Expand My Church!

Expand My Church!

“If the back door of a church is left wide open, it doesn’t matter how many people are coaxed to come in the front door - or the side door, for that matter” ~ Larry Osborne, Sticky Church

“Most of our discipleship programs are very linear. Unfortunately, most spiritual growth is not.” ~ Larry Osborne, Sticky Church

Focal Text: NRSV A Call to Persevere - 19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach 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. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Introduction

Today’s lesson explores how God stretches the church and how the Christian community sparks transformation in our lives.

Raymond C. Brown wrote a book entitled, The Community of the Beloved Disciple.

In his work, Brown described the sense of “community” and accountability, which was characteristic of the early church.

characteristic of the early church.

This sense of “community” was forged through self-less acts of compassion and concrete social outreach.

outreach.

Today, God desires that WE exemplify a sense of community and belonging for others.

The Christian life was never meant to be done alone.

We can’t have Christianity without the practice of being part of a Christian community or family.

Faith in God leads believers to place their hope in His promises.

family.

Restoring a right relationship with God then prompts believers to restore their relationships with others.

Father’s Day is different when there’s no father around.

“What do these days mean to children like me who had to grow up without one parent in their lives?”

Instead, he celebrates what he calls “Father Figure Day” and honors his godfather.

After finding his father “alive and kicking and well, I felt an expansion in my heart.

The Big Idea: Healthy churches focus on the needs of the people they serve.

Healthy churches are:

I. Confident - NRSV - A Call to Persevere - 19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),

10:19The author has spent five chapters explaining the superiority of Christ’s priesthood to the Levitical priesthood and the superiority of the New Covenant to the Mosaic covenant. Believers can approach God with boldness because we possess Christ’s righteousness and not our own. The Holiest refers to the very presence of God. On this earth , most of us do not have immediate access to a president or monarch. But through Christ’s blood, we have perpetual access to God Himself.

10:20 The OT high priest passed through a veil to get to the Most Holy Place. Now believer’s enter God’s presence through Christ’s flesh, meaning His sacrificial death.

The Healthy Church has confidence in ...

A. Our Savior

B. The Sanctuary C. His Sacrifice

Healthy churches are:

I. Confident

II. Clean - -21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach 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.

10:21 Believers have a High Priest who, having been tempted Himself, can sympathize with their weaknesses and perfectly represent them before God.

10:22 Draw near is the same word rendered come. Full assurance means “certainty”. our hearts sprinkled…our bodies washed: Our consciences can be cleansed through the blood of Christ. Just as the high priest washed before entering the Most Holy Place, so believers are cleansed before they come before the Holy One.

A Guy was watching football on Saturday afternoon. He had the remote in his hand when the phone rang. Even while on the phone, he was interested in keeping up with the game so as not to miss any big plays. He couldn’t see the TV but he figured that at least he could half listen in. He pointed the remote in the direction of the TV and attempted to turn the volume up. Nothing happened because he was to far. It’s not that the TV didn’t work. He was just too far.

Sometimes Christians will say that God doesn’t work when in reality the problem is that they are simply too far. It’s not that Jesus doesn’t work, it’s not that the Bible doesn’t work, and it’s not that the Holy Spirit doesn’t work. If a person is not in the vicinity, then it will certainly seem that way. Closeness and intimacy with God is what provides the full experience of walking with Him.

The Healthy Church is clean because we have a .... A. Great Priest (The one who leads, empowers, and propels the church.)

B. Pure Heart C. Point-Blank1 /Precise Purpose

B. Pure Heart C. Point-Blank1 /Precise Purpose

1 so close to a target that a missile fired will travel in a straight line to the mark

Healthy churches are:

I. Confident

II. Clean

III. Confessing - -23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

10:23 Confession of our hope is the believer’s confident expectation of the future. Promised here may refer to the promise of rest. If the believer does his or her part, there is no question that God will fulfill His part of the agreement.

10:24, 25 Consider means “to observe,” “to contemplate,” or “to have an intelligent insight into.” Note that love and good works need to be stirred up; they do not just occur. Stir up means a “convulsion.” The tremendous impact believers can have on each other. That is why the author exhorts the Hebrews to gather together. Evidently some believers has stopped attending the worship services of the church, perhaps because they feared persecution. Instead he uses the word synagogue, which specifically means the local, physical gathering of believers. Exhorting means coming alongside and inspiring another with the truth. The local assembly is where the gospel message is preached, but also where the Word of God is applied to the circumstances of our lives. Approaching may also may be translated “at hand.” Knowing that Christ’s return is imminent, the believers were to encourage each other even more to remain faithful.

Biblical fellowship, concerns itself not with cookies and punch in a fellowship hall. or social gatherings where you “high-five it.” Authentic biblical fellowship means the mutual sharing of the life of Christ between His family members.

Difficulties should never be excuses for missing church services. Rather, as difficulties arise, we should make an even greater effort to be faithful in attendance.

Our confession exemplifies...

A. Harmony

B. Habit

C. Hope

In conclusion, MANY Christians today take the posture that they don’t have to go to church to be Christians. While that is technically true, you do have to go to church to be a good Christian.

I asked my daughter one time, “Are you going to cook breakfast?” She said, “I’m not hungry.” I probed again, “Are you going to cook breakfast?” She said yet again, “I’m not hungry.” I tried one more time, Are you the only person who lives here?” My daughter shrugged her shoulders and said, “I’m not hungry.” I couldn’t take anymore. “Well, I am hungry and I want breakfast!”

In order to be the kind of Christian that God wants you to be, you need the dynamic fellowship, dynamic motivation, and dynamic inspiration of the people of God. And not only do you need it, you should be willing to come, to serve, and to give to someone else. It’s not just about you.

APPLY IT!

Has your walk with Jesus Christ deepened because you are a member of a church?

2. How might you communicate the importantance of the church as community to a non-believer?

“A true community is not just about being geographically close to someone or part of the same social web network. It's about feeling connected and responsible for what happens. Humanity is our ultimate community, and everyone plays a crucial role”. ~Yehuda Berg