WHO IS HARMED
WHEN CHRISTIANS DO NOT ATTEND
THE WORSHIP SERVICES OF THE CHURCH?
Intro.
1. Rom. 14:7-8 - Christians are not/cannot be isolationists! Our lives have
impact, influence & consequences (nature of respon. beings).
2. Heb. 10:23-25 - We are to be stirring up one another.
3. Does harm come from not attending worship services? Who is harmed, and how?
I. GOD IS TO BE WORSHIPPED WITH: (Jno. 4:24 )
A. Reverence - Psa. 89:7.
B. Praise - Psa. 107:32.
C. Whole Heart - Psa. 111:1.
D. Pure Lives - Isa. 1:10-13 (Matt. 15:7-9).
E. Desire For Spiritual Growth - Acts 11:26.
II. THE ABSENT CHRISTIAN IS HARMED BY NOT WORSHIPPING
A. Symptomatic Of Spiritual Drifting - Heb. 2:1-3; 10:36-39.
1. Removed from a primary source of spiritual food - 1 Cor. 14:26.
2. Spiritual neglect leading to demise - Heb. 6:4-6.
B. Hardening Of The Heart Against Worship - cf. Psa. 95:6-11; Heb. 3:13-15. -One
makes trial of God!
C. Lost In Sin - Jas. 4:17; Heb. 10:26-29.
-In great jeopardy - We need to try to restore them! (Jas. 4:19-20)
III. OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE HARMED WHEN A FELLOW-CHRISTIAN
FORSAKES OUR ASSEMBLING TOGETHER .
A. Can Be Influenced By A Casual View Of Attending Worship - Heb. 10:23-25.
1. If our presence can stir us up to love & good works, one’s
absence can have the opposite effect!
2. Gal. 5:7-9 - A stumblingblock is laid which some will fall over!
B. An Empty Seat Means Someone Is Not Present To Encourage Those Who Are! - cf. 1
Cor. 12:23-26; Eph. 4:16.
-Fellowship is missed, unity is incomplete, discouragement occurs Eph.
5:19).
C. The Congregation Has One Whose Absence Sends A Message That Worship Is Secondary
& Not Worshipping Is Inconsequential To One’s Spiritual Well-being - cf. Acts
2:42.
IV. THE WORLD IS HARMED (& HELPED) WHEN A CHRISTIAN FORSAKES WORSHIP ASSEMBLIES.
A. A Light To The World Has Gone Out - Matt. 5:14-16.
-One who would otherwise be setting a godly example for the world has begun
living like the world!
B. The World Has Gained A Friend - 1 Jno. 2:15-17 (Jas. 4:4).
-The world is not helped by more who love it -- Greater deception when
“good” people will not worship their God yet believe they are right with God!
C. The World Has Gained An Opportunity To Speak Against Christianity - Titus 2:7-8.
1. That harms the world, since it speaks evil of Christ & righteousness.
2. It harms the church, since it is the object of ridicule, disdain &
disregard.
Conclusion
1. Rom. 14:7 - Sin affects ourselves, our brethren & the world.
2. Matt. 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness!
