There is more to being faithful to the Lord than "church attendance," but can one be faithful to Him without it?  Is it necessary (to please God, grow spiritually, and be saved) for one to assemble faithfully with the saints?  The Bible replies, "Yes!"  We are not speaking of the sick, shut-ins, or others hindered beyond their control, but those who are able to come.  We are not asking if the preacher or elders care, but does God care?  Consider the following.

Lord’s Day Assembly - Saints are commanded to partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:24).  The apostolic example (Acts 20:7) confirms that the church ate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.  To provide money needed for the church’s work, saints were commanded to give of their money every first day of the week (1 Corinthian 16:1-2).  These things were done "everywhere in every church" (1 Corinthians 4:17).  To willfully miss the Lord’s Day assembly is to disregard these commands.

Other Assemblies - What about Sunday evening, Sunday Morning Bible school or Wednesday night?  Are such meetings scriptural or unscriptural?  Various meetings beside Sunday were held in the early church with apostolic approval (Acts 2:46; 4:23; 12:12, etc.)  Certainly additional meetings for study, worship and fellowship (gospel meetings, vacation Bible schools, etc.) greatly strengthen those who attend them and do untold good.

A Direct Command - As clearly as the New Testament teaches no to commit adultery and not to murder, it teaches "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25).  To forsake is not merely being absent.  A sick man will be absent without forsaking the assembly if he would have been there except for sickness.  To forsake is to abandon for something deemed more important.  It is speculation to limit this command only to the Lord’s Day assembly.  Whenever there is a meeting of the saints where we can be exhorted to pure living, we ought to be there.  We ought to want to be there!

Miscellaneous Principles - Lovers of God have always cherished worship and study opportunities (Psalms 42:1-4; 84:1-2, 10; Matthew 5:6).  Can one "seek first the kingdom" while forsaking its assemblies (Matthew 6:33)?  Does God care where we are when the saints meet?

Rising Star church of Christ

More soup is needed for the Medina Children’s Home.  It will be collected the week of Sept. 12.

The small and large auditorium class will continue to be combined through this upcoming quarter.  This lesson over Job will be taught by Bill Spann.

Mark your calendars!  Monday Night For The Master begins September 12.

Today is our Coins for Kidz day!  Please turn in your cans to Cherrelle, Mike, or one of the elders.  If you forgot, please bring it with you next week.

WOODLAWN PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
Sign up for your photo appointment today at the table in the foyer.

STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 21, 2005