Attending to the Attendance Problem

Introduction OUR PURPOSE: NOT TO BERATE NOT TO EMBARRASS NOT TO INTIMIDATE OUR PURPOSE: NOT TO BERATE NOT TO EMBARRASS NOT TO INTIMIDATE

Introduction A DIFFICULT SUBJECT: NOT BECAUSE SCRIPTURE IS UNCLEAR BECAUSE DIVISION IS CLEAR ATTITUDES ARE SO DIFFERENT A DIFFICULT SUBJECT: NOT BECAUSE SCRIPTURE IS UNCLEAR BECAUSE DIVISION IS CLEAR ATTITUDES ARE SO DIFFERENT

Introduction 1.Some brethren in some places can work when they are pretty sick, but can't attend church assemblies when they only feel a little bad. 2.Some families can work or go to school when one member of the family is sick, but all or most of the family will stay home if only one member of the family is slightly ill. 1.Some brethren in some places can work when they are pretty sick, but can't attend church assemblies when they only feel a little bad. 2.Some families can work or go to school when one member of the family is sick, but all or most of the family will stay home if only one member of the family is slightly ill.

Introduction 3.Some brethren can work, hunt, shop, travel or attend sporting events when the weather is extremely bad, but can't attend an assembly under the same weather conditions. 4.Some brethren go to great lengths to keep appointments and be on time in secular matters, but neglect keeping their appointments with the Lord—appointments which they made when they obeyed the Gospel and became a child of God. 3.Some brethren can work, hunt, shop, travel or attend sporting events when the weather is extremely bad, but can't attend an assembly under the same weather conditions. 4.Some brethren go to great lengths to keep appointments and be on time in secular matters, but neglect keeping their appointments with the Lord—appointments which they made when they obeyed the Gospel and became a child of God.

The Place of Attendance ATTENDANCE IS NOT EVERYTHING BUT: ATTENDANCE IS A BAROMETER ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE IS WORTH OUR CONSIDERATION ATTENDANCE IS NOT EVERYTHING BUT: ATTENDANCE IS A BAROMETER ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE IS WORTH OUR CONSIDERATION

Why Should We Work to Build Attendance NOT TO COMPETE WITH DENOMINATIONS (I Peter 5:8–9; Ephesians 6:10–16; II Corinthians 11: 13–14). NOT TO PUT ON A BIG SHOW AND TO IMPRESS THE WORLD WITH THE STRENGTH OF NUMBERS (Matthew 6:1–18; “alms,” v.2; “praying,” v.5; “fasting,” v.16; Jesus said, “they have their reward”). NOT TO COMPETE WITH DENOMINATIONS (I Peter 5:8–9; Ephesians 6:10–16; II Corinthians 11: 13–14). NOT TO PUT ON A BIG SHOW AND TO IMPRESS THE WORLD WITH THE STRENGTH OF NUMBERS (Matthew 6:1–18; “alms,” v.2; “praying,” v.5; “fasting,” v.16; Jesus said, “they have their reward”).

Why Should We Work to Build Attendance NOT TO BUILD UP THE PREACHER OR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH (I CORINTHIANS 3:5, 7, 21; 4:6; 1:29; GALATIANS 6:14) NOT TO GAIN THE PRAISES OF MEN (GALATIANS 1:10) NOT TO BUILD UP THE PREACHER OR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH (I CORINTHIANS 3:5, 7, 21; 4:6; 1:29; GALATIANS 6:14) NOT TO GAIN THE PRAISES OF MEN (GALATIANS 1:10)

Why Should We Work to Build Attendance TO SAVE SOULS OF LOST MEN AND WOMEN (Matthew 16:24–26) TO ENCOURAGE STEADFASTNESS IN THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25) TO SAVE SOULS OF LOST MEN AND WOMEN (Matthew 16:24–26) TO ENCOURAGE STEADFASTNESS IN THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25)

Why Should We Work to Build Attendance TO DO OUR PART IN THE EDIFICATION WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Ephesians 4:11–16, Hebrews 10:24, I Thessalonians 5:11–14; Acts 20:32). TO MULTIPLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN THE TRUTH AND BE CONFIRMED IN IT (John 8:31–32; Acts 14:21–23; II Timothy 2:1–2). TO DO OUR PART IN THE EDIFICATION WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Ephesians 4:11–16, Hebrews 10:24, I Thessalonians 5:11–14; Acts 20:32). TO MULTIPLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN THE TRUTH AND BE CONFIRMED IN IT (John 8:31–32; Acts 14:21–23; II Timothy 2:1–2).

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY WOULD YOU SAY YOUR INDIFFERENCE IN THE MATTER OF ATTENDANCE IS INDICATIVE OF THE GREAT LOVE YOU HAVE FOR THE LORD AND HIS CAUSE?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY DO YOU REFUSE TO ATTEND REGULARLY BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOUR ABSENCE IS NOT WRONG, AND THAT YOU HAVE NOT DISOBEYED GOD IN DOING SO?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY DO YOU ATTEND SPASMODICALLY, OR HABITUALLY MISS PART OF THE SERVICES, SUCH AS SUNDAY NIGHT AND MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY, BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU ARE MADE STRONGER BY SUCH HABITS? OR, THAT YOU DON'T NEED WHAT STRENGTH IS TO BE DERIVED FROM FAITHFUL WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY ATTENDANCE?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY DO YOU ATTEND SERVICES IRREGULARLY BECAUSE YOU FEEL SUCH A PRACTICE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY DO YOU MISS SERVICES OFTEN BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF YOU DETERMINED EFFORT TO PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY DO YOU STAY AWAY FROM SERVICES OR HABITUALLY MISS SERVICES BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU ARE ABOUNDING IN THE LORD'S WORK BY DOING SO?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY DO YOU MISS SERVICES BECAUSE YOU FEEL IT WILL HELP YOU “GROW IN GRACE AND IN KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD”?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY DO YOU STAY AWAY BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU HAVE SERVED ENOUGH TIME TO ENJOY SEMI- RETIREMENT?

WHY DO YOU FAIL TO ATTEND REGULARLY COULD THE REAL REASON BE THAT YOU THINK OTHER THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FAITHFULLY SERVING THE LORD WITH THE SAINTS?

ASK YOURSELF 1.WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO A NEW CONVERT THAT HE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES? 2.WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO AN ERRING CHRISTIAN WHO HAS JUST BEEN RESTORED THAT HE OR SHE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING GOSPEL MEETINGS WHERE WE ATTEMPT TO REACH THE LOST OUTSIDER? 1.WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO A NEW CONVERT THAT HE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES? 2.WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO AN ERRING CHRISTIAN WHO HAS JUST BEEN RESTORED THAT HE OR SHE ATTEND BIBLE STUDY AND OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING GOSPEL MEETINGS WHERE WE ATTEMPT TO REACH THE LOST OUTSIDER?

ASK YOURSELF 3.WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER IN THE CHURCH WHERE YOU ARE A MEMBER WHO RARELY ATTENDS BIBLE STUDY AND GOSPEL MEETINGS? OR RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER WHOSE FAMILY IS NEGLIGENT IN ATTENDANCE? 4.IF YOU WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FOR OTHERS, WHY NOT FOR YOURSELF? 3.WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER IN THE CHURCH WHERE YOU ARE A MEMBER WHO RARELY ATTENDS BIBLE STUDY AND GOSPEL MEETINGS? OR RECOMMEND ONE TO SERVE AS AN ELDER WHOSE FAMILY IS NEGLIGENT IN ATTENDANCE? 4.IF YOU WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FOR OTHERS, WHY NOT FOR YOURSELF?

ASK YOURSELF IF YOU WOULD NOT RECOMMEND SUCH SERVICE FOR YOURSELF OR OTHERS, WOULD YOU THEN RECOMMEND TO THE CHURCH AND ITS ELDERS THAT THEY STOP BIBLE CLASSES AND GOSPEL MEETINGS, OR REGULAR SUNDAY MORNING ASSEMBLIES?