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Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25
Who is Harmed when a Christian does not Attend the Worship Services of the Church?
Intro.
1. Christians are not / cannot be isolationists, Rom. 14:7-8. Our lives have impact, influence and consequences (nature of responsible beings).
2. We are to be stirring up one another – Assembling, Heb. 10:23-25.
3. Does spiritual harm come from not attending worship services? Who is harmed, and how?
I. GOD IS TO BE WORSHIPED (Jno. 4:24):
A. With Reverence, Psa. 89:7.
B. With Praise, Psa. 107:32.
C. With my Whole Heart, Psa. 111:1.
D. With Pure Lives, Isa. 1:10-13 (Matt. 15:7-9).
E. With a Desire for Spiritual Growth, Acts 11:26.
-It is not a personal liberty to choose not to worship God, Jas. 4:17.
II. THE ABSENT CHRISTIAN IS HARMED BY NOT WORSHIPING.
A. 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. Hardening of the Heart against Worship, cf. Psa. 95:6-11; Heb. 3:13-15. One makes trial of God.
C. Lost in the Sin of Neglect, Jas. 4:17; Heb. 2:3; 3:14; 4:11; 10:26-29.
-In spiritual jeopardy – Needs to be restored (Jas. 5:19-20).
III. OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE HARMED WHEN A FELLOW CHRISTIAN FORSAKES OUR ASSEMBLING TOGETHER.
A. Others are Influenced when they see a Casual View Toward Attending Worship Services, Heb. 10:23-25.
1. If our presence stirs up others to love and good works, our absence has the opposite effect.
2. We lay a stumbling block that some will fall over, 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, discouragement occurs (Eph. 5:19).
C. The Congregation has One Whose Absence Sends a Message that Worship is Secondary and that Not Worshiping is Inconsequential to Our Spiritual Well-being, Acts 2:42.
1. Some have a view that once Sunday is really all that is necessary, 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 worship assembly is sanctioned by God, directed by His overseers (our elders), 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 (AND HELPED) 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 be setting a godly example for the world is acting like the world.
B. The World has Gained a Friend, 1 Jno. 2:15-17 (Jas. 4:4). Jno. 15:14
1. The world is not helped by those who love it and act like it.
2. The greater deception is when Christians will not worship their God, yet believe they are right with God. (Lk. 6:46)
C. The World has been Given an Opportunity to Speak against Christ, Titus 2:6-8.
1. That harms the world, since it speaks evil of Christ, of truth and of Christians.
2. It harms the church, since it is the object of ridicule, disdain and disregard.
3. A lack of conviction in Christians emboldens the world.
Conclusion
1. Sin affects ourselves, 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: October 5, 2016