True Worship (4) When and Why We Need to Assemble

When We Assemble We need to assemble We ought to anticipate opportunities – Psa. 122:1, Isaiah 2:2-3 Hebrews 10:24-25, 26-31

The First Day of the Week Jesus arose on that day – Matt. 28:1, Mk. 16:1, Luke 24:1, John 20:1 The church began that day – Acts 2:1 Pentecost (Feast of harvest, Feast of weeks) – Sunday! – cf. Leviticus 23:15-16

The First Day of the Week On Pentecost - Sunday (Acts 2) The Apostles baptized with H.S. Acts 2:1-4 (Joel 2:28-32) The 1 st gospel sermon proclaimed Jesus seated in heaven (2:22-36) 3000 were baptized (2:41) The Lord began adding to the church those who were saved (2:47)

The First Day of the Week We worship Acts 20:7 – Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthians 16:2 - giving These acts show we MUST assemble on the first day of the week

The First Day of the Week Every Sunday? YES! There is nothing in scripture to distinguish one Sunday over another. The previous texts imply they assembled regularly (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:18, 20 ) Paul waited 7 days ( Acts 20:6-7 ) An Example - The Sabbath was weekly

What about other assemblies? Discussing such is a challenge! There is no direct command about other services. Does that make them optional? Is there anything in scripture to LIMIT our assembling to once a week?

What about other assemblies? Consider again Hebrews 10:25 - “not forsaking the ASSEMBLING” Frequency not mentioned. Gal. 6:9, Titus 2:14, Is it a good work? Acts 2:42, 46

What about other assemblies? We ought to WANT to be with our brethren to encourage them and be encouraged! Heb. 10:24-25, Consider one another, exhort one another ( cf. 3:13 ) 1 Thess. 5:11, Comfort each other. We NEED each other!

What about other assemblies? Typically, when one asks – the problem is not the assembly, but deeper issues of priority If one seeks permission to AVOID such, I ask, WHY? Matt. 6:33

What about other assemblies? Will people not make it to heaven because they intentionally miss Bible study on Wednesday nights! Maybe not! But some WILL NOT make it to heaven because He is not the priority – a lack of attendance could be a symptom!

Why We Assemble! Because it is commanded Hebrews 10:25 Is it a command or a privilege? Psa. 95:1-7 Why not view it as both?

Why We Assemble! Because God is worthy of our praise Psalm 18:3, Heb. 13:15

Why We Assemble! To edify one another to build up, to strengthen, make more able – spiritual in scripture! 1 Cor. 14:12, 26 We need to edify each other – Eph. 4:16 When we worship God as instructed, we are built up!

Why We Assemble! To be a good example The world needs to see us putting God first. Devotion, sacrifice, etc. That is demonstrated in assembling 1 Corinthians 11:26, we are proclaiming the Lord’s death – to one another and the world.

Assembling to Worship God is important How important is it to you?