Why Are You Here?

I. Why Are You Here?
   A. Not just about right here right now...in general in Christ
   B. To assemble on first day of week just because it is ingrained in your
      head, to soothe the conscience, or because it is your tradition?
      1. Isaiah 1:10-17
      2. Matthew 7:21-23
   C. Because you are "commanded to assemble on the first day of the week"?
      1. No such "command" in the Bible!
      2. Hebrews 10:24-25: coming together to stir one another up to love 
         and good works
      3. The example of first day of week to partake of Lord's Supper: 
         Acts 20:7
      4. Assembly is coming together; coming together should involve much 
         more!
      5. It is not as if you can just come on Sunday morning and check the
         brethren off for the week!
      6. We should be seeking to come together at every opportunity we 
         have!
   D. To check off religion for the week?
      1. Christianity is much more than coming together once a week!
      2. Such was never the emphasis of Christianity!
      3. Romans 12:1-2
      4. Galatians 5:19-23
      5. James 5:14
      6. Romans 1:17
   E. For social purposes?
      1. It is good to interact with fellow Christians indeed!
      2. Assemblies are not designed for social networking, but spiritual 
         encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Corinthians 14:26) 
      3. All things are subsumed in the idea of working together to serve 
         God in His Kingdom!
      4. That requires practicing Christianity (Galatians 2:20, 
         Romans 12:1-2)!
   F. To sit back and let everyone else do the work?
      1. It is the imperative of God for all of us to get busy
      2. Matthew 28:18-20
      3. 1 Corinthians 3:5-8
      4. You will not be saved just because your preacher did well
      5. You will not receive a reward just because your elders did well

II. Why You Should Be Here
   A. To encourage the saints (Hebrews 10:24-25)
   B. To be an obedient servant of Christ (Romans 6:17-18)
   C. To share in life, today and forever (Philippians 3:14)
   D. We need to get busy in the Kingdom!

Scripture and Meditation

1: "Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?" says YHWH. "I have
   had my fill of burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The 
   blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want" (Isaiah 1:11).

   To what end do we think we are working and striving?

2: Not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but
   encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing
   near (Hebrews 10:25).

   Do we come together out of ritual or obligation or in order to encourage
   one another?

3: So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who 
   waters, but God who causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:7).

   Do we presumptuously prove proud of our efforts or do we humbly give God
   all the glory?

4: With this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of 
   God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

   Why are we here?  What are we trying to accomplish, and how?