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Presented, February 11, 2007 am

WOULD YOU BE MISSED?

In 1 Samuel 20 we are given an account early in the life of David. Saul was still king and David served him. But Saul hated David because he knew that David would his heir, so he sought to kill him. David calls Saul’s son Jonathan whom he dearly loved (as a brother) and makes a plan to determine if it is safe for him to return to Saul’s house. The plan involved his absence at the dinner table. The intent was that when David absence was noticed that Jonathan could inquire and determine how Saul felt about David. Plans are made. As Jonathan explains how he would signal David he begins by saying, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed because your seat is empty” (vs. 18). We are told in the text that David’s absence was indeed noticed by Saul. The first day Saul just thought he was unclean, but the next day, when he was still absent Saul inquired of Jonathan. It was quickly determined that Saul wanted to kill David. He is notified by Jonathan and thus David flees from Saul.

In this story it is interesting how the inquiry of Saul came about. It was the result of David’s absence. One thing Saul was counting on to carry out his sinister plans was that David would be in his presence. When he wasn’t where he was supposed to be, Saul was concerned.

That leads to the subject I want to address this morning. As Christians, we ought to close to one another and cherish our time together. When we assemble together, we ought to look forward to seeing our brethren of like precious faith. Even throughout the week, we ought to cherish those times when we share our lives and resources with one another as the family of God. That is what the Christian life is about. In Acts 2:44-47^a we read of the brethren at Jerusalem, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with the people.” But do we? This morning I want to ask the question: Would you be missed? If something happened to you and you were no longer able to assemble with the brethren here would you be missed? Why would you be missed?

I. Some would not be missed

a. Because they are not that close to their brethren.

i. In the New Testament, one of the more prevalent descriptions of Christianity involves the family relationship. Have you considered the term “brethren” used continually in the New Testament? The Greek word from which the word “brethren” is derived is used more than 300 times in the New Testament. Most of these have reference to our relationship toward one another as Christians.
Hebrews 2:11 notes that we are brethren with Christ.
James 1:19 refers to “my beloved brethren.”
Philippians 3:1, “Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:19 refers to us as “the household of God.”
DO WE ACT LIKE WE ARE FAMILY?

ii. To many, “church” is just a slot in their life that they fill in at the appointed time. They see in assembling once or twice a week the fulfillment of their obligations to the brethren. Usually, such see it as no big deal if they miss when other things come up. The point is that they have not tried to build relationships among their brethren.
Sadly, such would not be missed all that much.

b. Because they are expected to miss. It is not that we WANT them to miss, but it is their habit. We generally know who will be here on Sunday night and Wednesday night. And we know who will NOT be here. Because there are legitimate reasons why some are not able to attend every service, we do not make it a point to pass judgment on those who are not always here (we will leave that to you and God), but I suspect that there are some who regularly miss one or more services that could do something about it if they really wanted to.

c. Because they are inconsistent. You never know what they are going to do. Sometimes they will be at every service, but at other weeks they will not be there at all. When this happens, concerns are expressed at first, but over time, assumptions are made that things are as normal and nothing is wrong, unless we are informed otherwise.
The Christian’s life should not be inconsistent – 1 Corinthians 15:58 says that we should be steadfast and immovable – that indicates consistency in our lives. Philippians 2:12-13 shows that Paul expected and commended consistency in the lives of his brethren, ^“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

d. Because we do not take the time to miss them. Sometimes, we don’t miss our brethren because we don’t take the time to notice that they are not here. Maybe it is because we are asleep spiritually. Perhaps we are wrapped up in our own little world and we have excluded everyone else. Maybe we are distracted because of troubles we are facing and our mind is not where it ought to be.
Many who fit in this category are the last to arrive for worship services and the first to leave, at times even before the services are over. They don’t take the time to greet their brethren before or after services. Remember Romans 16:16 which says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” The point is to acknowledge one another. NOTE: That statement is made 4 other times in the New Testament – 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; and 1 Peter 5:14.
When a sheep wanders from the fold, we have to know it is missing before we can go searching for it. And we have a parable that illustrates the need to find the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7). This ties in with other passages that show we ought to be concerned about our brethren, such as Hebrews 10:24-25 & Jude 22-23, snatching them out of the fire.

e. Because of the way they act. It is truly sad, but there are some brethren whose contentious attitudes make their absence a blessing. It is not the fact that we want them to leave, but there are some who are contentious, constantly criticizing and backbiting, gossiping about their brethren, and causing divisions – all attitudes that are condemned in scripture. When they leave, the church finally finds some peace and the healing begins.

f. Because of their lack of contribution to the work. There are some who contribute little or nothing to the Lord’s work where they are at. Their attitude in assembling with the saints (when they do) is – What’s in it for me? As they assemble, you can see their disinterest in their eyes and their actions. To them worship services are a weariness (Malachi 1:13). You can see it in their lukewarm attitude – Revelation 3:15-16. More simply stated they have done NOTHING to truly contribute to the Lord’s work.
In saying this I realize that not everyone does works that stand out or are at the forefront. Paul was very clear in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 where he described us as “the body of Christ” and noted that some of the more important parts are the “unpresentable parts.” I am speaking of those who simply are not interested in the Lord’s work the way they ought to be. They serve Him with a divided heart.

Lest I be misunderstood as saying that everyone must do something that is perceived as great in the eyes of man, I want to offer some examples of reasons as to:

II. Why would you be missed?

a. Because your seat is empty
Church attendance is NOT something we should have to command. We can quote Hebrews 10:25. We could notice what we are commanded to do together such as partake the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), give (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and edify one another in song (Colossians 3:16). But if the only reason you are here is because you HAVE TO be here, you are going to be miserable and you are not going to give it your all!
You ought to want to be here as often as you can (cf. Psalm 122:1, Psalm 1:2, etc). You ought to want to be here for ALL the right reasons – including encouraging your brethren, worshiping God, building up the body, etc. A church filled with brethren who cannot see beyond the “do I have to” attitude will NEVER thrive! It is just that simple.
IF you are here regularly and faithfully, rest assured – when you are not here, you will be missed.

b. Because your tongue is silent
We often emphasize what is bad about the tongue. But God gave us our tongues and the ability to communicate for good. The tongue is intended to be used for preaching and teaching the gospel (2 Timothy 4:2), to encourage one another, defending the truth (1 Peter 3:15), to give good advice, for praising God, and to simply communicate good things.
What about the one who speaks up in class? He who preaches, leads the singing, or our prayers? The one who encourages you?
If we are known for using our tongues for good, then we would certainly be missed.

c. Because of the way you encourage your brethren.
We all need to be encouraged from time to time. We are supposed to edify, exhort and encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:29).
One might ask, what does attendance have to do with encouraging brethren during the week? Chances are if one is not faithful in attendance, a close bond will not be there. And if that bond is not there, our ability to encourage one another will be hindered.
Consider church discipline for a moment. The reason withdrawing from someone is not always effective is because usually the real relationship between brethren was not there in the first place. Unfaithful brethren didn’t see the seriousness of meeting with one another. When they quit they didn’t miss anything in their life.
But there are some brethren, usually in every congregation are known for their ability to encourage others. When they are absent surely they will be missed.

d. Because your ear is deaf
Sometimes people simply need someone they can talk to. They need someone to listen. They usually confide in someone they can trust.
As Christians we are told to “confess your trespasses to one another.” (James 5:16). If you were not here, would you be missed because someone had no one they could go to with their problems?

e. Because your purse is closed
Christians are expected to be a benevolent people. Christians ought to give cheerfully and purposefully (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Quite often, brethren rely on everyone to do their part for the work to continue. Others have to cut back their work for the Lord because the resources are not there. At times it occurs simply because someone is not there. They quit giving. If you were not here, would your giving be missed?

f. Because your optimistic attitude is missing
We all know of brethren who are a joy to be around because they always have an upbeat attitude. There are brethren who encourage others telling them, “We can do this!” They are strength within the Lord’s body. They demonstrate the power of God to effectively work in our lives (Philippians 4:13). They are the ones who when you are discouraged or frustrated you can turn to and think about, and just the thought of them keeps you going or causes you to cheer up. They give you a reason to continue.
When brethren like that are not here, they will be missed.

Much of this lesson has been geared toward the importance of attendance in the life of a Christian. But there is another reality we must face in this life, and that is its uncertainty. We never know when our last day will be. And when that day comes, what will others say about you? WILL we truly be missed? Let us live so that even though we are dead, we continue to speak (Hebrews 11:4). Think about it!