“Made for Community with God”
Notes
Transcript
I AM MADE FOR COMMUNITY.
fellowship
Community:
A group of people that live in close proximity to each other. this includes their land, social institutions, resources, and community institutions. (Factbook Logos - Community)
However, the biblical idea of community is always situated on a theological axis balanced by two convictions: first, that a good God finds forsaken persons who are alienated from all that makes for hope and well-being, and calls them into a covenant people reconciled to all that makes for peace and freedom; and, second, that this redeemed people then responds to God by embodying their experience of God’s salvation in their relations with each other. (The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Volume 1, page 1103).
The people of Israel were both a community and a nation—a people linked together by a common law that governed their lives, and by a covenant relationship with the Lord, a relationship that provided their shared identity. (New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words - Community).
INTRODUCTION.
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
MESSAGE.
I. We have confidence that we can ENTER the presence of God. (vv 19-21)
I. We have confidence that we can ENTER the presence of God. (vv 19-21)
1. The Blood of Jesus.
1. The Blood of Jesus.
Romans 5:9 “9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”
Ephesians 1:7 “7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”
Ephesians 2:13 “13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
2. A new and living way - Jesus inaugurated
2. A new and living way - Jesus inaugurated
No longer continual sacrifice.
No longer going through a human person.
Go directly to God
2. The Veil.
2. The Veil.
Temple veil separated the Holy of Holies from anyone but the high priest (and he could go only once a year).
If high priest was not totally right with God and clean he would die as soon as he entered the Holy of Holies.
1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.
2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.
veil
Holy of Holies
Ark of the covenant
Mercy seat
The New Testament does not contain any specific references to the holy of holies. (The Lexham Bible Dictionary - Holy of Holies).
Left in total darkness.
v 19 “holy place” speaking of Heavens Holy Place.
II. We have FULL ASSURANCE that we can DRAW near to God. (vv22-23)
II. We have FULL ASSURANCE that we can DRAW near to God. (vv22-23)
1. We have been sprinkled clean and washed pure.
1. We have been sprinkled clean and washed pure.
Remember only the high priest could go before God, and only once a year, and only if he was clean.
2. Draw near through PRAYER.
2. Draw near through PRAYER.
3. Draw near through BIBLE STUDY.
3. Draw near through BIBLE STUDY.
meeting together
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
III. We have to ENCOURAGE one another to ASSEMBLE together before God. (vv24-25)
III. We have to ENCOURAGE one another to ASSEMBLE together before God. (vv24-25)
1. Life is difficult without each other.
1. Life is difficult without each other.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
CONCLUSION.