May 18 - Let's Get Together

Read Hebrews 10:11-25

Context: Paul has been describing how the coming of Christ as a sacrifice for all sin changes the way the Israelites worship.

Text:
11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
15The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16"This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds."[a] 17Then he adds:
"Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more."[b]
18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33
Hebrews 10:17 Jer. 31:34
taken from www.biblegateway.com

Why do you go to church? Why did you choose FCCF? I have always appreciated the truth that I hear in the sermons and Sunday School classes, and I am very thankful for Ruth Wingfield and all the others who have worked to make the children's ministry so robust. I'm not sure I would have made it through our girls' teen years if it weren't for the dynamic ministry that is set up for them. When our boys pray on Saturday night and Sunday night, we always thank God for giving us the opportunity to learn more about Him.

But that's not really what this passage says church is for! We should be meeting together for the purpose of 'encouraging one another' and for 'spurring one another on toward love and good deeds'. That always happens within the walls of our building, but I guess I never thought about this as a primary purpose for meeting together.

This Sunday, I challenge you to be an active encourager of others in the church, not just to learn. Plan ahead...how will you do this?