Lesson by Mike Smith based from a lesson by John Harris

1. What The Empty Pews Show

2. Empty Seats The very thought of you missing from any of our meetings is sad. 1 Samuel 20:18 “Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.” The same is true for us and our brethren today!

3. What The Empty Pews Show It shows somebody is not keeping God’s commandments. Eccl. 12:13; Hebrews 10:25; Jn. 14:15 Somebody’s unfaithful. Rev. 2:10; Mt. 28:20; Ps. 122:1; 2 Cor. 3:2 Somebody’s not growing. 2 Pet 3:18; 1 Pet 2:2; Mt. 5:6 The World has a strong pull on somebody. 1 Jn. 2:15; James 4:4

4. What The Empty Pews Show Shows somebody’s light isn’t shining. Mt. 5:16 Somebody’s not abounding in the Lord’s work. 1 Cor. 15:58; Eph. 2:10 Somebody’s not proclaiming the Lord’s death. 1 Cor. 11:26 Somebody’s not having fellowship. Acts 2:42; 1 Jn. 1:7 Somebody’s making the contribution smaller. Mal. 3:8; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7; Acts 20:35

5. What The Empty Pews Show Empty pews weaken the church. Gal. 6:10 A helping hand, not helping… Every part of the body is to do its share of work! Eph. 4:16 Somebody’s missing knowledge. Hos. 4:6; Prov. 23:23; 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11 Somebody’s not walking by the same rule. Phil. 3:16; Psalm 133:1; 1 Cor. 1:10 Let us vow to fill the empty pew (children can’t do it for you)! Acts 2:46, 42