## Why Come to Church?

## Hebrews 10:25

In our last evening, we noted that being a Christian involves both BLESSINGS and RESPONSIBILITIES. One of the blessings as well as an important responsibility for the Christian is the practice of ASSEMBLING regularly with other Christians.

· We have an example of Christians assembling in Ac 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.” (Acts 20:7)

· We have an explicit command not to forsake our assembling together in Heb. 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.” (Heb 10:25)

· The PURPOSE of our assembling is THREE-FOLD:

1. To express praise and devotion to God and Christ.

2. To exhort and encourage our brethren to greater service. cf Heb. 10:24-25

3. To receive such encouragement ourselves

Tonight I want us to look at the question, "Why Come to Church?"

I. THE ACTIVITIES OF OUR ASSEMBLIES

A. PRAYER (mentioned this morning)

1. We have several examples of group prayer in the early church. cf Ac 4:23- 24; 12:5,12

“And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:” (Acts 4:23-24)

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

2. The value of such prayer is implied in Jas. 5:16 (if such is true concerning the prayer of ONE righteous man, how much more the prayers of MANY righteous!)

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)

3. The value of all prayer is seen further in Ph 4:6-7.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)

a. So prayer not only blesses (praises) God...

b. But it also blesses (benefits) those who pray!

4. To get the most out of public prayers, make them your own!

a. In your heart, tell the Lord you agree with what is being said by the one leading the prayer.

b. Don't hesitate to offer a hearty "AMEN" if you agree.

B. SINGING

1. Commands to sing can be found in a number of passages.

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Eph 5:19)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col 3:16)

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb 13:15)

2. Notice where the emphasis lies:

a. On praising God

b. On teaching one another

c. On making melody "in your hearts"

3. So the emphasis is not on how we sound, but on what we say!

a. We should pay more attention to the words rather than the melody

b. Concentrate on engaging the mind and heart, and not just the mouth

4. To get more out singing in public, sing often in private!

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13)

C. THE WORD OF GOD

1. Teaching or preaching of the Word of God was part of public worship in the early church. cf Ac 20:7

2. For it is by the Word of God that we can grow spiritually.

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Pet 2:2)

3. How we listen to the proclamation of God's Word is an indication of our devotion to God.

a. We should be quick to hear what God's Word has to say.

“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (James 1:18-19)

b. It is important to receive God's Word with a proper attitude of meekness and willingness to receive it.

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21) 4. As with singing, the more we study the Word in private, the more we get out of it in the public assemblies!

D. THE LORD'S SUPPER

1. This is also called:

a. The "breaking of bread". cf Ac 2:42; 20:7

b. "Communion". cf 1 Co 10:16

2. A memorial feast instituted by Jesus Himself. cf 1 Co 11:23-26

a. In it we remember:

1) The sinless body offered on the cross in our place.

2) The blood shed to provide forgiveness for our sins.

b. In this observance we proclaim our faith in the sufficiency of the Lord's death.

c. In this observance we testify to the fact that He is coming again!

3. It should be done with all seriousness and appropriateness. cf 1 Co 11:27-29

a. In a manner worthy of the One we are remembering (not that we are worthy...the manner is to be worthy of Him).

b. A time also to reflect upon our relationship with Him who died for us.

c. When done properly it honors Jesus ("This do, in remembrance of Me") and renews us to greater faithfulness. cf 1 Co 11:28-32

d. And it strengthens our oneness in the body of Christ. cf 1 Co 10:17

E. THE COLLECTION

1. The early church is noteworthy for its love for one another. cf Ac 2:44,45; 4:32-35

2. Such love went beyond those in the local congregation. cf Ac 11:27-30

3. In time, a systematic manner for providing for needy Christians was instituted. cf 1 Co 16:1-2

4. The primary purpose of the collection, then, was to provide for needy Christians.

a. Locally and abroad

b. Including those who devote their lives to preaching the gospel. cf 2 Co 11:8,9; Ph 4:10-18

5. How much should one give?

a. The N. T. does not set a percentage (like the "tithe", or a tenth, found in the O.T. but rather instructs us to give according to the following principles:

b. "As he may prosper".

“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.” (1 Cor 16:2)

c. Whatever is given is to be with "a willing mind" and "according to what one has".

“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:” (2 Cor 8:12-13)

d. "As he purposes (plans) in his heart" cf 2 Co 9:7

e. Whatever one can give "cheerfully", not "grudgingly" or "of necessity" - cf 2 Co 9:7

f. Keeping in mind the principle of "sowing and reaping". cf 2 Co 9:6,8

6. When we give as we ought.

a. We are blessed. cf Ac 20:35; 2 Co 9:11

b. The needs of others are met. 2 Co 9:12a

c. God is glorified. cf 2 Co 9:12-15

7. To help motivate us in giving, Paul reminds us of the examples of the churches in Macedonia and of the Lord Himself. cf 2 Co 8:1-9

II. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF OUR ASSEMBLIES

A. KEEP IN MIND WHO IS PRESENT...

1. Our brethren in Christ

a. People like you, who appreciate the presence and encouragement of other Christians.

b. So take the time to visit with them before and after the assembly.

1) Don't get into the habit of always coming in at the last minute.

2) Don't be in such a rush to leave after the service is over.

2. Frequently visitors.

a. Who naturally draw conclusions about the congregation during their visit.

1) Will they conclude we are really disciples of Jesus?

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

2) Will they say in their hearts "God is truly among you"? cf. Co 14:25

b. So take the time to welcome them and visit with them. cf He 13:2

3. And especially our Lord

a. As He promised in Mt 18:20, He will be in our midst.

b. Do we act as we would if He were bodily present?

B. "YOU GET OUT OF IT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT"

1. Preparation beforehand makes a big difference.

a. Such as praying and meditating upon what you are going to do.

b. Planning what you can do to make the assembly more edifying (such as welcoming and visiting).

c. In other words, come to serve, not to be served (although you will blessed in return by doing it this way).

2. The more you come, the more interest you show, the more (and faster) you will grow!

a. This is true in any endeavor (e.g., physical exercise, hobbies)

b. "How often do I have to come?" is an indication of serious spiritual immaturity!

c. It displays a lack of true love for Christ and His brethren.

d. It shows a selfish concern when they see how little they can do.

Rather, our attitude ought to be like that expressed by David in Ps 122:1, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Neglecting the assemblies is detrimental to our spiritual growth as disciples of Christ. Do we express our love for God, our brethren, even our own selves as we should?

One of the greatest spiritual blessings we enjoy in Christ in this life is the fellowship we share in our public assemblies... Let's all do our part to fully utilize that blessing!