1 “Why do you or I need to go to church?” “Can’t we just have it at home?” God is seeking true worshipers, John 4:21-24

Why should I attend the worship assemblies of the church? In the Old Testament God wanted Israel to go to His assigned place, Lev 17:1-9; Deut 12:5-14In the Old Testament God wanted Israel to go to His assigned place, Lev 17:1-9; Deut 12:5-14 Not “in every place that you see” but where God chose (2 Chrn 7:12)Not “in every place that you see” but where God chose (2 Chrn 7:12) God’s arrangement respected, Lev 10:1-2God’s arrangement respected, Lev 10:1-2

NT examples of the church assembling for worship, Acts 2:42, 46; 5:12; 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2NT examples of the church assembling for worship, Acts 2:42, 46; 5:12; 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2 Follow these worthy examples, 1 Cor 4:16- 17; Phil 4:9Follow these worthy examples, 1 Cor 4:16- 17; Phil 4:9 One who wants to be like the NT Christians assembles with the local churchOne who wants to be like the NT Christians assembles with the local church Why should I attend the worship assemblies of the church?

In NT, Christians “came together” (Heb 10:25)In NT, Christians “came together” (Heb 10:25) To break bread, Acts 20:7-8To break bread, Acts 20:7-8 To worship “as a church”, 1 Cor 11:18To worship “as a church”, 1 Cor 11:18 In one place (L Supper), 1 Cor 11:20, 33-34In one place (L Supper), 1 Cor 11:20, For edification, 1 Cor 14:23, 26For edification, 1 Cor 14:23, 26 For learning, Acts 14:27For learning, Acts 14:27 To discipline a sinner among them, 1 Cor 5:4-5To discipline a sinner among them, 1 Cor 5:4-5 Why should I attend the worship assemblies of the church?

Christ expects His body to come togetherChrist expects His body to come together Christians are one body in Christ, Rom 12:5Christians are one body in Christ, Rom 12:5 To edify the body of Christ, 1 Cor 14:26; Eph 4:11-16To edify the body of Christ, 1 Cor 14:26; Eph 4:11-16 Helps keep unity in the body of Christ, Eph 4:3; 1 Cor 12:25-27Helps keep unity in the body of Christ, Eph 4:3; 1 Cor 12:25-27 Why should I attend the worship assemblies of the church?

There are some things Christ expects of us that cannot be done “at home” (privately)There are some things Christ expects of us that cannot be done “at home” (privately) Encouraging one another when we worship together (Heb 10:24; 1 Cor 14:26)Encouraging one another when we worship together (Heb 10:24; 1 Cor 14:26) Speaking to one another in song, Eph 5:19Speaking to one another in song, Eph 5:19 Praying with one another, 1 Cor 14:15-17Praying with one another, 1 Cor 14:15-17 Why should I attend the worship assemblies of the church?

There are some things Christ expects of us that cannot be done “at home” (privately)There are some things Christ expects of us that cannot be done “at home” (privately) Giving on 1 st day of the week, 1 Cor 16:1-2Giving on 1 st day of the week, 1 Cor 16:1-2 Assembled teaching of God’s word, Acts 20:7 (14:26); 1 Ths 5:27; Col 4:16Assembled teaching of God’s word, Acts 20:7 (14:26); 1 Ths 5:27; Col 4:16 Coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor 11:20-22, 33-34Coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor 11:20-22, Why should I attend the worship assemblies of the church?

What about Matthew 18:20 and other assemblies on the Lord’s Day? Issue is not: Whether individual Christians may gather together to pray, sing, study the Bible and worshipIssue is not: Whether individual Christians may gather together to pray, sing, study the Bible and worship Issue: God wants individuals to “come together as a church” to worship (1 Cor 11:17-18, 20)Issue: God wants individuals to “come together as a church” to worship (1 Cor 11:17-18, 20)

Context: Addressing private sin and apostolic authorityContext: Addressing private sin and apostolic authority Individuals are not the church, 18:16-17Individuals are not the church, 18:16-17 The church is not “two or three”, 18:17The church is not “two or three”, 18:17 Apostles would agree with heaven and thus have fellowship with Christ, 18:18-20Apostles would agree with heaven and thus have fellowship with Christ, 18:18-20 What about Matthew 18:20 and other assemblies on the Lord’s Day?

When we act together, under the authority of Christ, He is with us (1 Jno 1:7; 3:24; Jno 14:23)When we act together, under the authority of Christ, He is with us (1 Jno 1:7; 3:24; Jno 14:23) Does not teach: Whatever 2 or 3 decide, Christ will agree with themDoes not teach: Whatever 2 or 3 decide, Christ will agree with them Does not teach: Whenever 2 or 3 Christians gather it constitutes a local church at worshipDoes not teach: Whenever 2 or 3 Christians gather it constitutes a local church at worship What about Matthew 18:20 and other assemblies on the Lord’s Day?

We are under commandment not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, Heb 10:24-25We are under commandment not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, Heb 10:24-25 Moral obligation before GodMoral obligation before God Question to ponder: If everyone attended and participated in the assemblies the way I do, would this church have regular worship services?Question to ponder: If everyone attended and participated in the assemblies the way I do, would this church have regular worship services? Why should I attend the worship assemblies of the church?

12 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psa 122:1 If you are not glad to assemble to worship, why not? 2 Cor 13:5