The Day of the Lord – Purposes (2 of 2)

5 Purposes of the Assembly on the Lord’s day

1. NOTE: In modern usage, sometimes ‘church’ refers to the assembling of Christians together, and sometimes it refers to the Christians who assemble.

2. We’re specifically looking at what the “assembly” of God is “assembling” for.

1. The Assembling of Christian exemplifies the church.

2. The noun ‘church’ means ‘assembly’. The verb ‘assemble’ is one of the actions of the ‘assembly.” The assembly is meant to exemplify what the church is (Ferguson). It is a time for distinctly Christian activities. When the church comes together as an assembly it is a time when we express the nature and concerns of the church.

   1. Although Christians will glorify God in all aspects of their lives (“whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God” 1 Corinthans10:31),

   2. The church will manifest itself in many ways,

   3. it is when we come together that we are uniquely the church.

3. The congregational meeting will shape the character of the church and lends itself to the various aspects of its nature.

Glorify God

1. This may be the most difficult thing about worship, to recognize that worship is about God -not about us. It is tough to admit that there is something that is NOT about ME.

2. There are many things related to giving Glory to God. Including:

1. God’s plan for human salvation is for the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:6, 12,14)

2. Confessing Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:11)

3. Bearing Spiritual fruit (John 15;8)

4. Keeping the body pure ( 1 Corinthians 6:20)

5. Extending the grace of the gospel to others (2 Corinthians 9:11-13)

6. Harmony in the church (Romans 15:5-7)

7. Righteousness (Philippians 1:1)

8. Christians give glory to God “through Jesus Christ” ( 1 Peter 4:11)

1. When Christians assemble they glorify God, by reflecting the nature and character of God. The Corinthian church was abusing the assembly and Paul made some corrections to their assembly activities by reminding them that “God is a God of peace” (1 Corinthians 14;33). Thus Paul teaches that ‘all things must be done decently and orderly” (1 Corinthians 14:40)

2. Don't eliminate spontaneity, or that we must “decently and orderly” the assembly to death. ~~A cold, joyless worship is not encouraged.~~ It does mean that the assembly should reflect the peace of God, His orderly nature, and decent character.

Edifying Each Other

1. God is glorified and the church is exemplified when the people of God are edified. In 1 Corinthians 14:26 “When you come together let all things be done for edification” (building up)

2. In correcting the abuses of the Corinthian assembly Paul insists that verbal actives must edify, build up, the church. Edification requires instruction, teaching and learning.

3. Many have the wrong idea about edification. Edification is not about what makes us feel good, or some emotional up-lift or spiritual euphoria.

4. Edification is not about warm fuzzies and catering to the self.

   1. Not what we want, but what we NEED.

   2. We need to hear rebuke, admonishment, get our toes stepped on.

5. Edification is what benefits the congregation, it is instructive and contributes to spiritual improvements. Paul says the greater gifts are those that build up the church.

6. 1 Corinthians 14:26: “What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (“Building up” Young’s Literal Translation)

7. 1 Corinthians 14:18-19: “I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all: howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

8. Questions:

1. Is the assembly a time for self-edification?

2. If the mind receives no instruction, if nothing intelligible is taught, is the assembly being edified in the manner God intends?

Expressing and promoting Fellowship

1. The assembly promotes a sense of community.

2. The first Christians in Acts 2 were together frequently and we are told (vs 42) that they were “together and with one accord.’

3. Bulletin, Announcements, last Sunday finger foods, other events

Properly impress others

1. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25: “If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all; the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.”

2. Paul assumes that there will be outsiders (visitors, non Christians) present. We must make sure they know and understand what we do and why.

3. We should factor in the presence of outsiders.

Commemorate and proclaim Salvation

1. Remembering and declaring God’s saving activities in Christ glorifies God. It teaches what the church is about, edifies believers, unites Christians in the faith and calls the unbeliever to repentance. All our activities ought to reflect what God has done for mankind.

2. Based on this criteria, that which occurs in our Lord’s day assembly ought to be:

   1. Will of God – Glorifying God means seeking His will in all things.

   2. Character of God – “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” Therefore, Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:33 & 40)

   3. Spiritual –

      1. Not time to cater to the flesh.

      2. The true worshiper seeks that which honors God, and the focus is on God, not on self.

Sermon outline adapted from Scott P. Wiley