A.Some people (even so-called Christians) have poor attitudes regarding the assembly of the Lord’s church.These attitudes are often expressed as follows:
1.“Do I have to go to church?”
2.“I just don’t get anything out of it.”
3.“Church needs some excitement.”
4.“Church is boring.”
5.“I can worship God in my own way without the church.”
6.“Why do I have to get dressed up and shake hands to worship God?”
B.Presently, let us seek to correct these negative and cynical views of the assembly.
1.One who has such an attitude certainly cannot understand the purposes of the assembly of the Lord’s church.Therefore, let us consider those purposes.
2.Hopefully, with understanding, all people will be able to share in the words of David: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD’” (Ps. 122:1).
II.DISTINCT PURPOSES OF THE ASSEMBLY
A.By definition, the word “church” implies the necessity of assembling.
1.The word “church” (Greek ekklesia) literally means “a calling out” and is commonly defined as a called out body, assembly, or congregation.It describes a purposeful gathering of people.
2.Therefore, the church of Christ is the assembly of all persons who have been called out of the world and unto Christ (by His gospel – 2Thess. 2:14).
a.By definition, to be part of the church (local or universal), one must be part of the assembly (this is practically redundant).
i.At this point, let us simply accept this inarguable principle.Granted, there are members who at times are physically unable to attend the assemblies, but these exceptions do not change the basic rule.
ii.Also, let us not contend at this point over how many assemblies one must attend to be considered part of the church.Those who seldom attend due to slackness cannot justify themselves by any argument, and those who cannot attend know they are justified, for the Lord does not require more of us than we can give.
b.Regarding the local church, this definition requires members to be present when the church is gathered together.If the members are not present, then there is no assembly.
c.Regarding the universal church, no earthly assembly is possible because the members are scattered all over the world.However, the spiritual assembly will occur when the Lord returns and collects His people (1Cor. 15:23-24; 1Thess. 4:16-18; Heb. 12:22-24).
B.By Scriptural commands, examples, and implications, we may understand the distinct purposes of the assembly.
1.Only a few passages of Scripture are required to demonstrate the vital necessity of the assembly.
a.“And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)
b.“So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.” (Acts 12:5)
c.“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7; see also 1Cor. 11:17-34)
d.“What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (1Cor. 14:26)
e.“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 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.” (1Cor. 16:1-2)
f.“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.” (Col. 3:16)
g.“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 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.” (Heb. 10:23-25)
2.From these few verses, we can summarize the distinct purposes of the assembly.They are:
a.To worship God collectively;
b.To edify one another;
c.To encourage one another;
d.To teach one another;
e.To have fellowship with one another;
f.To memorialize the Lord together with the Lord’s Supper;
g.To communicate to God collectively;
h.To give as we have prospered.
3.Notice that in the assembly, we do things collectively that we cannot do individually.
III.TO HAVE A MORE MEANINGFUL ASSEMBLY
A.For those who complain that the assembly has nothing to offer them, let us consider who is at fault for this failure.
1.If a person is voicing such a complaint, then there is no doubt that the complaint is true.However, the root cause of the problem is not identified.
2.Therefore, let us answer these questions:
a.Is God at fault?Certainly not…
b.Is the church at fault?
i.Maybe the church is to blame.Certainly, churches are capable of making errors, straying from the truth, or failing to act according to the Scriptures.
ii.However, every member of the church needs to recognize his own responsibility in the work of the church.If the church is not worshipping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), then the members must act to affect a change.
c.Is the one who complains at fault?
i.Most often, one who does not profit spiritually from the assembly has failed to make the necessary effort to benefit himself or anyone else.
ii.Such failures result from a lack of spiritual focus, spiritual immaturity, self-centeredness, addiction to the entertainment culture, and other detrimental influences.
B.To avoid this problem, let us consider how we may make the assembly more meaningful to ourselves.
1.Let us live at all times in harmony with the spirit of the assembly.
a.Our worship has little value if we live as heathens from Monday through Saturday.
b.See Micah 6:6-8.
2.Let us be prepared for what we are to do.
a.More is required of us than simply showing up to occupy a pew.
b.Our preparations should include prayer, meditation, study, and even punctuality.
3.Let us set our minds upon the things of God (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2).
4.Let us not be selfish, but be considerate of one another (Phil. 2:3-8).
5.Let us carefully consider the meaning of each word and act in the assembly.
a.If we know what it all means, then do we care enough for it to be meaningful to us?
b.Spiritually thoughtless worship is equivalent to the vain repetitions and rituals that Jesus preached against in Matthew 6.It is nothing more than a show for men.
6.Let us invest ourselves into the activities of the assembly.
a.The assemblies of the church are not performances to entertain the members.They are times for mutual participation (fellowship, communion, etc.)
b.The audience for the assembly is not the church, but rather it is God.
7.Above all, let us have a proper reverence for God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.
C.If we will employ these tactics in the assemblies of the church, then not only will those assemblies have more meaning for us, but also we can look forward to that final, great assembly when the Lord shall come again (1Thess. 4:14-18).
