The Healthy Habits of the Local Church

Hebrews 10:22–25 ESV

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.

Life in Community

Let US draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (v. 22)

We are to come to God with a “true heart.” A heart that is truly His and a heart that has been truly cleansed by the blood of Christ.

We have a wonderful entrance and welcome to come near to God and fellowship with Him and around His throne. We no longer are separated from Him so the writer of Hebrews urges us to “DRAW NEAR.”

Let US hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, because He is faithful (v. 23)

HOPE is a word that “looks forward” John Phillips says…We look forward to the HOPE we have in Christ! They were being tempted to go back and to look back, BUT THEIR IS NO HOPE IN OUR PAST…THERE IS ONLY HOPE IN THE ONE WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE!

We have a “spirit of HOPE and EXPECTATION!”

Let US consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (v. 24)

If we are going to exasperate someone with something it should be by provoking them to LOVE and to GOOD WORKS. We are to “consider” the best way to do this among our fellow believers.

We need each other’s “spiritual stimulation.”

Baptism

The Lord’s Supper

Feet Washing