"The Importance of Coming to Church:Why do you Keep asking me to come to Church?"
Thesis:
Introduction:
Exposition:
Though we do not know who the author of Hebrews was, we do know he was a preacher with flaming pastoral instincts. He did not do theology for theoretical ends, but rather for down-to-earth, practical purposes. So we come here to the great turning-point in Hebrews where the writer turns from the explanation of the superiority of the person and work of Christ to the application of it in the lives of the storm-tossed church. The shift can be stated in various ways: from doctrine to duty, from creed to conduct, from precept to practice, from instruction to exhortation, all of which mean one thing—the writer becomes very explicit regarding how Christians ought to live.
ACCESS to GOD
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
OUR ADVOCATE before GOD
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 hWho is he that condemneth? It is Christ that idied, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
THEREFORE LET US DRAW NEAR
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
This is how we are to draw near to God in prayer—real, genuine, absorbed. The preacher sees this as being of key importance to those who are being distracted by the menacing waves.
LET US HOLD ON TO OUR HOPE
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
William M. Marston of New York University asked three thousand people, “What have you to live for?” He was shocked to discover that 94 percent were simply enduring the present while they waited for the future… waited for “something to happen”… waited for “next year”… waited for a “better time”… waited for “someone to die”… waited “for tornorrow.”
I LOVE YOU
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
We meet Christ in a special way in corporate worship. It is true that a person does not have to go to church to be a Christian. He does not have to go home to be married either. But in both cases if he does not, he will have a very poor relationship.
if you absent yourself from church, you will encumber your ability to glorify God in worship. Congregational worship makes possible an intensity of adoration that does not as readily occur in solitude.
Corporate worship provides a context where passion is joyously elevated and God’s Word ministers with unique power.
One theoretically may be able to develop faith and hope while alone (though even this is questionable), but not love! Developing love is a communal activity of the church.
So for all these reasons—ontological, doxological, theological, psychological—it is impossible to be a good Christian while voluntarily absenting oneself from the assembled church. The author of Hebrews is pleading with his people not to make such a mistake, because he knows they would not survive. And neither would we. Laxity can destroy us, so we must beware.
It stands to reason that no provocation to love is possible unless suitable opportunities occur for the stirring process to take effect
IT’S A BAD HABIT
as the manner of some is
TIME IS WINDING UP
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
These words reveal that Christians are responsible for each other (a similar theme is found elsewhere, see 3:13). Christians cannot be concerned just for their own spiritual well-being; they must also encourage others to keep fervent in their love and active in their service to God. This encouragement should happen all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Christians must live as if the Lord will come back at any moment. Christ must not find us lax in our devotion and preparation.
There is nothing more unchristian than a solitary Christian.
John Wesley
CHURCHGOING
To neglect Christian meetings is to give up the encouragement and help of other Christians. We gather together to share our faith and to strengthen one another in the Lord. As we get closer to the day when Christ will return, we will face many spiritual struggles, and even times of persecution. Anti-Christian forces will grow in strength. 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.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” It is grounded in the life, death, resurrection, ascension, enthronement, and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is anchored at the right hand of God. It is so substantial and real that it is called “an anchor.”
No ancient or modern sailor who knows what can happen during an ocean voyage would go to sea in a ship that carried no anchor, even today and even if the ship were the greatest and most modem vessel afloat. Every sailor knows that situations might arise when the hope of the ship and all her company will depend not on the captain, the crew, the engines, the compass, or the rudder, but on the anchor. When all else fails, there is hope in the anchor. It was so easy for Christians to appropriate this as their symbol because its very shape uses the form of the cross.