you spend at church, worshipping and praising your Savior, praying, studying? and serving? Which would you say is the top priority in your life? Which is going to matter in eternity?

- Another hindrance to church attendance is:

c. Work - Work is good, honorable and commanded. And I realize that some people have no other option than to work on Sundays. But there are some who have allowed work to become a convenient excuse not to attend church services. And there are VERY few people who actually work Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. I know several people who work 6 days a week and they say that Sunday is the only time they can do work around the house. Several others say that they don't come on Wednesday nights because they are just too tired after working all day. But they can find the energy to do others things when after work the rest of the week. .......This brings us to the most common reason people miss church.

d. Plain Ol' Laziness - Less than half of the people that are here right now will return this evening. And the overwhelming majority of you who do not return will be laid up on the couch or in the recliner. Many of the "CHURCH MEMBERS" that are absent right now are not doing anything productive. They simply don't come to church because it is not a priority in their life. They don't come because they are not interested in the Word of God. They don't care about Christian fellowship. They are not concerned with corporate prayer. They do not want to be challenged. They are not focused on Spiritual maturity and worshipping the Savior that died to save them is just not important to them! They don't come because they just don't want to!

- But...when you see your Savior for who He is, when you remember all that He has done for you and when you come to a place of full surrender, THEN CHURCH WILL BECOME A TRUE PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE!!!

*Not only do we see the Priority in this verse, we also see:

II. Church Attendance: The Partnership Involved - There is a very important word in Hebrews 10:25 ...."Together". Church is a partnership between brothers and sisters in Christ.

* I Corinthians 12:27 ¶Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

* Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

God intends for us to 'edify" or "build up" one another. I am the man I am today because of the things I learned from people in the church! Throughout my life people have partnered together and invested in my life. And there are people at Stockdale Baptist Church that are ready, willing and more than capable of doing the same for you.

You can be edified in our:

1. Sunday School - We have several dedicated Sunday School teachers who spend a great deal of time throughout the week preparing to teach you in Sunday School. But they cannot benefit you if you are not present. I heard a man this week say that he doesn't attend Sunday School at his church because he "just doesn't get anything out of it"! Maybe you would say the same thing...My question for you is "what are you putting in to it??" Do you show up? If so that is only the first step! Do you take your book home and actually STUDY the lesson? Do you open your Bible and read the references? Do you bring others with you? Do you pray for your teacher? Do you speak words of encouragement? Do you comment and participate in the class? If you don't then don't go around complaining that you "just aren't getting anything out of it!"

2. Children's Ministry - Our Children's Church workers and Nursery workers put a lot of time and effort into teaching your children about the Lord each week. And I have heard first hand from the children how much they enjoy going to class. But your children are not old enough to drive! They need you to be committed to bringing them to church! Note: This age group that I am speaking of is extremely important. These children have tender hearts and are open to the good news of Jesus Christ! Please partner with us so we can reach them while they are young!!

3. Christian Fellowship - I mentioned earlier that Christian fellowship should not be our primary motivation for coming to church. With that being said, Christian fellowship is an outstanding bi-product of attending church. The time we spend together is precious. We get to learn about one another, We share our struggles, We teach one another, We can fulfill the scripture that tells us to "bear one another's burdens" .

4. Prayer - Prayer is a vital part of any church. And when you attend regularly you know more about your brothers and sisters. You hear their troubles and you can pray specific prayers for them when you know the details. We can lean on one another... We can pray for each other... We can pray with each other

5. Preaching - Every born again child of God need to hear preaching REGULARLY!! There are many opinions concerning the primary duties of a pastor. Understand this, my primary responsibility as your pastor is not to visit the sick, it is not to perform weddings, it is not to officiate funerals. it is not to do administrative work, it is not to counsel church members, it is not even to reach the lost! All of these things are important but according to the Word of God my number one priority as a pastor is to "equip the saints for the work of the ministry" (Ephesians 4:12) That means that I am to teach and to train the Christian people. And it is impossible for me to fulfill my obligation to you if you are never here!!

- This "partnership" that I speak of is twofold. You have the opportunity to benefit from others but you also have the opportunity to invest in others. We are many parts of one body and we are to work together!

- Let me take a moment and address a common problem in our day, there are some professing Christians who flounder around from church to church. They attend church on a somewhat regular basis but it is never the same one. They will go here for a few weeks and there for a few months and then somewhere else on down the road. They never join a church, and the reason is they don't want to be held accountable! I don't think for a minute that God intended it to be this way. You need to find a church...join that church and then start to serve in that church!!!

- Are you partnering together with the brethren? Can you really say that you are doing your part in "edifying others" when you are absent most of the time? When you attend so infrequently, you hardly know the other members. When you are not present on a regular basis you can't notice when others have stopped attending. If you are never here you can't see the needs in the lives of your faith family. And when you can't see the needs... you can't help meet the needs

- Could you imagine what would happen if all of the people who claim to be a part of this assembly were to "partner together" with one another! What a great impact we could have for the cause of Christ!

* Let's move a little farther and consider:

III. Church Attendance: The Perception Involved

- Notice the phrase "as the manner of some is". The author of Hebrews noticed that there were some who had abandoned the church. If He noticed it then obviously there were others in the church who noticed it. And this also means that there were most likely some outside of the church who noticed it as well. Some of you who have all but quit church were once devoted to the church and to the Lord. And you once invited your family, friends and coworkers to come to church with you. Do you realize that these people are watching you. And now that they see that church is no longer a priority in your life they will use you as an excuse not to go themselves. All while Satan is celebrating the fact that he can use you to further his cause!

- And for those of you with children and grandchildren, what kind of example are you setting for them? The reason that I am where I am today is because I had parents who took me to church REGULARLY!! They didn't pack me up and send me with someone else... They did just take me every now and then. We didn't just go on Sunday mornings or when it was convenient. I knew from the way my parents lived that church and serving the Lord was to be a top priority!! What do your children see in you? Do they know about the Lord? Do they know that it is important to learn about Him, serve Him and worship Him? If their choices are based on the example that you are setting, will they make church a priority when they are older?

- What does it say to those around you when you miss church because of aches and pains and then they see you go to work, the grocery store or Wal-Mart with those same aches and pains? It has often been said that "Christians are the only Bible that some people will ever read" If that is the case, what are people seeing when they see you?

* Let's move a little further and see:

IV. Church Attendance: The Progress Involved

- I would like to draw your attention to the phrase "exhorting one another". When we "exhort one another" this leads to progress in the Christian life. When you are actively involved in the local church you will grow and mature spiritually. Everything we do in this church will help the Christian in the process of Spiritual maturity. Sermons, Sunday School, Bible Studies, Prayer meetings, Singing hymns The Lord's Supper, Tithes & Offerings all of these things will bring us closer to God and closer to one another! That is IF you are willing to attend and to participate!

- Physically speaking if you never eat then you will die of malnutrition. And many who never or rarely attend church are dying from Spiritual malnutrition! I challenge you to find someone who is not faithful in their church attendance who is a strong, healthy, faithful, mature Christian.

*There is another benefit of Church Attendance that I would like to consider:

V. Church Attendance: The Protection Involved

- Again let's read - Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

- This verse is a verse of caution. The writer speaks of the impending "day of the Lord" . As Christians we are to be ready, watching and waiting. Through the scriptures we know what to look for concerning the end times. We are also told in the Gospels what to do until that day comes. We all are faced with temptation, the answer for temptation is found in the scriptures. In fact when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness He countered Satan with ...SCRIPTURE!!! How can you live a successful Christian life? ...KNOW THE SCRIPTURES!! What is the benefit of regular church attendance, YOU CAN LEARN THE SCRIPTURES!!! It is a matter of protection!

* When I was the safety director at the Rock Quarry, I taught a class for all of the new employees. It was long and boring but it was necessary. I covered many subjects that would keep people alive. There were many dangerous machines, several pieces of heavy equipment, dangerous cliffs and all kinds of hazardous chemicals. People hated that class and didn't want to attend it, but they learned things that would protect them from danger.

- The Word of God gives us countless warnings of danger. It teaches us the things that we need to know to survive and to thrive in this dangerous world. And when applied, the truth of the scriptures will protect us! The Word will help us to be ready for the return of the Lord. How will you be ready, watching, and waiting for the Lord, when you rarely, if ever attend church?

* We have seen many of the benefits of regularly attending worship services. And as we examine "The Importance Of Church Attendance" there is one last thing that I would like to consider. Notice:

VI. Church Attendance: The Participation Involved

This point goes hand in hand with the "partnership" I mentioned earlier. In order for the local church to function properly we need workers!! We have already seen that the church is a body and every individual must do their part in order for that body to function properly. You cannot say that the church does not need you and you cannot say that you don't need the church

*I Corinthians 12:12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body?17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part!

The local church needs people who will serve in a spiritual capacity as well as a physical capacity. We need people to Lead the music, Play the instruments, Teach adults, Teach children, Serve as users, Serve as greeters, Manage the money, Prepare communion, Help with baptisms, Clean the building, Pray for others, Encourage the leaders, Work on the facilities Cut the grass Visit the sick, Help the needy, Reach the lost, Strengthen the weak and many, many other tasks.

- You will not find people who are TRULY faithful to the work of the church who are not faithful in their attendance! And those who rarely or never attend church do little else for the Kingdom of God. Someone said that - "A church is no stronger than the collective strength of its members". Simply put, church members are like the links of a chain, if there is a weak or missing link it has an impact on the entire chain. Are you that missing link? Are your actions having a detrimental impact on this assembly? If so, why don't you take the proper steps to address that issue? Will you come to a place of repentance and full surrender today?

- I hope you have seen "The Importance Of Church Attendance" this morning. But as important as it is, Church attendance is not the most importance issue. You see, those people who have quit the church, and those who do not attend on a regular basis have a much greater problem. The fact is, there is something missing in their life. Their relationship with the Lord is not where is should be.

- They have forgotten what the Bible says in - 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

- They have forgotten what Jesus said in - Matthew 6:19 ¶Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

- Many times I have had people tell me "preacher, I know that I need to get back in church". And that is not uncommon for the true child of God. If you are saved you know that you need to worship your Savior. But I tell these people all of the time, "no, you don't need to get back in church... you need to get back into a right relationship with the Lord!" And when they do, we won't be able to keep them out of here with a stick! So, if church attendance is an indicator of your relationship with the Lord (and it is) then where do you stand? Do you need to return to the Lord today? Do you need to fully surrender yourself to Him? Do you need to reaffirm you devotion to your ministry? Do you need to return to faithfulness in your area of service in the church?

- Maybe you are here and you just need to get saved. You are lost and in need of a Savior! Whatever your need is, now is the time to address it! And when your relationship with God is where it needs to be, then you can say like the Psalmist - "I was glad when they said to me, `Let us go into the house of the LORD.'" (Ps 122:1)

- It is my prayer that each one here today has seen "The Importance Of Church Attendance"