The Decision of Attendance
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesSUBJECT: Attendance
TITLE: The Decision of Attendance
PROPOSITION: To discuss the decision of attendance; that it ought to be a subservient decision, a sustained decision, and a spiritual decision.
OBJECTIVE: To encourage the brethren toward regular, faithful attendance.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read Hebrews 10:19-28.
2. About the Text:
1) The once for all sacrifice which Christ made established the new covenant between God and man.
2) Through this covenant, we have purity before God, and therefore boldness to approach his throne through the blood of Christ by a new and living way.
3) We also have the great high priest, Jesus the Christ who is over the house of God.
4) Based upon these two things which we have, the writer urges us to do three things:
a. Let us draw near…
b. Let us hold fast…
c. Let us consider…
5) It is out of this third consideration-a consideration of one another-that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
6) The warning against willful sinning is then raised so as to discourage anyone from decidedly not attending the services of the saints.
3. It is out of this background that we present some reasons under the title: The Decision of Attendance.
DISCUSSION:
I. A SUBSERVIENT, OBEDIENT DECISION
1. We are servants.
1) Almost every single New Testament writer considered himself a servant.
a. Paul-Romans 1:1; Tit. 1:1
b. Peter-2 Peter 1:1
c. Jude 1:1
d. James 1:1
e. Timothy-2 Timothy 2:24
f. John-Rev. 1:1
2) Jesus was a servant (Cf. Philippians 2:5ff).
3) Servants are obedient to their masters.
2. We ought to obey the Lord in this matter.
1) Because we love God (1 John 5:3).
2) Because we want Jesus to save us (Hebrews 5:8-9).
3) Because we want the church to function as God desired it (under the oversight of the Shepherds/Elders) (Hebrews 13:17).
4) We should not put our own will against God’s in these matters, but be subservient to him.
II. A SUSTAINED, CONTINUING DECISION
1. We made a commitment when we put the Lord on in baptism.
1) Luke 14:25-33 (Read/Comment).
2) Romans 6:3-13
3) Romans 12:1, 2
2. And we must face the consequences if we violate that commitment.
1) Luke 9:62.
2) 2 Peter 2:20-22.
3. An illustration. Coal taken out of a fire.
4. Read “A Fifty Year Old decision.”
III. A SPIRITUAL, HEAVENLY DECISION
1. Not an earthly decision.
1) Family
a. Keep peace in family.
b. Family tradition.
c. Mom and Dad make me come.
2) I come to ease my conscience.
3) I like the preacher.
4) Something to do on Sunday.
5) To socialize.
6) To catch up on the weekly gossip.
2. It is a spiritual decision.
1) We desire to seek God first and his kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
2) We desire to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
3) We desire to edify the saints (Hebrews 3:13).
4) We desire to sing praises unto God (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19).
5) We desire to render prayers to the Father (1 Timothy 2:1-8).
6) We desire to partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
7) We desire to give to further the work of God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
8) We desire to study so that we can let God speak to us (2 Timothy 2:15).
CONCLUSION:
1. Read two things:
1) “Church Attendance is Important.”
2) “No excuse Sunday.”
2. Is it a sin to not attend services regularly?
1) Is it a sin to disregard one of Christ’s commands?
2) Is it a sin to ignore the needs of the church?
3) Is it a sin to be disobedient to God?
4) Is it a sin to not seek the kingdom of God first?
5) If you answered yes to any one of these questions, then you have your answer.
3. Invitation