Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 6: The Church”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Ever had one of those days where you thought, “Life would be easy, if it weren’t for the people”?
Or “Work would be easy if it weren’t for the people.”
Or, true confession, as a pastor there have been moments, “Church would be easy if it weren’t for the people.”
But then again without people, life would be boring, work would not get accomplished and for sure, the Church would not exist!
God designed the Church to be made up of people.
And part of the reason to belong to the Church and a local church is the people!
We need each other for many reasons but here are two key ones mentioned in Hebrews 10:23-25:
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.
First: We need each other to hold on to the hope we have in Jesus.
There are many threats to our faith in the world around us. Cultural shifts away from Christ. Political policies making legal what is sinful. Social movements that seek to remove Christ and Christianity from the public sphere. Being a Christian is tough. Not only do we need the power of the Holy Spirit, but we need each other. There is encouragement just in knowing you are not alone. There is strength in knowing that others are there to remind me of God’s power and promises when doubts and uncertainties creep in my heart and mind. The Church is where hope is heard and hope is reinforced as we do church together!
Second: We need each other to move us toward love and good deeds.
The Christian life isn’t a competition. But like a sports team encourages one another to get rid of practices that hinder their performance and engage in habits that allow them to perform at their best, we as Christians need the same from each other. We need the gentle rebuke when we are engaging in behavior that moves us away from reflecting Christ. We need a partner at times to learn and work together to show the love of Christ to others. The Church is where we get to do life together, putting our Christian faith into practice and encouraging others to do the same.
Third: We need encouragement from each other as we get closer to Christ’s return.
Have you noticed that being a Christian and standing up for Christian values, beliefs, and habits is growing increasingly unpopular? Jesus warned us that as the time of his return grows closer. Remember what he said?
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:9-13).
No wonder the writer to the Hebrews said, “Don’t give up meeting together!” We need each other and to be there with other Christians to encourage one another as Satan works hard to discourage us. The Church is God’s design and gift to us to do just that.
Thank you Lord for the gift of your Church and making me, all of us, part if it as a gift of your Holy Spirit and the work of your son, Jesus Christ!
Apply: Which of the three blessings of the Church do you need most right now? Which do you feel someone at your church needs from you?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s head, You are her one foundation
In you she trusts, before you bows, and waits for your salvation.
Built on this rock secure, Your Church shall endure
Though all the worlds decay and all things pass away, Oh, hear, oh, hear us, Jesus
O Lord, let this your little flock, Your name alone confessing.
Continue in your loving care, True unity possessing
Your sacraments, O Lord, And your saving Word
To us e’er pure retain Grant that they may remain Our only strength and comfort.
(CW 536:1,2 “Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s Head”)