Embracing Community: The Heart of Being the Church
Summary
In today's gathering, we've delved into the heart of what it means to be the church, not just to attend church. We've explored the profound truth that God doesn't just make things work in our lives; He lives with us so that they continue to work. When discouragement seeks to drain our joy and we find ourselves merely going through the motions, it's crucial to let go of the burdens that weigh us down and hold on to the hope we have in Christ.
We've been reminded that the church is not an organization but a living organism, designed to change lives and encourage one another. As we've looked into Hebrews chapter 10, we've seen the call to draw near to God with sincere hearts, to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, and to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. This is not a solitary journey; it's a communal one, where we are encouraged not to give up meeting together but to provoke one another to love and good deeds.
We've also celebrated the practical expansion of our church, a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of community. As we prepare for Easter and beyond, we're reminded that our involvement in the church is not about what we can get, but what we can give and how we can serve others.
In the midst of life's challenges, we must focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who speaks life into the void and creates hope where there was none. We are created in God's image for good things, and it's in the community that we find the strength to persevere and the encouragement to continue.
Key Takeaways:
- Holding on to hope is essential in the face of discouragement. When life's challenges seek to distract us, we must focus on Jesus, who is both the initiator and the completer of our faith. In Him, we find the strength to persevere and the assurance that He will finish the work He has started in us. [24:59]
- Community is the context in which we thrive spiritually. The church is not a place we go to but a people we belong to. In community, we find the encouragement and support needed to grow in our faith and to encourage others in theirs. It is in the gathering of believers that we are spurred on to love and good deeds. [17:53]
- Encouragement is a two-way street. As much as we need encouragement, we are also called to provide it to others. In doing so, we fulfill the law of Christ, bearing one another's burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ. Our presence and participation in the lives of others can be a source of great strength and comfort. [22:01]
- The act of worship is not just a personal experience but a communal one. When we worship passionately, we not only draw closer to God but also inspire those around us. Our worship can be a beacon of hope and encouragement to others who may be struggling or seeking God. [26:39]
- Leadership in the church is not about status but service. As a pastor, being part of a circle of believers is not just about leading but also about receiving encouragement and life from others. We all have something to contribute to the body of Christ, and in doing so, we reflect the love and servanthood of Jesus. [22:34]
In conclusion, let us embrace the call to be the church, to hold on to hope, to spur one another on, and to meet together regularly. As we do so, we will see the power of God move in our lives and through our community, building His church and advancing His kingdom on earth.
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Observation Questions:
1. What does the author of Hebrews say we can have confidence in, and through what means is this confidence obtained?
2. In Hebrews 10:24, what are believers encouraged to consider in their interactions with one another?
3. What specific action does Hebrews 10:25 advise against, and what alternative does it suggest?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance of faith impact the way believers approach God and their spiritual community?
2. What might be some practical ways believers can "stir up one another to love and good works" as mentioned in Hebrews 10:24?
3. Why do you think the author of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of meeting together and encouraging one another?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged. How might the practice of drawing near to God and to a faith community have made a difference in that situation?
2. Identify someone in your life who could use encouragement this week. What is one specific action you can take to spur them on toward love and good deeds?
3. Can you think of a commitment or habit that you have neglected which might help you hold fast to your confession of hope? What is one step you can take this week to recommit to that practice?
4. Consider the last time you met with other believers. What is one way you can prepare for your next gathering to ensure you are both giving and receiving encouragement?
5. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to let go of something in order to hold on to hope in Christ? What is one tangible step you can take to let go and hold on to hope this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Hope Amidst Discouragement
In the midst of life's inevitable challenges, it is essential to hold on to hope. This hope is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast anchor, rooted in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the initiator and the completer of our faith, the one who began a good work in us and is faithful to complete it. When discouragement looms, it is this hope that sustains and propels us forward. It is a hope that does not disappoint because it is grounded in the promises of God, who speaks life into the void and creates hope where there was none. By focusing on Jesus, individuals can find the strength to persevere through trials and the assurance that they are not alone in their journey. [24:59]
"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." - Hebrews 10:39 ESV
Reflection: What specific situation in your life right now requires you to hold on to hope, and how can you actively trust Jesus to complete the work He has started in you?
Day 2: Thriving in Spiritual Community
The church is not a mere location or institution; it is a vibrant community of believers. Within this community, individuals find the necessary encouragement and support to grow in their faith. It is a place where they are called to encourage others, spurring them on to love and good deeds. This communal aspect of faith is not optional but integral to spiritual growth. It is in the gathering of believers that one is reminded of their identity in Christ and their purpose in the larger body. The church, as a living organism, is designed to change lives through the collective action of its members, each playing a unique role in the advancement of God's kingdom. [17:53]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively seek to encourage someone in your spiritual community this week, and what specific action will you take to do so?
Day 3: The Mutual Gift of Encouragement
Encouragement is not a one-way street; it is a reciprocal exchange that strengthens the bonds within the body of Christ. As believers, we are called to bear one another's burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ. This mutual support is a testament to the love and compassion that should characterize the church. When one member suffers, the whole body feels the impact; when one rejoices, the community shares in the joy. By being present and participating in the lives of others, believers can be a source of great strength and comfort, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways. [22:01]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2 ESV
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of encouragement, and what specific steps can you take to lighten their burden today?
Day 4: Worship as a Communal Beacon
Worship is not merely a personal experience; it is a collective expression of adoration and devotion to God. When believers worship passionately, they not only draw closer to God but also inspire and uplift those around them. Worship can be a beacon of hope and encouragement, a powerful force that resonates within the community and beyond. It is an act that unites the hearts of believers, focusing their attention on the greatness of God and the truth of His Word. Through worship, the church can demonstrate the transformative power of God's presence, encouraging others in their faith journey. [26:39]
"Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," - Ephesians 5:19 ESV
Reflection: How can your personal worship be a source of encouragement to others, and what steps will you take to ensure your worship is both genuine and communal?
Day 5: Servant Leadership Reflecting Christ
Leadership within the church is not about holding a position of power or status; it is about serving others in love and humility. As members of the body of Christ, each person has something to contribute, and in doing so, they reflect the servanthood of Jesus. Leaders are called to be part of the circle of believers, not only to guide but also to receive life and encouragement from the community. This reciprocal relationship is foundational to a healthy church, where every member is valued and empowered to serve according to their gifts and calling. In this way, the church can truly be a reflection of Christ's love and service to the world. [22:34]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you embody servant leadership in your current sphere of influence, and how can you encourage others to do the same?
Quotes
1) "When you hold on to hope, you realize your life is made for a greater purpose. My purpose is to encourage people around me, to encourage myself in the Lord, to live the life that Christ has for me." [01:19:08] (Download)
2) "The church is the most powerful lifegiving force on the planet, designed to change everything. The power Jesus puts inside of you is able to change everything and everybody around you." [01:14:55] (Download)
3) "We are the most distracted people that have ever lived on planet Earth... We are spurring you, we are provoking you... that's what spurring feels like." [01:23:52] (Download)
4) "Love only operates in community. You can only feel love when you're around people, you can only express love when you're around people." [01:27:52] (Download)
5) "The strength of this house is the community that we build together... We may end up having to build another building one day, praise God if we do." [01:29:30] (Download)
6) "When we worship passionately, we not only draw closer to God but also inspire those around us. Our worship can be a beacon of hope and encouragement to others who may be struggling or seeking God." [01:26:39] (Download)
7) "The most amazing place that you can draw near to God is in a circle because the main purpose of a circle is to draw near to God in community." [01:34:17] (Download)
8) "When I say yes to being the church, I've got to say yes to hold on to the right things... Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." [01:17:53] (Download)
9) "I believe Jesus gives us a blueprint about the church... It's not easy, but God is with me... He can speak into what's not there, and it can appear, it can move, it can be alive." [01:14:20] (Download)
10) "When you're discouraged, it's what you hold on to that matters. It's what you let go of that keeps you going because some things in life will weigh you down." [01:09:07] (Download)
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