Why Attend Every Service ?

By Rev Alvin Tan

The Church is the Body of Jesus Christ. It is in fact a testimony of the grace, love and mercy of God. The existence of the Church tells the world that the message of the Gospel is true. Therefore, each of us is vital in the functioning as the Church of Jesus Christ on this earth.

Realizing this fact, one of the most crucial thing we can do as Christians is to gather together. In the simplest and most practical way is to gather on Sunday to worship Jesus!

Why do some Christians attend every service, and others do not? Does it really make a difference? I am of the conviction that it makes a very real difference!

Firstly it makes a difference in the spiritual life of the individual Christian. And secondly it makes a difference in the spiritual life of the congregation. The most paramount reason for us to attend Church service is TO FULFILL THE COMMANDS OF GOD. What are some of these commandments?

THE COMMAND TO ASSEMBLE

AS A CONGREGATION

This command is found in Hebrews 10:25. It warns us against the complete abandonment of assembling with others.

In High Praise Ministries, our focus right now is our Sunday Celebration Service and our fortnightly Delta Cells Meeting. We encourage members and friends to make a conscious effort to be at these meetings. This is in response to the God's commandment. Once you start missing one service you will find it a lot easier to miss more services. We need to learn to refocus our priorities. Even in simple thing like attending Sunday Services is a predetermined choice. Your family and you have to make the definite decision to attend Church every week.

THE COMMAND TO EDIFY ONE ANOTHER

We have a responsibility to build up one another. Romans 14:19 tells us, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” Other scripture references like Romans 15:1-3 and Hebrews 3:12-14 call for the edification and exhortation of each other in the Body of Christ.

On Sunday morning, our presence in Church spurs others on and we are saying, “Come let us go to the house of the Lord!” We are one Body and not individual parts.

Can we really say that we are edifying others when we are not around most of the time? When we attend so infrequently, we hardly know the other members? As the Church grows in size, there is a need for us to get to know others and they knowing us.

Please do not entertain the idea that we are not important and unnecessary. Even though there are more new people attending our Church, we who are longer in the faith should be there to encourage them.

THE COMMAND TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these shall be added to you.”

We all have priorities and we have to put them in the right order. Many Christians have testified that they will not accept a job if it means missing services. God honored their faithfulness and did supply all their needs. Many Christians will not play sports, or do other extracurricular activities when they are in conflict with their services to God

It may be necessary for one to miss Church on Sunday if one is providing critical services such as medical aid. However, if one misses Church just to make money or play golf, then that reflects poorly on our sense of priority. Some Christians may find their aches and pains as a good excuse to miss Church. However, they would go to work or shop at the mall with the same aches and pains. Has our Savior taken a secondary place in our hearts?

In High Praise Ministries, we are not out to condemn people into His Kingdom. We are not out to condemn you into Church. The devil is already doing a great job in condemning people. Rather we are challenging you to arise and receive all that the Kingdom of God has for you. We are challenging you to lay hold of “that” for which Christ has laid hold of you. We work out our talents by putting them to their ultimate use in the Church for the glory of God.

This is best begin with all of us coming to Church regularly. Sunday is the Lord's Day. When we come, we are proclaiming, “Lord, today is the day we dedicate to you. We want to honor you with our time, our lives – all that we have.” In High Praise, we want to hear one voice praising Jesus Christ and one heart receiving His purpose and passion.

LET'S COME TOGETHER

Let me encourage you to do the simplest thing. You take care of the Lord's Day and He will take care of “weekdays”. Make a decision right now. Write it down in your diary. Cancel all appointments and declare to yourself, your family and the world that Sunday is my day with Jesus Christ, The King of the Universe!

Just do it and see the difference it will do to your family and you.