S.O.S.
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Hebrews 3:12-14
Post-Covid lockdowns (and being able to livestream church in your bedroom), pastoral moral failures (both high-profile and local) and institutional negligence (child-abuse royal commission). It’s understandable that many Christians began to ask the question, ‘why go to Church’?
I think the Bible’s answer is pretty clear. Not only on the question of ‘why go to Church’, but also ‘why gather with God’s people weekly’. The letter/sermon to the Hebrews is the perfect place to answer these questions.
It was written to a bunch of people in a situation similar to ours. The culture was pulling them away from Christ. So many reasons to stop going to Church; family, finances, friendships, fun.
But to walk away from Jesus is to lose our share in Him. It is to forfeit eternal life and salvation. Life might get easier (maybe). You might get to experience a bit more in this world. But ultimately, you will have lost everything.
The writer of Hebrews warns them to be careful. Sin is deceitful - our sinful nature lies to us. Our sin whispers, ‘life will be better’, ‘God will understand’, ‘you have nothing to worry about’. We are being pulled toward the precipice.
How will we resist the deceitfulness of sin? Well, to help us, God has given us each other. When we gather together, encourage one another and remind each other of salvation and God’s grace. Then we resist the deceitfulness of sin and stand firm.
Going to Church doesn't save us from our sins. But I know of no Christian who has stopped going to Church and yet is stronger in their faith for it. I’m sure there are a couple out there. But almost every time, to forsake meeting with God’s people is to eventually forsake Christ and salvation.
For Today:
Pray:
Hebrews 3:12-14
Post-Covid lockdowns (and being able to livestream church in your bedroom), pastoral moral failures (both high-profile and local) and institutional negligence (child-abuse royal commission). It’s understandable that many Christians began to ask the question, ‘why go to Church’?
I think the Bible’s answer is pretty clear. Not only on the question of ‘why go to Church’, but also ‘why gather with God’s people weekly’. The letter/sermon to the Hebrews is the perfect place to answer these questions.
It was written to a bunch of people in a situation similar to ours. The culture was pulling them away from Christ. So many reasons to stop going to Church; family, finances, friendships, fun.
But to walk away from Jesus is to lose our share in Him. It is to forfeit eternal life and salvation. Life might get easier (maybe). You might get to experience a bit more in this world. But ultimately, you will have lost everything.
The writer of Hebrews warns them to be careful. Sin is deceitful - our sinful nature lies to us. Our sin whispers, ‘life will be better’, ‘God will understand’, ‘you have nothing to worry about’. We are being pulled toward the precipice.
How will we resist the deceitfulness of sin? Well, to help us, God has given us each other. When we gather together, encourage one another and remind each other of salvation and God’s grace. Then we resist the deceitfulness of sin and stand firm.
Going to Church doesn't save us from our sins. But I know of no Christian who has stopped going to Church and yet is stronger in their faith for it. I’m sure there are a couple out there. But almost every time, to forsake meeting with God’s people is to eventually forsake Christ and salvation.
For Today:
- Who comes to mind that has stopped going to Church?
- Have you been encouraged when you do turn up?
- How could you encourage someone else today?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for His grace in salvation and for the gift of each other.
- Give thanks for Jesus who is the head of the Church and shares Himself with His people.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others stand firm, encouraging each other as we gather.
Posted in Save Our Sundays
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