Invariably, people ask, "Do I have to attend every service?" This question, perhaps justifiably, may be disturbing to the person of whom it is being asked. To the person being asked:

1. Be thankful the question is being asked, and you have the opportunity to teach. People who are farther down the wrong road might not be inclined to ask.
   
   
2. The question suggests a misunderstanding of one of the purposes of worship.

Many Christians, if asked, "What is the purpose of worship?" would answer, "To praise and honor God," or perhaps, "To show Him reverence." The contention here is that while God is the object of our worship, honoring Him is not the only reason we come together. Another stated reason for the saints to assemble is to "provoke unto love and to good works." While we are to praise, honor, and revere God, accomplishing these tasks is not the only purpose of the service. Carefully consider Hebrews 10:24-25:

This verse contends that Christians are the ones who benefit from the service. If God wants to hear a sermon, he has Noah (with 120 years of practice), Peter, Paul, and the greatest preacher of all, Jesus Christ, to deliver a sermon. If God wants to hear a song, he has a choir of angles. In other words, when we serve Him in "spirit and truth," it pleases God, but He derives no benefit from it. By that, I mean that God is not "better off" (Acts 17:24,25). Our Creator designed the worship service for our benefit, and when we properly engage in the services, we become better servants.

Absence from the worship service, in and of itself, is not sinful. We are commanded to provide the physical necessities for our families. Sometimes, providing for our families may require us to miss the services. Providing for "one's own" is a good work and is also an encouragement to other saints (1 Timothy 5:8), but we must strike a balance between our obligations to our families and God.

No one would argue that a person who, due to sickness, is physically unable to attend sins, nor do military personnel who are assigned to areas where there is no sound group of saints. People in those situations should pray for their circumstances to change, but in the short-term, there may be very little they can do.

The question "What if I miss willfully" arises. I would submit that, in addition to neglecting my duty to praise and honor God, I also sin by not encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ. While I would concede that encouragement can take place outside the building walls, considering our fast-paced lives and the far-reaching places where many members live, the worship service is the easiest and most efficient place for this to occur. If it is necessary to miss the worship services from time to time, it is incumbent on a Christian to find other avenues for providing encouragement to his brothers and sisters.

When there are saints outside our own families who regularly meet, this can take place in no venue, other than an "assembly" with other Christians. Christians are responsible for encouraging other Christians who are outside their own families.

Additionally, encouragement should not be centered only on traditional religious matters. "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15) This commandment is not limited to "religious activities." We should be happy when a brother or sister gets a new job, when a baby is born, or when someone is able to buy a new house. We should grieve with those who lose loved ones. Mothers of older children can counsel and encourage those whose children are young, and so on.

The command to provoke unto love and good works requires three things:

1. We must know what love and good works are. (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:17)
   
   
2. We ourselves must practice good works. (James 1:22-25)
   
   
3. We must encourage others.

The tendency to view the work of those in the church as nothing more than religious activity leaves out most of the work that Christians are commanded to do. Members who attend the worship services have opportunity to encourage and be encouraged in EVERY activity of life:

• Raising our families,
  
  
• Visiting the sick,
  
  
• Being better spouses.

These are all good works. Contemplate how the Scriptures outline the best plan for our entire earthly lives. Many people read Matthew 6:33 and pigeonhole God into just one category of their lives. What is not included in the kingdom of God? God does not want just first place. He wants every place. Christianity should be the prism through which we live our lives.

And where else can you surround yourselves with people who profess the same attitudes? The worship service should be viewed as an oasis and a fortress. Even if we can quote the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and, for argument's sake, cannot learn anything more about Christianity, we are not relieved of our obligation to encourage others.

If I fail to encourage my brethren, do I really love them (1 Peter 1:22)? An atmosphere of love and encouragement draws a group together like nothing else; this atmosphere will be the recruitment tool and the identifying mark God designed it to be. We will know each other better than ever before and be bound together in Christian love.

While this may be the subject of perhaps another article, if this atmosphere is not present, is it any wonder why church discipline is less effective than we would like it to be and than it is designed to be. If I am not a source of love and encouragement, what do I really have to withdraw from the drifting brother or sister in Christ? Nothing really!

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Brother Jeff is one of several new converts here at the Knollwood church. This is the first article he's written. He has given some good food for thought, not only for those who've been Christians for a short time, but also for those of us who have been Christians for many years. Please read his article carefully to determine whether you've forgotten one of the "other" purposes for the worship services. (KMG)