October 5, 2020
Who Are Your People?!
Hebrews 10:19–39
Brittany Bennett
Central Truth
As believers, we are commanded to draw near to the Lord, spur each other on, encourage one another, and meet regularly with other believers.
Key Verse | Hebrews 10:23-25
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 10:19–39
The Full Assurance of Faith
19 Therefore, brothers, 1 10:19 Or brothers and sisters since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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.
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For,
“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
38
but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 10:19–39
I'm recently on the other side of what was a very difficult season for me; my job of 3.5 years closed its doors. This job was my first "adult" job after college, and I had grown to deeply care for my coworkers. Yet there I was, with 60 days to find a new job. I felt kind of blindsided by my company's decision. And to be frank, I was kind of mad at God. I was in a really good situation and didn't want to deal with change. Have you ever seen that toddler in a grocery store throwing a tantrum because the parents are choosing not to give the child what he/she wants? Yeah, that's what I was doing with God.
Despite my circumstances, God, in His kindness, reminded me of this passage. Here I was, in a trial, being given an opportunity to put my faith into practice. I got to "hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)
Looking back at my life (because hindsight is 20/20, right?), I am able to trace God's faithfulness, which helped me cling to this truth during a very hard season. I'm not saying it was easy, because it wasn't, but I didn't do this alone. I have a really great group of people in my life. My community group (shout-out to my people) constantly encourages me, prays for me, and points me back to the truth of God's Word.
So, friends, I'm not sure what you're going through, but I know we have a good Father who loves us. He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for all of our sins so we can be with Him forever (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). What I also know as truth is that, whatever the season, you lack no good thing (Psalm 84:11, 34:10).
Discussion Questions
1. Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ? If not, what is stopping you? If you have questions about the faith, Great Questions on Monday nights is an excellent place to answer your questions.
2. If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, are you in community? Do you encourage others with the truth of God's Word or your opinion? If you don't feel like you know God's Word well enough, Equipped Disciple is a great place to get equipped and practice the spiritual disciplines.
3. When you are struggling, where or to whom do you turn for comfort?
4. To whom can you intentionally reach out to encourage today? Take the time to pray and ask God how you can love others.