What if this had been the Last Supper?
What if every disciple had an excuse?
What if the ones called to change the world simply didn’t show up?
Many believers treat gathering with God’s people the same way. Let’s imagine what might have been lost if the disciples valued worship and community the way many do today.
Part 1 — The Empty Seats
1. Peter — “My mother-in-law came in for the weekend.”
Luke 22:31–32 — “Satan has asked to sift you like wheat…”
If Peter stayed home, Pentecost never happens. One missed moment can change your calling.
2. Andrew — “I was up kinda late last night.”
John 1:41–42 — “He first found his brother Simon… and brought him to Jesus.”
The evangelist who brought others to Jesus would’ve slept through the Savior.
3. James (son of Zebedee) — “Really needed some ‘me’ time.”
Acts 12:2 — “He had James… put to death with the sword.”
The one who sought greatness learned true greatness is sacrifice, not comfort.
4. John — “I was there last week. Besides, I’m not really being fed.”
John 13:23 — “One of His disciples… was reclining at table close to Jesus.”
The Apostle of Love would’ve missed the heartbeat of God because he felt unchallenged.
5. Philip — “Finally had a sunny day to hit the lake.”
John 14:9 — “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.”
He’d have traded a clear sky for a clearer revelation of God.
6. Bartholomew — “Had brunch scheduled with my Uncle Zed.”
Luke 22:19 — “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
Fellowship with family is good — but fellowship with the Savior is eternal.
7. Thomas — “I doubt it would’ve been any good today.”
John 20:27 — “Put your finger here… Do not disbelieve, but believe.”
Skepticism would have kept him from seeing what faith reveals.
8. Matthew — “I had to get my taxes done.”
He would have missed the One who paid the debt he could never calculate.
Grace can’t be itemized.
9. James (son of Alphaeus) — “My dad wanted to fish today.”
Matthew 4:19 — “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Following family expectations can’t replace following Christ.
10. Thaddaeus — “The kids needed a rest day.”
Matthew 11:28 — “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”
Even rest is sacred when it’s spent with the Rest-Giver.
11. Simon the Zealot — “Didn’t hear my alarm. Didn’t set one.”
He would have missed the moment when zeal found purpose in love.
A passion without presence is just noise.
12. Judas — “Getting tired of hearing the same old message.”
Matthew 26:14–16 — “What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?”
He stayed physically but left spiritually. Familiarity hardened his heart until the table became his betrayal.
The Seat That Was Filled Later (Paul)
2 Timothy 4:7 — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Paul wasn’t at that table, but he lived like he never wanted to miss a moment with Christ or His people.
If he had made excuses, we’d be missing most of the New Testament — Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Timothy, Titus, and more.
Part 2 — When the Seats Started Emptying
1. When the Fire Was Burning
Acts 2:42–47 — They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
They weren’t attendees — they were family. They didn’t fit church into life; church was their life.
2. When the Flame Began to Fade
- Faith became personal, not communal.
- Comfort replaced conviction.
- Culture became the standard.
- Busyness replaced burden.
The flame didn’t die by rejection — it faded through distraction.
3. Scripture Warned This Would Happen
- Hebrews 10:25 — Don’t forsake assembling together.
- 2 Timothy 4:3–4 — People will not endure sound doctrine.
- Revelation 2:4 — You’ve forsaken your first love.
The Bible saw it coming — not because the world got darker, but because hearts got colder.
4. What Led to the Decline (Modern Causes)
- Distraction — Endless entertainment and self-focus.
- Disillusionment — Hypocrisy and shallow preaching.
- Division — Denominations fighting while the world perishes.
- Deconstruction — Redefining truth instead of returning to it.
- Detachment — Online substitutes for embodied worship.
The result? Empty seats. Empty hearts. Empty purpose.
5. Why We Must Keep Inviting
Matthew 28:19 — “Go and make disciples.”
Romans 10:14 — “How can they believe unless they hear?”
Every empty chair is an opportunity. Every invitation is an act of war against darkness.
We don’t give up because He didn’t give up on us.
6. Why the Table Still Matters
- Fellowship fuels faith. (Proverbs 27:17)
- Worship resets your heart.
- Discipleship multiplies truth.
When we show up, we don’t just fill a pew — we fulfill a purpose.
7. The Final Table
Revelation 19:9 — “Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
Every seat will be filled by those who said yes to His invitation.
Until then, this table — the Church — is where we practice for eternity.
Let’s not let our excuses echo through Heaven’s halls.
Closing Challenge
When you see an empty seat, don’t just see a gap in a row — see a name, a face, a soul.
Ask: Who could be sitting there next week if I invited them today?
Pull up a seat and bring someone with you.
Because the table is level, the invitation is open, and Jesus is still waiting.
Full Sermon: