Introduction:

A. Some would do good to hear the words of the Psalmist in regards to worship:

1. Psalms 95:1-11
2. Psalms 99:9
3. Psalms 139:14
4. Even if it is Sunday night or Wednesday night; we sing, pray, and learn of God!  Why would you want to miss that?

B. The Lord most certainly wants His people to gather TOGETHER worship and learn of His will:

1. When a people seek the Lord they come together:

a. Ezra 10:1
b. Nehemiah 9:1

2. Paul and Barnabas assembled with Christians: Acts 11:26
3. Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:20

C. Consider at times that we would often do better if we expected the same of ourselves as we do others:

1. Does your excuse work for me, being the preacher?  What if no one showed up tonight or Wednesday night?
2. We must “practice what we preach”: Romans 2:17-24; cf. I Timothy 4:16
3. If it is a ride or some other thing we can do to help, why not ask?  Would you not expect your brethren to ask of you if in need?

D. Today we will learn of Thomas and learn from his mistakes (John 20:19-25).

1. Learning from the mistakes of others is profitable: I Corinthians 10:1-12
2. Following in the mistakes of others is foolish: Matthew 15:14

A. You miss your part in giving encouragement to the saints: Hebrews 10:24-25

1. When your gone part of the body is gone, how can you contribute to the edification of the church: Ephesians 4:16
2. How can you fulfill this: I Thessalonians 5:11

B. You miss the blessings that come with being together with the saints:

1. Consider how Paul missed being with the saints: Colossians 2:1-2
2. Consider that Christians are to be TOGETHER: Acts 2:44

C. You send a discouraging message to the saints when you FORSAKE the assembling of the saints:

1. You say God is not first in your life, for if He were you would do all that you can to be here: Luke 14:33 and Colossians 3:1
2. You say that your brethren are not important to you as you forsake fellowship with them: Acts 2:42

A. You miss the opportunity to see Jesus in your brethren:

1. Christians are those who have said yes to following Christ: Matthew 16:24
2. I Corinthians 11:1
3. Philippians 1:21
4. Galatians 2:20
5. Colossians 3:3-4

B. You miss the opportunity to see Jesus through the preaching of His word:

1. Acts 8:5
2. Acts 8:35

C. ALSO, if your not assembled with the saints the Lord does not see you there!!

1. I Chronicles 28:9
2. Jeremiah 23:24
3. Consider what Jesus says to the seven churches of Asia Minor addressed in Revelation:

a. Revelation 2:1
b. All seven churches heard this: 2:1; 9; 13; 3:1; 3:8; 3:15 “I know thy works…”
c. To Thyatira he added: 2:19 “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith…”

A. How do we receive faith?

1. Through hearing the word of God: Romans 10:17
2. How can we hold fast to that which we will not learn: II Timothy 1:13

B. One could better say, you faith is already lacking if you’re not assembled with the saints:

1. Faith would move you to walk: II Corinthians 5:7
2. Faith would move you to act: James 2:24-26
3. Faith would not move you from services offered unto the Lord: John 4:23-24

A. Oh, but we know there is a good excuse, right???
B. Consider: Psalms 100:2-5

 
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© 2005 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made.  In other words, preachers do your own work.  Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.