Worship Service 01/01/2023

Preacher: Jeremy Herbert

Text: Hebrews 10:19-25

Theme: I Love My Church Ministry

Thesis: You need your local church because it’s how God protects and grows our faith.

Notes:

Read Hebrews with 3 distinct groups in mind:

1. The Uncommitted – those who have heard the gospel, but not yet converted
2. The Wavering – those who have believed the gospel, but are wavering due to persecution
3. The Faithful – those who are committed to Christ, but are suffering for their faith

Satan tempts with both persecution as well as prosperity.

“Cure your children’s warring madness;
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.” — Fosdick

2 Timothy 4:10, “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica….”

3 Commands

1. To the Uncommitted – Commit to Christ–the only way to God
2. To the Wavering – Cling to Christ–God always keeps His promises
3. To the Faithful – Commit to God’s people – God uses it to protect and grow your faith

1 Timothy 3:15, “…the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

“No creeds but Christ” might sound spiritual, but many non-Christian denominations believe in Jesus, but do not believe rightly about Him. Heresy thrives in ambiguity.

How we commit to each other

1. Consider one another
   • Careful thought
   • Compassionate concern
   • Who can I do the most good for my church family today?
2. Stir up love and good works in each other
3. Assemble Together
4. Exhort one another
   • Get to know your fellow church members by being a good listener
   • Come to church on-mission, ready to serve

How people forsake the church

1. We make it about “me” instead of about “us”
   • “If a man thinks he is not conceited, he is very conceited indeed.” –C.S. Lewis
2. We don’t find time to serve in regular ministry
   • Use the gifts Christ enabled you with to serve others
3. We don’t take time and energy to build gospel-centered relationships
   • Fear, selfishness, busyness–all impediments to relationship

Why people forsake the church

1. They could be woefully uninformed
2. They could be willfully rebellious
3. They could be wicked heretics

Why we need the church

1. We are at war
2. We can drift doctrinally
3. We can drift spiritually
4. We were made for community
   • Throughout Scripture God always calls people out into a community:
     • Abraham
     • Jacob
     • Nation of Israel
     • The Church

Live It Out!

1. Love your church
2. Make gatherings a priority
3. Make building gospel-centered relationships a priority

Podcast: Play in new window | Download