THE ASSEMBLY

We get out of it as much as we put into it.

But let us concentrate upon its purpose.
 Introduction
How vital is the assembly to New Testament
Christianity?
Some have false expectations concerning the
assembly that come from erroneous ideas
concerning its purpose.
Perhaps our assemblies will never be as meaningful
as they should be until we better understand the
purpose for having them in the first place.
 The Assembly
In the worship assembly is where God meets with
his people. Where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them. (Matthew 18.20.)
Our worship is the way of salvation. For we
preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. (2
Corinthians 4.5) and in Him there is life (John 1.4.)
We find comfort and strength in our worship. My
God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4.19.)
 The Assembly
In worship we learn the wisest way to live. Through thy
precepts I get understanding... Thy word is a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119.104-105.)
In our worship assemblies, we meet those who care for us.
whether one member be honored, all the members rejoice
with it. (1 Corinthians 12.26.)
In worshipping together we set a good example for our
children. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when
he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22.6.)
At our meetings to worship God, we give for the support of
God's Kingdom. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and
with the first fruits of all thine increase. (Proverbs 3.9.)
 The Assembly
In the worship assembly there is time for meditation,
prayers and songs. Let the words of my mouth, and
the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,
0 Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19.44.)
At the worship assembly, God's word is studied. They
continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. (Acts
2.42) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3.16.)
In our meeting to worship the Lord, God gives his
blessings. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house
(Psalms 84.4.)
 The Assembly Is For Worship
In the midst of the church will I sing praise
unto Thee (Hebrews 2:12).
Not just ritual or ceremony.
Not just for observing the acts of worship;
but for praise, adoration and devotion to God.
Perhaps enough of our assembly time is not
spent in praising God for His majesty and
mercy.
 The Assembly Is For Teaching
It was a place where complete epistles were
read and discussed by Christian teachers
(Colossians 4:16).
Much of this teaching is described as putting
into remembrance things known before (1
Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Peter
1:12; Jude 5).
This is a vital function of our assemblies today.
 The Assembly Is For Edification
This is the building up of Christians (Ephesians
4:16).
The assembly is to provoke unto love and to good
works (Hebrews 10:24).
Christians need encouragement.
They need to know that others understand and
care.
 The Assembly Is For Edification
This need can be beautifully supplied in the
assembly, as well as in private deeds of kindness.
Some, however, have mistakenly assumed that this
is the only purpose of the assembly; and this leads
to disappointment if they are not ministered unto
in every service.
They forget it is not about them, but it is all about
Jesus Christ and God.
 The Assembly Is For Correction
Discipline is to be administered when ye are
gathered together (1 Corinthians 5:4).
This is after all other means have failed
(Matthew 18:15-17).
Reproving and rebuking has a place in the
assembly (2 Timothy 4:2).
Those who sin are to be rebuked before all
(1 Timothy 5:20).
So being taken to the woodshed is a
purpose to be served by the assembly.
 The Assembly Is For Evangelism
To the intent that now ...might be known by the
church the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians
3:10).
The assembly, therefore, is a place for declaring the
Gospel as the power of God unto salvation
(Romans 1:16).
It is a place to preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2).
Evangelism is not limited to the assembly; it should
be done all the time by all the members of the
church.
 The Assembly Is For Evangelism
Regretfully, some through the years have tried to
play down this purpose of the assembly by saying,
the assembly is for Christians or we are to meet
to edify and to go out to evangelize.
This, however, is an erroneous concept for the
following reasons:
It is a denominational concept, by which they have
excluded children from their assemblies by saying
that the assembly is not for them.
This has led to Junior Church, Childrens Church and
other departures.
 The Assembly Is For Evangelism
This concept would not even have permitted the
Pentecost sermon of Acts 2 or Pauls great sermon
on Mars Hill in Acts 17 to be repeated in an
assembly of the church.
The Bible specifically speaks of unbelievers in the
assembly; and unbelievers need to be evangelized
(1 Corinthians 14:23).
The mission of the church is to fulfill the mission
Christ had when He was on the earth; and that is
specifically given as to seek and save the lost
(Luke 19:10).
 The Assembly Is For Evangelism
The NUMBER ONE business of the New Testament
church is evangelism.
Is it conceivable that the church cannot take care of
its number one business when it meets?
This idea also promotes selfishness.
It creates within us a desire to be served rather than
to serve.
 The Assembly Is For Evangelism
This is not the spirit of Christ (Matthew 10:28;
Philippians 2:3-5).
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but
exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching
(Hebrews 10:25).
 The Assembly
Thus every assembly does not have the same
purpose.
We need assemblies for praise, for prayer and for
encouragement.
We need those designed for teaching and
instruction and outreach.
 The Assembly
Some services may include all of these
purposes in one assembly.
We could have special assemblies for specific
needs such as prayer, singing, or discussing
the work of the church.
We need to make sure we follow the New
Testament pattern of worship by following the
commands and examples from the New
Testament.
 Conclusion
Perhaps our greatest need is to realize that God is
the one to be pleased, others are the ones to be
served, and that what we derive from any assembly
depends so much on our having the right purpose
in our hearts for being there in the first place.
Couple that with putting into the assembly our own
vested interest towards salvation.
Our soul depends upon the assembly as part of our
life and focus upon its goals and mission.
Is the Assembly important to you?