http://bible.com/events/49288815

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 7 – Harrisonburg

The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.

Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”.

Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus.

But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him.

At the heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. He is the Great High Priest, the Redeemer of All Mankind, the Radiance of God’s Glory, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, etc.

Hebrews 10:36-39

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

“The righteous/just shall live by faith” is the Christian principle of life

Habakuk 2:1-5

Romans 1:17

Galatians 3:11

FAITH ENCOMPASSES OUR WHOLE LIFE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Acts 16:31 – Saved by faith

1 Peter 1:5 – Kept by faith

Galatians 2:20 – Living by faith

1 Peter 1:7 – Faith shall be tried many times and in many ways

Isaiah 40:31 – Faith knows how to wait on the Lord

1 John 5:4 – Faith is always victorious

Matthew 17:14-21 – Faith will defy reason; it can move mountains

Hebrews 11:32-39 – Faith does not “face the facts”; it never gives up!

Hebrews 11:1-30

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

Time and again, the heroes of faith in former days looked forward and embraced God’s promises from afar.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Faith honors God and God always honors faith.

Hebrews 11:13

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

Hebrews 11:31-40

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Leonard Ravenhill

I would rather die than fail Christ!

Oswald Chambers

If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in— it stirs us up to overcome.

Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Faith does not have to be perfect,

but it does have to be practiced.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Establish COTN as Your Church on the App

In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

https://www.bible.com/events/49286741

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 7 – East Rock

The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.

Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”.

Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus.

But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him.

The message from the writer of Hebrews is loud and clear: “There’s no life in the old way of doing things. The only source of salvation is Christ alone. He is above all.”

As chapter 11 opens the author is about to share the “hall of faith” to encourage his readers to persevere in the faith.

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

In Chapter 10 the author has been encouraging the readers to recall how they had already persevered in the midst of hardship and trials.

He is seeking to lift their spirits and spur on faithful living in the face of persecution. Coming into Chapter 11 he is about to share the Hall of Faith, names and stories of people who trusted God in the face of some really difficult circumstances. Before he begins, he wants to clear up what he means by Faith.

“Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

What we notice immediately is that biblical faith is not a flimsy hope. It’s decided and resolute choice, a firm and conscious decision to believe and trust in the reality of the Lord.

And biblical faith is not a static intellectual assent, it’s not a casual “yeah I believe in God”, it’s a settled affirmation that he is LORD of YOUR life that results in action.

Faith in the Lord means we live by his word and his desire, not what we see all around us in the world. And that’s the kind of lives the author is about to show us.

Hebrews 11:4-12

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

From the first children of Adam and Eve, through the great flood with Noah, to the calling of Abraham, the author does a sweep of biblical history to highlight the impact of faith on each persons life.

Notice how many times he says “By faith” then lists the action they took.

This phrase comes up again and again, that repetition is there to drive home the point- True Faith results in ACTION.

All of these stories are unique and different, but they all show a life lived by faith and trust in the word of God.

Hebrews 11:13-16

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

The author wants his audience to understand- The life of faith is not all about happy endings. He says “All these people died before they ever saw the fulfillment of the promises.”

Even though they never got to experience what God had promised, they continued to believe and trust him. And that’s the life the author is calling his audience to live.

Hebrews 11:32-40

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

As if he is running out of breath he says “I could go on and on, but I don’t have time to share with you all the amazing stories from the hall of faith. Men and women who despite challenging circumstances in their lives, chose to trust the Lord”

With wording connecting all the way back to verse two the author puts the finishing touch on this whole section. All of these people were commended, were celebrated and approved by God, because of their faith.

Imperfect people can still live a life that pleases God, the life of Faith.

The author has given considerable space in his letter to show his audience what a life of faith looks like and to make it clear- it’s the only life that pleases God.

To the original audience, facing ongoing persecution and pressure from the world, I have to think this came both as an encouragement and a warning.

An encouragement that they were not alone in facing trials and even persecution and yet a warning that they needed to hold firm in their faith.

Generations of God’s people before them faced incredible difficulties in following God’s call for their lives, some even died before they saw the fulfillment of those promises. But they lived each day, moment by moment, trusting in the promises of God. I think that’s what the author was calling his first century readers to, and I believe that’s exactly what we are called to now. To be hall of faith Christians.

These ‘hall of faithers’ did not make this list because they were perfect, but because their faith called them to repent of their sins and failures, and continue after the will and way of God. And that’s exactly what a life of faith is about for us today.

It’s about a conscious and purposeful decision to live every moment, to make every decision, in light of the reality of God. Even if we don’t see the promises fulfilled, even if the world says we are crazy and stupid- choose faith. Cling to the promises of God.

That’s the only life that pleases God.

The beautiful thing about God’s grace is that today can mark a new day in your story. You can start your life of faith today, right now.

Will you live you life by faith?

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Establish COTN as Your Church on the App

In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

http://bible.com/events/49284474

Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 6 – Harrisonburg

Today’s speaker is Brian Charette, a part of our church staff. Brian, his wife Pam and their family have been part of our church for many years.

As we enjoy the afterglow of our Independence Day celebrations, it’s poignant to think of brothers and sisters around the world who don’t have the freedom to meet together as we do. For those dear souls, the risks are significant. Why do they risk it?

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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 hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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 imperatives of the Hebrews text:

> Hold tightly to hope

> Consider how we may spur one another on

> Don’t give up meeting together

> Encourage one another

Acts 2:46

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,

It wasn’t always easy or comfortable or safe to commit to a life in Christ – to commit to brothers and sisters in the church.

There was pressure to flee, pressure to scatter…to isolate.

And if your enemy has anything to do with it, there will always be pressure to give up the habit of meeting together.

Hebrews 10:32-36

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

The central problem in the text: As some are in the habit of doing.

Davis, Graham and Burge (2023) The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will it take to Bring Them Back?

The more serious dechurching began in the early 1990s. What happened then? First, When the Soviet Union collapsed and that struggle ended, it became more culturally acceptable to be both American and non-Christian. Second, the rise of the religious right and its involvement in politics alienated some people, but, as is sometimes unsaid, left-wing politics alienated just as many. Finally, third, the internet. People could get what they wanted online without the bother of getting dressed and going to church. But, perhaps most importantly — people who went to church but weren’t really Christians in the biblical sense felt free to stop attending.

There is likely a connection between people giving up the habit of assembling and the increase in loneliness in America. We are the most connected, yet the most isolated generation. But the importance of this lesson goes well beyond that. Consider how Jesus Himself characterized the church.

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Set COTN as Your Church in this App

In this Bible app, be sure to select “Set As My Church” so you get all the information and benefits of connecting to COTN with this app. See the link below for help.

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

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) 

¹⁹Therefore, brothers and sisters, 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 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. 

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,  

²⁵not 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, ¹⁹Therefore, brothers and sisters, 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,  

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! 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0onw41tq11kld1hc6btq4/Do-Something-3_49.mp4?rlkey=06io2pw3raotk7qwdctri131v&st=wq6oe7w4&dl=0

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: 

1. 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! 

2. Hold on to hope! 

What does it look like to hold on to hope? 

• Choose to trust God even when your circumstances are difficult. 

3. 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, ²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵not 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.  

https://www.bible.com/events/49282508

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 5 – Harrisonburg

Hebrews 9:11-15

So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

Jesus is our high priest.

1 Peter 1:18-19

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Revelation 1:5

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

The people of the Old Testament “clung to the promises of God even when they could not see how these promises would be fulfilled. They were, then, people in waiting, people on a journey toward a land they could not yet see, and everything about their approach to God carried the symbolism of the transitory. They offered imperfect sacrifices through flawed priests in a temporary and movable tabernacle that screened them from the holy presence… they were reaching toward a God they could not grasp, and now God has reached back to take their hands.”

Thomas Long, Hebrews: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching

The blood of Christ purifies us.

The blood of Christ saves us.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

The blood of Christ gives us hope today.

Is there anything you’re holding onto today that doesn’t let your cling onto this old rugged cross?

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving