18 Points To Seriously Consider
In Local church membership
These are questions regarding attending the meetings arranged by a local church for the benefit of the members, especially the Bible classes, Sunday evening assembly, and mid-week meeting. The focus here is not on people who miss for obviously legitimate reasons such as sickness, but on those who really could come but deliberately and repeatedly miss because they do not think it is necessary to come or they simply choose not to. (We will be reading A lot of scriptures To really get the most from the questions).
1.
Should a Christian try to do as much as he can to please God or try to seek by with minimal service and avoid opportunities to doGod's will.
1 Cor 15:58; ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Titus 2:14; not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
Gal 6:10; Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matt 22:36-38; "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the LORD your
God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment.
John 14:15; ¶ "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
2 Cor 8:5; And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
Rev 3:15-16 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot 16 "So then, because
you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
2. Would Jesus attend as often as He could, or would He choose to stay home when He could go .
Luke 4:16; So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Matt 15:32; Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way."
Mark 10:1 ¶ Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. Are we following His example if we stay home
1 Peter 2:21-22; For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
Phil 2:3-8; Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him, ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
3. Are we studying the word and growing in knowledge as diligently as we should when we attend or when we refuse to attend.
¶ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.Psalm 1:1-2;
Prov 2:1-12; ¶ My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you so that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. 10 ¶ When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,11 Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things,
Matt 5;6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Acts 17;11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Heb 3:12-14 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
4. Are we doing our best to edify and encourage others when we attend or when we stay home.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.Rom 14:19
15:14 ¶ Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
1Thes 5:11 ¶ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Cor 14:26 ¶ How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
5. Do we show a sincere devotion to giving thanks and praise to God for all His great gifts to us when we stay home or when we come.
24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."John 4:23-24; "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
Luke 24:52-53; And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
Acts 2:42 ¶ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Heb 13:15
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."1 Pet 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Psalm 95:1-3 ¶ Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods.
122:1
I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence comes my help?Rev 19:1 ¶ After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
Rom 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
6. When our brethren in Christ assemble with one accord to worship God, do we manifest sincere oneness of heart and soul with them
when we stay home or when we attend.
¶ And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,Acts 1:14
Acts 4:24, & 32 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 32 ¶ Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
Phil 1:27 ¶ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Phil 2:1-4 ¶ Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Eph 4:2-3 ¶ with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Rom 15:5-6
¶ Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7.
Which member will demonstrate the greatest commitment to cooperating in the work of the church, working diligently and serving hisbrethren: the member who has the desire to stay home or the member who desires to attend.
Acts 2:42 ¶ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
9:26-29 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they
attempted to kill him.
Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Gal 4:13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
Gal 6;2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
8. When God's ordained leaders have arranged times for the members to study and be edified, is a member showing respect for these
leaders when he comes or when he stays home.
Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
1 Peter 5:1-2, 5 ¶ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 5 ¶ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
9. Do we imitate the example of faithful men of God when we attend or when we stay home.
¶ Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.(Phil 3:17;
4:9; The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Peter 5:3; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
Heb 6:11-12; And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13:7) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
10. Who sets the best example for the new converts, weak members, and children: the member who attends or the member
who does not.
(Matt 18:6-7; "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.7 ¶ "Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
5:13-16; ¶ "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
1 Tim 4:12; Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
11. Who is being a diligent parent and/or head of the family, training the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord:
the father or mother who brings their children to services, or ones who keep them home.
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.(Eph 6:4;
Prov 22:6) ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
12. Are we truly putting God first in life and abounding in the work when we stay home or when we come.
(Matt 22:36-38; "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"37 Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
John 14:15; ¶ "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
2 Cor 8:5; And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
1 Cor 15:58; ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
13. Are we sacrificing ourselves for the cause of Christ, like He sacrificed Himself for us, when we stay home or when we come.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.(Rom 12:1-2; ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Eph 5:2;
Heb 12:2; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matt 16:24-25; ¶ Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
1 Peter 2:5;
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.Heb 13:15; Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Mal 1:6 ¶ "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name.
13-14) You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!' And you sneer at it," Says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" Says the LORD. 14 "But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished-For I am a great King," Says the LORD of hosts, "And My name is to be feared among the nations.
14. Do we grow, increase, and improve in strength and service to God best when we attend or when we do not.
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.(Eph 4:11-16; And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
2 Peter 3:18;
1 Peter 2:2; as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
Rom 1:12; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
1 Thes 4:18; Therefore comfort one another with these words.
5:11; ¶ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Heb 10:23-25) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another,and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
15. When a member attends fewer and fewer meetings as time goes by, is he growing in God's service or drifting away.
(see Heb 2:1-3 and the verses above)?..
¶ Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
16. Are the meetings of the church a good use of our time and an opportunity to do good or not.
(Gal 6:10; Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Eph 5:16; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Titus 2:14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
17. Do we please God best when we resist the efforts of brethren to teach and encourage us to improve our attendance or when we
appreciate those efforts.
"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.(Rev 3:19; "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Gal 6:1-2; ¶ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
James 5:19-20; Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
2 Tim 4:2-4; Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
Matt 5:23-24;
18:15-17; ¶ "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
Prov 15:31-32; ¶ The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. 32 ¶ He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
13:18;
¶ Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.18:13; ¶ He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
10:17; ¶ He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.
29:1; ¶ He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
19:20; ¶ Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.
1 Peter 3:15; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
John 3:19-21) "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
18. And, who is truly a faithful, mature Christian: the man who refuses to come to all the services unless someone can show him a
specific passage that says he is going to hell if he doesn't come, or the person who understands general Bible teaching and loves
God enough that he wants to come and worship Him.
(Heb 5:12-14) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
"I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD. "Psalm 122:1
----- INVATATION----
HEAR.. Rom 10;14, 17
BELIEVE Heb 11;6----- jn 8;24
REPENT Lk 13;3-5" acts 17;30
CONFESS Rom 10;9-10
BE BAPTIZED Mk 16;16
REMAIN FAITHFUL Rev 2;10
ERRING child of God and would like to return to God,ACTS 8;22