Teaching - What is Needed 4
A New and Living Way
"19 Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by [means of] the blood of Jesus, 20 by this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through the veil [as in the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a great and wonderful Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, 22 let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; 24 and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, 25 not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching."
Hebrews 10:19-25 in the Amplified Version
[This is the 32nd lesson of this series]
This message is the last of these lessons on the excerpt above from the Book of Hebrews.
In the previous three messages we have discussed the first five verses, 19 to 23.
Encourager
To expound on the last two verses (24 and 25), we will say that one of the proofs of being a follower of Christ is the love Christ. It's hard to fake and as such, Christians are natural encouragers.
So do we know of people who if they aren't around others can tell that something is missing?
Meeting Together
And this brings us to this final point. Christians gather together. They need to. Like embers of coal they ought to come together, work together, be placed side by side so as to continue burning bright and burning for the Lord; to continue being the light after they separate to go back out to a dark, cold and lonely world; to continue lifting the Name of Jesus (not their own or anyone else, not their church or their religious leader).
The place where they gather ought to be a safe place, where new people are welcome, where the love of God encourages, where faith is renewed, hope is strengthened and peace and joy overflows, people pray for one another, they celebrate with other's triumphs, they mourn with other's loss, they testify to God's faithfulness, God's Word is taught and people look forward to getting back together again after they leave.
[This is the 32nd lesson of this series]
This message is the last of these lessons on the excerpt above from the Book of Hebrews.
In the previous three messages we have discussed the first five verses, 19 to 23.
Encourager
To expound on the last two verses (24 and 25), we will say that one of the proofs of being a follower of Christ is the love Christ. It's hard to fake and as such, Christians are natural encouragers.
So do we know of people who if they aren't around others can tell that something is missing?
Do we know anyone who when they walk into a room, the place brightens up? Do we know someone who when they speak it relieves tension? Do we know that person who lifts people up and gives them hope and the will to go on doing the good things they have been doing even if it seems its a thankless job? These are the kinds of Christians the Book of Hebrews is talking about.
Unfortunately there are also those who profess to be followers of Christ who give Christians a bad name, and Christ a bad rep.
For there are those who walk into a room, and the mood suddenly changes and everyone becomes awkwardly quiet; it is as if, tension entered the room with them, people start to walk in opposite directions, or walking on eggshells.
And when these people speak, the love of Christ jumps out the window, and others in the room start to be deflated as if robbed of their inner joy, their inner peace and their hope.
This is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is not working through these so-called Christians.
God's people encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, with love. All these stems from a regenerated life, a new heart and a new spirit.
Love
The followers of Christ are to be known through their love for others. Theirs is a selfless love, not selfish. When they aren't there, people miss them.
Unfortunately there are also those who profess to be followers of Christ who give Christians a bad name, and Christ a bad rep.
For there are those who walk into a room, and the mood suddenly changes and everyone becomes awkwardly quiet; it is as if, tension entered the room with them, people start to walk in opposite directions, or walking on eggshells.
And when these people speak, the love of Christ jumps out the window, and others in the room start to be deflated as if robbed of their inner joy, their inner peace and their hope.
This is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is not working through these so-called Christians.
God's people encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, with love. All these stems from a regenerated life, a new heart and a new spirit.
Love
The followers of Christ are to be known through their love for others. Theirs is a selfless love, not selfish. When they aren't there, people miss them.
They build up, instead of tear down. They encourage people forward, not sideways, out the door or back to their old ways. Their words heal more than hurt. They are warm and inviting, not cold and cliquey
Meeting Together
And this brings us to this final point. Christians gather together. They need to. Like embers of coal they ought to come together, work together, be placed side by side so as to continue burning bright and burning for the Lord; to continue being the light after they separate to go back out to a dark, cold and lonely world; to continue lifting the Name of Jesus (not their own or anyone else, not their church or their religious leader).
The place where they gather ought to be a safe place, where new people are welcome, where the love of God encourages, where faith is renewed, hope is strengthened and peace and joy overflows, people pray for one another, they celebrate with other's triumphs, they mourn with other's loss, they testify to God's faithfulness, God's Word is taught and people look forward to getting back together again after they leave.
Comments
Post a Comment