Community Matters

Hebrews 10:19–27 NASB95

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. 26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

INTRO: Did you ever go on field trips when you were a kid where they employed the “buddy system”? It’s actually a pretty effective way to increase safety, awareness, accountability, and encourage teamwork. After all, 2 heads are better than 1!

You can think of the second trail marker on the Discipleship Trail like the buddy system. We call it Community. Practically, it works like this: we have regular opportunities for like-minded Christians to engage in small groups, bible studies, Sunday Schools, etc. in order to establish vital connection points that will help you as you walk the path of Christian maturity.

Our text in Hebrews 10 is written to Christians - those on the trail. In fact, v. 19-21 begins with “THEREFORE.… SINCE...(Read whole verse)” Friends, I want you to hear me on this: It is because Christ has called us out of darkness to a new life that we should deeply desire to be more like Christ.

So the writer of Hebrews, speaking to believers lays out a goal. We see that goal in v. 22-23 (READ)

I’ll summarize it this way: Our goal as Christians is to become sincerely, authentically, and confidently closer to Christ and to maintain our faith- not wavering or falling away, but persevering until our race is won.

That’s the point of the Discipleship Trail. It’s a pathway that shows us the steps we are to take in order to grow. In fact, let me just say that this is not just a sermon series- The Discipleship Trail is HOW we accomplish our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Think about the picture of Christianity: The trail shows us how all the pieces of work together to build us into mature disciples.

Each trail marker indicates opportunities to engage and invest in our walk. Last week, we asked the question, “Where are you on the Discipleship Trail?”

I pray that you took time to examine your life and answer that question, and I want you to keep that in mind throughout this series. Today, we want to take a look at the second trail marker: Community.

Now, this is not just an advertisement for small groups. And attendance in a small group is not the point. The point is spiritual health. The goal is not the number of bodies in a group, but rather how that group advances the mission.

Christian Community exists to build up the body, the church, so that we are faithfully fulfilling God’s design for us.

Now, you might already agree that being involved in church is important… that’s why you are here! But I want to dig a little deeper into what God’s Word says about the importance of community. I challenge you first to reject the idea that small groups, Sunday School classes, etc., are simply more demands on your already busy schedule.

Instead, think of them like integrated points of support - like a chair with 4 legs, Christian community brings about stability, allowing for healthy growth.

The man who attempts Christianity without the church shoots himself in the foot, shoots his children in the leg, and shoots his grandchildren in the heart. - Kevin DeYoung

So, in our time together today, I want to uncover 3 specific value points of Christian Community. If you picked up a bulletin, I encourage you to use it to follow along. The sermon is titled, “Community Matters”

Let’s Dive in.

The first reason Christian community matters is:

Community Normalizes Godliness (24)

(READ)

Have you ever heard the phrase, “You are what you eat”? The idea here is that what we feed our bodies becomes what fuels us and shapes us. The same is true when it comes to the culture we live in.

How many of you parents notice when your kid is hanging around a different group of kids?

When we are regularly around a group of people, we are influenced in some way. Let’s look at some negative examples:

If you regularly hear crude language, it becomes part of your thought patterns

If you are regularly around people who gossip, it will become normal

If you are regularly with folks who eat junk food, your diet will start to change

But the impact can be positive too!

If you are hanging around a group that demonstrates care and compassion, you too will begin to think compassionately.

If you are regularly with people who talk about the Bible and the mission of God, then you will begin to see how normal life includes thoughts and actions of godliness.

If you are part of group that shares their lives and gives grace, then you will see value in authentic relationships and mutual support.

We could list the impacts of community all afternoon, but the point of this passage is that when God’s people get together in community, they ought to become mutual edifiers and encouragers.

(READ AGAIN)

“Stimulate” - that word literally means “sharp disagreement” - IOW, Christian community is where brothers and sisters in the faith are willing to speak the truth in order to ensure the love of God is displayed in and through our lives. That’s the idea of accountability. You see, we need others to not only walk with us on the trail of growth, but also to offer correction when necessary.

This is the picture of Christian Community in the early church that we find in Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Their community gatherings normalized devotion to biblical teaching and building one another up in Christian love. In fact, there is no category in the bible for a Christian apart from a local church and Christian community. And it was through these communities that the gospel message was applied and proclaimed. Missionaries were commissioned and sent out. Churches were planted, and best of all lives were transformed!

Christian Community matters because it normalizes godliness. As we look down to v. 25, we see that Christian community matters because

Community Shapes Perspective (25)

(READ)

It’s easy to get sucked into the busyness of the world. You know, in my lifetime, I have seen the demands of the world absolutely rattle the Christian perspective. It used to be that the family and Christian home were not only normal, but they were ideal. It used to be that our culture respected the day and times of Christian worship. Not so anymore.

Our world glorifies busy schedules, extravagant lifestyles, and indulgent behaviors.

ILL: If you were to scroll through social media, you see a lot of people posing in skimpy outfits, holding a beer, or being crude. Advertisers mirror these values which creates a perspective that we exist for the “now”.

But you and I know different. The challenge is that we are constantly bombarded with worldly perspectives that we can sometimes become discouraged or feel isolated. That’s why we need not to forsake gathering together.

I’ve heard people talk about how they don’t like “organized religion” or how they don’t need the church to be a Christian. And look, I understand- people can disappoint you, wound you, etc. But, hear me out: Gathering is not just about you; it’s a demonstration of God’s love for the world.

In John 17, Jesus prayed for his followers to be unified. To be able to extend to one another love, forgiveness, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. To serve one another and to lift up one another because we are a picture of heaven for the watching world.

Allow me to be candid: There are folks who have left the church because they did not like the way a decision was made or because someone did or said something they did not like. But here’s the thing: Christians are called to love and forgive - To work through things, and allow the God’s perfect grace to bring healing and restoration.

When conflict comes—and it always will—we face a choice: to react as the world does, or to respond as the body of Christ. Community gives us a place to practice grace, forgiveness, and love, so that the watching world sees a different way

That’s why we need Christian community. We need to grasp and adopt the perspective of our Lord, and that happens as we continue to gather, work through our differences, and hold high the mighty name of Jesus. These gatherings help recenter us on Christ and reignite our passion for the gospel.

ILL: Anyone still use a charcoal grill? For those of you that have, you might notice that the way you get the fire going is to stack the charcoal- they burn hottest when all together! Christian community is God’s gift that fuels our fire and rekindles our joy.

Especially, as v. 25 concludes, as the day of Christ’s return draws near.

Friends, there is coming a day when we will be free from the presence of sin. When we will live in perfect harmony and there won’t be any bickering or hurt feelings. Oh how I long for heaven! But today… today we are practicing! Our gathering is a rehearsal for that great gathering when Christ returns and collects His saints!

But, if the church of Christ does not choose Christ’s perspective, then the world will look at us and see no reason to listen to our message.

I’m reminded of Jesus’ warning to not be a stumbling block for those who might receive the Gospel. He said that it was better to have a millstone tied around your neck and be tossed into the sea than to call yourself a Christian and yet live like the world.

Christian community matters because it normalizes godliness and shapes our perspective. Let us not forsake it. Let us not try to do it on our own. Finally, Christian community matters because:

Community Guards Against Apostasy (26-27)

Apostasy means a falling away. Jesus described this in the parable of the soils- those in whom the gospel seed sprouted, but because they lacked deep roots withered or because they were surrounded by worldly weeds, they were choked out.

(READ)

The writer of Hebrews intentionally connects the dots between our engagement in a Christian community and our willingness to confront sin in our life.

Now, let me see if I can paint this picture for you. Christianity is not one decision you made. Scripture describes it as a life transformation that is ongoing.

When Jesus talked about the kingdom of heaven being like a treasure buried, he said that the man sold everything to his name to buy the land on which the treasure was buried. IOW- he had to start life over.

When Jesus described the Christian life like a grape vine, he said that we must remain in Him, lest we be cut off.

When Jesus described Christianity like sheep, he warned against straying from the fold, saying that when a sheep strays, it must be brought back in.

My point is this: When Christ calls us to follow Him, it is an action that is ongoing. If you decide to follow Jesus and you stop, then you are no longer following Him… perhaps your roots were not deep enough or you were surrounded by weeds. John describes it like this in 1 John 2:19

1 John 2:19 NASB95

19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.

You know what? We need one another to help us stay on the trail.

We need people who call us to repentance when there is sin in our lives, not people who will excuse that sin or turn a blind eye.

We need one another to cultivate the soil so that our roots will grow deep.

We need one another to help us see the weeds that we need to be aware of.

We need one another to help us when we have strayed to come back to the fold, under the care of the shepherd because 1 Peter 5:8 “... Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Friend, I care for you deeply… And the truth of the matter is that some of you are standing in a dangerous place—you are drifting toward a version of Christianity that is centered on self rather than on Christ. That path leads away from life. But hear me: the Shepherd is calling you back, and Christian community is here to help you return to His side

Hebrews reminds us, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (31) That’s why He has given us Christ as our Savior and the church as His gift—so we never have to walk this trail alone. Christian community is one of the ways God lovingly guards us and keeps us on the path of life

Christian Community Matters.

Our mission here at LRBC is the mission that Jesus gave- Matt. 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We accomplish this as we travel the Discipleship Trail. Trail markers represent the biblical pattern for Christian growth that leads to mature disciples of Jesus who are in turn guiding others along the trail.

Every trail marker on the Discipleship Trail is a step of obedience and growth. Christian community is God’s gracious gift to us. It’s where we learn godliness together, where our perspective is lifted above the noise of the world, and where our faith is guarded from drifting. Friends, the trail ahead is too difficult to walk alone—and far too beautiful not to walk together.

So here’s my challenge: take a step into community this week. Find your people - maybe that means joining a small group or ss class- either way, lean in, and walk with them. Don’t wait for the perfect time—today is the day. And as we travel this trail side by side, we look forward to that great Day when our journey ends in the presence of Christ forever

[PRAY]

Discuss: In Acts 2:42, the early believers were devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Which of those practices comes easiest to you? Which is hardest? How could community help strengthen the hard one?

Discuss: Why do you think it’s hard for Christians today to invite accountability or correction from others? How can we cultivate a community where this feels safe and loving?

Discuss: Read Hebrews 10:26–27. Why do you think the writer connects falling away from Christ with neglecting community?