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The empty pew

The empty pew. Why is it empty?. Unavoidable circumstances (“ox in ditch,” Luke 14:5) Total indifference (wayside, Mark 4:15) Prioritizing other activities over spiritual activities “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).

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The empty pew

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  1. The empty pew

  2. Why is it empty? • Unavoidable circumstances (“ox in ditch,” Luke 14:5) • Total indifference (wayside, Mark 4:15) • Prioritizing other activities over spiritual activities • “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

  3. When is it empty? • When we don’t plan to fill it (Ezra 7:10) • When we don’t commit to filling it (Nehemiah 4:6) • When we don’t pray to fill it (Matthew 17:19-21) • When we do not seek joy by filling it (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

  4. Whose pew is empty? • Mine? I must put the beam out of my own eye first (Matthew 7:3-5) • My children’s? I must be the spiritual leader in my house (Ephesians 6:4) • My brother’s? I must take opportunities to edify (James 5:19-20) • My neighbor’s? I must take opportunities to teach (Matthew 5:16)

  5. The empty pew

  6. Why is it empty? • Unavoidable circumstances (“ox in ditch,” Luke 14:5) • Total indifference (wayside, Mark 4:15) • Prioritizing other activities over spiritual activities • “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

  7. When is it empty? • When we don’t plan to fill it (Ezra 7:10) • When we don’t commit to filling it (Nehemiah 4:6) • When we don’t pray to fill it (Matthew 17:19-21) • When we do not seek joy by filling it (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

  8. Whose pew is empty? • Mine? I must put the beam out of my own eye first (Matthew 7:3-5) • My children’s? I must be the spiritual leader in my house (Ephesians 6:4) • My brother’s? I must take opportunities to edify (James 5:19-20) • My neighbor’s? I must take opportunities to teach (Matthew 5:16)

  9. Empty pews • Separate Brethren • Local churches are given to bring saints together (1 Corinthians 12:14-18) • Absences encourage brethren who are present to drift apart • We drift even further from those who are not present

  10. Empty pews • Stifle Worship • It’s difficult to “sing with the spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:15) when we can’t hear one another • Singers who feel like soloists don’t want to sing out • If we don’t feel like a group, it’s tough to worship as a group (Acts 20:7)

  11. Empty pews • Quash Enthusiasm • Gospel meetings are largely designed to give the church a “shot in the arm” • Lackluster participation can turn a big positive into a big negative • We have a duty to be encouragers (Hebrews 10:25), not discouragers

  12. Empty pews • Discourage Workers • Many work extra-hard to help the cause of Christ during a gospel meeting • When hard work is done in isolation, discouragement sets in (1 Kings 19:10) • We do more good than we know by holding up the hands of workers (Exodus 17:12)

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