A Disciple Lives in Community with Other Disciples

Hebrews 10:19–25 ESV

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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 with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:

Introduction: Who is this masked man in my picture? “The Lone Ranger.” Do you remember watching him on TV? How about listening to his program on the radio? Anyone want to admit that last part?

Do you know the back story of the Lone Ranger? How he got his name? It wasn’t because he worked alone. He had his faithful friend, “Tanto” who worked by his side and his horse, “Silver.” The Lone Ranger was the sole survivor from a group of 6 Texas Rangers. They were pursuing a band of outlaws led by "Butch" Cavendish when they are betrayed by a civilian guide named Collins and are ambushed in a canyon named Bryant's Gap.

Later, an Indian named Tonto stumbles onto the scene and discovers one ranger who is barely alive, and he nurses the man back to health. According to the television series, when Tonto left the Reid place with a horse given him by the boy Reid, he gave Reid a ring and the name Kemo Sabe, which he said means "trusty scout".

Among the Rangers killed was the survivor's older brother, Daniel Reid, who was a captain in the Texas Rangers and the leader of the ambushed group. To conceal his identity and honor his fallen brother, Reid fashions a black domino mask from the material of his brother's vest. To aid in the deception, Tonto digs a sixth grave and places at its head a cross bearing Reid's name so that Cavendish and his gang would believe that all of the Rangers had been killed.

So the Lone Ranger needed others to help him; he couldn’t do his job alone. The idea of a Christian living his Christian life alone is foreign to the New Testament. We were created for community with other believers. There is a word for that kind of community - it is “Koinonia” in the Greek. Some will see that word an immediately associate it with the idea of fellowship.

Fellowship, however is too shallow of a word to describe the meaning of “koinonia” when you consider the modern definition of fellowship. We have fellowship gatherings where we enjoy fellowship meals in fellowship halls.

Koinonia is a bond for a united purpose. The nature of the bond varies depending upon the nature of the purpose. For example, in , James and John were described as “Koinnonos” with Simon in the fishing business (partners). Their bond was their occupation.

We see what “koinonia” looks like in where is says that “all who believed were together and had all things in “Koinos” (Common).” Their united purpose was the gospel. The devoted themselves to the apostles teachings and the “Koinonia” (Fellowship) for the sake of the gospel.

Today, we are looking at the fourth MARC of a mature disciple. A mature disciple of Jesus Christ is communal. In other words, they see their connection to the local church as vital to their faith and spiritual growth. They long for “koinonia” with fellow believers. What is the “koinonia” based upon?

A Common Confession of Hope in Christ (vv. 19-23)

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.”

As mentioned in my introduction, the early church was united around the gospel. This common confession bonded them together as a family. No other earthly bond can compare because this bond is a connection that will last for all eternity.

The gospel provides believers with:

Confidence to approach God directly and freely because of Christ (The Veil). (vv. 19-20)

A great high priest who lives forever to make intercession for us. (v. 21)

A cleansed conscience. (v. 22)

A hope that we can hold on to. (v. 23)

We have a common salvation and a shared life in Jesus Christ. Because of that, we also have a common mission and purpose: sharing that hope with the world.

At BBC, we are not just together because we have a constitution and by laws that says we are a church. We are together because we have a common confession of Hope in Jesus Christ. And we Get to share that hope with our community.

Ephesians 4:4–6 ESV

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:

At BBC, we are not just together because we have a constitution and by laws that says we are a church. We are together because we have a common confession of Hope in Jesus Christ. And we Get to share that hope with our community.

A Common Consideration for One Another (v. 24)

A Common Consideration for One Another (v. 24)

The Amplified version of this verse says, "And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another..."

To “consider” is to exercise attentive, continuous care and concern for each other’s spiritual welfare. That is what is known as accountability. (Which is one of the MARCS of a disciple.)

In other words, the idea being communicated here in this verse is that we have a God given responsibility for one another's spiritual welfare or spiritual formation. I AM my brothers keeper. This responsibility lies on the shoulder of every believer, not just the pastor or teacher.

This level of consideration for our brothers and sisters in Christ is not possible if we just put in our appearance at Sunday Morning worship. Or even Sunday School. We need trusted people in our life that we can be open and honest with in a close relationship. Hence the need for discipleship groups.

Do you see yourself as having a role in the spiritual development of your brothers and sisters in Christ that God has placed in your life? Do you see that they have a part in your spiritual development? Not as spiritual busy-bodies but as fellow sinners saved by God’s grace.

A Common Contribution to the Church (vv. 24-25)

It is interesting here that the emphasis in these verses is not what you get out of church. It is on what you contribute to church. If you focus on what you are to contribute to the body, God will give you what you need.

The writer tells us that we need to consider how we ought to stir up one another to love and good works. Some other translations use provoke - not in a negative sense but in a positive sense. (A strong word meaning to stimulate)(Illus. Driving down the road and watching the driver nod off)

Notice that he doesn’t say that we are to consider how to love one another and do good deeds. No, even though that is Biblical. We are to stir or stimulate one another to love and good deeds. I.E. we are to focus on helping others become loving people.

How are we to stir one another when we come together?

To greater love for God. Who demands our supreme affections—our undivided hearts.

To greater love for each other. For we must love each other even as Christ loved us.

To greater love for a dying world. For whom the Redeemer died, and to whom the gospel must be constantly proclaimed.

To good works. Works of piety, justice, & etc., but especially works of benevolence.