The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish Christians, perhaps second-generation Christians who were undergoing fierce persecution, socially and physically.
Times were hard. They were well-versed in the Old Testament and had professed their faith in Jesus Christ.
However, they were considering returning to Judaism because of persecution, false teaching, and Christ had not returned to establish His Kingdom and overthrow the Romans.
The writer’s desire is to establish the superiority of Jesus above the angels, Moses, and high priests.
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The message of Hebrews is that Jesus is better, Christ is superior, and He is completely sufficient for our salvation.
Jesus is King of kings. He is Lord of lords. He is the Great High Priest and the sacrifice of Jesus should change the way we approach the world.
Or to put it another way, what we believe and know about Jesus should impact how we live as individuals.
Hebrews informs us how we should respond to each other during the ordinary moments of life, the good times and the not so good times.
The practical implications of following Jesus will touch on the new covenant and the way to holiness.
Verses 19 and 20, 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
Therefore is a connecting word. Hebrews Chapter 10 is a connecting point of the book.
Everything from Hebrews Chapter 1 to Chapter 10, the writer has shared because of Christ’s work we can have the confidence to approach God in a way that was never before thought possible.
Under the Old Covenant, in the Jewish temple, there was a veil that served as the barrier to the Holy of Holies.
The Holy of Holies was said to be where God’s presence rested. Only the high priest could enter this area to make atonement for the sins of Israel.
We can enter the holy place because of what Jesus did on the cross, by the blood of Jesus, He died and rose again, and ascended to the Father.
The tearing of the veil is profoundly significant and provides a pictorial foundation for how we can approach God today.
We can directly and boldly come before God through Jesus to receive mercy and grace. Jesus meets our needs and even identifies with our weaknesses.
Verse 21, “and since we have a great priest over the house of God,”
Jesus is the Great High Priest that is over the house of God.
We no longer need to rely on the religious practices of the Old Testament.
Every believer, through faith, can go directly to God.
Since Christ has provided us such open and free access to the Father, the writer of Hebrews says “Let’s use it!”
What joy and freedom—and yes, liberty—for the person who is in an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Verse 22, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Let us draw near to God, is an urgent plea to enter into heart holiness, an intimate relationship with God, so that we gain a clean conscience, and walk in faith according to His plans for our lives.
Where the Old Testament ceremony and ritual could make the worshipper ceremonially clean, the blood of Christ can purify our hearts; and through Christ alone, we can approach God the Father.
As we draw near to God, we can persevere in our lives through the most difficult of times of suffering and hardship.
Verse 23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
The author reminds us that God made the promise and He is always faithful.
For the believer, then and now, live your faith, do it without being apologetic or hesitant.
We can all agree there are times in our lives, when it is a fight to hang on to hope.
That’s the fight the original audience was in, times of persecution. Their friends and family, were being taken away and killed, all for the name of Jesus.
And the writer says “Hold on! Don’t let go of your hope in Christ.”
No matter the circumstances, we are called to hold fast without wavering.
We must not compromise. It is a choice to hold on!
And when we’re asked, we can point people to the source of our hope, Jesus; as others need the steadying influence of our steadfastness.
What has God done in your past or is doing in your life today that encourages you to keep going?
Everyone knows that it isn’t a secret that Christians indeed experience spiritual discouragement, weariness, and doubt. Adversity is real.
The author of Hebrews says “Hold on to your hope!”
We must remember that the greatest danger of every believer, including me, is to lose our grip, to lose our personal walk with Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the only sacrifice for our sins. Outside of Jesus, there is no other way!
Verse 24, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”
The writer of Hebrews instructs us to consider one another, to be thoughtful to inspire love and good deeds in others.
Consider your words, your body language, and your thoughts, are they inspiring others to be better?
As we encourage each other, we must bear in mind that forgiveness will be a key in our relationships.
Church family, we need each other.
And guess what…you need people more than you think you do.
Through the years I have had wonderful people who have inspired and incited me to love and good deeds.
Opal Rush. I knew Opal when I lived in Tampa. Opal would always tell me, “You can’t out give God.” Opal was a generous woman. She didn’t want to see the church with a mortgage payment. Prior to her death, she took her life savings and paid off the balance of the church. Opal spurred me to have a heart of generosity.
Vickie Dove. I met Vickie in 1999. We have been intentional to enjoy a monthly breakfast or lunch together. She has listened to many things about my life during the good times, and the tough times. Always providing sound counsel, crying and laughing with me; spurring me on to be the woman that God is calling me to be.
Amanda Montanez. We meet together monthly, usually on an early Friday morning. We invest in each other by giving full attention to the conversation at hand, praying together, and the Holy Spirit gives us words to respond. Thus, my time with Amanda stirs me on towards love and good deeds.
Are you encouraging others for Jesus?
Every time we act in love toward others, we point people to Jesus, and we are building up the body of Christ.
God is faithful to help us live out Verse 24, by providing encouragement and support in all circumstances.
God created you and me to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
A video to spur us to make an impact for God’s glory. Go DO something!
Why don’t you encourage someone today, tomorrow and the next day? Make a point of doing it every day.
God is faithful to help us live out Verse 24, by providing encouragement and support in all circumstances.
Verse 25, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
When the writer wrote Hebrews 10:25, people were falling away from meeting together because of severe persecution.
People were being martyred for their faith.
There was a real danger for them to meet together.
Today, church attendance has dropped nearly 10 percentage points from a decade ago.
Mom and dad, how can you raise your children right if you are putting everything else in front of Jesus and the church?
To put Jesus first is a choice!
The most important choice you will ever make is to put Jesus first!
Don’t settle for just enough, one or two Sunday’s a month, because one day, just enough will not be enough.
There are various reasons church attendance is down, just to name a few:
- A growing number of kids are playing on teams that require travel.
- Work obligation.
- People choose to sleep in because they do not see the value in attending church.
- And many others.
People always make time for the things they value most.
Although we live in a time that social media makes it possible to contact individuals around the world, ‘Social Media’ is a major contributor to the general decrease in live interactions.
Research shows that we’re spending less time with family, and friends, and we’re not volunteering as much as people were decades ago.
Studies indicate that many are starved for intimacy and companionship.
Verse 25 tells us “Not to give up meeting together and encouraging one another”,
In God’s economy, going to church is not optional. You belong in church!
The author of Hebrews wants everyone to know the Lordship and High Priesthood of Christ, and the sacrifice of Jesus should impact how we live as individuals.
More than just say it with your lips, the truth of Christ Above ALL, and He paid it all for us, when we live this truth, we will live differently, in the day to day moments with everyone.
Three exhortations from today’s message:
- Draw near to God.
How do we draw near to God?
- Through prayer, reading your Bible and daily devotionals, worshipping the Lord and through living your faith!
- Hold on to hope!
What does it look like to hold on to hope?
- Choose to trust God even when your circumstances are difficult.
- Encourage one another on in the faith, not giving up meeting together.
How can you encourage one another and make a point of meeting together?
Here are some ways:
- Offer positive words of support and encouragement.
- Make attending church an unbending priority.
- Pray for people and let them know you are doing so.
- Serve together.
- Join a Life Group.
Let me tell you about being a part of a Life Group.
Currently in my Life Group there are several experiencing really difficult times with caring for their parents, a spouse, and also their own physical needs.
We gather together to share our faith and to strengthen one another in the Lord through eating dinner together,
sharing prayer requests and always praying with one another,
crying and laughing together,
and also Bible Study.
We have learned the importance of not missing church, and not missing Life Group.
Rather, we are intentional to make a greater effort to be in attendance because we know we ‘spur each other on as we get closer to the day when Christ will return.’
Our Life Group is family.
Band please come on up and play something softy.
The Word of God says, 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25.
We grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ through the practical application of God’s word.
How will the truth of Christ Above All impact your life?
Are you willing to do something that God is saying for you to do?
All heads bowed and eyes closed. The question is not IF you will respond. God’s word demands a response. You will either say “Yes Lord” or “No”.
Ask this question… “Holy Spirit how do I need to respond? What are you saying to me?”
Maybe you have never invited Jesus to come live in your heart. There is no better time than now to say “Yes Lord forgive me of my sins, and come live in my heart. Please help me live my for You.”
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus, thank You for providing Your Truth. Father please search my heart. I desire to surrender my will to Your Will. I want You to be Lord of my life.
Please help me to have a heart for everyone. Forgive me for the times that I have failed to encourage others. Help me to forgive others so that I may honor You with all of my relationships.
Lord, please do something in my heart, and in my church, so that people in this community can’t help but see Jesus. Help me reorder my priorities so that You are first. Please help me to be faithful in gathering together to worship You.
Jesus, forgive me when I have ignored You leading me to ministry opportunities. Help me to serve where You desire.
Awaken me, awaken my church to love each other well so others will know we are Christian by our love for one another. Help me to obey Your Call.
If you prayed this prayer in response to God, and your answer is “Yes Lord”, please slip up your hand now, and put it back down. We love You Lord. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.