Intentional Spurring

communion

start at the end...

Please turn to Hebrews 10:19-25.

We are finishing our “One-Anothering” series today.

Do you ever watch a show or movie—that the end is in shown at the beginning? As you watch the beginning of the movie, you see a flash of the end, and it hooks you in to see how did things get that way--

A couple of famous movies that start this way:

One of those is Saving Private Ryan (1998)—and it begins by showing an old man and his family, he is veteran from WWII visiting the gravesites of fallen US soldiers. the movie doesn’t tell us yet who the old man is—but as he visits these gravesites—he collapses in tears, and the camera zooms on this guy—and it switches from this old veteran to the face of Tom Hanks who plays Captain Miller—as he leads his troops to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. We are left to think that the veteran at the beginning must be Tom Hanks, Captain Miller right? so Tom Hanks’ character will survive, right?

Another famous one is the movie SlumDog Millionaire (2008) (takes place in India) — and the movie begins with an image of 18 year old Jamal, the main character being questioned, beaten and interrogated. Jamal is one question from winning 20 million rupees (their version of who wants to be a Millionaire).

and the movie asks a question how did he this guy who grew up poor, get that far on the gameshow? how did he know the answers. he either cheated; or he’s lucky; or he’s a genius, or this is what life set him up to do.

the rest of the movie is how he got to that point—the story of his life that prepared him to answer those questions.

Good writers of stories—sometimes start with the end to capture our attention; to make us curious—how did it get to this point—what’s the backstory.

I am actually going to try that today—we are looking at Hebrews 10:19-25.

but…but I want to start with verses 24-25 because they contain our “One-Anothering” passage.

we have been looking at some of the “one-another” passages in the New Testament that lay out and give us an incredible vision of what our life together as Christians is to be.

because we are saved first and foremost to a relationship with God...

but we are also saved into a new community—where we live out how to love one another.

Jesus said the world will know we are his followers if we love one another.

We have looked at thus far...

showing hospitality to one another...

forgiving one another...

accepting one another over disputable matters...

and bearing one another’s burdens.

The NT contains over 50 such references to doing something for one another.

even the last 2 weeks with our Mission Encounter—these are ways that you can serve one another, disciple one another, love one another.

today’s one another comes from Hebrews 10:19-25. but let me start at the end. verses 24-25

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

that Day—is a reference to the 2nd coming of Jesus.

the main one another here is verse 24. (look at it again) Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good.

let’s read it again--

and verse 25—are actually support statements—if you were diagramming the sentence—verse 24 would be the main thought

and verse 25 would be indented b/c the ideas support what verse 24 say.

that word spur—is only used 2x in the NT. here, and also in Acts 15:39.

the Apostle Paul and Barnabas are planning to go on another missionary journey, and they argue and disagree over if they should bring John Mark with them. John Mark had come with them earlier but deserted and flaked out on an earlier missionary trip. so Paul says “don’t bring him.” Barnabas is like “give him another chance.” and the text says

Acts 15:39 NIV

39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

sharp disagreement—same word here.

it spurred them to separate. it’s used more negatively in Acts 15.

but here in Hebrews 10—it is more positive.

Other English translations use the language of

stir up

stimulate

motivate

provoke

I actually have a pair of spurs, thanks to Jonathan Graber, who let me borrow them.

and i think that image here is fitting.

b/c do you know why spurs are used in history and today

because if you are riding a horse—you may try to give verbal commands, make noises, use the reins, but sometimes you have to give a little urgency with your commands—you have to stimulate, provoke, and stir up the animal to do what you are trying to do—and the animal needs to respond right away both for your safety and its safety.

not animal abuse—you are not trying to inflict abuse on the animal-but you are trying to provoke—stimulate, and an experienced rider is not trying to injure the animal—but to get quick action to do what is necessary.

you have to be intentional in your spurring…purposeful. not hurtful or mean—but you are trying to get the animal to do what it needs to do and when you need to do it.

Jonathan also shared with me that you also use it in bull riding—to get the bull moving, so you can score more points and win more money. You just got to stay on for 8 seconds.

and I think that image of spurring is so helpful for us as Christians…that we too are called to stimulate, provoke, stir up, and spur one another on towards what :

Love (internal)

good deeds (the external)

this passage spells how how to spur

2 ways to spur:

keep meeting together (vs. 25)

and encourage one another (vs. 25)

Hebrews 10:25 NIV

25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

i am going to talk more about meeting together more than encouraging for the sake of time...

keep gathering and keep meeting together—this is referring to believers continuing getting together.

in other words—you can’t self-spur really—(watch me try to self-spur) you need others

you can’t be spurred on towards love and good deeds—if you hold people at arms length. you can’t be spurred on in isolation.

you have to gather together with other believers, with fellow Christians to be spurred on. you have to…meet together

now…what are some obstacles that prevent us from gathering—during this seasons and all seasons:

some feel a lot of social anxiety—so many people I have met don’t like it when they are around big crowds. Covid has only magnified it. it’s a lot; I am sympathetic towards that experience this—but let me issue a challenge—are you gathering at least with some other Christians—some regularity—do you have at least a group of fellow believers, or families that you can gather with. another obstacle -

for some our gathering muscles during Covid have been flabby. We got used to being home; we like sleeping in on Sunday mornings; we like that we can watch church from the comfortability of our church with our Fruit Loops and cinnamon rolls. we like it. and I am thankful that we have online as an option. we get all kinds of people watching and tuning in. It makes for an easy invite— “Hey neighbor—you should watch this service.” I love that—online is here to stay. but if you are only engaging online and you don’t have a good reason, I would challenge you to make it a priority to gather—IN PERSON at some level.

Online is great if you are on vacation or sick or perhaps compromised immune system or work in a high exposure job, or if our missionaries want to watch, or to invite new people, but if online is the main way you experience church—you are missing out. in fact, I fear that if you are honest—the main reason that you do it is b/c of convenience and ease. community and gathering costs something. another busyness -

busyness—I read an article—and it says the average committed Christian probably attends Sunday morning church 2 to 3 times a month.

Consider the average family. if there are 52 Sundays in a year—do some math with me. Let’s imagine there is a guy name Bob and his family. Bob took his family on vacation a few weeks, and a couple of weekends—that’s 5 Sundays.

their oldest son is on a travel sports team for a season—many games are on weekend. and they didn’t want to miss those games—it was only a season and they get to witness to others—so they miss 9 Sundays. so 5 for vacation but 9 = 14 Sundays. 52 - 14 = 38.

sickness happens—so their family missed 4 Sundays that year.

when Pastor Rick is out of town—they don’t like to attend. so that’s 3 more Sundays.

sometimes family visits from out of town—let’s give 3 Sundays for that.

Holidays - 2 Sundays. If you add all those Sundays up — 5, 9, 4, 3, 3, 2 = 26 Sundays—you attend 26 out of 52 Sundays.

it’s easy to miss. for pretty normal reasons.

but you are missing out on being spurred on.

if you are here part time only but expect full time community, full time spurring--that math doesn’t add up.

another obstacle

for some of us it’s hard to attend b/c of hurt—the church, either our church or another church or other Christians have hurt us—so it’s hard, and I empathize with that. woundedness.

isn’t Jesus and me enough? for some of us we just don’t understand the importance of the emphasis in the NT on the gathered church—how the church is God’s plan A to display His glory, to reach all peoples for Christ, to make disciples. As clunky, messy, and mess up the church is—full of hypocrites, and I am one of them, the church is God’s plan A.

for some we don’t like people

but you can’t be spurred on

in isolation

you can’t be spurred on—merely online.

you can’t be spurred on—if you are connected only part-time to your church. If I did a diet and exercise plan part-time, I shouldn’t expect full-time results.

if gathering with other believers is only done out of convenience, ease, or if it meets your need (and the moment it doesn’t you tune out)—you don’t have a church family—you are a consumer. we are trained to be consumers.

this passage says if we are going to spur each other, push each other, we need to gather. it’s essential for us.

(move this?) it’s also essential for our well-being. Christianity Today—there main article is this “Empty Pews—are an American Public Health Crisis!”

there’s a growing body of research that the article cites—those who attend religious services frequently—had greater mental health. they were 29 percent less likely to be depressed, 50 percent less likely to divorce, and 5 times less likely to commit suicide than those who never attended.

people who attend church are more likely to grow up happy, to be forgiving, to have a sense of mission and purpose, and to volunteer.

studies find that for teens—those teens who are involved in religious services---they are shielded from the big 3 dangers — depression, substance abuse, and premature sexual activity.

one study said that health care professionals—who attend services weekly—were 33 percent (so 1/3) less likely to die during a 16 year period than those who never attended.

A recent survey by the Barna Group found that about a third of “practicing Christians” have stopped joining corporate worship altogether during the pandemic, and this group reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than those still worshiping in some fashion.

according to this article, maybe one of the best things your doctor could prescribe is being a part of a church community...

how does that actually help your well being and mental health--and to answer that you may be saying or pushing, “Pastor Rick, does it have to be the Sunday morning gathering…the Sunday morning worship service…does it have to be that?” “couldn’t it be a small group, or a Bible study?”

Let me give you a very clear answer of: “yes and no”— almost every believer needs the large gathering and the small gathering. large and small.

I think every Christians needs the larger wider gathering with preaching of the Word, worshipping, taking communion together, praising together, praying together. I think every Christian needs to commit to a local church, sit under the teaching and preaching of the Word, commit to that local church.

and every Christian needs a group, a smaller group, a SS class, a small group, a Bible Study. a group you serve with and share with and connect with.

why do you need both?

you need the larger gathering b/c it forces you to hang out with people not like you. we have every generation represented here. we need all the generations and demographics; usually smaller groups and SS classes are age based—we want to meet with people like us (no matter what we say) so we need the larger gathering b/c we need reminded and spurred on that the church is not mainly about my needs and my preferences—it’s about worshiping God together; united by the blood of Christ. when I see the older generation singing and praising God I am inspired, spurred on to keep going; don’t give up. It is worth it to follow God. When I see a parent dedicating their child, I am inspired to support them, to help them, to raise my own kids in the ways of the Lord. When I take communion with fellow believers, I am spurred on to be united even with people I don’t always get along with or maybe like—but they are my brother and sister in Christ. when I hear from a missionary, I am challenged. (Mennonite church gathering—there is something about singing praises to God)

but you also need the smaller gathering—you need a group. a SS class—that you can get to know. be transparent with, do life with. when I hear updates, stories, praise reports and prayer requests, I am inspired and spurred on to share, to be vulnerable, when someone shares a story of how they are being faithful to make a difference, I am inspired to witness and evangelize. When someone is suffering, I am challenged to help them, encourage them, be the hands and feet of Jesus. When someone disagrees with me or challenges me in a small group, I am spurred on not to hate them but to consider how I can change to the glory of God. when I am struggling I am spurred on to get help.

so if you are feeling convicted, annoyed, disagreeable, or just not sure—what can you do...

pray—ask God how can you gather

commit to showing up; coming regularly as much as possible; commit to showing up to stuff. be a professional shower up (Christmas decorations)

join a group

SS class (did you know we have 7 different adult SS classes that meet?)

a small group

a men’s group that meets every other Saturday morning

MUMS—which is Moms uplifting Moms—a group of moms with young children that support one another

hearts and hands group that meets to sew, and serve in practical ways

and don’t just go to a class or group once or twice (and say “that didn’t work”), commit to going for 6 months to a year and then decide if it will work.

if you are not sure what group, talk to our connections pastor—Michael Baer. Talk to me. we will find a way to plug you in.

we have an oasis meeting coming up for those interested in starting a new class or helping with teaching—for some of you, you need step up, quit complaining, and be a leader in a class—

serve in some way--

kids’ ministry

worship ministry

tech ministry

student ministry

on an average Sunday, we have more than 50 - 60 people serving in some way—and that’s just Sunday morning

Brianna’s Hope

drive the bus and pick up senior citizens (we need more bus drivers)

greeting, ushering, visiting, caring,

get involved in the Missions Encounter:

go to House 1:14 today in Monroe, roll up your sleeves and help clean

go to Hartford City with a group of us on Sunday evening Nov. 7 and encounter one of our missionaries

go to ID church in Marion on Nov. 21

help out Life Together this Wed.

there is a sign-up table in the foyer (and candy bars)

Now, i have focused more on gathering and hardly mentioned encouraging--the 3rd way—but if you are more introverted, focus on 1 or 2, send cards, send texts, emails, all sorts of ways. meals, hospitality.

there’s actually a 3rd way—to spur others on—drawing near to God (vs. 19-23)

so far I have given you a lot of law and guilt but no Gospel and grace.

remember I started with the end of the story.

look at the beginning of this passage—and this will take us into communion.

because guilting never works.

and I don’t want you just to gather to check off a list—the Pharisees and religious leaders probably never missed a service.

instead of guilting you—let me grace you. (You are welcomed into the throne room of grace with your family in Christ)

Hebrews 10:19–25 NIV

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

we have confidence—or boldness—to enter the most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.

that reference MHP is a reference to the OT temple. under the Old Covenant...

in the OT temple—there was the Holy Place which was 2/3 of the temple,

and the MHP place.

Only priests could go into the temple to serve into the HP (you and I could not go in), and only the High Priest could go in once a year to the MHP.

where the Ark of the Covenant was and God’s presence.

Between the MHP and the HP there was a curtain.

One author said it was like a “big keep out sign.” and if you went into the curtain without doing what God said—God could strike you down; you could die. b/c nobody could see God’s face and live.

you had to approach God His Way.

so every year on the Day of Atonement, (once a year) the High Priest had to go into the MHP to make atonement to pay for sins for the people of Israel.

and to do that—there were some requirements for him—

he had to wear special clothes

he had to bathe a certain way before putting them on.

he had to slaughter and sacrifice a bull for his own sin and his household. and he would take a censer full of burning coals and two handfuls of finely ground incense and enter the MHP. he would allow the incense to burn, and the smoke to fill the place and conceal the Ark of the Covenant so he wouldn’t die. he would take the bull’s blood and sprinkle it on the Ark of the Covenant.

he would then take 2 goats--

one he would kill for the sins of all the people and take its blood behind the curtain and sprinkle it on the Ark of the Covenant. making atonement, peace for forgiveness of sins for the people.

and he would sprinkle it other places in the temple.

and then when he is done—he would take the other goat—the live goat, place his hands on it and confess all the sins of the people on the goat an cast it out into the wilderness—this is the scapegoat.

and then he would clean up, wash his clothes, bathe all that stuff.

he would do this once a year—the on the 10th day of the 7th month—the Day of Atonement—and if the High Priest messed up, he could die. it was terrifying...

access to God was strict, limited in some ways, only the HP could do this on behalf of the people.

it would have been a terrifying process for the HP…and the priests waiting on people...

but now, Hebrews says—now that we are no longer under the Old Covenant, since Jesus Christ has come and we are under the New covenant that Jesus enacted by his blood—b/c of what Jesus Christ did on the cross in our place for our sins—we have access to God.

we can enter the most holy place, metaphorically speaking, to the presence of God—we don’t need a High priest like they had in the OT. we don’t need an animal sacrifice; there is no curtain. we don’t need a specific temple or priest.

you and I have complete access to this terrifying, awesome, holy, and loving God all the time right now—b/c of Jesus and his perfect life and perfect death for us on the cross.

b/c he was the ultimate sacrifice

he was and is our faithful High priest—our mediator

He is the temple—where you and I meet with God

when He died on the cross for sin—that curtain was torn in 2—and we can now enjoy God, face to face.

I often wonder if those High priests could be here now—what would they say to us? Don’t you realize what you have—you can enter God’s presence boldly and with confidence—so

verse 22:

Hebrews 10:22 NIV

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

b/c of what Jesus did—when you and I believe in that—our sins before a holy God are forgiven; we are cleansed and made new.

the way that you and I truly spur one another on—is by drawing near to God

and Heb. 10:23

Hebrews 10:23 NIV

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

when you do that—it will motivate you to keep meeting—after all God loves his people—

everyone that you see here today has this same access to God-you have it, you have it, you have it. There are no 2nd class Christians with 2nd class access.

even the ones that annoy us; even the hypocrites—you will find yourself wanting to meet together; you will spur not to injure but to encourage; you will provoke out of love. because they have to God. God loves them.

and you will consider—considering takes time; different people need spurred in different ways.

let’s celebrate that now.

if you need communion elements would you raise your hand?

Here at FMC — you don’t have to be a member or attender to participate in communion.

we just ask that you believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior, and Lord, your faithful High Priest.

1 Corinthians 11:23–28 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.