Lesson 3.

 What Doth the Lord require of Thee? 

In Reference to Attendance

 The Lord desires for His people to come together in periods of worship. The early church met together for such periods of worship and study.  Acts 20:7 

I.   New Testament Issues a Grave Warning to Those Who Forsake the Assembly.   Hebrews 10:24-31 

    A.   Notice the following – all connected to the forsaking of the assembly.

1.     “Sin willfully…. There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin” Hebrews 10:26

2.     “Fearful looking for judgment and fiery indignation”  Hebrews 10:27

3.     “Sorer punishment”  Hebrews 10:29

4.     “Trodden under foot the Son of God” Hebrew 10:29

5.     “Counted the Blood of the covenant an unholy thing”  Hebrews 10:30

6.     “Done despite unto the Spirit of grace” Hebrews 10:29

7.     “Lord shall judge his people”  Hebrews 10:30

8.     “Vengeance belongeth unto me…saith the Lord”       Hebrews 10:30

9.     “Fearful thing to fall into hands of the living God”    Hebrews 10:31 

II.   Why So Many Fail to Attend 

A.   We fail to teach members what the Bible says on the subject. Yet, we are to teach those who are baptized “all things.”  Matthew 28:30  Christians are to teach Christians.                    II Timothy 2:2 Attendance is part of “all things”.

B.   We make little or no follow-up to determine why members forsake the assembly. This is true even though we are under obligation.

1.     Help those who are overtaken in error.  Galatians 6:1

2.     Convert the sinner from the error of his way.         James 5:20

C.   We failed in providing the proper diet for many of the

      people.  Hebrews 5:12-14 

III.   What Faithful Attendance Does for the Christian. 

A.   Gives him fellowship with people of like faith.  Acts 2:41-47

B.   Shows his love Christ.  John 14:15

C.   Shows he can rightly divide the Word of God.  II Timothy 2:15 Will not argue “forsake which assembly” anymore than he would argue “love which neighbor?”

D.   Enhances the influence of the church – makes the light truly shine before men.  Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15