Hebrews 10:19–25 19And so, dear brothers and sisters [fellow believers], we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
23Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. 24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.
I. Church should be important to us.
A. Church teaches us our Place.
1. We are in Christ. (Safety)
a. We have access to God through Christ. (vs 19)
b. Our guilt has been washed away by Christ. (vs 22)
2. We are under Christ. (Authority)
a. Jesus is the High Priest. (vs 21)
b. Jesus rules God’s house. (vs 21)
3. We are the body of Christ. (Service)
B. Church trains us to live life.
1. We are reminded of our hope in Christ. (vs 23)
2. We learn to motivate one another. (vs 24)
3. We learn to encourage one another. (vs 25)
C. Church should be important to you.
1. Church should be a priority.
Heb 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.
2. Church brings you closer to God.
I Corinthians 12:14–21 14Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
II. Your Commitment to the Church is important.
A. You have a place in the Church.
1. God has you where He wants you! (vs 18)
2. Each one of us has a part to play.
a. Are you serving in the Church?
b. Does the Church miss you?
3. Each one of us is a different part.
a. We have different gifts.
b. We have different talents.
B. The Church needs you.
1. We have ministries that need your help.
2. We need you!
Application:
1. Find a place of service.
2. The more you understand how you need the Church, the more the Church will need you.
3. You will get more out of Church if you put more into it.
