I firmly believe that Christians who intentionally and willfully miss the assemblies and classes they could attend are sinning and need to repent. When I said “intentionally and willfully miss the assemblies and classes,” I meant to address those who have no valid reason to miss but simply choose not to be there. I am very aware that we each have God given obligations which can cause conflicts in application. We have the responsibilities to earn a living (Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; 1 Timothy 5:8), and we have the responsibilities to care for family members who may be ill or disabled (Ephesians 6:2; 1 Timothy 5:4,8). We also have the obligation to assemble with the church (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Usually when I make such a statement, some incensed soul retorts, “Just give me one good reason I should be here every time the church assembles!” Well, would you settle for a dozen?
You and I should be in every assembly of the saints and in every Bible class the church makes available to us in order to grow spiritually. Are you so strong that you could not use some spiritual growth and strengthening? We assemble “in order to stir up” one another to “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Everything done in the assembly should be “for edification” (1 Corinthians 14:26). The tragic fact is that those who miss the assemblies and classes the most are the weakest members of the congregation.
We should attend regularly in order to obey Christ. We are as plainly commanded to assemble regularly for worship as we are to be baptized (Hebrews 10:24-25). If alien sinners cannot be saved without obeying Christ in baptism, and they cannot (Hebrews. 5:8-9), what makes us think we can be saved without obeying Him in faithful attendance?
We should be with the Christians at every worship period in order to avoid falling away. The primary purpose of our coming together, other than to glorify God, is to strengthen each other so we do not fall away (Hebrews 10:24-31).
We should be in every assembly of the saints because Christ is there. He has never missed a scriptural worship assembly of His people (Matthew 18:20). Should we not follow His example (1 Peter 2:21) and be honored with His presence?
We should come together to worship on a regular basis in order to follow the example of first century Christians (Philippians 3:17). They did indeed assemble on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). But they also assembled, at least for a time, on a daily basis (Acts 2:46). We, as they, should come together “with one accord” as often as the congregation decides to assemble.
Christians should be in every assembly and class to prove their love and gratitude for Christ. He demonstrated His boundless love for us in dying for us. That love “compels us” to “live no longer for” ourselves, “but for Him who died for” us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). No one who truly appreciates what Christ has done for us could ask, “Is it really necessary to be there every time?” Because they indeed love Christ, they ardently desire to be in every worship assembly.
We should attend regularly in order to show our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to love one another (1 John 4:20-21). We assemble for the express purpose of stirring each other up to love (Hebrews 10:24-25). If your fleshly family gets together, do you want to be there? Do you love your spiritual family enough to want to enjoy their fellowship in worship? We should be in every assembly and class in order to abound “in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Are the assemblies and classes good works? Then we should be there (Titus
3:1).
We should be there in order to put first things first (Matthew 6:33). What will you be doing Sunday afternoon and Wednesday night that is more important than worshiping God and learning more about His Word?
Disciples ought to be in all the assemblies and classes in order to set the right kind of example for others (Matthew 5:16). Would you want babes in Christ to follow your example in attendance? How can you consistently invite those who are lost to attend that they might learn the truth, if you are not sufficiently interested to attend yourself?
We ought to attend every assembly and class because it is a wonderful privilege (cf. Psalm 122:1). Christians of old assembled to worship God despite horrible persecution and danger. Not even the fear of death prevented their expressions of devotion to the Lord. Many Christians today, particularly in foreign lands, experience similar hardships. What a wonderful privilege it is to worship God without fear of government oppression or the persecution of men, in the ease and comfort of a nice meeting house with the convenience of automobile travel. What an ingrate one is who fails to appreciate the privilege of worshiping God enough to assemble with such safety, ease, and comfort!
Every Christian should be in every assembly of the saints and in every class in order to be ready to meet Christ when He returns (Matthew 24:44). Is there any place you had rather be when He comes? What if He were to return at a time when you were willfully absent from an assembly? What would you say to Him? Do you think He would accept the excuse you gave the last time you missed?
There they are, dear Christian, one dozen reasons each of us should attend every time the church assembles. By the way, I could have given more. Having considered these scriptural reasons to assemble faithfully, do you really want to offer an excuse for not attending? Where will you be this afternoon? Wednesday night? Next Sunday morning during classes and assembly? Ladies, what about Ladies Class? Can the Lord count on you?
