Topical Sermons                                                                                                        Power Point Show

Scripture Reading:  Acts 20:5-12

The Value of Attending Worship Services

Intro.

1.  Attend: “To stretch to,” to stretch the eyes & ears toward anything, to give consideration. (Synonyms: Be there, concentrate, focus)

2.  Another form of “attend” is attention (attend: “to apply the mind or pay attention,” Webster); “be attentive” (Psa 17:1; Prov 27:23).

3.  Both have to do with being present to learn & participate – “be diligent” in “attending.”  

4.  Attendance at worship services is valuable to our faith. Our view of attending services is a commentary on our faith.

 

I.  THE VALUE OF ATTENDING WORSHIP SERVICES IN THE LIVES OF EARLY CHRISTIANS, Acts 20:6-7.

  A.  Worshipping with Their Brethren was Important to them, Acts 20:6.

    1.  Planned:  Paul and his brethren waited for a week in Troas.

      a.  Some say Paul was just waiting for a merchant ship: Grander motive

      b.  Our travels: Plan ahead to worship with faithful Christians.

    2.  Waited for / anticipated, Heb 10:24-25. cf. Psa 122:1; 42:4.

      a.  To them, it was not a have to thing, but a want to experience!

      b.  From it they gained encouragement, joy, gladness.  What about us?

  B.  There was a Singular Interest to Worship God on the First Day of the Week, Acts 20:7.

    1.  To break bread, 1 Cor 11:17-34. Rebuked when their singular interest was not to come together give attention to worship; it had become a social gathering!  Not praiseworthy; many sick & many dead (11:30)!

    2.  To edify, 1 Cor 14:26 (19, 23-25).

    3.  Not sinful motives, thoughts & conduct:

      a.  To judge one another, Jas 2:1-4.

      b.  To look with a critical eye at everyone else.

  C.  It was an Opportunity to Teach God’s Word as much as Possible, Acts 20:7 (prolonged until midnight). (Paul about to leave, etc.)

    1.  Length was not a concern (cf. 20:11).

    2.  All of the law was read to Israel, Josh 8:34-35.

    3.  Attentive to the law, Neh 8:1-3, 8.

    4.  Daily attention, Acts 2:46 (42); 19:9.

 

II.  THE PRACTICAL VALUE OF ATTENDING WORSHIP SERVICES.

  A.  Our Attendance Provides & Promotes Personal Instruction & Edification from God’s Word (Acts 20:32).

    1.  Continued learning is a great protection for Christians, 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Ths 2:13; Phil 1:9-10.

    2.  It gives us what we need to meet life head-on & give an answer for our faith, 1 Pet 3:15.

    3.  It is a way of escape from temptations, 1 Cor 10:13.

    4.  When one devalues attending worship, he is devaluing opportunities to grow stronger in Christ. Col 2:6-7

  B.  Attendance Helps Concentrate Our Energies.

    1.  Helps reinforce the faith of every Christian who regularly attends worship services (“strength in numbers”).

      a.  Do not see strong Christians who do not regularly attend, or weak ones who do regularly attend.

      b.  Yet, some come who don’t really attend to their worship: They don’t “stretch forth” their ears & eyes [they just come (sometimes), sit, watch & leave].

    2.  Those that regularly attend & give full attention to their worship benefit from:

      a.  Mutual provocation, Heb 10:24 (stimulated).

      b.  Mutual encouragement, Acts 2:46.

      c.  Mutual objectives, Acts 20:7.

      d.  We are all involved in the same goals, doing the same work, seeking the same results (Acts 2:42; 9:31).

  C.  Attendance Helps Prevent Future Problems.

    1.  Being together promotes our Christian unity, companionship & knowledge of one another, Phil 2:4.

    2.  Opportunity to grow closer to one another; brotherly kindness (2 Pet 1:7).

    3.  Major part of this is accomplished out­side of our worship services (Don’t neglect showing such interest, thinking assembly is enough.)

    4.  Strength of unity, Eccl 4:12.

 

III. WHAT ATTENDING WORSHIP SERVICES DOES NOT DO.

  A.  Does Not Excuse Sin of the Past Week (or the next).

    1.  Christian’s sin must be dealt with properly, through repentance & prayer, Acts 8:22; 1 Jno 1:9.

    2.  Don’t treat worship as if nothing can be spiritually wrong (1 Cor 11:30).

  B.  Does Not Satisfy All our Service to Christ & Others, Gal 6:9-10.

  C.  Does Not Mean we are Immune to Temptation, 1 Cor 10:12.

 

Conclusion

1.  When you attend worship: Be attentive. 

2.  Worship God, learn from His word, grow in Christ, strengthen your faith & help strengthen the church.