Hebrews 10:19-25, 32-39
The book of Hebrews written to disciples who faced hardship, ostracism, property confiscated imprisonment and more. As result they were tired and weary. Many abandoned the faith. Others were wondering: Is following Jesus worth it?
Would be better to go back to old life?
Today some of us at different points: You may be tired, weary, and have doubts. You may be wondering: Is it worth it?
Staying as a disciple
Becoming a disciple
Wherever we’re at, we need to build our faith, continue in faith and have an unwavering faith
A Faith that hold unswervingly (unwavering) to the hope we profess
Stay Focused on Jesus
Focus is powerful
“The successful man is the average man focused” Unknown
How well our faith is kept in tack comes down to our focus on Jesus
In Jesus we are Blessed Tremendously (19-22)
We have access to the father, through Jesus We have a high priest who guarantees closeness to God
We have full assurance of faith
We have a cleansed heart and clear conscience
We have hope because of Jesus
Stay focused on Jesus
What you have in Jesus far outweighs what you are going through
Focused can be misdirected. Focus on:
Themselves – how you look, feel
Careers: advancement, making lots of money
School – consumes all time
Spouse (find a spouse)
Children life, all decisions start with them
People: What they have done, doing, or will do
Past, present, future
Primary focus to be Jesus
Jesus is the reason for being and for doing.
To be unwavering we must focus on Jesus.
Focus on who Jesus is, how he lived and what he taught
Focus on what Jesus has done, what he is doing and what he will do
Look to him, focus on him and follow him!
He will come back
He will get you to heaven!
You will be richly rewarded (35)
You will receive what is promised (36)
You will receive Better and lasting possessions
Jesus is the only reason to be a Christian and to stay a Christian
At times in our circumstances, or the problem, we can only focus on it until it overwhelms us
We can take our focus off Jesus and leave it on the problem. Our problem becomes bigger and our God becomes smaller.
Hebrews 12:1-4
Focus on Jesus, Look to him and follow him
- Stay Connected to the Fellowship
Hebrews 10:23-25
- Choose Community Over Individualism
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
Choose “We” over Me
Its not about me, but we
Individual mindset
What’s in it for me?
My needs
What do I want from the church
I don’t need the church
Life is designed for companionship & community, not isolation
Some people prefer isolation, especially when they’re hurt or disappointed; No longer trust, put up walls
We NEED Relationships
We are confronted with sin, marital difficulties, parenting challenges, relational challenges, loss, illness, blind spots, feel like giving up, discouraged
We need people of faith to encourage our faith
Relationships that help us to do the will of God more effectively
Relationships that help each other grow beyond our comfort zone so we do our best for God
Relationships that can build us up and make us stronger as Christians
Relationships that can help us remain faithful
What its going to take?
- Not give up meeting together (25)
Be devoted to fellowship.
Not neglect the fellowship. If we get in the habit of forsaking the fellowship we will eventually start swerving in our faith
Problem: With all youth sports, job demands, school activities, there is a growing acceptance of not getting together or letting other things crowd out meeting together
We have more resources (Email, phone, text, Facebook, bus, etc) and more excuses
Meet together
Fight for fellowship
- Give Careful Thought to Encouragement (24)
To Consider requires knowing the person
Q – Do you see your need for encouragement?
Q – Who is encouraging you?
Q – Who are you encouraging?
Q – What can you do to give meaningful encouragement that moves people toward maturity?