Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro:

The main idea of our passage today is two-fold, and it’s in response to what the context of earlier passages stated.

We are told about the power of Christ’s sacrifice, which now leads us into the two-fold response to that truth

Because of His sacrifice we must:

Hold fast (Christian Walk of Endurance)

So what does it look like to hold fast?

Well vs. 19-23 give us a picture of that, and how to do it.

Enter Boldly

The passage starts off with a reminder for the believer, a reminder that because of what our great high priest Jesus has done, we may enter boldly into the holy places.

Because of what Jesus has done, we can enter into a presence with God like never before while under the Old Covenant.

Christ’s death remember, tore the temple veil which symbolically separated people from God’s presence.

In ancient times, an audience with the king was a special opportunity, this gave you the chance to let the king hear your request, what it was you petitioned and needed.

The King of Kings has tore the veil opening up the opportunity for all to enter into His presence.

We can do that now with no letter, no recommendation, but by the blood of Jesus.

That’s amazing.

That’s called the new living way.

To Hold Fast in troubling times we must

Draw near to God

God through the Son Jesus has provided a way to enter into His presence, now we must be about doing so.

James 4:8 Tells us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

But their are some requirements of us when we enter into the presence of God.

This passage says we draw near with:

a. True Heart (ref Psalm 15)

This means to be sincere, and real in your faith.

Being genuine in your faith is essential in the Christian Lifestyle, God doesn’t like fakers any more than we do.

b.

Full Assurance of Faith

The author of Hebrews is challenging back sliders commitment to the Christian Walk, so in this he reminds all readers that we are to be committed to Christ, no matter the cost, and if we do, we will have security and assurance in our walk of faith.

Be unwavering in your faith.

c.

Hearts sprinkled clean from evil

In the Old Covenant, the sprinkling of blood was ceremonially done as a sign of cleansing.

Jesus’ sacrifice however was a complete payment for a sinful heart.

We just need to accept it.

But also, if you want a clear conscience before the Lord, confess to the Lord any sin and trust what He says.

ref

1 john 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Remember, it is Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness, We are washed in the purity of His forgiveness of sin.

2. Live faith (love others) Demonstrated by loving God and loving others

Live Faith:

What we believe, is what we will live.

If we believe that money and material things are important, then we will work extra hard, no matter the costs, and we will accumulate things on this earth of no eternal value.

If we believe entertainment and happiness are most important, we will live selfishly and indulge into only those things that temporarily satisfy a never ending pit for more, and more and more.

But of course that’s not what we believe here at all my friends.

No we know better than that, we know that to live out our faith is to live out the love of God in a world that needs it.

Lets look at that today.

Concerned about one another, means our focus in our church family needs to be to spur each other to love and good works.

A concern for one another is a focus on others instead of self.

It’s an effort to share in the needs of your fellow believers in your church family, and to spur them towards good works.

Address Gossip

Let me just address something very briefly, it is possible also to spur your brothers/sisters to bad works.

We can spur people in one way or another.

It’s kinda like how we all know how to push our spouses buttons right… Well things like Gossip are a perfect example of spuring someone towards bad works.

When we gossip about others, we can spur bad works.

Ref:

Matthew 12:34 “34 Brood of vipers!

How can you speak good things when you are evil?

For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”

Proverbs 15:7 “7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.”

I’ve witnessed this kind of behavior, one shares negative opinions on a person to a third party.

This then creates a negative descent in the third party, and they reason for themselves that this gossip is true, and the result is bad works.

We are to spur good works into each other, so we must test our tongues, because if this kind of behavior is alive in us, it’s evidence of a heart issue.

anyone here never have a negative thought about another person?

Ya I didn’t think so.

The point isn’t to make us all feel like evil people, not at all, it’s to recognize what starts in the heart, and stop it before it comes out of our mouths.

Oh man can this be such a challenge for me at times friends.

Yes, I’m a pastor, but I’m also a man.

And sometimes my heart can get very negative over things I’m passionate about, and those against it.

If I’m not careful, I find my mouth then spewing the crud that started in my heart.

If your like me, then you probably also feel like I do, crummy when I allow myself to go that low.

I repent often, and seek to do better because I don’t want that to be who I am.

Address Gathering and Encouraging

Followers of Christ are meant to meet together.

I’ve heard some say, oh I get so much from my televangelists, or my tv pastors, I am growing just fine without church.

No your not.

Your missing a key element to the Christian walk, and that is found here.

Our church provides a live stream of part of the service, we have made it possible to do it, and it’s great for when someone isn’t going to be able to be here, but still wants to hear the message.

But it wasn’t something we started to keep people out of church, but to connect them when they can’t be here.

On a Sunday, it can be satisfying to sit in our morning robe with a cup of coffee and let the pastor suck air for 25 minutes then call it good.

But that’s not what we are called to.

That live stream is a way we can provide access to our church family when they are shut in, or unable to attend, not to keep them away.

Why though?

Why is it such a big deal that I come to church if I’m giving and listening to the message.

Because your opportunities to spur good works and be there for the needs of your church family happen right here.

They don’t happen sitting at home, they happen in the presence and fellowship of other believers.

Life is to short to waste a Sunday doing other things that don’t have eternal value, AMEN!

What’s my point?

When you notice someone starting to habitually miss church, show enough care and concern to reach out, and say hey, I’ve been missing you at church, is everything alright?

Check in on them, show you care, recognize them and lovingly encourage them back to gathering with the rest of the church family.

Closing:

Let me close with a final point that answers a question.

Why do all of this?

Why face such trials and trouble to resist it with endurance to walk a Christian walk?

Why pour out so much of ourselves to be attentive to the needs of others, to reach out, to encourage and to love them?

We value, what God values

Value:

Tom Brady last td football selling for 500K!

Why? because someone thought it was worth that much.

No one would say though, I’d die for that football, no your not gonna hear that.

It’s like saying, I would die for a piece of cheesecake right now, no you wouldn’t.