Embracing New Life: Confidence, Community, and Hope in Christ
Summary
In the exploration of Hebrews 10:19-25, the focus is on the transformative experience of embracing a new life in Christ. This new life is characterized by five distinct pictures: confidence, heaven, God's presence, community, and awaiting a future life. The passage begins by emphasizing the confidence believers have to enter holy places through Jesus' sacrifice. This confidence stems from the understanding that the old covenant, with its repeated sacrifices and reminders of sin, was but a shadow of the good things to come. The new covenant, however, offers a complete atonement for sins through the single offering of Jesus Christ, perfecting those who are being sanctified.
The second picture is that of a new life in heaven. The text describes how Jesus, as the forerunner, has entered heaven on behalf of humanity, signifying that believers' lives are now hidden with Christ in God. This profound truth suggests that while believers are on earth, their true life is already with Christ in heaven.
The third picture is a new life in God's presence. Believers are encouraged to draw near to God with a true heart and full assurance of faith, having been cleansed and renewed. This drawing near is likened to a child approaching a loving parent, filled with joy and anticipation. The passage warns against the superficiality of merely honoring God with lips while hearts are distant, urging a genuine approach to God's presence.
The fourth picture highlights the new life with one another. Believers are given a new family in the body of Christ, where they are called to live out the "one another" commands found throughout Scripture. This community aspect is crucial as it provides support, encouragement, and the opportunity to reflect the love of Jesus to others. The text underscores the importance of meeting together, not as a religious obligation, but as a means of fostering intimacy, encouragement, and spiritual growth.
The final picture is a new life awaiting believers. This future life is described as objectively better than the current earthly experience. Despite the perception that the world is deteriorating, for believers, every day is a step closer to becoming more like Jesus and ultimately seeing Him face to face. The passage challenges the negative outlook on the world's condition, asserting that for believers, heaven has come to earth, and things are only getting better because of Christ's transformative work.
Key Takeaways:
- Confidence to enter the holy places is not based on personal merit but on the completed work of Jesus Christ, who has made a way for believers to approach God without fear of condemnation. This confidence transforms the believer's approach to God, from one of trepidation to one of joyful assurance. [24:01]
- The concept of heaven is not just a distant reality but an already secured position for believers. While living on earth, there is a profound spiritual truth that a believer's life is concurrently in heaven with Christ, shaping their identity and purpose. [27:26]
- The importance of community in the Christian life cannot be overstated. The encouragement and support found within the body of Christ are vital for perseverance and spiritual growth. This community is where believers can experience a taste of heaven on earth, as they live out their faith together. [41:06]
- Suffering and comfort are not to be seen as indicators of spiritual decline or prosperity. Instead, suffering is part of the journey that shapes believers into the image of Christ, and comfort is found in the assurance of salvation and the presence of God amidst trials. [53:16]
- The anticipation of a future life with Christ should be a source of daily encouragement for believers. As each day passes, the reality of being in the full presence of God draws nearer, offering hope and perspective in the midst of earthly challenges. [55:39]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 10:19-25
### Observation Questions
1. What does the passage in Hebrews 10:19-25 say about the confidence believers have to enter the holy places? ([14:34])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus entering heaven on behalf of humanity? ([25:40])
3. How does the author of Hebrews describe the importance of community among believers in Hebrews 10:24-25? ([38:21])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between suffering and the journey of becoming more like Jesus? ([28:59])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the confidence to enter the holy places through Jesus' sacrifice change a believer's approach to God? ([24:01])
2. What does it mean for a believer's life to be "hidden with Christ in God" while still living on earth? ([27:26])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community within the body of Christ provides support and encouragement? ([41:06])
4. How should believers view suffering in light of the assurance of salvation and the presence of God? ([53:16])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own approach to God. Do you approach Him with confidence based on Jesus' sacrifice, or do you feel hesitant? How can you cultivate a more joyful assurance in your relationship with God? ([24:01])
2. How does the understanding that your life is already with Christ in heaven shape your daily identity and purpose? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth? ([27:26])
3. Think about your involvement in your church community. How can you be more intentional in meeting together and encouraging one another? What specific actions can you take this week to foster deeper connections? ([41:06])
4. When you face suffering or trials, how do you typically respond? How can you shift your perspective to see these challenges as opportunities to become more like Jesus? ([53:16])
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God with a true heart. What are some practical ways you can ensure your heart is genuinely seeking God and not just honoring Him with your lips? ([32:47])
6. How can you actively participate in reflecting the love of Jesus within your church community? Identify one "one another" command from Scripture and plan a specific way to live it out this week. ([42:40])
7. The anticipation of a future life with Christ should be a source of daily encouragement. How can you remind yourself of this hope in the midst of earthly challenges? What practices can you incorporate into your routine to keep this perspective? ([55:39])
Devotional
Day 1: Boldness in Christ's Completion
Our confidence to approach God is not rooted in our own righteousness but in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, which has torn the veil and granted us direct access to the holy places. This transformative truth allows us to come before God with assurance and joy, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved because of Christ's work on the cross. [24:01]
Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: How does understanding Christ's complete work on the cross change the way you approach God in prayer and worship?
Day 2: Dual Citizenship: Earth and Heaven
Believers live with the profound reality that while they walk on earth, their true citizenship is in heaven with Christ. This spiritual truth shapes our identity, reminding us that our actions, thoughts, and life purpose are aligned with our heavenly position, secured by Jesus. [27:26]
Philippians 3:20 - "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can the knowledge of your heavenly citizenship influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Day 3: The Vitality of Christian Community
The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation but in the vibrant community of the body of Christ. Here, we find encouragement, accountability, and the opportunity to grow in faith together. This community reflects the love of Jesus and is a foretaste of the fellowship we will enjoy in eternity. [41:06]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth and encouragement of your church community this week?
Day 4: Embracing Suffering as Formation
Suffering is not an indication of God's absence but a tool for shaping us into Christ's likeness. As we endure trials, we are reminded that our comfort lies not in the absence of pain but in the presence of God and the hope of our salvation. [53:16]
Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent hardship that has the potential to grow your endurance and character? How can you embrace it as part of your spiritual formation?
Day 5: Anticipating the Fullness of Christ's Presence
The hope of a future life with Christ is a powerful motivator for believers, providing perspective and encouragement amidst earthly challenges. Each day is a step closer to the full realization of our salvation and the joy of being in the presence of God forever. [55:39]
Colossians 3:4 - "When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: What is one way you can remind yourself of the hope of eternity with Christ in your daily routine?
Quotes
1) "We need one another to point us to the end goal, to keep our eyes on the prize, to help us draw near, reflect the love of Jesus, and to be intentional and thoughtful toward one another." [50:47] (Download)
2) "For the believer in Jesus Christ, we have a new life awaiting us in heaven, and here we are called to press into one another more and more the closer we get to death or Jesus' return." [51:16] (Download)
3) "Heaven has come to Earth for the believer in Jesus; things aren't getting worse, they're only getting better. Consider your life apart from Christ—before Christ, the Bible says you're dead. When you receive Christ, your life is just beginning." [52:11] (Download)
4) "Where is the world going to see love, patience, and selflessness better than from a local church? We need one another's help to show this love and to do good works to point others back to Christ." [43:38] (Download)
5) "We need to be involved in one another's lives, and this requires a deeper relationship, perhaps more involved than what you're used to or comfortable with, or what's convenient." [44:43] (Download)
6) "We need to recognize our need for regular face-to-face interaction with other believers. Not neglecting to meet together is crucial for fostering intimacy and spiritual growth." [46:42] (Download)
7) "Every new day is a day closer to seeing Jesus face to face. This anticipation of a future life with Christ should be a source of daily encouragement for believers." [55:39] (Download)
8) "We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our sins are forgiven; that's why we can have confidence." [24:33] (Download)
9) "Our life is with Christ in heaven. There's a sense in which every believer has died already and their life is with Christ in God. Our life is in heaven with Him right now." [27:26] (Download)
10) "We need to hold tightly to Jesus and never let go. Remember, we're on the road to heaven, but also on the road to suffering, so we need to hold all the more tightly as things get hard." [35:33] (Download)
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