Our Responsibility To Worship God

Hebrews 10:19-25

Hebrews 10:19–25 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

God Expects Us To Be Here - Each Time The Doors Are Open.

Our brethren in the 1st Century made this their practice. Why can’t we?

Acts 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

NOTE: We know our involvement level, and our current status. Those of you who are active and working hard with this group know who you are. Those who are not, you know who you are as well. If there is any question in your mind, do your best to take it up with me or one of the men here so that we can help you in your walk.

Our excuses for missing worship services get worse and worse with time.

Classic excuses:

"I have family coming into town”

“I have a headache.”

Modern excuses:

“I’m just not feeling it today.”

“The virus might get me.” (There is a lion in the streets! Prov. 22:13)

“We are on vacation and don’t have to assemble.”

“We can worship virtually.”

Three possible situations when attending services:

It may not be possible.

Sickness

Caring for another who is sick

Debilitating effects of age, etc.

It may be possible and convenient.

Nice weather, car running fine, family easy to wrangle.

It may be possible and inconvenient.

Pouring rain and thunder, tire low on air, family in bad mood.

God does not expect us to be here when it is impossible.

There is no doubt that when possible, convenient OR INCONVENIENT, he expects us here or with some other faithful group of saints.

We need a proper ATTITUDE of desiring to be with our brethren. 2 John 12

The first week after James Garfield’s inauguration as President of the United States, a member of his cabinet insisted on an urgent meeting at 10:00 Sunday morning to handle a threatened national crisis. Garfield refused to attend because he had a more important appointment. The cabinet member demanded to know what it was. The president replied, “I will be as frank as you are. My engagement is with the Lord to meet Him in His house at His table at 10:00 tomorrow, and I shall be there.”

2 John 12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

Visitors: you need to be a member somewhere. Acts 9:26; Gal. 1:15-24

Acts 9:26 “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.”

This was 3 years after Saul had been converted and became a Christian.

Gal. 1:15-24 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.”

Logical conclusion: The Holy Spirit made it clear to Saul, whether directly or through the word of another, that he needed to join himself to the church in Jerusalem.

Visitors, have you done that? If not, when will you do so?

Members: you need to be involved.

God is worth your time and devotion. Rev. 4:11; 5:12

Rev. 4:11 ““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.””

Rev. 5:12 “saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!””

If you are not involving yourself in this local work, you are disrespecting the Lord who made you and saved you from your sin.

We are joined together as a body. Rom. 12:4-5

Rom. 12:4-5 “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

If you are not involving yourself in this local work, you are not serious about the bond we share as the body of Christ and members of one another.

We are beset by dangers from the Adversary. 1 Pet. 5:8

1 Pet. 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Our local group is a safe haven from the world. There are ways we can get better at that. But we can’t do it if you never involve yourself.

If you neglect your place in this group, you’re opening yourself up to attacks from outside.

Ok, I’m Here. What Now?

Are you harboring any ill will toward your neighbor or your brother? Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15; 1 John 3:11

Matt. 5:23-24 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Matt 18:15 ““Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”

1 John 3:11 “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,”

Are there false doctrines to which you cling? Matt. 15:9

Matt. 15:9 “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ””

Is your worship an outward form with no inner core?

Our singing - routine, only tradition?

Okay if you miss pitch, sing quiet, etc. Is your HEART in it?

The Lord’s Supper - ritualistic and meaningless?

Okay if it’s just a passage read. Is your HEART in it?

Our prayers - devoid of heart and focus?

Okay if repeated. Is your HEART in it?

Perhaps I am not involving myself in these acts of worship. Spectators worship in vain. Matt. 15:8

Matt. 15:8 “‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”

How many of this number will actually be heard by the Lord? Matt. 18:20

“He hears our hearts” - indeed He does! What is your heart saying to Him?

Matt. 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.””

NOTE: This has little to do with the assembly, and all to do with discipline of a brother or sister. Do not use it as an excuse to worship God without the local congregation. Go back and read it in Matthew 18.

Do I lack reverence for God? Acts 10:30; 1 Tim. 3:15; Luke 22:15-16

Acts 10:30 “So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,”

1 Tim. 3:15 “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

There must be an involvement with what we are doing.

Looking for a song while trying to sing some other one.

Thinking about the song you’re about to lead while you should be thinking of the Lord’s death and resurrection during the Lord’s Supper.

Thinking about the sermon you’re about to preach instead of having total focus on our worship together.

How would we act if Paul, Peter, some other Apostle were here with us? How would we act if Jesus were with us?

News flash: They are ALL with us when we worship.

Luke 22:15–16 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

Especially with the Lord’s Supper, Jesus partakes of it with us, as do all the faithful who have fallen asleep.

Is my “church life” just 3 hours a week? John 4:23-24

Some here might feel like they do well to make it 1 hour a week. And that needs to change before judgment.

Do you pick up and leave your religion like the sermon outline or the bulletin?

John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.””

Do we think Jesus was just talking about a few hours each week?

If this is all we give the Lord, we are severely lacking.

Every day, remember who the Lord is in your life. Do not let your feet hit the floor in the morning before you’ve thanked him for a new day in which to serve Him.

Sing songs about God with your family.

Study and read about Him together.

Ask questions about what you don’t understand.

Make it your aim to devote your entire life to God. Isn’t that what you will do in eternity?

What Am I Accomplishing When I Worship With The Whole Heart?

I Glorify my Master.

“We Will Glorify the King of Kings” 141

I continue the adventure of serving God together with his Host.

“The Army of our Lord” 138

I recall that without the Lord in my heart, life is void, meaningless.

“Rejoice and Sing that God is Great” 140

I remember to cling to what the Lord has given me.

Hebrews 10:26-39

Hebrews 10:26–39 NKJV

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.