Why Attend Every Church Service?

Introduction. This morning I would like for us to address a question which we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives as Christians—“Why Attend Every Church Service?” To do so we will offer four answers to this from the pages of Scripture.

I.  We all need it.  In Scripture we see the example of the early church assembling on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) but at times on other days as well (Acts 2:46).  What was the value of frequent times of worship? It is something Christians need to be what we ought to be. 

A.  Personally (Jude 20-21). There are certainly other ways that we can build ourselves up in faith, but we cannot deny that it one very important way that we challenge ourselves with contact with the word and with our brethren.

B.  Our brethren need us here (Acts 15:32-36).  Isn’t it interesting in this text that Paul, Barnabas, and Silas recognized the importance of “encouraging” the brethren? If this was true in the beginning of the church isn’t it true today?

C.  The world needs to see it (Matt. 5:14-16). In our daily life we show our faith, but how often in our daily life does our weekend, or evening plans come up? Do we show the world that Christ has a prominent place in our lives?

D.  Our families need it (Eph. 6:4; Titus 2:5). Our children and mates look to us. They can grow discouraged. They can falter in faith. Do they see in us a foundation of faithfulness to God?

II.  The elders have set a time.

A.  We are to submit to the elders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-5). It is a matter of judgment regarding times in addition to the Lord’s Day that the church assembles. Yet, when the elders set a time, it is a demonstration of submission to them to observe this time. To willfully neglect this to resist their authority.

B.  It is how they “feed” the flock (1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28-31). How do the elders “feed” the flock? This is a spiritual effort. They feed us by offering the spiritual nourishment that our soul needs. Will your body be healthy if you starve it? Will your soul be healthy if you don’t feed it? We should value such times.

III.  God commands it.

A.  We are not to forsake it (Heb. 10:24-25).  Some take this to refer to the Lord’s Day, but the context seems more likely to refer to Judgment Day as the day approaching. This is not just talking about social time with brethren. The word refers literally to synagoging (i.e. assembling for worship).

B.  It is how the body protects and feeds itself (Eph. 4:11-16). Not only is this how the elders feed the flock, but it is how the flock feeds itself.  I’m not talking about action apart from the elders. I simply mean that this is a primary way that we are nourished spiritually. This is true whether the elders set extra times (or even if a congregation did not have elders).

IV.  It is a dangerous world.

A.  Temptation is everywhere (1 Peter 5:8-9). In many congregations, it is (as it is here at Olsen) the custom to assemble twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday night. That is four hours. How many hours during the week are we exposed to things that offer us temptation? Co-workers? Friends? We need to use every opportunity we have to counter this influence.

B.  It is easy to fall (1 Cor. 10:1-13). The danger is that we fool ourselves into thinking that we will never fall.  We tell ourselves that we don’t need to be at every service—but we are still exposed to the dangerous influences in the world. We can all fall!  That is true even if we are here at every service, but it is one small defense against this very real danger.

3. Churches tend toward apostasy (Acts 20:29; 2 Tim. 4:1-5). We should not be offended by the fact that it is possible (if hot historically probable) that the church tends toward apostasy. The only thing which prevents this is vigilance. If we aren’t here, we cannot know and guard against the small steps which lead to this .

Conclusion.  There are important reasons that we should do all that we can to be at every service of the Lord’s church. Certainly there are times when we have legitimate reasons that we cannot. Let’s examine our choices carefully and do all that we can so that if it is possible for us to be here—we will be here to honor the one who gave everything for us.