Faithful Attendance 1 WS327
What Am I Saying When I Assemble With The Saints?
by Wesley Simons
Introduction
1. We are to be faithful to God, a part of which is faithful attendance.
2. Where could you be at worship time that would be more important than
worshipping God?
3. When you are absent, it says something about you and your love for God.
4. When you are present, it says something about you and your love for God.
5. Let us notice what we are saying when we assemble with the saints.
I.I Love The Lord And Want To Be With Him.
1. If you do not enjoy being with God and His people now, what makes you
think that you would enjoy this in all eternity?
2. Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until
the kingdom of God shall come.
3. Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of
the LORD.
II.INeed To Set A Good Example.
1. Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
2. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
3. How can we invite people to attend services and then not show up
ourselves?
4. Joe Kerr would say, “be careful who you invite because they might come”.
III. I Want A Good Conscience.
1. 1 John 3:20-21 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart,
and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have
we confidence toward God.
2. John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me
alone; for I do always those things that please him.
3. Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and
brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
4. Can you miss services and have a good conscience?
5. Some miss worship services and it does not seem to bother them.
6. If we are going to be up there when the roll is called, then we are going to
have to present here when the roll is called.
IV. I Do Not Want To Backslide.
1. The weakest brethren are those who miss services.
2. One becomes unfaithful to God by missing one service at a time.
3. 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the
beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them
according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again;
and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
V. I Want To Walk In The Steps Of The Saints.
1. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2. Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came
together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the
morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
3. These people were dedicated enough to lay their lives on the line to
worship God: Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at
that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at
Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of
Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
VI. Ineed To Go And Am Needed.
1. Who is going to keep the work of the church going?
2. Who is going to teach the classes, etc.?
3. 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.
VII. I Do Not Want To Rob God.
1. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I
have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first
day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
2. Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say,
Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
3. When you miss, do you make up your contribution?
VIII. I Need To Satisfy My Spiritual Appetite.
1. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
2. 1 Peter 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire
the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3. 3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be
in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
4. Is your soul prospering?
5. I need to maintain my growth.
IX. I Want To Obey Those That Have The Rule Over Me.
1. Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have
spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end
of their conversation.
2. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit
yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for
you.
3. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over
the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of
God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
4. How easy are you to feed???
5. It is discouraging to have to beg members to attend services!!!!
X. I Do Not Want The Doors Closed.
1. Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
2. When you lay out of services you are saying,“I don’t care if the
church at Stoney Creek meets or not!”
3. If these doors were opened only when you were here, how often would
they be opened??????
XI. I Do Not Want To Disobey God.
1. Hebrews 10:25Not 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.
2. If the Lord told you not to do a thing, would you listen??
3. We declare that the religious world is in trouble with God because they
will not obey God on water baptism. Will we not be in trouble with God if
we violate Hebrews 10:25.
4. Will you promise self and God that He will always come first?
5. Put Him first now by obeying Him.