JESUS IS COMING: GO TO CHURCH MORE OFTEN
Heb. 10:24-25
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: THE FRUGAL LUTHERAN
1. The frugal Lutheran walked into the house panting and almost completely exhausted. “What happened, honey?” inquired his wife.
2. “It’s a great new idea I have to be a better steward of our resources,” he gasped. “I RAN all the way home from the stewardship committee meeting behind the city bus instead of riding it, and I saved $1.50.
3. “That wasn’t very bright,” replied his flustered wife. “Why didn’t you run behind a taxi and save $10?”
B. TEXT
“24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up [forsaking] meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb. 10:24-25, NIV.
C. THESIS
1. The writer of Hebrews points out that the time of Christ’s coming is approaching, with its tumultuous events. Because of this, we are warned to do several things if we want to survive.
2. His goal is that we might be able to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (vs. 23).
3. We can “see” (Gr., blepete) His approach; evidently by the signs of His coming (Matt. 24:3 ff). To survive the “perilous times” (2 Tim. 3:1) ahead will require urgent action and diligence.
4. So we’re going to look at the characteristics of the Last Days and the two actions the Apostle commands us to do “all the more.”
5. The title of this message is “Jesus is Coming: Go To Church More Often!”
I. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAST DAYS
A. IDENTITY OF “THE DAY”
1. In the New Testament, the day of Jehovah is referred to variously as "that day" (2 Tim. 4:8), the "last day" (Jn. 6:30), the "Day of wrath" (Rev. 6:17), the "Day of judgment" ( 2 Pet. 2:9), the "Day of the Lord" (1 Thess. 5:2), the "Day of the Son of Man" (Lk. 17:24), the "Day of Christ" (Phip. 2:16), or the "great day of God" (Rev. 16:14).
2. The Old Testament prophets foresaw a day/time in which Jehovah would come in a public and cosmic event to punish the wicked. Jehovah, as the God of Battles, will finally have his day in which he will be the center of the scene of battle.
3. Zechariah 14:3 says "Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle." So the day of the Lord is a day of wrath for God's enemies, but it will be a day of joy and blessing for God's own people, for in that day they will be delivered (Obadiah 15-17; Joel 2:32; 3:17-21).
4. The “Day of the Lord” is not a single day/event, but a complex of events which begins with the Rapture (Coming of Christ, Parousia) and ends with the Great White Throne Judgment – the final disposition of the wicked.
B. THE DANGERS AS WE APPROACH THAT “DAY”
1. It’s a time of DECEPTION. Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many” Matt. 24:4-5.
2. It’s a time of WAR & natural CATASTROPHES. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places” Mt. 24:7.
3. It’s a time of PERSECUTION & BETRAYAL. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death….many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other” Mt. 24:9-10.
4. A Time when HEARTS WILL GROW COLD. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” Mt. 24:12.
5. It’s a time of DISTRESS. “there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again” Mt. 24:14-21.
6. We must PERSEVERE until the end. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved” Mt. 24:13, NASB.
THE APOSTLE GAVE US 2 COMMANDS TO HELP US:
II. SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON (IN GOD)
A. THE BODY NEEDS ALL IT’S MEMBERS TO LIVE
1. The Apostle points out that this can’t be done in isolation; we will need the love and encouragement of other believers.
2. So he admonishes us to “spur one another on to love and good deeds.” We’re to be a CATALYST for good in the lives of others. We’re to positively impact the other Christians around us!
3. Our ACTIONS should be so Kingdom-centered that our lives goad others into being better Christians.
4. Our WORDS should be so exemplary, so edifying & beneficial, that other Christians around us are provoked into also speaking words of life and blessing.
B. THE POWER OF UNITY & LOVE
Researchers have discovered some interesting truths about geese:
1. They fly in a “V” formation because it takes 71% less energy compared to flying solo. So, church people need to stick together!
2. The lead goose has the difficult job of breaking the wind barrier, so they rotate leadership. So, let’s share the hard jobs at church!
3. Geese honk as they fly. I always thought they did that just to make noise, but no. They honk to encourage those who are at the forefront straining against the wind! In church, let’s honk some encouraging words to those who are struggling!
4. If a goose is hurt in flight, two others accompany it to the ground and give help. In church, let’s take care of each other! — Grace Brethren Church of Winchester, Virginia, newsletter, 1/ 1995.
5. We need to be a church where we’re all honking encouragement to each other!
THE 2ND COMMAND HE GAVE TO HELP US:
III. JESUS IS COMING: GO TO CHURCH MORE OFTEN
A. ATTENDING “ALL THE MORE”
1. Next the Apostle says we are to attend church “all the more” as we see the Day approaching.
2. The “all the more” is not only grammatically tied to the “encouraging one another” but also to the “Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together.”
3. Walter Bauer, in his “Greek-English Lexicon,” reminds us of the grammatical rule that if the Greek word “alla” (“but”) is preceded by a negative (ma –“Not”), it introduces a “contrast.”
4. Thus the “forsaking” is in contrast to “not forsaking;” the “not attending” in contrast to “attending.” The exhorting no doubt occurred in the assemblies.
5. Therefore the meaning is that believers are to attend church services MORE OFTEN as Christ’s coming nears.
B. OPPOSITE TRENDS OF THE LAST DAYS
1. Gallup reported on April 18, 2019 (Jeffrey Jones) that church attendance has dropped from 68% in the 1990s to only 39% today. But that’s what people are “saying” in poll questionnaires; actual research shows only about 20% of Americans are attending church! (This jives with other polls showing that only about 10-12% read their Bibles daily, pray daily, and attend church every week.)
2. And members are attending less (about half as much) due to a). Excess money, b). Higher focus on kid’s activities, c). More travel, d). Blended families (requiring more time to visit), e). Online options, and f). Valuing attendance over engagement.
3. And did you know that 60% of Americans age 40 and below have never set foot in a church building? That is our new mission field!
4. IF THE CHURCH EVER NEEDED BELIEVERS TO STEP UP AND ATTEND, IT’S NOW! It’s a sign of the times – hearts are getting colder!
5. The Apostle says “do not give up [forsake] meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
C. THE PARABLE OF THE COALS
1. A Pastor noticed that a certain man hadn’t been to church in half of a year. He decided to go visit him. It seemed like a bad choice of days, for it was very cold and windy.
2. The man was surprised to see the Pastor at his door, but hurried to invite him in because of the foul weather. They went into the living room, where there was a large fireplace and fire.
3. Sitting near the fire, the Pastor mentioned the man’s absence in church. The man made various excuses for not attending. The Pastor couldn’t think of anything else to say.
4. But getting an idea, he took up the tongs and picked up a red-hot coal from the middle of the fire and set it alone on the hearth by itself. It’s fire flickered, dimmed, and finally went out.
5. At last the man stirred. He took the tongs and placed the coal back in the fire and said, “Pastor, I now see what you are driving at. I’ll be back in church from now on!”
6. You see friends, it’s a fact of nature; fire must be tended or it will go out. Will you imperil your souls by missing church, and having your families miss church, even when God has told you to attend more often as Christ’s coming gets closer? Will you set a bad example for your kids?
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: TEN LITTLE CHRISTIANS
Ten Little Christians, standing in a line,
One disliked the pastor, then there were nine.
Nine little Christians stayed up very late,
One slept too late on Sunday, then there were eight.
Eight little Christians on their way to Heaven,
One took the low road, then there were seven.
Seven little Christians chirping like some chicks,
One disliked the music, then there were six.
Six little Christians seemed very much alive,
but one lost his interest then there were five.
Five little Christians pulling for heaven's shore,
but one stopped to rest, then there were only four.
Four little Christians, each busy as a bee
One got her feelings hurt, then there were three.
Three little Christians knew not what to do,
One joined the sporting crowd, then there were two.
Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,
differed with each other, then there was one.
One little Christian, can't do much 'tis true;
brought his friend to Bible study -- then there were two.
Two earnest Christians, each won one more,
that doubled the number, then there were four.
Four sincere Christians worked early and worked late,
Each won another, then there were eight.
Eight splendid Christians, if they doubled as before,
In just a few short weeks, we'd have 1,024
In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,
You either belong to The Building,
Or to the wrecking crew!
B. THE CALL
1. Let’s pray and ask God to cement us into this church, not just as attenders, but as committed workers and volunteers.
2. We don’t know what tomorrow holds. We must be prayed up and strong in the faith to withstand the tests which undoubtedly will come our way.
3. Prayer: “God, let my fire burn brighter in these Last Days! May I not do less, but may I do more for the Kingdom. Make me an example of what a Christian is supposed to be like, and may I provoke weaker Christians to a more on-fire life in Jesus!”
4. Call for salvation for those lost. Prayer.
[This message drew on articles: “U.S. Church Membership Down Sharply in Past Two Decades” by news.gallup.com, and “10 Reasons Even Committed Church Attenders Are Attending Church Less Often” By Carey Nieuwhof.]
