Today, we reflected on the deep significance of gathering as the people of God, drawing from Hebrews 10:19-25. The church is not just a building or a tradition, but a living community that God has sustained through generations—over 23,000 days in our case. Through all the ups and downs, including recent challenges like the pandemic, God has preserved a unity and a hunger for His Word among us. This passage in Hebrews calls us to three essential actions: to draw near to God with confidence, to hold fast to our confession of hope, and to stir up one another to love and good works.

Drawing near to God is possible only because of what Christ has accomplished. In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the most holy place, and only once a year. But now, through the torn flesh of Jesus, the curtain has been removed, and we are invited to approach God with full assurance. This is not based on our own merit, but on the finished work of Christ, who is always interceding for us. God has given us new hearts—hearts of flesh, sensitive to His touch, replacing our old hearts of stone.

We are also called to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering. Our faith is not rooted in our own faithfulness, but in the unwavering faithfulness of God. There will be times when we feel weak, distracted, or even disinterested, but our hope is anchored in Christ’s promises, not our own performance. We must be careful not to let our preferences, agendas, or traditions become idols that distract us from the central confession of Christ as our hope.

Finally, we are commanded to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. This is not a passive suggestion, but an active call to strategize and intentionally encourage each other. Just as a sports team practices together to be ready for the game, we gather not out of legalism, but because we need each other to stay strong and faithful. Watching from a distance is not the same as being present; there is a unique encouragement and camaraderie that comes from gathering with fellow believers. As the day of Christ’s return draws nearer, our need for mutual encouragement only increases. We are saved personally, but also into a people—a family that is called to care for, challenge, and strengthen one another as we await the Lord’s return.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Drawing near to God is a privilege purchased by Christ’s sacrifice, not our own efforts. The torn curtain of His flesh grants us access to the holy presence of God, and we are invited to approach with full assurance, even when our feelings or circumstances would tell us otherwise. This confidence is rooted in God’s unchanging promises, not in our own spiritual performance. [08:44]
• 2. God does not merely improve our old hearts; He gives us new ones. The transformation from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh means we become sensitive to God’s Word and Spirit, able to receive, respond, and desire more of Him. This new heart is the foundation for genuine worship and obedience, making us receptive to God’s ongoing work in our lives. [11:14]
• 3. Holding fast to our confession of hope is not about our ability to cling to God, but about His faithfulness in holding on to us. Our hope can easily drift to lesser things—our preferences, traditions, or even nostalgia for the past—but true hope is anchored in Christ alone. When we feel weak or unfaithful, we remember that our security rests in His unbreakable promises. [12:58]
• 4. The call to stir up one another to love and good works is a call to intentional, strategic community. It is not enough to passively attend or consume spiritual content; we are to actively consider how to encourage and strengthen each other. This requires humility, initiative, and a willingness to be the kind of person we wish others would be to us, especially as the pressures and distractions of life increase. [19:48]
• 5. Gathering together is not a legalistic requirement, but a vital means of grace. Watching from a distance cannot replace the unique encouragement, accountability, and camaraderie that comes from being present with God’s people. As the day of Christ’s return draws near, our commitment to one another becomes even more crucial, both for our own perseverance and for the witness of the church in a world that desperately needs hope. [25:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:12] - Opening and Church Anniversary Reflections
• [01:21] - Remembering Challenges and God’s Faithfulness
• [02:03] - Reading Hebrews 10:19-25
• [03:25] - The Importance of Gathering as the Church
• [04:38] - Back to Basics: The Purpose of the Church
• [05:49] - Draw Near to God with Confidence
• [08:03] - Christ’s Sacrifice and Our Access to God
• [10:22] - Assurance and the New Heart
• [12:43] - Hold Fast to Our Confession
• [15:11] - The Dangers of Preferences and Traditions
• [18:28] - Stirring Up One Another to Love and Good Works
• [21:33] - The Value of Gathering and Spiritual Habits
• [24:17] - The Difference Between Watching and Participating
• [26:47] - Saved to a Community, Not Isolation
• [29:41] - Becoming the Encourager You Desire
• [31:49] - Living Faithfully as the Day Draws Near
• [32:28] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

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. According to Hebrews 10:19-22, what has changed that now allows us to “draw near” to God with confidence?
2. What are the three main instructions or “let us” statements given in Hebrews 10:22-25?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of things that can distract us from holding fast to our confession of hope? ([15:11])
4. What does the passage say is the purpose of gathering together as believers? ([03:52])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that drawing near to God is possible only because of what Christ has accomplished, not our own merit. Why is this distinction important for how we approach God? ([08:44])
2. The pastor mentioned that God gives us a new heart, not just an improved old one. How does having a “heart of flesh” change the way we respond to God and others? ([11:14])
3. The passage warns against letting preferences, agendas, or traditions become idols. How can these things subtly shift our hope away from Christ? ([15:11])
4. The call to “stir up one another to love and good works” is described as an active, intentional effort. What might it look like for a church or small group to take this command seriously? ([19:48])

Application Questions

1. The sermon compared drawing near to God to having access to a place that was once off-limits. Are there times when you feel hesitant to approach God? What specific truths from this passage can help you approach Him with confidence, even when you don’t feel worthy? ([08:44])
2. The pastor talked about God giving us new hearts that are sensitive to His touch. Can you think of a recent time when you sensed God prompting you to respond or change? How did you react? ([11:14])
3. The message warned about letting our preferences, agendas, or traditions become idols. Are there any “pats” (preferences, agendas, traditions) in your life that might be distracting you from the central hope in Christ? How can you recognize and address them? ([15:11])
4. The passage calls us to “hold fast” to our confession of hope, even when we feel weak or distracted. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God’s faithfulness during difficult or dry seasons? ([12:58])
5. The sermon emphasized that gathering together is not just a rule, but a vital means of encouragement and strength. How has being present with other believers helped you in your faith? Is there someone you know who might need encouragement to gather with others? ([25:52])
6. The pastor challenged us to be the kind of encourager we wish others would be to us. What is one specific way you can intentionally encourage someone in your church or small group this week? ([29:41])
7. As the “day” of Christ’s return draws near, the need for mutual encouragement increases. What is one habit or commitment you can make to help strengthen the community of believers around you as we wait for Christ’s return? ([31:49])