Who is Harmed When Christians Do Not Attend the Worship Services of the Church?

Intro.

1.   Rom. 14:7-8 - Christians are not/cannot be isolationists! Our lives have impact, influence & consequences (nature of responsible beings).

2.   Heb. 10:23-25 - We are to be stirring up one another to love and good works.

3.   Does harm come from not attending worship services? Yes!  Who is harmed, and how?

I. GOD IS TO BE WORSHIPPED WITH: (Jno. 4:24 )

  A. Reverence - Psa. 89:7.

  B. Praise - Psa. 107:32.

  C. Whole Heart - Psa. 111:1.

  D. Pure Lives - Isa. 1:10-13 (Matt. 15:7-9).

  E. Desire For Spiritual Growth - Acts 11:26.

II. THE ABSENT CHRISTIAN IS HARMED BY NOT WORSHIPPING.

  A.   Symptomatic Of Spiritual Drifting - Heb. 2:1-3; 10:36-39.

    1. Removed from a primary source of spiritual food - 1 Cor. 14:26.

    2. Spiritual neglect leading to demise - Heb. 6:4-6.

  B.   Hardening Of The Heart Against Worship - cf. Psa. 95:6-11; Heb.3:13-15. -One makes trial of God!

  C.   Lost In Sin - Jas. 4:17; Heb. 10:26-29.  -In great jeopardy - We need to try to restore them! (Jas. 4:19-20)

III. OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE HARMED WHEN A FELLOW-       

    CHRISTIAN FORSAKES OUR ASSEMBLING TOGETHER .

  A.   Can Be Influenced By A Casual View Of Attending Worship - Heb.10:23-25.

    1. If our presence can stir us up to love & good works, one's absence can have the opposite effect!

    2. Gal. 5:7-9 - A stumblingblock is laid which some will fall over!

  B.   An Empty Seat Means Someone Is Not Present To Encourage Those Who Are! - cf. 1 Cor. 12:23-26; Eph. 4:16.

    -Fellowship is missed, unity is incomplete, discouragement occurs Eph.5:19).

  C. The Congregation Has One Whose Absence Sends A Message That Worship Is Secondary & Not Worshipping Is Inconsequential To One's Spiritual Well-being - cf. Acts 2:42.

IV. THE WORLD IS HARMED WHEN A CHRISTIAN FORSAKES     

      WORSHIP ASSEMBLIES.

  A. A Light To The World Has Gone Out - Matt. 5:14-16.

    -One who would otherwise be setting a godly example for the world has begun living like the world!

  B. The World Has Gained A Friend - 1 Jno. 2:15-17 (Jas. 4:4).

  -The world is not helped by more who love it -- Greater deception when "good" people will not worship their God yet believe they are right with God!

  C. The World Has Gained An Opportunity To Speak Against Christianity - Titus 2:7-8.

  1. That harms the world, since it speaks evil of Christ & righteousness.

  2. It harms the church, since it is the object of ridicule, disdain & disregard.

Conclusion

1. Rom. 14:7 - Sin affects ourselves, our brethren & the world.

2. Matt. 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness!

- - Joe R. Price

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