Why Church? Better Together (MT)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
ZAKK NAME GRAPHIC
I once heard a story about a guy who was shopping for the “perfect” church. He spent years looking for the right place.
He visited probably hundreds of churches. If the worship team was amazing — then the preacher was boring. If the preacher was incredible — then the coffee tasted like it had been filtered through an old sock. If the coffee was great, the people were friendly… but there was that one person who kept giving him the side-eye during the sermon.
But finally — after trying — and trying — and trying, he found it — the perfect church. Everybody was kind — and the music was angelic — and the coffee was basically a caramel latte straight from Heaven.
He joined immediately.
And then the very next week — it was no longer perfect.
Why?
Because he was in it!
Think about with me if you could build your own “perfect” church. It might sound like this:
The worship is exactly your style. And they only ever play your favorite osngs.
The pastor preaches for exactly 15 minutes — makes you laugh — makes you cry — and never steps on your toes.
The small groups are full of your best friends.
And every Sunday — your parking spot is right by the front door.
Sounds amazing, right? There’s just one problem. It only works if nobody else is allowed to join.
Me
Me
I don’t know about y’all, but there have been times that I’ve been guilty of approaching church with a “Goldilocks” mentality: meaning, I’ve had opinions about the worship — or the preaching — or the way things look — or how nice a certain aspect of it is.
And just like Goldilocks, I’ve had opinions about stuff… well, this music is too loud, but this music isn’t exciting enough, but this one over here — it’s just right.
But then there’s the pastor. I really don’t care for this guy’s teaching style. And I don’t like the translation of the Bible this one uses — but this guy — I really like what he does.
Here’s the problem — and actually — it’s the same problem Goldilocks has — it’s not my business to come in and critique it anyway!
See — in those scenarios when I have opinions about the preaching — or the music — or the coffee — or whatever — notice there a few of the questions I didn’t ask:
Did I grow?
Was I challenged and confronted about my sin?
Did I seek out opportunities to serve other people?
Did I make any effort to create any relationships?
…or did I just go in wanting all my preferences catered to?
Just. Like. Goldilocks.
Also — side note — I’d just like to point out about Goldilocks — who breaks into somebody else’s house and starts complaining about their furniture!?
And even worse — she outed Papa Bear and Mama Bear for sleeping in separate rooms! They need marriage counseling — not some little girl spilling their business!
We
We
See, the problem we face when we focus on all of our own preferences — and wants — and opinions — is that when we focus on the “ME”, we lose sight of the “WE”. We live in this culture that is so “ME” focused that we forget about loving — and serving — other people. And worst of all — those preferences separate us from each other — and ultimately, from God. It’s my hope that people come to Matthew’s Table — not because they think we’re the “perfect” church, but because they see a group of people who love each other deeply — and who reflect the love of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.
It’s not about having the best music in town.
It’s not about having the nicest facility.
It’s not about having the best preaching.
And it’s not about being a perfect group of people.
It’s about an imperfect group of people — coming together — in love for each other — and in service to each other — and worshipping together — a perfect God who loves each of us despite our imperfections.
MAIN TITLE GRAPHIC
This morning we’re starting a new sermon series called “Why Church?” — and over the next three weeks, we’re going to look why church is so important. And my hope is that you walk away from this series encouraged — and empowered — and excited about the life of the church — because everyone here is an important part of it.
God
God
Today we’re looking at a passage in Scripture that was written for a group of people who were struggling. We’re going to be in the Book of Hebrews — Chapter 10. If you’re new or newer to the Bible — Hebrews is in the New Testament — closer to the back. This letter was written Jewish Christians who’d been through a lot. They’ve faced a lot of trials — and they’ve been through a lot of hard situations — and they’re feeling pretty defeated. And now they’re feeling beat down and stuck. Anybody here ever felt defeated — and beat down — and stuck?
When this happens — we as people are pretty predictable. We typically go through three phases:
First, we keep trying by just going through the motions. We still show up to the activities. We still participate in the programs. We still smile and shake hands with other people. And when somebody else asks how we’re doing we say something like, “Well, I’m just blessed and highly favored. Praise the Lord.”
And then second, we find ourselves in this place where we’re “comfortably disconnected”. We don’t feel any real deep connection to the people at our church… the family we’re supposed to have at church.
And then finally — we just totally disengage and we stop showing up. We stop connecting. We stop serving. And then one day you look around, and you go, “Hey, where’s so-and-so? I haven’t seen them in like a month.”
And for those of you who’ve experienced that before — tell me what happens when you’ve disengaged. Life doesn’t really get better, does it? In fact, it usually gets a lot worse.
Luckily if you’ve been there — or if you’re in that place today where you’re feeling beat down and stuck — you’re not alone. The recipients of this Hebrew letter are very familiar with the feeling. And the author has an encouragement for them — and for each of us today. Take a look:
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—
20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through 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, with 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, since he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works,
25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
This passage shows us two things:
First, standing firm in the faith is a group endeavor.
2. And second, going to church is more than just consumption — it’s a connection point that is vital to all believers.
See, this passage is, overall, a call to faithfulness in Christian living.
And one of the clearest ways we live out that faithfulness? By showing up. By gathering with each other — encouraging each other — and pointing each other back to Jesus again and again. So let’s walk through this passage together — because I think you’ll see that this reminder only works in community.
Exposition
Exposition
v. 19
v. 19
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—
Have you ever wondered “Does God really hear me when I call out to Him?” This verse shouts yes! One commentary describes this verse as inescapable words of glory!
The original Greek word for boldness means freedom — freedom to walk right into the presence of God without the fear of rejection. This boldness and freedom doesn’t come from anything we’ve done — but because of who Jesus is! His blood gives us access, and His sacrifice opens the door.
That boldness — that freedom — gives us the opportunity to be real with God.
Y’all ever met somebody who prays in King James? It’s the weirdest thing. I grew up in a church that did this. We’d have this time of prayer where everybody would pray — out loud — and in Shakespearean English. And you really couldn’t understand anything but you’d get random bits…
- “Our most kind and gracious Heavenly Father… we comest though before thy throne… thine most undeserving servant… if it be thy will Lord… we beseech thee, Father.
And I have to imagine God would be sitting there sometimes going, “…what?”
These people are approaching God with this flowery language — trying to sound super holy and reverent — when that’s not what God is asking for. I just wanted to be like, “Guys, He’s not a settler on the English countryside in the 1600’s! Just be normal!”
But they weren’t the only ones. A lot of us have been guilty at one point or another. I used to go to church with this lady who was — shall we say — less than friendly on most occasions and even when she was smiling it looked more like frowning. And more often that not she’d be the person who’d go up on stage and make announcements and pray on Sunday morning. And when she’d go to pray — she’s grab the microphone — two hands around it — and in the sweetest voice, she’d say, “Dear Jesus… we just love you.” And then she’d choke back a tear or two, and she’d go on and say something like, “We’re just so thankful to be here.”
And I’d be like, “No you ain’t.”
God wants us to be real.
- “God, I’m not really feeling this today. And I don’t want to be here.”
- “God, I’m really getting tired of waiting on you to fix this situations and I need you to hurry up… because if I fix it, I’m going to jail.”
- “Lord, I love my spouse, but so help me if they don’t start acting right I’m gonna send them to meet you early.”
God doesn’t want pretty and perfect. He wants real. And real is rarely put together and perfect.
Here’s why this is important: honesty before God fuels honesty with each other. When we gather as a church, we don’t have to pretend to be perfect — because we aren’t. But together, we point each other back to the One who is.
We have direct access to God no matter where we are or what’s going on. This is huge, and it’s mind-blowing to this Jewish audience. See, before Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, the Jewish people only had access to God through a priest. But look at the next verse:
v. 20
v. 20
20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—
This is a reference to the temple veil that was torn when Jesus was crucified. This thick veil separated the Holy of Holies — where God’s presence lived — from the rest of the temple. But when Jesus died — the veil was ripped from top to bottom. And this is a big deal — because that curtain represented distance. Separation. A reminder that you couldn’t just waltz into God’s presence on your own terms. But now? That barrier is gone.
Guys — that’s a picture for the church, too. When we come together — we’re not just a crowd of strangers. We’re a group of people who’ve been brought near to God together. We don’t come because we’re perfect — we all come through the same torn curtain. The same savior. That means that ground level — is at the foot of the Cross.
And if that’s true — if we all come to God in the same way — then none of us is more important than anybody else, which is why verse 21 says:
v. 21
v. 21
21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,
The “house of God” here isn’t a building — it’s a people. Us. And Jesus is the Great High Priest over it all.
We don’t need somebody to access Him now — He’s here — and He’s present.
In the middle of our challenge,
right in the middle of our struggle,
in the middle of that thing we feel like we can’t overcome,
He’s right here — walking with us through it.
11 But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation),
12 he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
That’s the promise we have — as His people — that we have received this eternal redemption through Him. That is the connection point. It’s the thing that threads each of us together.
You know, one of the things I love about church the most is that we have all of these different people — from different backgrounds — and experiences — and life situations — and despite all of those differences, we come together to worship, because we all love Jesus. Worshipping our Creator has brought me together with people I would’ve probably never had a relationship with — because we’re so different. We don’t run in the same circles — we have different interests — and we just experience life differently — but we come together because of our love for Jesus Christ.
So when we show up together — when we sing — and pray — and serve… when we eat — and cry — and rejoice together — we’re practicing for eternity.
v. 22
v. 22
22 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 in pure water.
This isn’t just poetic — this is baptism language. It’s transformation language. And transformation is rarely a solo project. You know, one of the enemy’s favorite lies is, “You can follow Jesus just fine without the church.” But you can’t “draw near with full assurance” all by yourself for long. We need each other to remind us of who we are in Christ — especially when we forget.
When we come together for worship — we pull each other out of isolation and back into the assurance that comes from being clean in Christ. It’s hard to lose your faith when you’re surrounded by people who keep speaking it over you, amen?
v. 23
v. 23
23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.
Hope is hard to hold onto by yourself. And Christianity isn’t meant to be a solitary experience. It’s meant to be lived in community. And that’s why this verse is a group command — let us hold on.
When life shakes us — it’s the people of God who steady us. And sometimes — when our grip loosens — it’s their grip that holds onto us until our strength comes back.
v. 24
v. 24
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works,
When times get hard and life gets difficult — and trust me, it will — that’s what the local church is for! We’re here to come together — and to support each other. Church isn’t a museum of saints — it’s a hospital full of sinners: broken people, loving on other broken people. There’s nobody here who’s better than anybody else. There’s no such thing as a “better” Christian or a more “holy” Christian — we’re just people — passionate about pointing people to Jesus. Not because we’re special, but because of what He did for us.
NILES QUOTE
“Christianity is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”
- D.T. Niles (Pastor, Evangelist)
That’s why we come together — for support — and encouragement — and hope in Jesus Christ. When we neglect gathering together as believers, we’re more easily influenced by the enemy. We pull away— our relationships suffer — our faith suffers — and our sense of hope and joy suffers. The local church is critical in the life of the Christian because it is designed to be constantly pointing the believer back to Jesus Christ.
And you might say, “But Zakk, there are judgy people at church.”
Yeah — and there are judgy people at Wal-Mart too, but we keep going back there.
We don’t go to church because the people are perfect. We go because we worship the Savior Who is perfect — and we worship Him together.
v. 25
v. 25
25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
The author recognizes at some point — some of his readers have stopped gathering together. They’re living in isolation. They’re avoiding the means that God has provided to help them. We’ve got to remember that when our “get up and go” has gotten up and gone — we need somebody there who can lift us up. And on top of that — we have to remember there might be somebody else who’s ready to throw in the towel — and God has given us the gifts to be able to walk beside that person and support them on their journey.
We’re better together because God designed it that way. Everybody brings something to this body of believers that nobody else can — and when we’re not here — we’re missing a piece of what God is building.
Gathering together is meant to be a habit of the church — not a hobby of the church.
You
You
I need you to hear this — you were never meant to follow Jesus alone. If you try — if you keep your distance and never let people in — it’ll catch up with you. Your faith will start to feel dry. Your heart will get cold. And your hope will start to flicker.
So here’s the challenge today — really simple:
Show up.
Stay planted.
Find your people.
And be part of what God is building.
Because the local church isn’t perfect. But it is powerful — when you’re in it.
Some of us need to commit to attending regularly — even when we don’t feel like it.
Some of us need to step into community — joining a small church, or going out to eat with somebody, or just texting somebody after service.
And some of us — if we’re honest — need to stop waiting around for the church to be perfect — and start asking how God might use us to support somebody else.
Because when we don’t show up — something is missing. Not just in your life — but in the life of this church.
We
We
Now imagine with me — what would actually happen if we lived this out?
What if we became the kind of church where nobody had to walk in alone — and nobody had to pretend they had it all together? What if every time we gathered — it wasn’t just about getting fed, but about feeding each other with encouragement and hope — truth and love?
What if our Sunday mornings weren’t just something to show up at — but a family gathering to belong to?
That’s what happens when we stop seeing church as a preference, and start seeing it as a people. That’s what happens when we live like we’re better together.
And the world is desperate to see that kind of community. They don’t need more polished religion — they need to see real people loving each other with the kind of grace that only Jesus gives.
So let’s be that kind of church — not perfect — not flawless — but faithful. Not polished — but powerful — because we belong to Him, and we belong to each other.
Call to Repentance
Call to Repentance
Maybe as you’re here today considering all this — you’ve realized something deeper. Maybe you haven’t just drifted from church — but maybe you’ve drifted from Jesus.
You’ve been showing up to a building — but your heart’s been far from Him. Or maybe you’ve haven’t even been doing that. Maybe you’ve been running — just trying everything you can to hold your life together — but it’s not working.
If that’s you today — here’s the good news: Jesus isn’t waiting on you to fix yourself before you come back. He already did the fixing. And even though you’ll never find a perfect church — you will find a perfect Savior. He gave His life so you could be forgiven. He tore the curtain so you could walk in. And He rose again so that you could live in full — abundant — restored life. Not in isolation. Not in shame. But in Him.
You don’t need to perform.
You don’t need to pretend.
You just need to turn around and come home.
So today, if you’ve never trusted in Jesus — let today be that day. And if you’ve been living at a distance — from Him or His church — then maybe today’s the day to stop holding back and say, “Jesus… I’m Yours. And I’m in.
The invitation is open. The curtain is still torn wide open. And you don’t have to walk in alone.
WORSHIP TEAM COME UP
So maybe you’ve been chasing the perfect church. Maybe you’ve been holding out — waiting for a group of people who never let you down — who always agree with you — who always sing the right songs and say the right things.
But let me lovingly tell you the truth: that church doesn’t exist. And if it did — the moment you or I walked through the doors… it wouldn’t be perfect anymore.
But what does exist — what God has given us — is something far better: a church made up of real people — flawed and messy — held together by grace — and committed to growing together.
Let me leave you with this poem from somebody named Mavis Williams:
If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake!
Don’t join that church;
You’d spoil the atmosphere.
If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining it
You’d mar the masterpiece.
If you should find the perfect church
Then don’t you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground;
You’d be a misfit there.
But since no perfect church exists
Made of imperfect men,
Then let’s cease looking for that church
And love the church we’re in.
Of course, it’s not a perfect church,
That’s simple to discern
But you and I and all of us
Could cause the tide to turn.
What fools we are to flee our post
In that unfruitful search
To find at last where problems loom
God proudly builds His church.
So let’s keep working in our church
Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church
Without an imperfection.
- Mavis Williams
Let’s worship.
