Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25
The Harm of Not Attending Worship Services
Intro.
1. Christians are not (cannot be) isolationists, Rom. 14:7-8. Our lives have impact, influence, and consequences (nature of respon. beings).
2. We are to stir up one another via assembled worship, Heb. 10:23-25.
3. Spiritual harm comes from not attending worship services. Who is harmed? How are they harmed? (Not talking about inability to attend.)
I. GOD IS TO BE WORSHIPPED (John 4:24):
A. With Reverence, Psalm 89:7.
B. With Praise, Psalm 107:32.
C. With Our Whole Heart, Psalm 111:1.
D. With Pure Hearts and Lives, Isa. 1:10-13 (Matt. 15:7-9).
-Choosing not to worship God is not personal liberty, James 4:17.
-Who is harmed when a Christian does not attend worship service?
II. THE ABSENT CHRISTIAN IS HARMED BY NOT WORSHIPING.
A. It is a Warning Sign of Spiritual Drifting, Heb. 2:1-3; 10:36-39.
1. Who is ever strengthened by not attending worship services?
2. Removed from a primary source of spiritual food, 1 Cor. 14:26.
3. Spiritual neglect leads to our ruin, Heb. 6:4-6.
B. A Hardening of the Heart Against Worship, cf. Ps. 95:6-11; Heb. 3:13-15. One makes trial of (tests) God.
C. Lost in the Sin of Neglect, James 4:17; Heb. 2:3; 3:14; 4:11; 10:26-29.
-In spiritual jeopardy – Needs to be restored (James 5:19-20).
III. OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE HARMED WHEN A FELLOW CHRISTIAN FORSAKES OUR ASSEMBLING TOGETHER.
A. Others Are Negatively Influenced When They See a Casual View of Attending Worship Services, Heb. 10:23-25
1. If our presence stirs others to love and good works, then our absence has the opposite effect.
2. We lay a stumbling block, and some will fall over it, Matt. 18:6-9.
B. An Empty Seat Means Someone is Not Present to Encourage Those Who Are Present, cf. 1 Cor. 12:23-26; Eph. 4:16.
-Fellowship is missed, unity is incomplete, and discouragement happens (Eph. 5:19).
C. The Congregation Has a Member Whose Absence Sends a Message That Worship is Secondary and Not Worshipping Does Not Affect Our Spiritual Well-being, Acts 2:42.
1. Some have a view that once Sunday is all that is needed, and therefore, everything else is optional (gravy).
2. There are things expected only once a week, but does that determine the extent of necessary assemblies of worship?
3. Every assembly is sanctioned by God, directed by His overseers, and approved as needed for our service to God and spiritual edification, 1 Cor. 14:23, 26; Heb. 13:7, 17.
IV. THE WORLD IS HARMED WHEN A CHRISTIAN CHOOSES NOT TO ATTEND A WORSHIP ASSEMBLY.
A. A Light for the World is Not Shining, Matt. 5:14-16.
-One who would otherwise set a godly example for the world is acting like the world. (The world’s cause is helped!)
B. The World Has Gained a Friend, 1 John 2:15-17 (James 4:4), John 15:14.
1. The world is not helped by those who love and act like it.
2. Christians who think they can choose not to worship God and yet be OK with the Lord are greatly deceived (Luke 6:46).
C. The World Is Given an Occasion to Disregard Christ, Titus 2:6-8.
1. It does not help the world to honor Christ, 1 Pet. 2:11-12.
2. It harms the church by minimizing its importance and justifying the world’s ridicule and disdain of it.
3. A Christian’s lack of conviction (faith) emboldens the world.
Conclusion
1. Sin affects us, our brethren, and the world, Rom. 14:7.
2. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Matt. 6:33.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted March 30, 2025