Numerical Guide to Forsaking the Assembly
In Luke 9:57-62 Jesus was offered several excuses as to why some could not immediately follow Him, such as attending a funeral or saying farewell to family. Similarly, certain excuses are frequently given as to why some Christians fail to attend worship or other church services. Below are 16 excuses I have heard over the years:
1. “I was too tired.”
2. “I stayed up too late on Saturday.”
3. “I didn’t hear the alarm.”
4. “I didn’t sleep well.”
5. “Our clothes were dirty.”
6. “Our hot water heater went out.”
7. “We had company from out of town.”
8. “My dog was sick.”
9. “Something came up.”
10. “The kids were playing baseball, soccer, etc.”
11. “We were packing for a vacation.”
12. “We returned from a vacation.”
13. “It was a holiday.”
14. “I had to mop the floor.” (Yes, someone once told me that!)
15. “I had to mow the lawn.” (Someone told me that, too!)
16. “A family member was sick, so we all stayed home.”
I have a novel idea. Since the above list likely contains 98% of the excuses cited by church members, the next time you are absent, save your breath. If asked the reason for your absence, just pick the number that best describes your excuse. You can do away with a lengthy explanation by simply saying, “#4, primarily due to #2.”
By the way, I left out excuse #17 - “I just didn’t put God first!” (Strange, I've never heard anyone honest enough to use that one!)
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
In Luke 9:57-62 Jesus was offered several excuses as to why some could not immediately follow Him, such as attending a funeral or saying farewell to family. Similarly, certain excuses are frequently given as to why some Christians fail to attend worship or other church services. Below are 16 excuses I have heard over the years:
1. “I was too tired.”
2. “I stayed up too late on Saturday.”
3. “I didn’t hear the alarm.”
4. “I didn’t sleep well.”
5. “Our clothes were dirty.”
6. “Our hot water heater went out.”
7. “We had company from out of town.”
8. “My dog was sick.”
9. “Something came up.”
10. “The kids were playing baseball, soccer, etc.”
11. “We were packing for a vacation.”
12. “We returned from a vacation.”
13. “It was a holiday.”
14. “I had to mop the floor.” (Yes, someone once told me that!)
15. “I had to mow the lawn.” (Someone told me that, too!)
16. “A family member was sick, so we all stayed home.”
I have a novel idea. Since the above list likely contains 98% of the excuses cited by church members, the next time you are absent, save your breath. If asked the reason for your absence, just pick the number that best describes your excuse. You can do away with a lengthy explanation by simply saying, “#4, primarily due to #2.”
By the way, I left out excuse #17 - “I just didn’t put God first!” (Strange, I've never heard anyone honest enough to use that one!)
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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