John 4 23 24 true worshipers in spirit

John 4: 23, 24 “true worshipers in spirit & in truth”

Certain Commands God has Give to Man that Cannot Be Changed Without Transgression of God’s Law • Obedience to become a Christian – Ma 16: 15, 16 • Organization of church – Philippians 1 Acts 20: 28; 1 Peter 5: 2 • Work of church- Teaching Pure Gospel

Certain Commands God has Give to Man that Cannot Be Changed Without Transgression of God’s Law • Worship Must Follow Pattern of NT • Acts 2: 47 “added daily” • Acts 2: 42 “apostle’s doctrine, fellowshi breaking of bread & in prayers”

WHY DO WE ASSEMBLE TOGETHER?

Apostolic Approved Examples • Acts 20: 7 -12 – Divine Direction –st 1 Day a regular day of assembly forst 1 Century church st Day – Church at Troas Met on 1 of Week to Observe Lord’s Supper • 1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2 – directed them as h had already done to others – “lay by in store, as God had prospered them”

“Continued 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 – everyst 1 day of the week

Divine Approval for Other Assemblies • 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 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: • Sunday Bible Class, Assembly for Worship, Wednesday Bible Class • About FOUR HOURS total out of 168 hours in the week to assemble together t 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 WE ASSEMBLE TOGETHER?

Edification • “Edify” – “architecture. i. e. a structure; figuratively, confirmation. ” “building u • Ephesians 4: 12 “edifying of the body of Christ” • Ephesians 4: 15, 16 “grow up in all things “effective working, every part, growth o body for edifying of itself in love. ”

Edifying is a Group Effort • Each part of the Body {member of the church}, doing their part. • Church not built up or edified as it shou be without regularly scheduled meeting 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 Effort • Church = “pillar & ground of the truth” Timothy 3: 15 • Colossians 4: 16 – read epistles • Singing for purpose of “teaching & admonishing one another” Colossians 3: 16 • Needed Personally – Jude 20, 21 “buildin yourselves up on your most holy faith”

WHY DO WE ASSEMBLE TOGETHER?

Consider One Another – Provoke 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 daily basis, & a closer relationship with His people. • “assembling of ourselves together” • Brethren need us here- Acts 15: 32 -36

Consider One Another – Provoke 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 – Provoke 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: • 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…”