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1 Corinthians 3 The church is the temple of God Prophetic Built on Christ Work of Apostles Accomplished in writing (1 Cor. 4:6)

1 Corinthians 4 Observation of Apostolic purpose

Welcome! Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM www.SunsetchurchofChrist.net

Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Hymns Invitation Red Songbook - Supplemental

Absences Add Up: 9 or Less is Best Last year I saw a sign up that at first I thought was for one of the local denominations; but I later realized it was for the school next door. What if church attendance was like school attendance?

Local school policy on attendance

Local school policy on attendance

Absences Count Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Hebrews 10:24-27 God’s policy on attendance

A Lesson to New and Old We encourage new brethren: Be here with us! For growth For strength To fulfill God’s will We also remind mature brethren: Be here! We talk about attendance in two degrees To new Christians To mature Christians

Why Do Schools Enforce Attendance 165 days per year Only 9 excused absences Why so strict? Need to progress in levels Need to avoid drop-out rates Think about why schools enforce attendance Two big measurements: Testing levels Drop-out rates

Attendance Matters What if everyone behaved as if it did not? Attendance is one of the most common lessons Why do we need constant reminders? Mt 15:18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.

Why We Miss the Assembly We start to let other things get in the way We start to feel like it does not matter much We get our feelings hurt We permit difficulties to dictate our presence Mt 15:18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.

Attendance Matters Because: Coming together enables spiritual growth

Attendance Matters Because: People who miss regularly fall away from Christ

Attendance Matters Because: It hurts brethren when we choose to be away

Attendance Matters Because: It is God’s will that you gather with brethren

Attendance Matters Because: It may take Sacrifice to be here with brethren

Absences Count Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Hebrews 10:24-27 God’s policy on attendance

Absences Count Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Hebrews 10:24-27 God’s policy on attendance

Purpose in coming together Absences Count Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Hebrews 10:24-27 Purpose in coming together God’s policy on attendance

Absences Count The Command: Do Not Forsake Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Hebrews 10:24-27 The Command: Do Not Forsake Forsake: putting something else 1st Examples of forsake:

Penalty in forsaking the assembly Absences Count Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Hebrews 10:24-27 Penalty in forsaking the assembly God’s policy on attendance

And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47b Hearing & Believing – Romans 10:17 Confession – Matthew 10:32 Repentance – Acts 2:38 Baptism – Mark 16:16 Remain faithful to Him – Matthew 10:22