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Hebrews 10:24-31 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The need for faithfulness in church attendance!

CHURCH ATTENDANCE For Christians, there is no substitute for attending church. Many people, however, go to church if they feel they “need it” at the time. Christian motivation for fellowship must be to obey God and to support others. It is important to attend church to express of our Love for God and build up our Spiritual Strength and that of our brethren. However, what happens to us when we habitually forsake the assembly?

1. YOU BEGIN TO DRIFT - Hebrews 2:1  Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

1. YOU BEGIN TO DRIFT Drift means, “to flow past, glide by, slip away”. A ship loosed from its moorings drifts out to sea. Christians leave the Church by gradually and subtlety forsaking the assembly. Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

1. YOU BEGIN TO DRIFT James 5:19-20  Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. 2 Peter 2:21-22  For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22  But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." Don’t drift away from assembling with the saints.

2. YOU BEGIN TO DOUBT - Hebrews 3:12-13  Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13  but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2. YOU BEGIN TO DOUBT The Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness because of their distrust in God - Psalm 95:8-11  "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, 9  When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. 10  For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.' 11  So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.’ “ Doubt keeps us from growing. But, the Lord wants spiritually growth 1 Peter 2:2  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 2 Peter 3:18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

2. YOU BEGIN TO DOUBT The Corinthians did not grow - 1 Corinthians 3:1-2  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2  I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; Those that stop growing are “blind, and cannot see afar off, and have forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:5-8  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6  to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must grow or we’ll die. The assemblies offer opportunities for growth.

3. YOU BECOME DULL OF HEARING - Hebrews 5:9-11  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10  called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," 11  of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

3. YOU BECOME DULL OF HEARING The Hebrews had become DULL OF HEARING, which caused their spiritual development to completely stop. Dull means, “slow, sluggish, lazy”. Lazy Christians cultivate no home for the word in their heart. Their heart is crowded with worldly cares. Time in the word of God is necessary for growth. The assemblies offer regular study of the scriptures.

4. YOU DEPART AND FALL AWAY - Hebrews 6:4-6  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5  and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6  if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

4. YOU DEPART AND FALL AWAY Remember there is a great difference between falling and falling away. Falling away isn’t just falling into some sin, it is actually departing from Jesus Himself. Hebrews is filled with WARNINGS against turning away from Jesus Christ, the only source of salvation Hebrews 2:1-3  Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2  For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3  how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

4. YOU DEPART AND FALL AWAY Hebrews 3:12-14  Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13  but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14  For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, Hebrews 4:1  Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. Hebrews 4:11  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 10:26-39  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

5. YOU FACE DISCIPLINE FROM THE LIVING GOD - Hebrews 10:24-31  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28  Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29  Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30  For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." 31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

5. YOU FACE DISCIPLINE FROM THE LIVING GOD There is great danger in forsaking the assembly! A Christian has a biblical obligation to be faithful in attend to the assembling of Christ’s Church. It is fearful indeed to one-day face the God that has been rejected and offended so greatly! The Christian emphasis must be in accordance with 1 Cor. 4:2, “Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.”

TONIGHT’S SERMON STEPS OF SOWING TO REAPING