We Need Each Other (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Big Idea: Christians cannot persevere in their faith without the essential support and encouragement found in fellowship with other believers.
Have you ever wondered why people come to church?
It sure can't be for the message. We get them in here, and then tell them that they're disgusting, vile sinners with no hope of receiving eternal life on their own merit. And we call that the good news, the Gospel. And then we get them seated, and they listen to a minister ramble on for about half an hour and tell a couple of sick jokes. On any given Sunday, there are likely better sermons available on television than in this church, even if people attend for the message.
It can't be what we expect of people. We tell them it's their job to give up all their rights, be crucified with Christ, die to themselves daily, and to look out for the interests of others instead of their own. We encourage them to engage in church ministries, help clean, or visit seniors or prisoners, rather than just sitting idly in the pews. Every week, we collect donations to support God's work.
It can't be for the benefits. When people take a new job, they're always interested in salary and benefits. Here we tell you that there is no salary and there are no benefits. You're in it for life, and maybe in heaven God will reward you.
So why do people come to church? There are many reasons, but I would say the number one reason is this: community. We need each other. Living the Christian life is impossible without the support of fellow believers.
God didn't intend for us to be lone Christians, isolated and struggling alone by just consuming sermons and practicing our faith in solitude. Instead, when God saved us, he not only transformed our souls but also placed us into a family. When you are born, you enter a family, and when you are "born again," you join your second family, the church. The first miracle is spiritual rebirth, and the second is being welcomed into a spiritual family.
We've been talking these past few weeks about what Christ would do if he came to this community. We've asked ourselves, "What would Jesus do in this situation?" And we've realized that if Jesus were walking this earth today, he would be a friend of sinners, he would act as salt and light in this world. Next week and the following week, we'll discuss fighting evil in God's name and openly declaring our involvement with him.
But I'll tell you something. It's not going to happen unless we draw support from the fellowship of believers.
Please open your Bibles this morning to Hebrews 10.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Two Commands
From this passage I want to address two commands we need to keep. Two basic necessities if we're going to make it to the finish line. Here's the first:
Hold fast the confession without wavering.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
The main goal of the Christian life is to stay firm in our hope and faith, confidently confessing Christ despite challenges and rejection.
In the case of the Hebrews, being a Christian meant risking persecution. It appears that these Jewish Christians were getting ready to give up the struggle and revert to Judaism. And the writer builds a strong case for the supremacy of Christ over the Jewish sacrificial system. But then he issues this challenge: hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.
You know, it's not always easy to follow Christ. When we follow him, we can expect difficulties and trials. And many of us will be tempted to give up. But hold unswervingly to the hope you profess.
And it's not easy to live the Christian life. We regularly disappoint others and God, not to mention ourselves. It's so easy to be a Christian on a Sunday, but what about the day-to-day obedience? What about when you catch yourself bad-mouthing other people? What about when we entertain impure thoughts in our minds?
Like the early Jewish Christians, there is a very real possibility that we could become discouraged and give up. And that's where the other command comes in.
Meet together for encouragement and to stir one another up.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
To maintain our hope, we need support from other Christians. Brothers need brothers, and sisters need sisters. There is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian.
At one time I thought the main purpose of church was to hear sermons, sing a little, and then go out and get 'em. In fact, I was part way through seminary until I knew any differently. In seminary, I wrote a paper that mentioned that, basically, salvation is a personal matter. Believe me, when I got the paper back, I found out that salvation isn't a personal matter.
When God saves us, he places us in a community with other believers for fellowship. True fellowship has the power to revolutionize lives. Masks come off, conversations deepen, hearts open, and lives are shared. Accountability is invited and tenderness flows. People really do become like brothers and sisters. They shoulder each other's burdens.
When the word fellowship or the Greek word koinonia appears in the New Testament, it always has togetherness in mind. Sharing something together or sharing in something together. You see, the early Christians had a lot in common with each other. They were together. They didn't just come to worship like a noisy bag of marbles, clattering together and then leaving one by one. No, they came together like a cluster of ripe grapes. Persecution pushed them together, and they bled on each other. Their lives naturally ran into each other.
Today, as we come together, we can grow more valuable by connecting with one another, sharing struggles, and caring for each other.
The phrase "right hand of fellowship" comes from Galatians 2:9 in the Bible. The apostle Paul is describing how willingly they reached out and put their arms around each other. They enfolded themselves in one another's lives.
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes our responsibility to one another. Romans 12:10 calls us to be "devoted" and "give preference to one another." Romans 15:7 urges us to "accept one another." 1 Corinthians 12:25 instructs us to "care for one another," while Galatians 6:2 commands us to "bear one another's burdens." The list continues: "Encourage and build up one another" (1 Thessalonians 5:11), "Confess your sins to and pray for each other" (James 5:16), "Serve one another" (1 Peter 4:10), and "Love one another" (1 John 4:11). Remarkably, the New Testament even commands us four times to greet one another with a holy kiss. This is the essence of true fellowship!
One person writes this:
People are hungry for acceptance, love and friends, and unless they find them in the church, they may not stay there long enough to become personally related to Christ. People are not persuaded—they're attracted.
Unfortunately, fellowship in most churches means only 15 or 20 minutes of shallow conversation after the service. In many churches, it doesn't seem legal to tell anyone you are having a problem. The unspoken expectation is that you shouldn't have problems, and if you do, keep them to yourself at church.
We need each other! Howard Hendricks says, "You can impress people at a distance; you can only impact them up close. The general principle is this: the closer the personal relationship, the greater the potential for impact."
Relationships foster personal growth. In a relationship where there is trust, there is vulnerability. There can be a willingness to admit need and to explore change. There can be the support and follow-through needed to sustain growth.
God understands the impact one person can have on another. He made that point a long time ago. In Proverbs 27:17 he wrote, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Think about it. Who has had the greatest spiritual impact on your life? Think about the time that you spent with that person. Think about the things you did. Perhaps it was a college professor, a youth pastor, a friend, your spouse, or your parents. Regardless of who it was, you had a relationship with that person. You knew that he or she cared about you. You likely spent time together. And you gave them permission, formally or informally, to check up on you. Of all you did together, the key to their influence on you was your relationship with them – the way they shared your life with you.
We need this with each other. Especially if we're going to fight for Christ and take a stand for him. The reality is, we won't be able to do this with everyone. Someone compared us to Lego pieces, saying we only have six connections. Once six people are attached to us, there's no space for more.
But there are some things we can do. These suggestions come from a book called Growing a Healthy Church:
Use lobby time. Don't go running off after the service. Before and after services, meetings, and Bible studies, devote your time to meaningful contact with other people. Some of the most meaningful relationships begin to develop in church lobbies before or after services.
Pick up the phone. Reach out and touch someone. Sometimes when a schedule is tight, a phone call can accomplish a great deal. It will never replace in-person contact, but it can supplement other efforts. A call just to touch base and say hello can be significant.
Use the mailbox. Make it your habit to write personal notes to people. Our mailboxes are increasingly filled with impersonal junk mail, so a handwritten note stands out. It does not have to be long or elaborate. But written notes convey to people that you care about them and that you're thinking about them.
Support people in crises. Don't underestimate the power of your presence with someone during a crisis. It's called "being there." I always love it when someone says, "Thanks for being there." It's my goal to be there for the significant people in my life.
Identify shared interests. What do you like to do in your spare time? Play golf? Hunt? Shop? Work on your car? Are you a garage sale nut? Without a doubt, there are people in the church and non-Christians in your sphere of influence who enjoy the same thing. Why not double your efforts? Seek those people and involve them with you. The time you share together will build a common bond between you.
Admit your own need. Have you learned the value of being in need? At times we tell ourselves we have to be in control, and that we can't admit our own needs. Yet those times when we need assistance from others are often the times we become the most human. The very time we feel like isolating things from people is the time we need to be with people the most.
Take the scalpel to your schedule. Sooner or later, you will need to conduct surgery on your schedule. Why not take the time this week to look over your schedule? Candidly evaluate the activities that are crowding out your time for people. Make time available for people.
The gospel teaches us that our hope and fellowship come not from our strength, but from Christ's completed work. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus reconciled us to God and to each other, forming a new community united by his grace. The church is not just a group of people; it's a family formed by the gospel, where we encourage and support each other as we await his return. Our hope in Christ inspires us to live selflessly, love sincerely, and support each other, showcasing the gospel's beauty to the world.
This morning I ask you to hold unswervingly to the hope you profess. And the only way you can do this is to draw support from the fellowship of believers.
