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Jesus worshipped regularly (Luke 4:16) “as his custom was” Paul worshipped regularly (Acts 11:26; 17:2) “they assembled with the church” “as his custom was” . “Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?”. • Work obligations • School obligations • Family obligations.
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Jesus worshipped regularly (Luke 4:16) “as his custom was” Paul worshipped regularly (Acts 11:26; 17:2) “they assembled with the church” “as his custom was”
“Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?” • Work obligations • School obligations • Family obligations
“Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?” • Personal Choices • Friendships • Plans to Relax • Time to Recuperate
“Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?” Young Christians Older Christians Those in Love with the World The Discouraged
What does it mean if we “have to” do something? • We are forced to do something. • We are under moral obligation. • We should do something. • We face consequences if we don’t.
In matters of faith God does not force us to do anything. 1. God can “give us over” to sin (Psalm 81:11,12; Romans 1:28). 2. We must “choose for ourselves” (Joshua 24:14,15)
“Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?” 1. No — We can choose not to “con-sider one another” (Heb 10:23-25). 2. No — We can choose not to “obey those who rule over” us (Heb 13:17). 3. We can choose not to “desire the pure milk of the word” (I Pet 2:1-3). 4. We can choose not to “submit ourselves to God” (James 4:7,8).
Remember what it means to “have to” do something. • We are forced to do something. • We are under moral obligation. • We should do something. • We face consequences if we don’t.
What do we mean by – “every church service?” 1. NT Christians met every day (Acts 2:46) & Sunday (Acts 20:7; I Cor 16:1,2). 2. These were opportunities to “do one’s share” (Ephesians 4:11-16). 3. These were occasions to “build-up” one another (I Corinthians 14:26). 4. Occasions to grow (Col 2:18,19) and help guard one another (Rev 3:1,2).
To “have to” do something can also mean… • We are forced to do something. • We are under moral obligation. • We should do something. • We face consequences if we don’t.
“Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?” • Does God “take roll” to determine salvation? — No. 1. Will I go to hell for missing a single service? — Not necessarily. 2. Will I miss what God commands me to help me avoid sin & go to heaven? — Yes. 3. Can I be right with God and refuse to obey His commands? — No. (Rom 14:22).
“Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?” • Should I be at every service? — Yes. (James 4:17). 1. Am I under moral obligation to be at every service? — Yes (to God & brethren). 2. Will I face consequences if I don’t attend every service? — Yes. 3. Will I forfeit benefits if I don’t attend every service? — Yes.
What Influences Us More? How can we afford to surrender the little influence the church has on our lives? Computers The Church – 4 hours Movies Friends Television Music Radio
“Do I Have To Be At Every Church Service?” • Should I be at every service? — Yes. (James 4:17). 3. Will I forfeit benefits if I don’t attend every service? — Yes. (I Peter 5:8,9). 4. Will we be following the example of Paul, the other Apostles and Jesus Himself if we are regular in worship? Yes