What Is Happening To The Sunday Night Service?

First-Century Assemblies What we know... ▣ NT Christians met on Sunday, the “ first day of the week ” (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1- 2) and they met daily (Acts 2:46; 5:42) ▣ NT Christians assembled together (Heb. 10:25)

First-Century Assemblies ▣ Worship (Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Cor. 14:23, 26) ▣ Prayer (Acts 4:31; 12:12) ▣ Teaching (Acts 11:26; Col. 4:15-16) ▣ Lord ’ s supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17ff) ▣ Collection (1 Cor. 16:1-2) ▣ Discipline (1 Cor. 5:4) ▣ Congregational issues (Acts 6:1ff; 14:27)

Matters of Faith & Opinion ▣ Binding – some matters of the assembly are matters of the faith (see previous slides) ▣ Non-binding – some matters of the assembly are matters of judgment & opinion: when and where to meet, type of meeting place, number of services, etc. (be careful about aversion to change)

Removing the Sunday Night Service ▣ Some brethren have always had one service or have removed the evening service due to distance & traffic issues, renting/leasing facilities, etc. ▣ The question comes down to this: Is it a matter of true expediency (not sinful) or a matter of a lack of interest and worldliness (sinful)?

Some History on Sunday Night ▣ In the 1600 ’ s, the Puritans had two services on Sunday and a Thursday meeting ▣ In the “ horse and buggy ” days (1800 ’ s), brethren assembled for one extended service with “ dinner on the ground ” in between; farming was an important consideration within a 6-day work week

Some History on Sunday Night ▣ When mobility was made easier, brethren assembled twice on Sunday, morning and evening (early 1900 ’ s) ▣ Shift work during WWII, urban living, 7- day work week, etc. (mid-1900 ’ s) caused brethren to meet at different times on Sunday ▣ Today, some are considering removing the second Sunday service

Sunday Night Benefits ▣ More worship and teaching ▣ More visiting with brethren ▣ More opportunity for the working, the sick, etc. to assemble for the L.S. ▣ More opportunity for the men, young and old, to develop their talents

Potential Problems ▣ Putting worldly things above the Lord ▣ Putting self above the brethren – “ It is too much …” (1 K. 12:28) ▣ Less opportunity for non-Christians in the community to visit (1 Cor. 14:24); less invitations extended ▣ More likely to cut back on the other services in the future

Removing Sunday Night? ▣ What in the membership has changed to warrant such a removal? Location? Distance? Age? ▣ If it is wise to remove Sun. night, what about Wed. night, gospel meetings, the Sun. night of the Super Bowl? ▣ Are we allowing the lack of attendance by the “ weak ” (1 Cor. 11:30) to change the strong?

Removing Sunday Night? ▣ Do we believe one service is enough? Do we lack commitment? ▣ Are we simply adapting to cultural changes? ▣ Are we looking for more non-spiritual things to do on Sunday (disappearance of blue laws)?

Removing Sunday Night? ▣ Are we looking for more family/social time (Saturdays are now full, Sunday afternoon and evening is the only time left)? ▣ Do we look for justifications that don ’ t actually play out: home Bible studies, visit other churches, do personal work, etc.?

The Power of Assembling ▣ The power of teaching (Acts 13:1; 20:7): increased knowledge of God ’ s word strengthens ▣ The power of communion (1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-30): sharing the Lord ’ s supper together strengthens

The Power of Assembling ▣ The power of edification (1 Cor. 14:23- 26): building up through worship activities strengthens ▣ The power of exhortation (Heb. 10:24- 25): stirring one another to love and good works strengthens

The Power of Assembling ▣ The power of spirituality (Jn. 4:24; Eph. 5:18-21; Col. 3:16): filling the inward spirit of man with the Holy Spirit strengthens ▣ Why would any mature Christian not want more of this power? Why would any mature Christian allow things of the world to rob him of this power?