Falling Out Of Church

Falling Out Of Church

Acts 20:7-12

A want to begin by sharing a letter that was sent from a “faithful church member” to their pastor: - Dear Pastor: You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss Sunday worship now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following reasons and the number of times indicated:

• Christmas (Sunday before or after for traveling purposes)

• New Year (Sometimes the party lasts too long)

• Easter (We have to be away for holidays)

• July 4 (National holiday)

• Labor Day (Need to get away again)

• Memorial Day (Visit family and BBQ together)

• Spring Break (Kids need break)

• School Opens (One last summer fling)

• Family Reunions (Mine & wife’s)

• Two Sundays for sleeping late (Because of Saturday night activities)

• Deaths in Family (Average two per year)

• Anniversary (Second honeymoon)

• Sickness (One per family member)

• Business Trips (A must)

• Vacation (Three weeks)

• Bad Weather (Ice, snow, rain, sometimes just clouds)

• Ball games (Six per season)

• Unexpected Company (Can’t walk out and leave them)

• Time changes (Spring ahead; fall back)

• Specials on TV (Super Bowl, World series etc.)

Pastor, that leaves two Sundays per year. So, you can count on us to be in church on the fourth Sunday in February and the third Sunday in August—unless providentially hindered. - Sincerely ….A Faithful Member

Honestly I don’t know anyone who would be that honest, but there are many people who would use each one of those excuses. (they just wouldn’t write me a letter informing me of such)

The story in our selected text took place on a Sunday. The assembly that gathered together was not much different than what we have here today. In this assembly was a man named Eutychus who ...Sat in the window ...Fell out the window ...Died ...And was revived

I want to look at his story and preach on the subject “Falling Out Of Church”. You may be thinking …Why are you preaching to us about “Falling out of church”? …We are here!!” That is true, and I am glad you are, but there are countless people who are members of this church who were once here every time the doors were opened and are out of church completely.

In the church office we have two lists of church members:

1) There is a list of “active members”

2) There is a list of “inactive members”

Guess which list is bigger?? Those inactive members did not wake up and say “I think I will just quit going to church”. Quitting church is something that you don’t plan to do, but one day you wake up and realize… “My goodness, I don’t go to church anymore” I looked through the church directory last night and it is depressing how many people who were “active” a couple of years ago and haven’t darkened the doors in months.

As we consider the thought “Falling Out Of Church”, I want to look to verse 7 and see:

I. THE GATHERING OF GOD"S PEOPLE- v7 ¶And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Notice that this assembly met on Sunday - “upon the first day of the week”. Sunday is very important the New Testament church.Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday Morning. Sunday is “the Lord's day” …the Christian Sabbath

I remember a day when Sunday was honored and revered but now for the most part it is just another to:

o Wash the car

o Cut the grass

o Go to trade day

o Go to work

o Change the oil in the car

o Catch up on home repairs

Many of you remember a day when most businesses were closed on Sundays. (things aren’t’ that way anymore). If you are here and you are saved you should be in church EVERY SUNDAY! If you are lost then you need to get saved and when you do you should be in church EVERY SUNDAY! - There is never a shortage of excuses for missing church but I want you to hear what THE WORD SAYS - Hebrews 10:25 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. The word "Forsaking" means - “to desert”, “abandon” or “leave behind”

There are so many people today who have abandoned:

• The church

• Their area of service in the Church

• Their family (parents not taking kids to church)