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I Samuel 20:17-18 17 “Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. 18 Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.”. Introduction.
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I Samuel 20:17-18 17 “Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. 18 Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.”
Introduction • It was a practice of David to assemble with Jonathan and his family • When David would no longer assemble with Jonathan, it caused him to be missed • Jonathan loved David and could not imagine having his seat empty when his family came together on this important day for the New Moon
Introduction • It should be a practice of every Christian to assemble with the saints when the assembly is called together • When a brother or sister no longer attends services, they are missed • When you love your brothers and sisters in Christ, you will be concerned when their seat is empty and you will miss them
Introduction • Two questions that we must answer are: >Why will your seat be empty? >Why will you be missed? - Let us answer these questions by looking to the NT teachings regarding our responsibility in assembling with one another
Why Will Your Seat Be Empty? • “I am sick and / or unable to attend” > Phil. 2:25-30; II Tim. 4:20 -“I am traveling away, attending elsewhere” >Acts 20:1-7 -“I am busy and will be doing other things” > Lk.8:11-15; Gal.1:6-12; Ac. 24:25 -“I no longer want to serve the Lord” > Philemon 1:20-24; II Tim. 4:7-10
Why Will You Be Missed? • “You are loved by the congregation” > I Cor. 16:24; Phil. 1:8; II Cor. 2:4 -“You are a source of encouragement” >Heb. 10:24-25; I Thess. 2:14-3:3 -“You could not participate in worship” > Ac. 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 3:16 -“You make people concerned for you” > Ps. 122:1; Acts 2:41-47
Application • Not only are there many reason why your seat may be empty and you will be missed, but there are certainly things that you will miss as well -Attendance to the services of the church are of great importance and must not be forsaken (Heb. 10:25) “The manner of some” is not the example for all.
Take your place with the Lord today!!! • Hear John 12:48 -Believe John 8:24 -Repent Luke 13:3, 5 -Confess Matt. 10:32-33 -Baptism Mark 16:16 -Faithful Matt. 24:13