John John 4:23,244:23,24

“true worshipers in spirit & in

truth”

Certain Commands God has Certain Commands God has Given to Man that Cannot Given to Man that Cannot

Be Changed Without Be Changed Without Transgression of God’s LawTransgression of God’s Law

•Obedience to become a Christian – Mark 16:15,16

•Organization of church – Philippians 1:1; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2

•Work of church- Teaching Pure Gospel

Certain Commands God has Certain Commands God has Given to Man that Cannot Given to Man that Cannot

Be Changed Without Be Changed Without Transgression of God’s LawTransgression of God’s Law

•Worship Must Follow Pattern of NT

•Acts 2:47 “added daily”•Acts 2:42 “apostle’s doctrine,

fellowship, breaking of bread & in prayers”

WHY DO WHY DO WE WE

ASSEMBLE ASSEMBLE TOGETHERTOGETHER

??

Apostolic Approved Apostolic Approved ExamplesExamples

• Acts 20:7-12 – Divine Direction – 1st Day a regular

day of assembly for 1st Century church

– Church at Troas Met on 1st Day of Week to Observe Lord’s Supper

• 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 – directed them as he had already done to others – “lay by in store, as God had prospered them”

““Continued Continued Steadfastly”Steadfastly”

• Acts 2:46 – “continuing daily with one accord”

• “DAILY” – not TWO or THREE times a week

• “Steadfast” = “standing fast” – broke bread regularly

• Acts 20:7 – every 1st day of the week

Divine Approval for Other Divine Approval for Other AssembliesAssemblies

• Acts 20:7 – Sunday meeting lasted past midnight

• Acts 12:12 – weeknight for prayer• Acts 2:46 – daily in the temple, Lord

added saved DAILY• Acts 5:42 – daily did not cease

teaching & preaching Jesus Christ• Acts 16:5 –increased in number daily

How Often Should We How Often Should We Assemble Today?Assemble Today?

• Submit to oversight of elders – Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4

• Elders have Divine Authority to set the Time & Place

• Wilfully refusing to come is open rebellion to oversight of the elders, and consequently open rebellion to God – Luke 10:16

THINK ABOUT THIS:THINK ABOUT THIS:• Sunday Bible Class, Assembly for

Worship, Wednesday Bible Class• About FOUR HOURS total out of

168 hours in the week to assemble together to worship God.

• Slightly more than 2% of our week devoted to assembling with saints

• How much devoted to other endeavors? Matthew 6:33

WHY DO WHY DO WE WE

ASSEMBLE ASSEMBLE TOGETHERTOGETHER

??

EdificationEdification• “Edify” – “architecture. i.e. a

structure; figuratively, confirmation.” “building up”

• Ephesians 4:12 “edifying of the body of Christ”

• Ephesians 4:15,16 “grow up in all things” “effective working, every part, growth of body for edifying of itself in love.”

Edifying is a Group EffortEdifying is a Group Effort• Each part of the Body {member of

the church}, doing their part.• Church not built up or edified as it

should be without regularly scheduled meetings, well attended by members of the body.

• By virtue of our obedience to the Gospel, we accept our responsibility to do OUR PART in building up Body

Edifying is a Group EffortEdifying is a Group Effort• Church = “pillar & ground of the

truth” 1 Timothy 3:15• Colossians 4:16 – read epistles• Singing for purpose of “teaching

& admonishing one another” Colossians 3:16

• Needed Personally – Jude 20,21 “building yourselves up on your most holy faith”

WHY DO WHY DO WE WE

ASSEMBLE ASSEMBLE TOGETHERTOGETHER

??

Consider One Another – Consider One Another – Provoke Love & Good WorksProvoke Love & Good Works• Hebrews 10:19-25• Coming together in congregation:

– Worship to God & studying His Word will Move us to more faithful service to Him on a daily basis, & a closer relationship with His people.

• “assembling of ourselves together”• Brethren need us here- Acts 15:32-

36

Consider One Another – Consider One Another – Provoke Love & Good WorksProvoke Love & Good Works• Hebrews 10:19-25• It is a dangerous world- 1 Peter

5:8-9• How many hours per week are we

exposed to things that offer us temptation?

• It is Easy to Fall – 1 Corinthians 10:12

Consider One Another – Consider One Another – Provoke Love & Good WorksProvoke Love & Good Works• Hebrews 10:19-25• Churches tend toward apostasy –

Acts 20:29; 2 Timothy 4:1-5• To prevent this we must be

VIGILENT• If we are not here, we cannot

know and guard against the small steps that lead to this

NEXT WEEK:NEXT WEEK:

•More on “Why We Assemble Together for Worship”

•“Who gets hurt when we do not attend regularly?”

•Sobering questions about “Seeking First the Kingdom of God & His Righteousness…”