Our Public Assemblies - Cont.

A Closer Walk With God

Our Public Assemblies - Cont.

Thus far we have focused on the activities within our assemblies that includes prayer, singing, teaching and preaching the word of God, and the the Lord's Supper. We will continue this lesson looking at one additional activity within our assemblies that includes the collection. We will also look at how we can get the most out of our assemblies.

The final activitiy within our assemblies that we want to look at includes the collection. The early church is noteworthy for its love for one another - Ac 2:44 "And all who believed were together and had all things in common.", 45 "And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."; 4:32-35 "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need." Such love went beyond those in the local congregation - Ac 11:27-30 "Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." In time, a systematic manner for providing for needy Christians was instituted - 1 Co 16:1-2 "Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come." The primary purpose of the collection, then, was to provide for needy Christians, locally and abroad. Including those who devote their lives to preaching the gospel - 2 Co 11:8,9 "I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way."; Ph 4:10-18 "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God."

How much should one give? The New Testament does not set a percentage (like the "tithe", or a tenth, found in the Old Testament), but rather instructs us to give according to following principles:

"As he may prosper" - 1 Co 16:2a "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper,"

Whatever is given with "a willing mind" - 2 Co 8:12 "For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have."

"According to what one has" - 2 Co 8:12-13 "For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness".

"As he purposes (plans) in his heart" - 2 Co 9:7 "Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Whatever one can give "cheerfully", not "grudgingly" or "of necessity" - 2 Co 9:7 (see above).

Keeping in mind the principle of "sowing and reaping" - 2 Co 9:6 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.", 8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Even this activity fulfills the threefold purpose mentioned at the beginning of our lesson:

We are blessed in giving - Ac 20:35 "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"; 2 Co 9:11"You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."

Brethren's needs are met - 2 Co 9:12a "For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints,".

God is glorified - 2 Co 9:12-15 "For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"

HINT: to help motivate us in giving, remember the examples of the churches in Macedonia and of the Lord Himself - 2 Co 8:1-9.

Let's now to examine how we can get the most out of our assemblies. First, by noting who is present. Our brethren in Christ are present. People like you, who appreciate the presence and encouragement of other Christians. So take the time to visit with them before and after the assembly. Don't get into the habit of always coming in at the last minute. Don't be in such a rush to leave after the service is ended. Frequently visitors are present who naturally draw conclusions about the congregation during their visit. Will they conclude we are really disciples of Jesus? - Jn 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."'. Will they say in their hearts "God is truly among you"? - see 1 Co 14:25 "the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you." So take the time to welcome them and visit with them - He 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Especially note that our Lord is present in our assemblies as He promised in Mt 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."' Do we act as we would if He were bodily present?

"You get out of it what you put into it..." Preparation beforehand makes a big difference. Such as praying and meditating upon what you are going to do and planning what you can do to make the assembly more edifying (such as welcoming and visiting). In other words, come to serve, not to be served (although you will blessed in return by doing it this way). The more you come, the more interest you show, the more (and faster) you will grow! This is true in any endeavor (for example, physical exercise, hobbies). Asking the question "How often do I have to come?" is an indication of grave spiritual immaturity! It displays a lack of true love for Christ and His brethren. It shows one is selfishly concerned with how little they can do to save themselves. How does the love of God abide in such a person? - 1 Jn 3:16-19 "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;"

Rather, our attitude ought to be like that expressed by David in Psa 122:1 "I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"' Neglecting the assemblies is detrimental to our spiritual growth as disciples of Christ. Do we express our love for God, our brethren, even our own selves as we should? One of the greatest spiritual blessings we enjoy in Christ in this life is the fellowship we share in our public assemblies...Let's all do our part to fully utilize that blessing!

The following questions are to stimulate our thinking.

Does one attend the assemblies to be entertained, or to serve?

Do you attend every assembly of the congregation where you are?

If not, are you praying to God to help you make it possible for you to do so?

What can you do before the assemblies to get more out of them?