1. We are glad that you have come to worship with us.

2. December 8 th – Anger January 12 th – “The Best Advice I Ever Got” February 16 th – Balanced Self Esteem

3. Answering Question 2.

4. Question 2. We are told to come together on the first day of the week. While I certainly don’t feel like Sunday night and Wednesday night hurt at all, should we count it as a sin when we’re not there on Sunday and Wednesday night? From what I’ve read, Wednesday night worship became popular during WWII…are we bordering on tradition with this one, and trying to make it scriptural? Certainly not looking to justify anything, just want to make sure we’re not binding people with things on this earth. 4

5. It is evident that Jesus Christ was raised on the first day of the week (Mark 16:2-6). Mark 16:2-6 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 5

6. We can reason from Leviticus 23:15-16 and Acts 2:1- 4 and following that the church began on the first day of the week. Leviticus 23:15 ‘And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the L ORD. “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 6

7. We can reason from Leviticus 23:15-16 and Acts 2:1- 4 and following that the church began on the first day of the week. Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Peter preaches vs. 14 and 3000 saved vs. 41) “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 7

8. We can also deduce that from Psalm 118:22-24, quoted in Acts 4:11-12 and Peter’s use of it in 1 Peter 2:6-8, that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews, but precious to believers. Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the L ORD ’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the L ORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 8

9. We can also deduce that from Psalm 118:22-24, quoted in Acts 4:11-12 and Peter’s use of it in 1 Peter 2:6-8, that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews, but precious to believers. Acts 4:11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 9

10. Then, the passage, “This is the day which Jehovah hath made” applies specifically to the resurrection day, the Lord’s day (Sunday), and is to be special to Christians. 1 Peter 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 10 believe in the resurrection of Christ

11. The Lord’s supper, remembering His death, was eaten on His day, the day He was raised (1 Cor. 11:23- 26; Acts 2:42; 20:7). Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 11

12. the context of Hebrews 10:25-31 Hebrews 10:25 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. 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? “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” 12

13. “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” Based on the context of Hebrews 10:25-31, “not forsaking our own assembling together,…” and counting “the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing,” we can reason that the particular emphasis is on not forsaking the assembling wherein the Lord’s supper (which memorializes the “blood of the New Covenant,” Matt. 26:28) is observed. This is essential to Christians and commanded by the Lord. 13

14. It is evident from other passages (1 Cor. 16:1-2), that Christians worshiped and gave as prospered on the first day of the week. 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. “We are told to come together on the first day of the week.” Therefore, the Lord’s supper, giving to the Lord and the Lord’s day should be inseparable monuments to Christians. We engage in other aspects of worship too. 14

15. But what about other assemblies? (Acts 2:46) It is evident from that early Christians gathered around the temple daily. We are not told that this was actually the church come together, but it obviously indicates frequent activity. Acts 2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, “I certainly don’t feel like Sunday night and Wednesday night hurt at all…” 15

16. But what about other assemblies? (Acts 5:42) The apostles taught daily in the temple and in homes. Therefore, frequent teaching by the apostles, and learning by disciples occurred. Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they (the apostles) did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. “I certainly don’t feel like Sunday night and Wednesday night hurt at all…” 16

17. If you could take a free class… What would you want to learn? 17

18. Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the L ORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 18

19. “I certainly don’t feel like Sunday night and Wednesday night hurt at all…” One who loves the Lord with all his heart (Matt. 22:37), hungers and thirsts after doing right (Matt. 5:6), wants to study and know more about the Lord and how to handle accurately His word (2 Tim. 2:15), and encourage, help, teach, and provoke (or stimulate) his brethren to do right (Heb. 10:24), would want to be at any and every activity he could possibly attend. Actually, one who loves the Lord, his brethren, and wants to do these things would never ask the question, “Do we have to…” or …. 19

20. Every individual has different abilities and opportunities. The Lord will judge us based on what we do with our abilities and the opportunities we have. So what if I miss a service? Matthew 25:14-30 and the parable of the talents Matthew 25:29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given But from those who do nothing “should we count it as a sin when we’re not there on Sunday and Wed. night?” 20

21. Congregations in years gone by, especially in rural areas where transportation, roads, lighting, etc. made assembling difficult, only met once a week. That was possibly the best they could do. God only knows. Most then knew nothing of Wednesday or mid-week services. In fact, numerous churches all over the world do not meet on Wednesday nights but on other nights of the week. “should we count it as a sin when we’re not there on Sunday and Wed. night?” 21

22. “should we count it as a sin when we’re not there on Sunday and Wed. night?” If one loves the Lord and his brethren with all his heart, it would not matter if it were a Bible class, training class, or whatever other spiritual activity was going on, he would want to do whatever he could to help. 22

23. Sunday night and mid-week services may have become “traditional” in our country after the First World War due to better transportation, electric lights, ease in assembling, etc. “Traditions” are simply things that have been “handed down.” There are 2 kinds of traditions. “are we bordering on tradition?” 23

24. Divine traditions (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) are teachings handed down by the apostles. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. “are we bordering on tradition?” 24

25. There are also human traditions. Human traditions can be good (such as washing hands before eating, Mark 7:1-3), but when elevated above Divine law, are bad (Mark 7:9-13). Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. Mark 7:9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” “are we bordering on tradition?” 25

26. Meeting at 9 or 10 a.m. for worship on the Lord’s day may be a “human” tradition, but meeting on the Lord’s day at some time is a divine tradition. Therefore, meeting at 9 or 10 is a right tradition. Meeting at 3, 4, 5, or 6 is a right tradition. If one said it has to be at 10, that would elevate a human tradition to the level of divine law, and would be wrong. But, meeting at some time on the Lord’s day is not a human tradition. “are we bordering on tradition?” 26

27. It is obviously right to sing, pray, and study the Scripture. How many times a week should this be done in addition to Lord’s day worship? The Lord hasn’t told us. So, it comes down to what a congregation (under the oversight of elders, or leaders in absence of elders) has decided. “are we bordering on tradition?” 27

28. “are we bordering on tradition?” Gospel meetings, additional classes, training classes, singing classes, mid-week services, Wednesday morning ladies classes, etc. are all designed to save sinners, strengthen and edify disciples, and equip them to make other disciples. These are simply methods of carrying out several commands of the Lord. Do they help or hurt? If they help, a Christian should want to be a part of all he/she can do. 28

29. Conclusion Many have similar questions but never ask. There are many questions that the Bible does not answer directly, and was not given to do so. We are given sufficient guidance and answers for us to be able to please God & get to heaven. Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the L ORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. 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. 29

30. When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder Page 755 All 3 verses

31. 1. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. 1 – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder Words & Music: James M. Black © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

32. 1 – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

33. When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. c – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

34. c – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

35. 2. On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. 2 – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder Words & Music: James M. Black © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

36. 2 – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

37. When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. c – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

38. c – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

39. 3. Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care; Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. 3 – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder Words & Music: James M. Black © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

40. 3 – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

41. When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. c – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

42. c – When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder © 2005 The Paperless Hymnal™

44. Sweet By and By Page 602 All 3 verses

45. Sweet By And By - 1

47. Sweet By And By - C

49. Sweet By And By - 2

51. Sweet By And By - C

53. Sweet By And By - 3

55. Sweet By And By - C

56. End of Song