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Bulletin
Lay Lake Church of Christ
Volume 4 July 05, 2009 Number 27
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Why I Attend Every Service of the Church
David A. Bass
I attend every service of the church because I want to!!! When I was baptized into Christ I became married to Christ. In Romans 7:4 Paul wrote, “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” An important part of the marriage relationship with Christ is faithfulness in attendance. Because I love Kathy, my physical marriage partner, I enjoy her company and look forward to every opportunity to be with her. How much more should I look forward to every opportunity to be together spiritually in Bible study and worship. When I obeyed the gospel and became married to Christ I decided to attend every service!
I attend every service because the church is FIRST in my life! Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Since the church is first in my life, my priority, then I will not let anyone or anything interfere with my attendance. Many who do not think of missing a day of work or school do not think twice about forsaking (willfully missing) the assembly of the saints. Christianity is more important than work or school to me !
I attend every service because it is a command of God! “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Attendance is a definite command! The consequences of willful sin are seen beginning in verse 26 of Hebrews 11.
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” If we love God then we will certainly want to obey Him. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
I attend every service because I want to set a good example! As a child of God I should want to be a good example before others. In 1 Peter 2:12 the apostle wrote, “Having your conversation [behavior - A.S.V.] honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” By my good example, such as faithful attendance, I may encourage others and win them to Christ. But, if I willfully forsake the assembling of the church I am telling others, by my example, that other things are more important that the church!
I attend every service because I want to grow in the faith. Every Bible class and worship service that I attend helps me to learn more about the Bible, God, Christ and how I should live in order to go to heaven (2 Peter 2:22; Romans 10:17).
I attend every service because I want to encourage (“exhort”) my brethren at Lay Lake (Hebrews 10:25). I cannot do that when I am consistently away.
Assembling together with my Christian brethren at Lay Lake is much more than a command of God - it is a blessed privilege! We are fortunate that we live in a free country where it is lawful for us to come together for Bible study and worship without fear.
Even when I am on vacation or traveling I don’t want to miss a single service!
!!! Pray For One Another !!!
Prayer List
Barbara Myrick; Bill Nelson (Frieda’s dad); J.C. Hyche (David’s dad); Elizabeth Smith; Ken White; Earl Dean (Don’s dad); Gayle Higginbotham; Colin Chandler; Harold Lee; Bob Spurlin; the Jones family; Benny Smelcher; Kyla Phillips; Martha Eckert; Robert Kelley; Adam Pilling; Corey Boothe & Jeff Warren. Please pray for our Summer Workers at Backwoods (Josh, Laura & Kellie). Daniel Richardson (Iraq).
Activities & News
Scripture Reading Today: Jude 17 - 25 (following our morning announcements).
Men’s Meeting: Our meeting has been postponed until Sunday, July 12.
Pantry: spaghetti
Youth Devotional: TONIGHT immediately following our evening worship.
Wedding: Jason & Kayla’s wedding is July 10th at 7:00 p.m.
VBS: July 20 - 22 Pray for our Bible school and begin making a list of people to invite.
July Birthdays
- 2 - Robert Kelley
- 8 -Mike Monroe
- 17 -Hanna Hyche
- 19 - Rusty Dodson
- 23 - David Bass
******* God Bless America ******