Sermon | Forsaking the Assembly
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesSermon, Forsaking the Assembly
INTRODUCTION:
A. Hebrews 10:19-27
1. The Hebrew writer is speaking of the conversion process
2. Jesus consecrated by His flesh a “new and living way” for all of us; thus:
a. We have “boldness to enter into the holiest” (v. 19)
b. This occurred when the “veil” – His flesh – was torn
3. It is our duty to draw near to this “new and living way” by:
a. Having “our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience” (v. 22) – i.e. repentance
b. Having “our bodies washed with pure water” (v. 22) – i.e. baptism
c. Holding fast “the profession of our faith without wavering” (v. 23) – being faithful until death
d. “Provoking unto love and to good works” (v. 24) – admonition
e. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (v. 25)
4. The reason for not forsaking the assembly is seen in Hebrews 10:26-27
a. Our faithful attendance keeps us from rejecting the truth
b. Our faithful attendance keeps us from the fiery indignation of judgment
c. There is no forgiveness for those who intentionally remain in sin
B. Today I want to focus on one part of this conversion process as seen in Hebrews 10:19-27 – “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”
C. When we are forsaking the assembly, whether it be a.m. or p.m. worship, or Sunday and Wednesday Bible Classes – we are forsaking God, one another, and ourselves.
DISCUSSION:
A. Early Christians assembled EVERY Lord’s Day for worship
1. Acts 2:42
a. The church was “steadfast” [to continue all the time Thayer] in assembling together
b. They assembled at every opportunity
2. Acts 20:7 … The Christians at Troas met on Sunday to worship
3. The church in Corinth (1 Cor. 11; 16:2) are seen assembling on the first day of the week
B. Let us now consider several reason why we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together:
1. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study demonstrates a contempt for spiritual things
a. Romans 8:1, 6
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b. If one chooses not to assemble with the saints to worship would you say they are spiritually minded or carnally minded?
c. Galatians 6:7-8
d. If Christianity were illegal, and you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
2. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study involves choosing not to do that which is known to be good
a. James 4:17
b. I have never talked to anyone who denied that it would be good for one to attend all the worship services
c. Would you agree that who chooses to worship is a making a good choice?
3. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is choosing not to give or receive needed encouragement in living the Christian life
a. Hebrews 10:24-25
b. We encourage each other in many ways, but one of the most important ways is by our faithful attendance
c. Faithful attendance helps prevent others from falling away from the Lord
4. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is a violation of an explicit command
a. Hebrews 10:25
b. We need to remember what sin is … 1 John 3:4
c. If it is not wrong to miss 1 worship service, then it would not be wrong to miss 2, then 10, then 100, then 1000. If it is wrong to miss a 1000 services is succession, it’s only because it is wrong to miss one.
d. Choosing to miss 1 service violates Hebrews 10:25
5. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study contributes to ignorance
a. Hosea 4:6
b. 2 Peter 3:18
c. Ignorance is one of the things that crucified our Lord (Acts 3:17)
d. Two 15 year old boys – one attends worship once a week, and the other 4 times a week. Notice what happen if they learn just one new spiritual truth each time they attend:
1) Boy 1 – y1 (52), y10 (520), y55 (2, 860)
2) Boy 2 – y1 (208), y10 (2,000), y55 (11,440)
e. Friends attending worship makes a difference
6. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study sets a bad example
a. 1 Timothy 4:12
b. Our example either brings people closer to the Lord or pushes them farther away … Romans 14:7
7. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study discourages the faithful
a. It is discouraging that only 2/3 of those for morning worship are there for Bible Study and evening worship
b. It is discouraging that only 1/2 of those present for Sunday morning worship are there on Wednesday night
c. On of the most encouraging aspects of church work is good attendance
8. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is a failure to let one’s light shine – Matthew 5:14-16… Are you dimming your Christian light? Or, is your light already out?
9. Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study demonstrates that one’s priorities are not properly arranged
a. Matthew 6:33
b. Do you really suppose you are seeking God’s kingdom first when you would prefer to do something else [TV, fishing, etc.] than worship with the saints
10.Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is an affront to God
a. By not attending you are telling God that is really not all that important to you
b. Matthew 22:37
11.Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is to do so with intent and purpose
a. Some sins are committed unintentionally, or through ignorance. A faithful Christian does not plan to sin
b. Those who choose not to worship with the saints usually know they should, and they could if they would, but they plan not to do so
12.Choosing not to assemble with the saints in Worship and Bible Study is the only thing it would take to destroy the church from the face of the earth, if everyone did it
a. If one member of the church can, as a matter of preference and choice, not assemble with the saints for worship without committing any sin – then two can. If 2 can, then 10 can. If 10 can, then 100 can. And if 100 can, all can.
b. If it is right for 1 to do it then it is right for all
CONCLUSION:
Please do not forsake the assembling of the saints