Hebrews
10:19-25 “And so, dear brothers and sisters we
can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By
his death Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into
the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over
God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts
fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with
Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure
water. Let us
hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to
keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of
love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some
people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return
is drawing near.”
At
last Sunday’s Worship Service at our church, Pastor Kyle explained that the
original meaning of the old adage “Put your money where your mouth is” was to
put your actions where your beliefs are. If your beliefs, your faith, and your worship
are of value to you then you will surely act upon them because they are rooted
in love. When you believe in something, it should lead to something … so to
speak. There are far to many lonely, disconnected Followers of Jesus Christ
today, and that doesn’t have to happen. We are welcomed into God’s community.
The holy of Holies is open to every committed Christian/disciplined Disciple by
the blood of Jesus Christ – anytime, anywhere. Kyle spoke of two great purposes
of the Christian life. Purpose #1: The primary response to a love for God is a
life of worship and obedience. We need to come to God in holy reverence, as on
holy ground, in awe and adoration. Do not neglect or take for granted your relationship
with your heavenly Creator Father.
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came
and told his disciples, “I
have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach
these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of
this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Purpose
#2: Our secondary response to a love for god should be a lifelong commitment to
discipleship rooted in community, specifically through the local church. The
Great Commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20
cannot be the “great omission” in our life. It was a command, not a great suggestion.
We can all tell our own personal story of what Jesus has done in your life and
what the Bible has spoken to your heart. The church, the body of Believers with
Christ as the head, is the one thing that Jesus left for us. Invite people to the
church to share in this blessed assembly with you. But, remember that “teach
these new disciples to obey all the commands”
is one other side of this commission to us. Acts 2:46-47 “Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke
bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God
and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord
added to their number daily
those who were being saved.”
Romans 12:4-5 “For
just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all
have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each
member belongs to all the others.”
Kyle
gave us five things that we need to do, if we want to experience Christ-centered
community, being a society of God’s people,
having common ecclesiastical interests, and living under the same laws of God and
teachings of Jesus. Acts 4:32 “All the believers were one in
heart and mind.” First, I need to myself up to get through. God stirs us
up, but we need to stir ourselves up before we can stir each other up for Him.
Second, I need to make community a habit. Change bad habits to good habits. Every
relationship in our lives are awkward to start with, because relationships are “crock pots”,
not microwave ovens; they take time. Third, I need to remember that it is not
perfect, but God will use it for His purposes. We are messed up people, not
perfect, so be flexible and patient. Don’t criticize, but participate to make
it better. Fourth, I need to commit to be real, genuine and authentic. We are
all gifted individuals, so share what is really going on in your life and where
the Holy Spirit is leading. Fifth, I need to commit to encourage others as
Christ has encouraged me.
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