This episode is in response to an EXCELLENT member post for discussion in the We Talk Truth group. I really enjoyed the mental exercise and thinking about these things again. I hope you enjoy.
Here are the two pieces of content read and referenced in the episode:
Not On Sunday Night
I love the church that Jesus bought; I know that it is right; I go there every Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
I love to sing the songs of God, such worship must be right; I sing them every Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
I love to hear the Gospel too; it gives me pure delight; I hear it every Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
And may God bless our preacher too, to give him power and might, and put someone in my seat who needs hear him Sunday night.
I love to gather ‘round His table and with my Lord unite, but I prefer to dine alone when it comes to Sunday night.
I give as I've been prospered and dare not ever slight, but I cannot afford to give an hour on Sunday night.
I love to hear about the cross where Jesus cleansed my blight. But you will not see hide nor hair of me on Sunday night.
I’d go through mud or sleet or snow, do anything that’s right, to be at church on Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
Let all the others be on hand to worship God aright, but I just want my easy chair and “my time” Sunday night.
I know I really need more strength to keep me in the fight; I come for help on Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
I know the church can save the world if its pure light shines bright; I help it shine on Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
The love of Christ compels us to do and say what’s right. It compels me every Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
I love to hear and think of heaven, where faith is lost in sight, I think of it on Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
I believe in the fires and pain of hell, their thought gives me a fright; I’m fearful every Sunday morn, but not on Sunday night.
Yes, all of us must surely die; I hope I’m doing right; so may I die on Sunday morn, and not on Sunday night.
I offer the following for discussion.
I was recently involved in a conversation with a member who I have considered to be a very spiritual and educated person in the Word.
Our congregation did a couple of different things during the height of the pandemic concerning Sunday evening. At first, we advised those with the greatest health concerns to attend morning services when the building was the cleanest and those with lesser concerns to attend evening services. Half of the elders and deacons attended one service, the other other half attended the other.
At some point, it was decided that it was too much like having two separate congregations and maybe not the best path. In response to this concern we did away with the evening service altogether.
I lay all of that out as background information for the idea that was presented to me by the member I mentioned at the beginning of my post.
The member had been noticeably absent during Sunday evening services and Midweek Bible study as well. It caused concern, because this had been the type of member who was there every time the door was open and most likely was the one who unlocked it and turned on the lights.
In the conversation I have referred to, this member makes a statement that it is not their belief that the Bible supports an evening service and when you have people who can’t be there in the morning because of work, it again is like having two separate congregations. Further complicated, in the members opinion, by those whom partake of the Lord’s Supper in the evening while some don’t because they have already observed such that morning, thereby not all members engaged in the same acts of worship.
The member concedes that they do not know if it is a salvation issue, but believes that there is no evidence to support such. The member has also made the statement in the past that we should meet in the morning and alluded loosely to that was how the first century church did it.
My mind goes to the following in response to the member’s proposition:
1. The authority of the elders in maters of expediency. (However, we are currently without elders. We had two and one resigned due to health issues).
2. Paul in Troas (Acts 20). Paul begin to preach at some unknown time and continued until midnight and began again until morning after the Eutychus situation. This was a worship setting being on the first day of the week and the time when disciples came together to break bread. If we glean anything from this it is that preaching/teaching went on at some length.
I believe the member is using 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 with emphasis on verse 20 to make the proposition that we are to come together in one place and it is inferred all at one time. Which in the members mind precludes the biblical soundness of meeting twice.
The member is obviously a brother or sister in Christ. They are also my friend. They have experienced some traumatic events. Those events were made more difficult by COVID.
I am looking for your thoughts and supporting scripture. It is my understanding that congregations in the Lord’s Church have made use of the evening service since sometime after the introduction of the electric light, however, I would obviously like to approach any rebuttal to the members argument from a biblical foundation.
If you have made it to this point, thank you.
I look forward to your thoughts.
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