Why are some leaving the worship service early?
Question:
Jeff,
I have seen several brethren and different congregations who attended morning bible class and took the Lord's Supper and afterward left without hearing the preaching, claiming that they had a plane to catch or some other excuse. Yesterday, a lady was visiting us from out of town and said that she had to check out of the hotel.
What are your thoughts about this?
Answer:
"As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, 'I will follow You wherever You go.' And Jesus said to him, 'The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.' And He said to another, 'Follow Me.' But he said, 'Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.' But He said to him, 'Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.' Another also said, 'I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.' But Jesus said to him, 'No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God'" (Luke 9:57-62).
Actions speak louder than words. These people demonstrate that listening to a teaching from God's Word is less important to them than other matters of life. There are occasions when events happen that cause difficulty in being at the worship service, but most so-called excuses are merely a matter of not making advance plans to be at the worship service.
All a preacher can do is teach about the importance of giving God your time so that you might reach heaven. "And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?" (I Peter 4:18).
Response:
Good point. Thank you!
