SOUTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Putting God First in Our Lives - Sunday, 15 October 2000.

Dec 03, 2000

Leland R. Ping

Last week, I spoke about the importance of attendance to all the assemblies offered by one's congregation. For the benefit of those who did not hear that lesson and to reiterate the importance of it, I have summarized the main points in this week's bulletin.

We need to keep in mind that people will attend church services for a myriad of reasons. These reasons ought not include, among many, the following three. First, many come to church so that they look good in the community. Yet, the attempt to "be seen by men" was the mistake the hypocrites made (Matthew 6:5). Second, many go to church to please various members of their family. It is Christ, though, who will judge our actions and not any man (II Timothy 4:1). Third, an attempt to "keep the church off my back" is the reason many attend church. Remember, though, that having concern for our brethren in weakness is pleasing to God (James 5:19-20).

Clearly, there are many reasons men and women come to church, yet the real reason why we should be at services is to worship God and keep his commandments. The Hebrew writer stated in Hebrews 10:24-25 that we should "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another?…"

When we forsake the assembling of ourselves, we abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ and say, in effect, that we don't care about them. An assembly is not just at the Sunday morning worship service. An assembly, for many congregations, includes Sunday morning Bible study, Wednesday evening services, gospel meetings and the like. Are you forsaking the assembling of the saints? It is equally important to recognize that our purpose for coming together, in addition to worshiping God, is to exhort, or encourage, one another. If you aren't in the assembly, you can't be encouraged nor can you be an encourager.

Finally, not forsaking the assembling of the saints involves putting God first - over EVERYTHING. This includes school activities, athletics, vacation, family and unnecessary employment. We need to be very sure that we are putting God first. If you're not, change today!