Getting more from our assembly
"Getting more . . ." • Sermon • Submitted
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· 21 viewsGetting more and giving more starts with our attitude
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Introduction
Introduction
Getting more . . . who doesn’t want more?
(Insert slide Church of Christ Assembly Picture)
Christian assemblies can vary greatly, from the all hyped up with no sustenance (Word) to all Word and no Spirit. Where do we find the right balance? Does it matter really as long as we are here in the assembly?
“To get more you have to give more”
(Slide) As we start this series entitled “Getting more” we will look at somethings in general regarding the assembly -and how we may get more from them and by getting more we have more to give to others.
(Slide) Assembly in general
(Slide) Singing
(Slide) Prayers
(Slide) Lord’s Supper
(Slide) Collection
(Slide) Preaching and Bible class
David was a man after God’s own heart, he was known for that, not because he said it but because God said it about him.
14 “But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
or the N.T. version that is more specific to David
22 “After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’
David was glad for the assembly
Psm122:1
1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Are we glad or obligated when it comes to the assembly? This series is about looking at the assembly and the aspects of it to help us deepen our gladness in our assembly. What we do in our assembly is important it is what others see when they come in the door. It is what inspires us to dig deeper in our worship and devotion to our Lord.
Not only was he glad, he wanted others to be glad and join him.
1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.
Shout joyfully, serve with gladness, come with joyful singing. It’s OK to say “amen” it’s OK to say “hallelujah” and to sing with joy, not a durge but a song of praise and adoration
3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
Why do these things, because God is God and God made us, we are His people when we realize that more and more we will want to enter with thanksgiving, and praise, and bless His name. How do we bless His name? When we meet together, when we gather together.
3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
He inhabits the praises of His people. When we gather together, when we pray together, when we study together, when we break bread together these things enthrone the Lord, they exalt Him.
(Slide) Now we have to admit there are many in assemblies who are
(Slide) Not engaged, not really interested
(Slide) Some come not expecting to get anything
(Slide) Some are dead because of the songs and the preaching
(Slide) Guest’s will notice that
Do people like this have a working personal intimate relationship with the Lord? Do they not understand who the Lord is and what they have in the Lord?
1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.
That is a scary verse isn’t it? we will talk about how to guard your steps tonight
I want us all to look forward to the Lord’s Day and any other day we get to meet together where we can draw closer
11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.
11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.
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16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Notice the plural use in this verse, the Christian assembly we should draw near with confidence!
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus wants to save forever those who draw near, and to make intercession for them. We are reminded of our salvation and continued salvation when we meet together in the assembly. If not, then I’m not doing what you engaged me to do.
As we get into this “getting more” series my desire is that each of us, including me can start to get more out of our assembly so we can give more to others. Our first study tonight is on
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“(Slide) Assembling Together”
I. Church Assemblies
I. Church Assemblies
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Heb10:2
(Slide) A. Church assembly is important
If you noticed I started with Heb10:25 and it was in the middle of a sentence so we better check things in context for it is important
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
(Slide) Some reasons for the assembly
(Slide) that we might exhort one another
(Slide) To build up, encourage one another
(Slide) It is an important part of worship
(Slide) It is for mutual edification
Another reason, to keep each other saved
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
(Slide) There is a chance when we don’t put to use what we have in Christ that our heart may become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The solution is to put into place a time of mutual edification (hence the assembly)
Who has become irregular in meeting? Who used to sit next to you that is not there anymore. Reach out to them, let them know you are thinking about them and you care for them and they should come and meet regular. Don’t let apostasy set in on anyone and one of those signs is irregular attendance in the assembly.
B. (Slide) Church assembly provides opportunities
Now we are talking about church assembly that there is a pattern set in the N.T. on when
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.
First day of the week
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
We have the opportunity to meet regular on a weekly basis, we come with a purpose
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
*Expand on that!
Now Timothy was taught the pattern to teach the pattern to others.
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
We meet together and teach the importance to others to meet together.
Now meeting together does not need to be limited to the assembly, there is small groups, home fellowships and individual bible studies
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
to preach the word is to proclaim the word and we need to be ready wherever we are and when it comes to reprove that is most often not going to happen in the assembly but on a smaller basis all of which are to spur growth, maturity in Christ and for Christ.
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We want to evangelize the lost and edify the saved and make them into one body the church.
Small groups, home fellowships are oftentimes more intimate than the assembly and can work hand in hand with the assembly (insert illustration/story here)
We know, we have seen where the assembly is not priority anymore, which means they are not getting much out of them. Part of the issue can be pointed to me as the preacher, is what I’m preaching relevant, is it necessary, it is true and is it impacting? But then on the other hand maybe its the people and here are som ways to “get more” from the assemblies
II. Getting more from assemblies
II. Getting more from assemblies
A. (Slide) Be ready
(Slide) What do you do when you start your day, what do you do to prepare for your day? - we prepare for work, we prepare for school, we should prepare for the assembly too. Are you familiar with the term
(Slide) “We get out of something what we put into it” - you want to mature in Christ, then put into Christ, make Him your priority. If you want something out of the assembly then be willing to put into the assembly. This is no different that any other endeavor we have in life.
Even the mundane, what seems to be boring can be interesting with the right preparation on the preachers part and the listeners part.
(Slide) So, be prepared
(Slide) Spend time in prayer and meditation before assembly
(Slide) Come early greet and meet with people
(Slide) Come to serve not just be served
35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
(Slide) Preparation starts the night before
(Slide) Get a good nights sleep
(Slide) Get up and ready with time to spare
(Slide) If you have scriptures or passage that will be looked at read it over
— a little effort can make all the difference in what you get out of the assembly
(Slide) If you have the scriptures or passage we will be looking at, read it over
Normally I have the scriptures listed on Wednesday night for Sunday so you can know them and have questions you may have during class or to discuss after service.
Normally I have the scriptures ready and published on Wednesday night that we will cover on Sunday just for that reason. Then for class you can be prepared with any questions you may have or from the sermon with questions that may be addressed after the service.
B. (Slide) Be Mindful of who is present
(Slide) Our brothers/sisters in Christ; who needs encouragement or edification?
(Slide) Take time to visit before and after the assembly
Don’t rush; don’t rush in or rush out after the assembly
(Slide) Guests - they will conclude about us from the first impression
(Slide) Will they be able to say they are disciples of Christ? Will they be able to tell that God is among you?
35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1Cor14:15
15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
Remember we are to entertain strangers
Heb13:2
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Do we come to service as if Jesus were in our midst, bodily present?
C. (Slide) Engage yourself
(Slide) Use your eyes to stay engaged by paying attention to song leader, preacher, etc.
(Slide) Use your ears to be attentive to what is being said
(Slide) Use your voice in singing and in edification of the body
(Slide) Use your hands to serve in one way or another
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
30 Moreover, King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with joy, and bowed down and worshiped.
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
— worshipping is not a spectator sport; it requires active participation; so lift your voice, your prayers, your eyes, your hands in service to the Lord.
D. (Slide) Where you sit can help you get more
(Slide) Sitting closer to the front ensures you don’t miss anything being said
(Slide) Sitting closer and the singing will sound richer to you
(Slide) Sitting closer and you are not distracted as much
E. (Slide) Going more can get you more
(Slide) The more you go the more you grow
(Slide) The more you go the more you show
(Slide) The more you go, the more we are unified as one body
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
To grow spiritually, to get more out of the assembly it takes spiritual discipline but it is profitable for “all things”
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
F. (Slide) Come Expecting
(Slide) To experience and encounter God
We should
(Slide) To engage in worship through song, prayer, supper and study
Looking to engage with God
(Slide) To edify and exhort the body of Christ
(Slide) To welcome and make feel at home any guests
How we come to the assembly, how often we come to the assembly, how we participate and serve in the assembly or in other meetings will help in your spiritual walk and maturity in Christ!
(Slide) Charles Thoreau said “lead lives of quiet desperation” - people are looking for something, they are desperate for something even religious people can be lacking and looking.
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
People who know the truth, were walking in it and have since traded it
Come to the assembly, be joyful for the assembly and in the assembly and share your joy, your gladness with others be like David
1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Lead to invitation.
(SLid