August 19, 2018
Why Church? : The Importance of Together
August 19, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Open:
Are you a member of a local club or organization, but when the day of the meeting comes, there seems to be too many hindrances to going? Perhaps it’s busyness, exhaustion, a need for personal time, or other obligations. Do you miss the camaraderie? Can anyone share?
Today and next Sunday we are going to examine the importance of the church: whether our church attendance is a priority that we consider a “given,” or whether we do it only when there is nothing of significance on the calendar. We are going to see what scripture says about the church, and why God created the church’s existence.
Focal Passage: Hebrews 10:11-25
Background:
For those of us who have been born and reared in the twentieth or twenty-first century, it is a hard concept to wrap our minds around the idea of sacrificing animals as a means of receiving forgiveness of sin debt. Many countries still practice this today, just as the Israelites did before Jesus Christ. As you read Hebrews 10:1-10, you will see that people felt the weight of their sin still a heavy burden. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples took the message of forgiveness through the name of Jesus Christ to the world, as His sinless death paid the debt once for all. Now forgiveness was available to any who would believe in His name and repent of their sins, receiving the gift of eternal life (John 3:16).
Discuss:
What Was and What Now Is:
Christ’s death on the cross provided the way
- Read Hebrews 10:11. What is the contrast between verse 11 and verse 12? Where is Jesus now?
- Read verse 14. When Jesus took our sins and hung them on the cross (Col. 2:13,14), and we, in turn, asked for forgiveness, what happened to us?
- How much of our sin was hung on that cross? Read Romans 8:38-39. What will separate us from Him?
A final payment for our sin
- Read verses 16-17. Can anyone share categories of baggage that has held you back from living a life of victory, always feeling so much shame from your past? Why does Satan glory in this weight on your shoulders?
- Read Hebrews 8:12. What has Christ intentionally done with our sin?
- When you ask for forgiveness for the “umpteenth” time, what does He say? The past no longer affects us, and the future has not yet come. How should we be living life while it is “today”?
- Why do we waste time carrying guilt that He has already paid for?
Our Response:
Desire to be in His presence
- Read verse 19-22. Who remembers the yearning desire to be constantly in the company of the person when they fell in love? Why should this be the way that we should feel if we are in a right relationship with Jesus?
- What did the writer to the Hebrews mean when he referred to the “Holiest,” the “new and living way,” and the “veil”? How had Jesus obliterated those?
- What does verse 22 tell us to do? Read James 4:8a. Does James also tell us to draw near to God? What four things signify we can do this in confidence?
Complete confidence in our faith
- We just saw our condition in verse 22 and the list of changes in us when we are saved. How do we get this amazing confidence?
- Read verse 23. Has God ever failed you or broken a promise? Sometimes we do not like His answer, but it is always best. Do you really believe that? Read 2 Tim. 2:13. Does Paul say the same thing to Timothy?
- Why can we rest in the confidence we have in Him?
Recognition that we need each other
- Read verse 24. What are some reasons we can’t do life—or church—on our own?
- List some of the ways our church is being effective worldwide because the individuals are pulling together. Why are you thankful to be part of this?
Close:
As we focus on the knowledge that Christ loves the church and gave His life for her (Eph. 5:25b), we rejoice in the family atmosphere that comes from fellowshipping with other believers regularly. As individuals, we could never achieve the impact throughout the world that we are seeing as our church effectively ministers all over the globe. Yet we also recognize that many in our own community are bound by health or other reasons to sit in their homes and worship in spirit only. Does this concern you? Perhaps, knowing how many shut-ins are unable to gather inside a church, we can take the church to them. Pray that God would raise up a small group who would love to meet with those in your community who cannot drive, sit for long periods, or be among crowds. Let that burden you, just as you carry a burden to see that the lost are found and brought into the church. There is so much work to be done for the kingdom. The work truly is plentiful, the fields are white waiting to be harvested, and the workers are few! Will you go?
Key Verse: Hebrews 10:10: By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.