The Unshakeable Hope in the Community of Faith
Notes
Transcript
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
THE UNSHAKEABLE HOPE IN THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH
GOOD MORNING, BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST. TODAY, AS WE GATHER IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, WE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND TO REFLECT ON THE UNSHAKEABLE HOPE WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH. FBC WE ARE REMINDED OF THE RICH HERITAGE WE INHERIT FROM OUR ANCESTORS AND THOSE WHO’S SHOULDERS WE STAND UPON.
OUR MAIN IDEA FOR THIS SERMON IS TO HELP OUR CONGREGATION FIND HOPE DURING THIS SIGNIFICANT MONTH. LET US TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE BOOK OF HEBREWS, SPECIFICALLY HEBREWS 10:23-25, WHERE WE FIND A POWERFUL REMINDER OF THE UNWAVERING HOPE WE HAVE IN CHRIST.
I. THE UNSHAKEABLE HOPE IN CHRIST (HEBREWS 10:23)
A. A CALL TO HOLD FAST:
THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS IS WRITING TO A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS FACING PERSECUTION AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO HOLD FAST TO THEIR FAITH WITHOUT WAVERING.
IN OUR JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, WE ENCOUNTER VARIOUS CHALLENGES AND UNCERTAINTIES. HOWEVER, AS BELIEVERS, WE HAVE AN UNSHAKEABLE HOPE THAT IS ROOTED IN CHRIST.
THIS HOPE IS NOT DEPENDENT ON OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT ON THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. IT IS A HOPE THAT FILLS US WITH JOY AND PEACE, ENABLING US TO FACE ANY SITUATION WITH CONFIDENCE.
THE WORD "HOPE" HERE IS TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK WORD "ELPIS" (ἐΛΠΊΣ). THIS WORD CONVEYS THE IDEA OF CONFIDENT EXPECTATION, TRUST, AND ANTICIPATION. IT IS USED IN VARIOUS OTHER PLACES IN THE BIBLE, SHEDDING LIGHT ON ITS SIGNIFICANCE.
BROTHER PAUL WRITES IN ROMANS 8:24-25…. "FOR IN THIS HOPE WE WERE SAVED. NOW HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE. FOR WHO HOPES FOR WHAT HE SEES? BUT IF WE HOPE FOR WHAT WE DO NOT SEE, WE WAIT FOR IT WITH PATIENCE."
HERE, THE CONCEPT OF HOPE IS LINKED TO OUR SALVATION AND THE UNSEEN FUTURE PROMISES OF GOD. IT ENCOURAGES BELIEVERS TO PATIENTLY WAIT FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PROMISES.
FIRST LADY NEAL AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THE MOVIE RUSTIN, ON NETFLIX THIS PAST WEEK. THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT THE LIFE OF BAYARD RUSTIN, A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST WHO PLANNED AND ORGANIZED THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR JOBS AND FREEDOM IN 1963….IN WHICH OVER 250,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED.
IT WAS EYE OPENING TO SEE ALL OF THE PLANNING THAT TOOK PLACE IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS HISTORIC EVENT TO TAKE PLACE.
DURING THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DELIVERED ONE THE MOST FAMOUS SPEECHES IN US HISTORY…..IT WAS ABOUT THE DREAM HE HAD OF THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION……. HE SAID….
“I STILL HAVE A DREAM. IT IS A DREAM DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE AMERICAN DREAM. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED: WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
KING GOES ON TO SAY IN HIS SPEECH…..
THIS IS OUR HOPE. THIS IS THE FAITH THAT I GO BACK TO THE SOUTH WITH. WITH THIS FAITH, WE WILL BE ABLE TO HEW OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR…. A STONE OF HOPE.”
WE KNOW THAT SOME OF DR. KINGS DREAM……DID COME TO FRUITION….. HE HELD FAST TO HIS HOPE
A YEAR AFTER THE MARCH……THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 WAS PASSED WHICH PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…..WE ARE CALLED TO HOPE….TO HAVE AN UNSHAKEABLE AND UNWAVERING HOPE….. A FAITH THAT HAS REMAINED…..AND HAS BEEN OUR GUIDING LIGHT….ADMIST TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS…..
THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY …..WHO ALSO INSPIRED US TO BE HOPEFUL..
REV JESSE JACKSON….TOLD US TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE…..MAYA ANGELOU…ONCE SAID HOPE AND FEAR CANNOT OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE….INVITE ONE TO STAY
B. CONFIDENCE IN THE FAITHFUL ONE:
THE SCRIPTURE REMINDS US OF THE HOPE WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES. MANY OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED THE POWER OF GOD THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. WE HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF HIS FAITHFULNESS, WHICH GIVES THEM THE CONFIDENCE TO TRUST HIM EVEN IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTIES. WE ARE TO SERVE AS LIVING TESTIMONIES OF THE POWER OF UNWAVERING FAITH.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
“And now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in You.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR TEXT GIVES US SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN GLEAN FROM……
LOOK AT VERSE 24……
AND LET US CONSIDER HOW TO STIR UP ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS…….
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY IN NURTURING HOPE
AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY IN NURTURING HOPE.
JUST AS OUR ANCESTORS LEANED ON EACH OTHER DURING TIMES OF STRUGGLE, WE TOO MUST COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH.
IN OUR UNITY, WE FIND STRENGTH, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT. TOGETHER, WE CAN UPLIFT ONE ANOTHER, HELPING EACH OTHER OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND GROW IN OUR HOPE.
THE WORD OF GOD REMINDS US…..IN ECCLESIASTES
"TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD RETURN FOR THEIR LABOR: IF EITHER OF THEM FALLS DOWN, ONE CAN HELP THE OTHER UP. BUT PITY ANYONE WHO FALLS AND HAS NO ONE TO HELP THEM UP."
OUR PASSAGE EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARDS LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS.
MANY OF US HAVE WITNESSED THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE FIRSTHAND, AND LOVING ACTS OF SERVICE ARE A TESTAMENT TO HIS GRACE IN THEIR LIVES.
THE AUTHOR OF OUR TEXT EXHORTS THE SAINTS TO CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER…..THE WORD “CONSIDER” HERE IMPLIES A CAREFUL AND THOUGHTFUL PLANNING ON HOW TO ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE ONE ANOTHER TOWARDS LOVE AND GOOD WORKS……AND
IT WAS RIGHT HERE AT FBC……WHERE THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US…..ENCOURAGED MANY OF YOU ….RIGHT HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY OF FAITH……. MOTIVATED YOU TOWARDS LOVE AND GOOD WORKS…..
PEOPLE LIKE OLLIE KIRK…….FRANK AND NELLIE BRUTON…….THE KILGORES……..MARY AND MARSHALL MASKE……. AGNES MASKE
IT WAS PEOPLE LIKE FLONNIE JAMES….WHO TAUGHT SUNDAY SCHOOL……
SO MANY NAMES I’M SURE I’M LEAVING OUT……BUT I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU HAVE MOTHERS AND FATHERS….GRANDPARENTS…..SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS……
THEY ARE THE ONES THAT NURTURED YOU….STIRRED UP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS IN YOU……
THEY WERE IMPORTANT IN SHAPING YOU IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK……..
THEY WERE IMPORTANT IN SHAPING US TO BECOME THE PERSON WE ARE TODAY…
I DON’T KNOW IF YOU EVER HEARD THIS SAYING OR NOT….BUT OFTEN TIMES IN MY SCHOOLING I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO APPLY MYSELF…IF I DIDNT DO SO WELL ON A TEST OR AN ASSIGNMENT…
YOU’RE SMART….YOU JUST NEED TO APPLY YOURSELF….
IN OTHER WORDS…..
They're saying that you're not putting forth your best effort, and that you're just doing the bare minimum to get by (I presume in school). You aren't striving to excel, you're just doing only what you have to do to pass...
THAT STATEMENT AND SOME OTHERS WERE SAID TO ME AND MAYBE SOME OF YOU….. IN ORDER TO STIR UP….TO INCITE …TO MOTIVATE US TO DO BETTER…..
BECAUSE SOME OF US Were motivated To DO BETTER….AND SOME OF US WERE ALREADY DOING WHAT OUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS INSTILLED IN US…..WE ARE WHO WE ARE…AND ACCOMPLISHED THE THINGS WE HAVE…..
**ELABORATE…THOSE REPRESENTING YOUR SCHOOL…WE WERE INSPIRED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND COLLEGE ..
** NAME SOME OF THE SCHOOLS..
TO PURSUE OUR CAREERS…
THAT’S WHY THERE IS AN IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY IN NURTURING HOPE……
I BELIEVE THAT OUR TEXT OFFERS ANOTHER POINT THAT WE CAN GLEAN FROM…..
LET US LOOK AT VERSE 25
NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, AS [IS] THE MANNER OF SOME, BUT EXHORTING [ONE ANOTHER], AND SO MUCH THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.
III. A CALL TO COME TOGETHER….
THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT IMPORTANCE PLACED ON THE FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS, AS IT PROVIDES NOURISHMENT FOR OUR SOULS. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE ASSEMBLING TOGETHER…AND WORSHIPPING THE LORD.
I KNOW THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS SHIFTED THE WAY THAT WE COME TOGETHER AND WORSHIP THE LORD….AND MANY OF US WANT TO DO IT VIRTUALLY……BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE BEING TOGETHER IS THE HOUSE OF THE LORD……. THERE ISN’T A CONNECTION WITH THOSE THAT ARE IN THE SANCTUARY…..WHEN WATCHING VIRTUALLY….THE ABILITY TO SHARE, LOVE AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER CANNOT HAPPEN VIRTUALLY…..THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER……. TO FOSTER UNITY…..WITHIN OUR CHURCH FAMILY……
THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY WAS CRITICAL DURING THE PAST 3-4 YEARS AND IT HELPED USE TO STAY CONNECTED…..FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEALING AND RECOVERING….THE USE OF VIRTUAL STREAMING ALLOWS YOU TO WORSHIP FROM AFAR……….BUT NOW WE SHOULD ASSEMBLE TOGETHER IF YOU ARE ABLE TO.
I BELIEVE BROTHER PAUL…UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF GATHERING TOGETHER IN WORSHIP…SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE EARLY CHURCH…….DECIDED NOT TO COME TO CHURCH….THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE NOT COMING TO CHURCH……IT WAS A HABIT THAT MANY OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN STARTED GETTING INTO…….
WE ARE TO “MEET TOGETHER”……NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLY
MEETING TOGETHER, WHETHER IT BE IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICES, BIBLE STUDIES, OR FELLOWSHIP GATHERINGS, STRENGTHENS OUR BONDS AS A COMMUNITY. BY DOING SO, WE CULTIVATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN EDIFY ONE ANOTHER, SHARE OUR BURDENS, AND REJOICE IN EACH OTHER'S VICTORIES.
PARTICIPATING IN THE CELEBRATION OF OUR SHARED FAITH HELPS US ENDURE THE CHALLENGES THAT LIFE PRESENTS.
TRUTH BE TOLD…… THERE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN INTO THE HABIT OF NEGLECTING THIS VITAL ASPECT OF COMMUNITY. WE SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS OF ALLOWING WORLDLY DISTRACTIONS AND INDIVIDUALISTIC TENDENCIES TO SEPARATE US FROM THE COLLECTIVE BODY OF CHRIST.
THE HARDSHIPS WE FACE ARE MORE BEARABLE WHEN CARRIED TOGETHER.
ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER BECOMES AN IMPERATIVE, PARTICULARLY WHEN OUR HOPE IS UNDER THREAT.
WE CAN ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER…..WE CAN LOVE ON ONE ANOTHER WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER…….. WE CAN TALK TO ONE ANOTHER…..WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER…….
1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 (NIV)
"THEREFORE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP, JUST AS IN FACT YOU ARE DOING."
AS WE NAVIGATE THROUGH BLACK HISTORY MONTH, LET US REMEMBER THE CALL TO ENCOURAGE AND SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON. OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS HAVE THE POWER TO UPLIFT AND INSPIRE. BY EXTENDING LOVE, KINDNESS, AND SUPPORT TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE HOPE FLOURISHES. TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND US.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS LET US HOLD UNSWERVINGLY TO THE UNSHAKEABLE HOPE WE HAVE IN CHRIST.
AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, MAY WE BE REMINDED OF THE RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US. LET US LEAN ON ONE ANOTHER, ENCOURAGING AND SPURRING EACH OTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS.
MAY OUR COMMUNITY OF FAITH BE A BEACON OF HOPE, SHINING BRIGHTLY IN A WORLD THAT OFTEN FEELS UNCERTAIN.
I BELIEVE THAT THE HYMN WRITER SAID IT BEST….WHEN HE SAID….MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS THAN JESUS’ BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
AN UNSHAKEABLE HOPE….
HE IS OUR HOPE…FOR THE FUTURE…WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED
HE IS OUR HOPE FOR TODAY…WE ARE NOT ALONE