Evidently, church attendance is regarded as an optional matter (something we can do if we want) by many.  But has God left us to our own choice in the matter?  Is it God’s will that we attend Bible study and worship regularly or is He just as pleased when we attend occasionally or not at all?  We need to determine the will of God in the matter of church attendance & obey accordingly.

The question that we want to answer is, “Must one attend every service if he is not hindered by conditions beyond his control?”

1)  According to Heb. 10:25  the Lord requires it.  It is a command that is just as binding as “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” (Rom. 11:9) or “repent & be baptized”  (Acts 2:38) and to disobey is to set aside a direct command of God!      

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together [Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together – kjv], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.”   Heb. 10:26-31

It seems that some think that it means Sunday morning ONLY, when in reality it means “Any & every time the church assembles.”  FORSAKING [neglecting] the assembling is SIN!!!

2) The Lord demands that the kingdom (church) be first.  In Matt. 6:33  Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” QUESTION: Can one truthfully say that he’s “seeking the kingdom first,” when he wilfully (carelessly) does not attend one or more of the services each week?

The church is to be FIRST in our lives - even before our food, clothing, & drink (Matt. 6:25-34).  Am I putting the church first when I allow other things or persons to interfere with my attendance of the church services?  Certainly Not!!!    We don’t miss work, school or recreation if we can help it, yet some miss the services of the church as if it didn’t matter!

3)  Attending all the services is implied in the marriage vow that a person makes when he becomes a Christian.  James 4:4 says, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God”  (asv - marginal note: “That is, who breaks your marriage vow to God.”)

When a person becomes a Christian, he becomes married  to God & Christ. “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”   (Rom 7:4).   We do not have to decide before each  service whether to attend.  This was decided when we became a Christian.

4)  Our love for the lord demands that we attend every service.  One who truly loves the Lord will not ask, “Do I have to attend every service?” We will want to!  We demonstrate our love for the Lord by obeying His commandments.  John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

God’s commandments are not grievous to His children!     “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments & his commandments are not grievous”  (1 John 5:3).    Doing the Lord’s will should be enjoyable to us, NOT a chore, or a meaningless experience!
     
Why is that our attendance varies from Sunday morning to Sunday night to Wednesday night?  Is there something more “important” about Sunday morning than Sunday night or Wednesday night?  

If we were offered $1,000.00 for perfect attendance for 6 months, how many of us would change our attendance habits?   What kind of Christian will do for money what he won’t do for the sake of his soul?”

Let’s put the Lord first and attend every service possible!