The Submitted To Godly Leadership Church

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8 Marks Of The Church

The Submitted To Godly Leadership Church

 

INTRODUCTION

Urban Legends

 

Carey Nieuwhof shares 5 dumb myths every leader should abandon.

  • Success will happen overnight – “Who hasn’t fallen for this? ​​ And if you don’t believe it, you’ve secretly wanted it, haven’t you? ​​ Yet there are few overnight successes. ​​ Or as my wife has pointed out, it was a very long night.”

  • Smart work, not hard work, will win the day – “. . . smart work is no substitute for hard work. ​​ Working smarter doesn’t mean you can put in a few hours, hit cruise control and coast to victory. . . . When you stop growing, so do the people around you.”

  • I will get universal buy-in – “There will be a day when I become a good enough leader that I will announce our next move and everyone will applaud wildly, right? . . . Conditions will never be perfect. ​​ ‘Everybody’ will never buy in. ​​ Sometimes you just need to lead.”

  • There’s a silver bullet – “So there’s one thing that will turn everything around right? ​​ A silver bullet? ​​ A model I can just embrace and press play and everything will magically be wonderful. ​​ Right?”

  • One day I will arrive – “No, you won’t. ​​ And if you do, you’ll arrive to learn you’ve missed the point. ​​ Effective leaders keep growing. ​​ They never stop.”

 

[https://careynieuwhof.com/5-dumb-myths-too-many-leaders-believe/]

 

I love to read. ​​ Years ago, I would read three books at a time. ​​ One was a leadership book, another was a spiritual development book, and the third would be a “fun” book (historical fiction, etc.). ​​ I was always looking to grow in my spiritual walk and leadership knowledge. ​​ Today, I read a lot for spiritual growth through commentaries and other books. ​​ I read books on prayer and some leadership stuff.

 

There are many common myths about the church that are misguided at best and dangerous at worst

 

BODY

  • Myth

    • You can have subjective standards for church leadership and be a healthy church

    • This myth, if believed, can be dangerous because:

        • If the leaders of the church are not subject to the objective standards of leadership in the church, the people of the church won’t be subject to the objective standards of discipleship in the church

        • This confuses the church, exposes the church, and robs the church of its sense of security

    • We know this is a myth because Jesus said a clear mark of a healthy church would be a church filled with leaders who are being led by him, leading like him, and leading to him

 

Let’s pray

 

  • GOD

    • MARK: ​​ The Submitted To Godly Leadership Church

        • The Submitted To Godly Leadership Church and the Teaching of Jesus (Mark 3:13-15; Luke 22:24-27)

          • Mark 3:13-15

            • Background

              • The corresponding passage in Luke 6:12-16 tells us that Jesus had been up on the mountainside praying all night

              • In the morning He called the disciples up on the mountainside and chose the twelve apostles

            • Appointing the Apostles

              • Most scholars agree that the number of Apostles is probably significant, because there were twelve tribes of Israel (that number is important throughout Scripture)

              • Jesus designates the twelve as “Apostles”

                • This was a change from simply disciple to apostle

                • A “disciple” is one who learns by doing; our modern equivalent might be an “apprentice.” An “apostle” is one who is sent on official service with a commission. Jesus had many disciples but only twelve apostles, His special “ambassadors.” [Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Diligent, BE Series Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010), 46.]

              • Purpose in appointing them

                • They might be with him

                  • Wiersbe and Grassmick agree that being with Jesus was for the purpose of training them

                  • The twelve apostles would learn from Jesus’ example

                  • Once they were ready, He would send them out

                • He might send them out to accomplish two things

                  • To preach

                  • To have authority to drive out demons

                  • Mark 6:6-7, 12-13, Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. ​​ Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. . . . They went out and preached that people should repent. ​​ They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

              • Application [J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Mark, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. Accordance electronic ed. (London: Wertheim, Macintosh, & Hunt, 1857), paragraph 1932.]

                • “Like the apostles, the faithful minister ought to keep up close communion with Christ.”

                • “Like the apostles, the faithful minister ought to be a preacher. This must ever be his principal work, and receive the greatest part of his thoughts. He must place it above the administration of the sacraments. (1 Cor. i. 17).”

                • “Like the apostles, the faithful minister must labour to do good in every way. Though he cannot heal the sick, he must seek to alleviate sorrow, and to increase happiness among all with whom he has to do. He must strive to be known as the comforter, the counsellor, the peacemaker, the helper, and the friend of all.”

                • “Like the apostles, the faithful minister must oppose every work of the devil.”

            • Jesus chose twelve men to be His apostles, these twelve men were going to lead the founding of the church

            • In their humanness, the Apostles struggled with the worldly idea of greatness, which Jesus had to address

          • Luke 22:24-27

            • The apostles were arguing about which of them was the greatest

              • The significance of what Jesus was sharing with them at the Last Supper was lost on them

              • “When you are interested in promoting yourself, it doesn’t take much to start an argument.” [Wiersbe, 128]

            • Worldly greatness/leadership

              • Characterized by selfishness, arrogance, and doing whatever it takes to make it to the top

              • Some kings in the ancient world gave themselves the title of “benefactor,” but it was not necessarily a true representation of who they were and what they did

            • Spiritual greatness/leadership

              • Youngest

                • In the culture of the day, the youngest person was the one who was considered the least

                • They did not have rank or position, especially as it pertained to family units

                • The first-born (eldest) would be the one who had rank and position within the family – he would inherit everything

                • “The senior leader with the most experience must adopt an attitude as if he were the youngest with no experience, no leadership responsibility, and no honors expected.” [Trent C. Butler, Luke, ed. Max Anders, vol. 3 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2000), 370.]

              • One who serves

                • Servant leadership is what Jesus was telling them to do

                  • Philippians 2:3, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, in humility consider others better than yourselves.

                  • John 3:30, He must become greater; I must become less.

                • Jesus’ example

                  • Jesus is the One who is serving the bread and the cup at the supper

                  • Jesus gives them an example of what servant leadership looks like by taking a towel, wrapping it around His waist, and washing His disciples feet

                  • “Usefulness in the world and Church; a humble readiness to do anything, and put our hands to any good work; a cheerful willingness to fill any post, however lowly, and discharge any office, however unpleasant, if we can only promote happiness and holiness on earth,—these are the true tests of Christian greatness.” [Ryle, paragraph 7786]

              • “You must make a choice. Will you accept the world’s oppressive way of honoring greatness? Or will you follow Jesus’ example of becoming a servant and seeking the best for the “family”? Will you be part of the last who will become first? Or must you be first now?” [Butler, 370]

          • Jesus teaches us that He is the One who establishes spiritual leaders and that spiritual leadership is remarkably different than worldly leadership

        • The Submitted To Godly Leadership Church and the Teaching of the Early Church (Acts 2:42; 6:3-4)

          • Acts 2:42

            • They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (NIV)

            • As we saw in the previous point, Jesus had chosen the twelve apostles, trained them, and sent them out to preach and teach

            • Acts 2:42 shows us what happened after Jesus sent the apostles out – the day of Pentecost happens

            • The 3,000 who were added to their numbers on Pentecost, plus those who were already followers of Jesus devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles

            • These believers were submitting to the godly leadership of the apostles

            • As the number of believers continued to grow, there had to be the delegation and sharing of leadership responsibilities, as we will see in Acts 6:3-4

          • Acts 6:3-4

            • “Ministry is everyone’s responsibility, but different ministry tasks require different ministry qualifications.” ​​ [Kenneth O. Gangel, Acts, ed. Max Anders, vol. 5 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 1998), 92.]

              • The seven that were to be chosen needed to have two primary qualifications

                • Full of the Spirit (controlled by)

                • Full of wisdom

              • They were given the responsibility of waiting on tables

                • This certainly has the idea of serving food to the widows

                • It can also have the idea of a manager’s table where funds for food are distributed

                • Acts 4:34-35, There were no needy persons among them. ​​ For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

              • While the very important task of providing for the needs of all widows was delegated to seven men, the apostles dedicated their time to two things

            • Apostles’ priorities

              • They gave their attention to the prayer and the ministry of the word

                • The prayer that is being talked about here is public prayer

                  • Leading others in public prayer

                  • They certainly had their own quiet time of prayer also

                • Ministry of the Word

                  • In Mark 3, we saw that this was one of the primary things that Jesus sent the apostles out to do

                  • While ministering to the physical needs of the believers was important, the primary responsibility of the apostles was to the spiritual needs of the believers

                  • They needed the necessary time to prepare and teach God’s Word

              • That is not to say that they didn’t still help with food or money distribution, but that was not their primary role

          • The early church teachings help us understand that the spiritual leaders were tasked with leading believers in corporate prayer and the teaching of God’s Word

        • The Submitted To Godly Leadership Church and the Teaching of the Apostles (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 3:1-13

          • Hebrews 13:17

            • Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. ​​ They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (NIV)

            • Obey your leaders

              • “The reference here is to their religious teachers, and not to civil rulers.” [Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 2006), paragraph 29886.]

              • “When a servant of God is in the will of God, teaching the Word of God, the people of God should submit and obey.” [Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Confident, BE Series Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010), 176.]

              • My desire and practice has always been to be in the will of God and teaching the Word of God

              • My prayer is that this desire and practice are evident to you all

              • There have been times when leading Idaville Church has felt like a burden, but those times are few and far between

              • During those times, I reflect on the calling that God placed on my life over 13 years ago and I am encouraged and find hope

              • The vast majority of my time here has been joy-filled

              • I love you all and I love to serve together with you

              • “A disobedient Christian will find on that day that the results of disobedience are unprofitable, not for the pastor, but for himself.” [Wiersbe, 177]

            • Keep watch and give account

              • The leadership of Idaville Church is genuinely concerned for the spiritual growth and salvation of those that God has placed in our care, to shepherd

              • Each board member has a group of individuals/families that they are responsible to connect with and check up on

              • We take this responsibility very seriously, because we will have to give an account when we stand before the Lord

            • While the writer of Hebrews exhorts the people in the church to obey the leaders, Paul writes to Timothy to share the qualifications of those who serve in positions of leadership

          • 1 Timothy 3:1-13

            • Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13

            • Overseer

              • Being an overseer is a noble task

              • Qualifications

                • Positive

                  • Above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, manage family well, good reputation with outsiders

                • Negative

                  • Not given to drunkenness, not violent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, not a recent convert

                • When people tell me they don’t meet the qualifications of an overseer, I encourage them to work on the areas where they feel they don’t qualify, so they can qualify

              • Paul also lists the qualifications for a deacon

            • Deacon

              • Qualifications

                • Positive

                  • Worthy of respect, sincere, keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience, husband of one wife, manage children and household well

                • Negative

                  • Not indulging in much wine, not pursuing dishonest gain

              • They are to be tested

              • Their wives are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers, temperate, and trustworthy

          • The teaching of the Apostles helps us to understand that when qualified leaders are following God’s will and teaching His Word, that they should be obeyed and followed

        • We not only see this mark proclaimed to us through teaching, but also through a picture

    • METAPHOR: ​​ The Flock of God (1 Peter 5:1-4)

        • Fellow elder

          • Peter does not use his position as an apostle to elevate himself above the other elders

          • He positions himself as a fellow elder that was privileged to witness Jesus’ sufferings and share in the glory that will be revealed in future

        • Shepherds of God’s flock

          • “To ‘shepherd’ means ‘to lead, to guide, and to rule.’ . . . According to that psalm [Psalm 23], the tasks of a shepherd are to lead (v. 2), to provide spiritual guidance and feeding (v. 3), to offer comfort (v. 4), strengthening (v. 5), and correction (v. 2).” [Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, ed. Max Anders, vol. 11 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 1999), 89.]

          • John 21:16, Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” ​​ He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” ​​ Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

            • This was the second time that Jesus asked Peter this question, after His resurrection

            • The same Greek word is used in John 21:16, by Jesus, that Peter uses in 1 Peter 5:2 – he hasn’t forgotten what Jesus exhorted him to do

          • Shepherding/Taking care involves two relationships as Wiersbe points out

            • Being among the people (know their needs/problems)

            • Being over the people (lead them and help solve problems)

        • Attitude of a shepherd

          • Willingness, not a task/duty

          • Not greedy for money, but certainly worthy of his hire

          • Eager – with enthusiasm, excitement, and energy [Anders, 89]

          • Being an example to the flock

        • “Just as a flock of sheep follows their shepherd, we follow Jesus, our Shepherd. ​​ Just as a flock of sheep are submitted to and obey their shepherd, we submit to and obey Jesus and the under-shepherd’s He has appointed for us.” ​​ [Matt Kyser]

        • So, how does this apply to our lives?

    • APPLICATION (how will we know if this mark of The Church marks Our Church?)

        • We can clearly see the leaders in our church being led by Jesus (John 21:22)

          • Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? ​​ You must follow me.” (NIV)

          • Jesus is talking with Peter by the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection

          • He has shared with him about the kind of death he would experience and Peter asks about John, who was following them

          • Jesus wanted Peter to follow Him regardless of what would happen to anyone else

        • We can clearly see the leaders in our church leading like Jesus (Mark 8:34-35)

          • Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ​​ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (NIV)

          • Our desire as leadership in the church is to daily deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus

          • We want to lead like Jesus, so that when you follow you will be following Jesus

        • We can clearly see the leaders in our church leading to Jesus (Colossians 1:28)

          • We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. (NIV)

          • Pastor Marc and I strive to admonish and teach you with all wisdom

          • Our desire is to be able to present you perfect in Christ

        • We can clearly see the people of our church joyfully submitted to their leaders (Hebrews 13:17)

          • Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. ​​ They keep watch over you as men who must give account. ​​ Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (NIV)

          • We already addressed this verse under the teaching of the apostles

        • Our desire is to have a church filled with leaders who are being led by Jesus, leading like Jesus, and leading to Jesus

 

  • YOU

    • Idaville Member Survey from RESTOR Renewal Ministries

        • There were two of the five survey questions that were in the top fifteen of the least difficult for us as a church

          • “I’m confident that the leaders in our church are biblically qualified leaders as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.” (8 out of 10)

            • This is so important

            • If the leaders of the church did not meet those qualifications, we would be in trouble

          • “The leaders in our church are clearly submitted to Jesus and His leadership of our church as explained in Scripture and empowered by the Spirit.” ​​ (11 out of 15)

            • This is also important

            • Pastor Marc, the board, and I look to Jesus as our Shepherd

            • We look to the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction in how and where to lead the congregation for the future

        • One of the remaining three questions was in the top 15 of most difficult for us

          • “I desire to lead others the way my leaders lead our church.” ​​ (12 out of 15)

            • It is hard to determine from the survey why this scored in the top 15 of the most difficult for us

            • When we look at the two previous survey questions it is clear that the leaders are biblically qualified, submitted to Jesus, and empowered by the Spirit

            • So, I’m at a loss as to why individuals in the church do not desire to lead others the way the leaders of our church lead

            • Some people do not want to lead at all, but rather serve behind the scenes

            • Others feel like they do not qualify to lead

          • That leaves two final questions

        • The two remaining questions fell in the middle

          • “Our leaders are the kinds of leaders I desire to submit myself to.”

          • “I will joyfully follow the lead of our leaders in the next season in the life of our church.”

          • If the leaders of the church are biblically qualified, submitted to Jesus, and empowered by the Spirit, then as the flock of God, here at Idaville Church, we should:

            • Want to lead others the way the leaders of the church lead

            • Desire to submit ourselves to the leaders

            • Joyfully follow the lead of the leaders in the next season in the life of our church

    • Next Steps

        • Leaders

          • We need to make sure that we are being among the people, so we will know their needs and problems that they face

          • We also need to be lead well by helping them to solve their problems

          • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Commit to connecting with the people of Idaville Church, so I can lead them well.

        • People

          • As the leaders of the church commit to connecting with you all and leading you well, then we should submit to them and joyfully follow their lead

          • This is does not mean that we will always agree with them, but if they are biblically qualified, submitted to Jesus, and empowered by the Spirit we can have confidence in their leadership

          • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Submit to the leadership of Idaville Church and joyfully follow their lead for the future.

        • Everyone

          • Our theme this year is “love one another”

          • Romans 12:9-10, Love must be sincere. ​​ Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ​​ Be devoted to one another in love. ​​ Honor one another above yourselves.

          • If both leadership and the people strive to follow these two verses, then everything will work out for God’s glory

          • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Love sincerely, hate what is evil, cling to what is good, be devoted to my brothers and sisters at Idaville Church, and honor others above myself.

 

  • WE

    • Vision

        • Core Values

          • “We live, model, and share the importance of being Biblically grounded.”

          • “Our leadership strives to be led more by Jesus, to lead more like Jesus, so we can lead more to Jesus.”

        • Growth Strategy

          • Three+ Uniques – “Preaching and teaching God’s Word.”

    • Traction

        • “Begin a leadership development program.”

 

CONCLUSION

I want to open the altar this morning for anyone who would like to commit to the next steps outlined in the message today. ​​ Every one of us is probably guilty of not doing something that we should be doing.

12

 

/by

A Place To Belong

,

15th Sunday after Pentecost (National Back To Church Sunday)

A Place To Belong

(Hebrews 10:19-25)

 

INTRODUCTION

“One of the greatest tragedies of the 21st Century in America is the realism that millions of people who claim to know Jesus Christ rarely attend a local church or participate in the worship services. ​​ In so many of American churches, a lot of people basically attend three times in their entire life. ​​ The first time is when they’re born to be [christened] dedicated. ​​ The second time is when they are married. ​​ The third time is when they are buried. ​​ In other words, when they’re hatched, matched, and dispatched!

 

Yet, in the New Testament, if one consistently and deliberately missed the assembly, the coming together as a church, it was assumed that this person was no longer following Christ. ​​ They assumed that this person had gone back into the world and was no longer a part of the local church. ​​ In this case, New Testament Christians would eventually conclude that a person was no longer a Christ-follower simply because he/she was no longer attending the local assembly. ​​ The saw the worship service not only as a privilege and a priority, but they saw worship as a solemn duty.”

 

(James O. Davis, What Difference Does Church Attendance Make?).

 

[http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/what-difference-does-church-attendance-make-james-o-davis-sermon-on-church-body-of-christ-167997.asp].

 

BODY

  • ME

    • Growing up in a Pastor’s home

        • My father was a pastor from before I was born

        • As I grew up, it was pretty much a requirement that I be at church

        • I went to college in IN and my parents lived in AL (750 miles apart)

          • They would never know if I attended church or not

          • But church was an important part of my life

          • I’m a people-person and an extravert, so I’m energized by being around people

          • So, going to church in college was something that I wanted to do for myself and not because I thought my parents wanted me to do

    • Attending church as adults

        • Judy and I got married between our Junior and Senior year of college

        • After graduation we moved to FL

          • We didn’t have any family nearby

          • We found a great Southern Baptist church

          • The members of that church became our family

          • We attended Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday evenings

          • We were part of the choir

          • I served on the Stewardship committee

          • We helped with work days (I got stung by fire ants working outside)

        • In every state that we have lived in, the church members have become our family

          • We’ve lived in OH (UB), MO (Wesleyan), and CA (Calvary Chapel)

          • We were close to Judy’s family in OH, but we didn’t have any family in MO or CA

          • Throughout our married life, Judy and I have found that the churches we’ve attended were places to belong

          • We feel the same way about Idaville Church – it is a place to belong

 

  • WE

    • Idaville Church

        • Many of you have attended Idaville Church for most if not all of your life

        • You’ve found it to be a place to belong

    • Those attending for the first time or returning again

        • If you who are returning to church after being gone for a while or if you’ve never attended church before, we hope that you’ll find Idaville Church to be a place where you can belong

        • We hope that Idaville Church will be a place where you can grow in your walk with the Lord and see your faith develop and blossom

 

The author of Hebrews is writing to Hebrew Christians and all believers in Christ. ​​ They were perhaps struggling in their faith, like we do too, and the author wanted them and us to remember that . . .

 

BIG IDEA – Faith requires closeness with God and being in community with other believers.

 

Let’s pray

 

  • GOD (Hebrews 10:19-25)

    • In this passage of Scripture, the writer of Hebrews uses the same phrase three times to exhort the Hebrew Christians he is writing to

        • The phrase is “Let us”

        • It’s found in vv. 22, 23, and 24

        • These three exhortations are for us today as we consider Idaville Church as a place to belong

    • Draw near (vv. 19-22)

        • Basis for drawing near to God (vv. 19-21)

          • There are two bases for drawing near to God and we see those identified with the word “since”

          • Basis #1

            • The “therefore” points back to what the author said previously

              • At the beginning of chapter 10 there is a reminder of the sacrificial system that had been established in Israel

              • They had to sacrifice the blood of bulls and goats in order to cover over their sins, but those continual, ongoing sacrifices never took away their sins

              • We see then that Jesus’ sacrifice was offered once for all to take away every sin

              • When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, God sees us as perfected through the blood of His Son, Jesus

              • It’s through Jesus’ once-for-all, perfect sacrifice that we can have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place

            • Confidence to enter the Most Holy Place

              • The Most Holy Place is where God’s presence dwelt and every Israelite knew that

              • Prior to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the High Priest would go into the Most Holy Place once a year with a bowl of blood to sprinkle on the mercy seat (the covering of the ark of the covenant) in order to atone for the sins of the nation of Israel

                • The High Priest may only get this opportunity once in his lifetime

                • This was a solemn and serious duty for the High Priest and required that he be purified before entering

                • There was a ritual purification that took place prior to entering the Most Holy Place (atoning for his own sins and the sins of his family with the sacrifice of a bull)

                • If the High Priest entered without being purified, he would run the risk of dying before the Lord

              • In the OT, the tabernacle had a heavy curtain in front of the Most Holy Place that sealed it from view. ​​ This same heavy curtain was part of the Temple in Jerusalem during NT times, but Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, offered believers a new way of coming into the presence of God

            • New way of coming to God through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

              • The High Priest would have to lift the edge of the curtain to enter the Most Holy Place

              • But, when Jesus died on the cross, God tore the veil from top to bottom, showing that a new way of coming to Him and being in His presence was now available

                • Matthew 27:50-53, And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ​​ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ​​ The earth shook and the rocks split. ​​ The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ​​ They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

                • The curtain that concealed what the Most Holy Place looked like was removed, by God, when Jesus’ died

              • New and living way of being in God’s presence

                • Everyone now had the opportunity to be in the presence of God, not just the high priest and not just once a year

                • “The Old Covenant high priest visited the holy of holies once a year, but we are invited to dwell in the presence of God every moment of each day.” ​​ [Wiersbe, 315]

                • It was new, because the Israelites no longer needed to use the sacrificial system with the blood of bulls and goats in order to have their sins covered over

                  • It was also new in the fact that Christ did something that no one else had ever done or will ever do again – He died for the sins of the world

                  • The idea of it being something new also carries the meaning of “previously unavailable”

                  • God established the sacrificial system for the Israelites until He sent Jesus to fulfill His plan

                  • God’s plan was set before the creation of the world

                  • 1 Peter 1:18-20, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ​​ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

                • Being in God’s presence is now also living

                  • Jesus didn’t remain dead

                  • Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was God’s way of saying that He approved of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for sins

                  • Jesus’ resurrection showed that God has power over sin and death

                  • The way for us to be saved from our sins is living in the fact that it is effective and enduring [Lea, 186]

                  • It wasn’t just offered the Israelites, Samaritans, and Gentiles in the 1st Century

                  • It’s offered to everyone in every generation until Jesus Christ returns a second time

            • PRINCIPLE – God provided a way for us to draw near to Him through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

              • Sin (All, Rom. 3:10-12 [#2]; Punishmnt, Rom. 6:23)

              • God’s love (Jeremiah 31:3 [#3])

              • Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Cor. 15:3b-4)

              • John 1:12-13, Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

                • God promises, every ​​ person who repents of their sins and believes in Jesus Christ for salvation, that He has a place for them in His family – a place where they can belong

                • Perhaps that’s right where you are today

                • You’ve been trying to find a place to belong, but everywhere you’ve looked has worked out – it’s left you empty and alone

                • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Repent of my sins, believe in Jesus’ name, and become a child of God.

            • This is the first basis or reason why we can draw near to God – a new way of being in His presence

          • Basis #2

            • The second basis for why we can draw near to God is because Jesus is now our high priest and He sits at the right hand of God interceding for us

            • Hebrews 4:14-15, Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ​​ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.

            • Romans 8:34, Who is he that condemns? ​​ Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raise to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

          • The bases for drawing near to God is clear, it comes through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for us and His position at the right hand of God the Father

        • Exhortation (v. 22a)

          • So as followers of Jesus Christ, we can draw near to God

          • But, the writer of Hebrews tells us that there are two manners in which we should draw near to God

        • Manner in which we draw near to God (v. 22b)

          • Sincere heart

            • The Greek word for “sincere” is better translated “true” and has the idea of being “real, genuine, and loyal” [Guthrie, 343]

            • Throughout scripture the heart often refers to the part of us that thinks and feels – the seat of our emotions

            • It involves our thoughts, will, emotions, and character [Guthrie, 343]

            • Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

            • God knows whether or not we are coming to Him with a sincere, genuine, and loyal heart

            • Jeremiah 17:9-10, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. ​​ Who can understand it? ​​ “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.

            • Illustration – Kyle Idleman, Not A Fan, page 145, first 3 paragraphs under heading “Living in Denial”

            • God knows if we are drawing near to Him with a sincere heart of a follower and not a fan

            • We must also draw near to Him with full assurance of our faith

          • Full assurance of our faith

            • We have to draw near to God knowing that He has provided full access to His presence through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice

            • We have to claim the promise from God that the author of Hebrews quotes from Deuteronomy 31:6 and Psalm 118:6, 7

            • Hebrews 13:5b-6, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ​​ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. ​​ What can man do to me?”

          • Drawing near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of our faith comes from two things

        • Means with which we draw near to God (v. 22c)

          • Hearts sprinkled

            • First, it’s having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience

            • We see here a reference to the ritual cleansing that the OT priests went through on a daily basis

              • They had to wash at the laver before entering the holy place (Ex. 30:18-21)

              • On the Day of Atonement, once a year, they had to go through various washings and the applying of blood also

            • Fortunately, as believers today, we don’t have to go through those ritual sprinklings, but we do have to come to the Lord with a pure heart and a clean conscience

              • PRINCIPLE – Fellowship with God demands purity.

              • We have to continually confess our sins to the Lord

              • As followers of Jesus Christ we’ll still make mistakes, we’ll give in to temptations, but God promises to forgive our sins when we confess them to Him

              • Read 1 John 1:5-2:2 (#1)

            • “The Jewish cleansing with blood related only to that which was external, and could not make the conscience perfect, but the sacrifice offered by the Saviour was designed to give peace to the troubled mind, and to make it pure and holy.” ​​ [Baker, 234]

            • We have to have a pure heart and a clean conscience, but we also have to have bodies washed with pure water

          • Bodies washed

            • Some scholars believe this is a reference to baptism and perhaps it is

            • Pure water

              • A basin of water was available at both heathen temples and religious temples so that worshipers could be cleansed before entering the temple

              • Pure water was drawn from fresh wells or fountains

              • Water form pools and ponds was not consider pure or fresh

              • Sea-water was usually regarded as the best source for pure water, because the salt was supposed to have a cleansing property

              • Igor Fredrick (Ukraine) – laying in the Pacific Ocean for its health benefits

            • Others believe that it is symbolic, just like the sprinkling of our hearts

            • “If it is symbolic, the hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience would picture our salvation, and our bodies washed would symbolize a righteous lifestyle.” ​​ [Lea, 186]

            • 1 Peter 1:13-16, Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ​​ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ​​ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ​​ “Be holy, because I am holy.”

        • The first exhortation is to draw near to God and the author tells us the bases behind why we can do that and the manner and means with which we do it, but he shares a second exhortation to believers who may be struggling in their faith

    • Hold unswervingly (v. 23)

        • The exhortation is for us to maintain spiritual consistency

        • Hold

          • The Greek word is in the present tense, which perhaps emphasizes that we are to continue to do this on an ongoing basis – we should never stop holding on to our faith

          • The Greek word for “hold” means “to hold fast, keep secure, keep firm possession of”

          • We should be keeping a tight grip on our Christian faith

          • We should not let our faith slip through our fingers

          • The truth of the Gospel never changes – it is sure and secure – even when our emotions and feelings change

          • So we can hold on to our faith, but how should we do it?

        • Unswervingly

          • “. . . ‘unswervingly.’ ​​ This rich word literally means ‘that which does not bend’ or ‘that which is straight,’ which communicates the concept of stability or immutability.” ​​ [Guthrie, 344]

          • It also has the idea of an object standing absolutely straight

          • In the 1st Century the hearers of this letter were probably experiencing persecution for their faith

            • These believers were former Jews or rather Messianic Jews (followers of the Messiah, Jesus)

            • They were probably being pressured by the Jews of their day to return to Judaism and abandon Christianity

            • In the midst of that pressure, they were to continue to hold on without bending to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

            • That is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus Christ – we too are to hold on to the Gospel without bending when others around us mock us, make fun of us, and marginalize our hope

          • We need to hold on to our Christian hope, which is rooted in who Jesus is and what He came to earth to do, without allowing the ever changing circumstance of our lives to affect it

        • God is faithful

          • One of God’s attributes is His immutability – that word simply means that God is unchanging

            • That same attribute is found in Jesus Christ

            • 1 Peter 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

            • Since we serve an unchanging God, we can trust His promise of hope through Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection

          • We can become God’s child when we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus

        • The first two exhortations are best accomplished within a community of believers – we can draw near to God through worship and studying God’s Word, and we can hold unswervingly when we do it together with fellow believers

    • Spur one another on (vv. 24-25)

        • This exhortation calls us to be responsible for each other

        • PRINCIPLE – God’s plan for His people is for them to encourage one another by serving one another.

        • Consider

          • This is not just a casual thought about others, but rather taking time to concentrate and pay attention to them

          • It means to “notice, consider, pay attention to, look closely at.” ​​ [Guthrie, 345]

          • Paul helps us understand this in his letter to the Philippians

          • Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ​​ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

          • We are to look closely at how we can spur each other on in our faith

        • Spur

          • The word “spur” has also been translated as “provoke”

          • Its original meaning is “to arouse, to excite, to call into action”

            • When I hear the word spur I think of the apparatus attached to a horse riders boot

            • They use that apparatus to encourage the horse to move more quickly

            • That is the sense of the word here – how can we as fellow believers encourage each other in love and good deeds

            • “It is interesting to note that the emphasis here is not on what a believer gets from the assembly, but rather on what he can contribute to the assembly.” ​​ [Wiersbe, 315]

          • Love and good deeds

            • Love is the motivation behind the good deeds that we do

            • Hebrews 6:10, God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

            • Galatians 5:13-14, You, my brothers, were called to be free. ​​ But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. ​​ The entire law is summed up in a single command: ​​ “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

            • Application

              • Are we serving each other in the body of Christ out of love?

              • Are we encouraging/spurring each other on toward love and good deeds or are we content to sit back and wait for others to that?

              • It is encouraging to me and our commission chair people when individuals feel led by God to step up and serve without having to be asked

              • I’ve been reading the book Not A Fan and have been challenged by what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ instead of just a fan

                • One single father was transformed by the Gospel and began to serve in the church, give sacrificially to the church, and witness to his family and friends

                • He was unashamed and all in

                • No one had to ask him to serve, because He was compelled by God, through a close walk with Him

              • Your service here at Idaville Church may encourage other members and attenders to do the same thing

              • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Commit to serve at Idaville Church and consider how my service may encourage others to serve also.

                • You may be thinking, “I don’t know where I can serve?”

                • That’s fine, we’ll help you to find a place to serve

          • One tangible way to encourage fellow believers is meeting together regularly

        • Meet together regularly

          • Some of the readers of Hebrews were neglecting to meet together for worship

            • It’s hard to be an encouragement to others when we’re not meeting together regularly

            • It’s also hard to be encouraged by others when we’re not attending worship on a consistent basis

            • Statistics

              • 73% of Americans identify as Christian

              • 73% of Americans say religious faith is very important to them

              • When a self-identified Christian attends a religious service at least once a month and says that their faith is very important in their life, Barna considers that person a “practicing Christian.” ​​ After applying this triangulation of affiliation, self-identification, and practice the numbers drop to around on in three U.S. adults (31%) who fall into this classification

              • Barna researchers argue this represents a more accurate picture of Christian faith in America

              • In the past, a regular attender was someone who came almost every Sunday in a year – they rarely missed

              • A regular attender today is someone who comes once every 4-6 weeks

                • Coming once a month (every 4 weeks) means individuals only come 13 times in a year (25% of the time each year)

                • Coming every 6 weeks means individuals only come 9 times in a year (17% of the time each year)

            • It’s hard to be encouraged and to encourage others with those attendance numbers

              • “Encouragement cannot take place in isolation.” ​​ [Guthrie, 345]

              • My desire is that Idaville Church will be a place where you can belong

              • It will be a place of encouragement and growth

              • We need each one of you to come, so you can be encouraged and encourage others

              • My Next Step Today Is To: ​​ Make church attendance a priority in my life, so I can encourage others.

          • The need for encouraging one another and being encouraged is so important as Jesus’ return gets closer

        • Jesus return is coming soon

          • As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been commissioned by Him to accomplish the Great Commission

          • Matthew 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. ​​ And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

          • We’ve been commission to Pursue, Grow, and Multiply Disciples

          • Every one of us needs encouragement while we pursue, grow, and multiply disciples

 

BIG IDEA – Faith requires closeness with God and being in community with other believers.

 

  • YOU

    • PRINCIPLE #1 – God provided a way for us to draw near to Him through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

        • Perhaps that’s the step you need to take today

        • Repent, believe in Jesus, become God’s child

    • PRINCIPLE #2 – Fellowship with God demands purity.

        • We’re human and will sometimes give in to sin and temptation

        • God promises to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him

    • PRINCIPLE #3 – God’s plan for His people is for them to encourage one another by serving one another.

        • We need your help to serve here at Idaville Church

        • We need you to attend church to be an encouragement to others

 

  • WE

    •  

 

CONCLUSION

“It is said that the giant redwood trees of the Western United States have a relatively shallow root system. ​​ Their enormous weight is supported, in part, by the interlocking of the tree’s roots with those of the other trees around it. ​​ As Christians we need ‘interlocking roots’ with other believers in the church to withstand the enormous weight of life. ​​ We need others spurring us ‘on toward love and good deeds’ in a world so bent on self-centeredness and self-gratification.” ​​ [Guthrie, 352]

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