Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, May 19, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999, 2000, and 2001 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

WHAT YOU MISSED TODAY BY NOT MISSING CHURCH

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25

Text: Hebrews 10:25

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.

Introduction: Some people are so afraid, it seems, that they are going to "miss out" on something good if they go to church. It is the same philosophy that a lot of young people have. They think that they are going to miss out on something wonderful if they practice righteousness. Listen to me, young folks. What you miss by waiting until marriage to have sex is venereal disease, a bad conscience, a bad reputation, and a sorry example for your own children and other young people.

A lot of very unwise people want to live wickedly now and straighten up LATER. They seem to be afraid that if they live for God now, they will regret it later. That's far from reality. People don't look back across their years of life and regret living for GOD; they regret having lived for the world, the flesh, and the devil!

Let me tell you this morning what you missed by not missing church this morning. What I am going to tell you is what you are really going to miss if you come back to church tonight. (Oh, yes, we don't cancel Sunday night services just because we're having Homecoming and dinner on the grounds!) Listen and you will learn what you're going to miss out on if you decide to be a faithful Christian and come back this Wednesday night for Prayer Meeting!

Actually, what you miss by not missing church are things you don't need or want, anyway. I want to show you four BAD things that you DO miss when you DON'T miss church, all from our text verse, Hebrews 10:25.

For instance, when you don't miss a single church service, you DO miss out on

I. THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE DISOBEDIENT TO THE SCRIPTURES

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together ...

Instead, there will be

A. A good choice made

Your character is molded by the choices you have made in life.

B. A good conscience kept

You know you should be here.

C. A good consequence realized

Something good happens every time you COME to church.

II. THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE DERELICT IN SERVICE

Hebrews 10:25 ... as the manner of some is ..."

A. You won't be "SOME IS"

B. You won't be slothful in service

C. You won't be shirking your responsibilities

III. THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE DISCOURAGING TO THE SAINTS

Hebrews 10:25 "... but exhorting one another ..."

If you don't miss church tonight, then you will miss the opportunity to discourage the preacher, the workers, and the members

A. By sight

Your seat won't be empty
Your smile won't be missing

B. By speech

The preacher will hear your "amen" instead of silence from where you usually sit.
People will hear you sing instead of silence.

C. By spirit

You are a necessary part of our church, and your spirit contributes to the spirit of the service!
Church is not the same if you're not here!

IV. THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE DISREGARDFUL OF THE SECOND COMING

Hebrews 10:25 "... and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Those who miss a church service

A. Are not conscious of the Lord's return

B. Are not conscientious about the Lord's return

C. Are not confident toward the Lord's return

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