To 160 th Ave Church of Christ

ATTENDANCE

A WEIRD THING TO PREACH The Paradox – You are here A Negative Implication? – Almost seems counter productive to urge this Irrelevance – Attendance only a symptom of the real issue – If our attitude is right, attendance won’t be a problem

Good intentioned people still falter in attendance Generally speaking, because of weakness, pressure, etc. we don’t always make good decisions Ex. Grandparents – Most all wish they spent more time with these loved ones. – Irony: those we love the most are often most easily pushed aside and deferred because we trust they’ll understand because they love us. – Making the application: our attendance doesn’t get lax because we decide we don’t care about church, but because we drift and let ourselves get “too busy” despite good intentions.

Hebrews 10:25 Attendance was a problem even among NT Christians. The Hebrews writer had concern that their fervency and devotion was growing cold. Context of the book: – A deep book – A book written to were weak and drifting Hebrews 2:1-3 Hebrews 5:12

Hebrews 10:25: The Immediate Context 19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

Hebrews 10:25: The Immediate Context 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 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. 26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

Hebrews 10:25: The Immediate Context Having confidence to enter the Holy place (vs. 19) The House of God (vs. 21) – Coming into the presence of God – The earthly counterpart: when we assemble together – Took the blood of Christ to make this possible. – Only those who have had their hearts sprinkled and bodies washed can truly assemble Let us draw near in full assurance of faith (vs. 22) – Faith that God is present with us – If that isn’t our confidence/faith in which we assemble, then we are wasting our time

Hebrews 10:25: The Immediate Context Hold fast the confession of our hope (vs. 23) – Concern made for their hope of heaven (God’s promise) was getting shaky Let us consider on another – We need each other. I need you… – Why did devise in his plan to have this kind of assembly? – We will stand alone before God in judgment, but we make it to judgment in a group

Hebrews 10:25: The Immediate Context Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. – Not talking about missing one service. – Talking about an attitude that says I don’t need to be there As you see the day drawing near – With judgment approaching you need to be ready if we go on sinning willfully (vs. 26) – No sacrifice for someone who willfully drifts – The sacrifice is for those who walk by faith, hold fast, consider one another, etc. The mention of forsaking is in the context of our total commitment to the lord.

Being Realistic about ourselves Satan will always try to find more urgent things for us to do on Sunday and Wednesday We are creatures of habit: – Much easier to make the decision/commitment from the beginning that we will be there every time rather than try to decide in the moment We often need discipline to do the things that we want to do. – We often have good intentions – If we don’t have discipline, we often fail to do things that we know we should do

Being Realistic about ourselves Wednesday night Bible Studies – Can we be a NT church without them? – Why do we meet on Wednesdays? – A minimalistic approach: “Tell me where the scriptures specifically say I have to be there on Wednesday night?” This attitude scares me The law actually says “seek first…”“Love the lord with all…” It’s not really the Wednesday’s we need to be concerned about but the daily’s.

More Concern for the Dailys: Acts 17:11; 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Heb. 3:12-13; 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Acts 2:46; Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. 2 Cor. 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Being Realistic about ourselves If you were not here on Wednesday would you spend that time in prayer, song and Bible study at home? – How much time do we spend on these things on a daily basis? – Is Wednesday the only time we devote to spiritual matters during the week? – The real danger may be allowing Wednesday night to be a substitute for all our spiritual responsibilities of the week.

Consider the needs that are met when you assemble: Needs for encouragement Needs for guidance – From the word of God – From wise Christians who have experience Needs for prayers – We intercede for each other Need for communion – Fellowship with God and his son. What does a filled seat say?

AN EMPTY SEAT: Does not sing Does not pray Does not learn Does not grow spiritually Does not glorify God Does not encourage others It’s just an empty seat