Frankly Speaking

Church Attendance

Thousands of years ago, the scripture prophesied of the boom that we see today in the field of science
and technology, saying, “knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). We have seen and are amazed by
the quantum leap that science and technology has made and this has somewhat made our stay on earth
easier.

As believers, we are meant to take advantage of this technological advancement and use them but not
abuse them (1 Cor 7:31). With the aid of technology, church services can now be streamed live across
the globe; this is an applaudable feat. However, we see some abuse creeping in with its usage. A lot of
people, especially the young ones, don’t see the need to attend services onsite anymore; they would
rather sit in the comfort of their homes and stream the services online. This is an abuse that is not good
for your soul (Heb 10:39). There is something about it when we gather together in one place as the body
of Christ.

There are vital sacraments that cannot be done online; things like water baptism, communion, love
feast, etc.; these have to be done onsite. I am aware that there may be circumstances that are
unavoidable, making it impossible for some to attend church services onsite but online; but that should
be an exception and not a norm. Even those in essential services (security, medical, telecommunications,
etc.) should find a way to attend services weekly. For example, the reason you may give why you attend
services online is that you work as a medical staff in a hospital, and so it may require you to work on
Sundays. Fine, stream the live services but also find a way to attend midweek services onsite. It would
be a great blessing to your soul.

We should guard against allowing these little things to creep in unawares and dampen our zeal and love
for the Lord!

The Scripture says: “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)

This succinctly shows us the mind of God concerning our frequency in attending Church Services. It is the
sovereign will of God for His children to appear before Him regularly in a solemn assembly. For when
they do this then the Lord Himself would command the blessing (Psalms 133).

Since it is the will of God for His kids to come together physically as one, in worship and praise of His
Majesty, it therefore implies that His Blessing is upon it; for where the will of God is, there the Blessings
of God abounds. Our Lord Jesus Christ even alluded to this when He said, in Matthew chapter 18:20,
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” So we see
that the Presence of the Lord Himself is manifested as a result of the ingathering of His people; and
what other blessing is greater than the manifested Presence of our Lord?

Our Lord Jesus when He walked the face of the earth as a Man, had a custom of always attending and
partaking in services at the synagogue as we see in the following scriptures:
Luke 4:16

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the
synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

Matt 12:9

“And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue”

Matt 13:54

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they
were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?”

Luke 6:6

“And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and
there was a man whose right hand was withered.”

John 18:20

“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple,
whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.”

For this to be His custom, it therefore means that He placed a premium value on Church attendance;
for a man would only give attention to that which he values.

And we find this same example with the apostles and the early church:

Acts 13:13-14

“Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John
departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch
in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.”

Acts 3:1

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.”

Acts 17:1-2

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was
a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days
reasoned with them out of the scriptures”

1 Cor 14:23
“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there
come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?”

1 Cor 11:18-20

“For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I
partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made
manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's
supper.

Be not numbered among those who don’t attend church services onsite regularly; neither be ye among
those that only attend church services on special occasions like New Year Eve’s services, weddings, child
dedication service, etc. And above all, be not one who doesn't attend church services at all, yet make
claim that you are a Christian! No! You are doing yourself a disservice; for you are short-circuiting
yourself from the blessing, the glory of the Presence of God!

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” - Psalms 122:1