Forsaking the Assembling Considering the UN derlying Problems

UN-Reliable Matthew 25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” Faithful here means trusty, faithful; of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties; one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust; that can be relied on. Christians must be reliable… – In their work – Eph. 6:5-8 – In their homes – 1 Tim. 5:8 – In the church – Heb. 10:24-25

UN-Reliable 1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” Reliability in assembling is depended upon by brethren… – Fellow-ship and Partner-ship infer JOINT Participation – Benefits come with responsibility Reliability in assembling is depended upon by the Lord… – IF we forsake the assembling of the church, what does this say about our desire for heaven? –IF we are unreliable in the kingdom on earth, do we expect that God will reward us with entrance to that heavenly kingdom?

UN-Committed 2 Timothy 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.” As Christians, we have made a commitment to the Lord! For many, Christianity is less a matter of conviction and more a matter of convenience. Sadly enough, we often fear commitment!

UN-Committed Acts 24:24-25 “And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” There is an important difference between… – INTEREST – only when circumstances permit – COMMITMENT – accept no excuses, only results Consider the example of Felix Are we all talk and no action?

UN-Grateful Luke 17: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 “Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

UN-Grateful Psalm 103:10 “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.” Are we like the nine lepers Jesus healed? Do we prove ourselves ungrateful for the grace and mercy He has shown us? Forsaking the assembling of the saints is an act of an ungrateful heart! “Whatever you do to the least of these my brethren, you do it unto Me” (Matt. 25:40, 45)

UN-Fruitful Luke 13:6-9 “ 6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 “Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 “But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 ‘And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’” Are WE Like This Fig Tree? Will we be cut off? – cf. John 15:8

UN-Concerned We are often unconcerned about… – Spiritual things – Our brethren – The church – The Lord – Fulfilling God’s commands – Heaven We might say we are concerned, but forsaking the assembling demonstrates an incredible lack of concern on our parts!

UN-Concerned 2 Corinthians 11:28 “…besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. ” Consider the examples of… – Titus – 2 Cor. 8:16-17 – Timothy – Phil. 2:19-22 – The Lord – 1 Pet. 5:7 Some show a greater concern for the world! What happens to those of us who faithfully assemble, but turn our backs and show no concern for those who do not attend faithfully?

UN-Loving Hebrews 10:24–25 let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 24 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. Have you ever acknowledged the love that is involved in assembling together? – One of the key purposes of assembling is to “stir up love and good works” – Our mutual fellowship in gathering together is to edify one another in love – Eph. 4:16 Are you supplying your share of the love necessary for the edification of this local congregation?

Conclusion Can we truly say we feel David’s sentiment and share his feeling when he wrote… “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord” ~ Psalm 122:1