STAND ALONE SERMON
(We need one another - April 30, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "The book of Hebrews warns us against drifting spiritually"
Sermon Big Idea: “To grow spiritually, Christians need each other"
Key Scripture (Hebrews 10:19-25)
The author of Hebrews knew that his readers, who were Jewish people who had just become Christians, were having trouble figuring out how to keep their Jewish roots while following Christ. So, the author spends a lot of time explaining that Jesus Christ cleared the way for a relationship with God that is eternal. His death made it possible for people to talk to God without having to go through a complicated series of steps.
(Hebrews 10:19-25)
Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh ), 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25 not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
These new Jewish Christians were used to doing ritual washings and making sacrifices to get rid of their sins. Being able to talk to God right away without doing these things was new. But the writer insisted that through Christ they could go straight to the father. The author also knew how hard it would be for these new Christians to stay true to their new faith. So, he told them to "stay strong."
Then he said something else. He told his readers to "hold fast" by helping each other. He knew that they may stray from the truth. He knew they would need help from other Christians to stay on track. So he said, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). The Greek word that is translated as "stir up" means "to irritate" in English. He basically told them to encourage each other, look out for each other, and be responsible for each other.
In light of this, he told them to keep meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). They needed one another. Not gathering would cause heartache. When they got together, they gave each other the motivation to keep going.
God desires for us as Christians to gather regularly. Many Christians reject this warning because they don’t understand the command. "I can worship God at home," some argue. Church isn't needed” others say. Many believers assume we meet simply to worship. If worship were the sole reason we were commanded to assemble, those who say they can worship at home would have a good case. Worship, although it is the major reason, is not the only reason we must gather. Neither is it to hear the Word. Good Bible teaching is available on radio and TV. It appears we can accomplish everything we do at church at home. So, why must we meet? Why church? The book of Hebrews warns us that it is to guard us against drifting.
At times our environment tries to derail us. That is the reason we need more than individual devotion to stay on track. Our faith sometimes seems pointless. We don't see any results in our lives or others. We want to drift at those moments. But then we go back to church and are encouraged by others. We hear how God helped people in a crisis. We start to change. We're inspired to be faithful. This encouragement anchors us against the tides that try to carry us away. Gathering is crucial.
Conclusion:
Let’s look at a real-life example of how all this comes together. The example is from (Acts 4:32-37). It didn’t matter where this person Barnabas showed up, the countenance of the people around became brighter. Why? Because they knew he would always have a kind word. He was always willing to help with anything. Most of all he brought encouragement.
Although his given name was Joses or Joseph, the Apostles nicknamed him Barnabas which means “son of encouragement.” He was a major encouragement to the Apostle Paul. He was the one who introduced Paul to the church whenever everybody else was afraid of him (Acts 9:26-30). He also encouraged a young church to continue in the ways of the Lord (Acts 11:23-24).
My friends, we need one another. Our young people need us. Our elderly need us. Our singles need us. Our married couples need us. Our young parents need us. I could go on and on. We may not be perfect but we are forgiven by a Savior who died on our behalf so we could live. That alone should drive us to live for Him and to keep meeting together.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.
Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.
Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
Mohler, R. Albert, Jr. Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017.
Phillips, John. Exploring Hebrews: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009.
Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.
Allen, David L. Hebrews. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010.
Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament: Hebrews. Edited by Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885.
Guthrie, George. Hebrews. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.
Guthrie, Donald. Hebrews: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 15. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1983.
Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.
Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.
Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.
Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.
Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.
Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
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