Tony Evans said; “Don’t treat church like the Super bowl.” This is what He said: “Millions upon millions of spectators watch the Super bowl. People reorient their lives for three hours and with great intensity watch 21 men on the field go to battle. When the game is over and the winner has been determined the spectators go back to business as usual in the shirts they haven’t gotten dirty, their pants that have not gotten ruffled, and their bodies with no bumps or bruises. Spectators analyze privately every play while they sit in stands. They talk to friends and never break a sweat. Yet, the church is a team. It has a call, commission, and coach named Jesus. Jesus Christ has a lot of fans while God is calling us to be on the team, run the plays, and face the opposition face to face and our coach never loses, when you are on His team; you are on the winning team. Don’t be a fan; get on the field; be more than a fan; be a fanatic for Jesus.”
Jesus not only loves the church; He formed it. He created it. It was his idea. He launched it on the Day of Pentecost and calls us to join it.
Billy Graham said: “The Christian fellowship is not optional; its essential. The Bible teaches that the church is like a living vine with branches. It’s like living stones that are built together. To not be a part of the church is like saying, I’m in the Navy but I’m not going to go to any ship.”
In the Book of Hebrews, the writer closes the book by talking to the church. The reason why is because the major theme of Hebrews is “Faith” and God created the church to spread and propagate faith throughout the world.
Yet, what’s the church for? Today we need to identify who we are and what we are. We need to review what we do and why we do it. Without it we lose focus of how the church relates to God’s plan for our life.
Transition: What does the writer of Hebrews teach us about the church and why should I join the church?
I. It Helps Me Focus My Faith
vs. 17- “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give account. Let them do this with joy not with grief, for this would be unprofitable to you.
Explanation:
In verse 17 we are reminded that God does not leave us to ourselves when it comes to growing our faith; God gives us churches to join and spiritual leaders that He calls to equip and help us grow in our faith.
The word “leader” here is an interchangeable word that is often translated as “Presbyter” or “Bishop.” It provides a duel picture of a flock that follows and a shepherd who leads.
In Jeremiah 3:15 God affirms that He will provide this gift to you as He says: “And I will give you Pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
The word “pastor” is found 9 places in the Bible that identifies a shepherd or overseer who is called and qualified with a God-given responsibility of watching over the souls of people and to lead the flock God has given Him responsibility to lead.
In the missionary journeys, Paul traveled and in the churches he established, left behind shepherds. In Ephesians he said: “Keep watch over yourselves and the flock of which the Holy Spirit made you overseers.” (Acts 20:28)
Jesus, actually prepared Peter to serve as the Pastor of the Jerusalem church saying: “Feed my sheep.” This was a Pastoral call from Jesus to Peter and he fulfilled it as we see him at work doing the ministry of a Pastor in Acts 1,2, 10,11 and 15.
Why does God establish teachers, leaders, and Pastors? The Bible declares it is for the purpose of “equipping the saints.” In other words, to prepare you to fulfill your role as a servant of Jesus.
The word “equip” (katartismos) means: “to furnish with all the necessary resources.”
Listen: It is important for your faith that you find a Pastor who is trustworthy to do several things:
a) Lead You (Peithesthe) Verse 17 says: “Obey and submit”- Here is a command that
gives the idea of standing up behind them, supporting them, and standing with them.
The picture is one of standing behind them and holding them up; not tearing them
down.
b) Watch Over You- Verse 17- tells us that they “keep watch over your souls”- The main
focus of a godly Pastor is what is going on inside your soul and spirit. They are
caretakers and watchmen of truth. They will lead you to trust and take God at His Word
as you navigate life together.
c) Stand In Judgment With You- Vs. 17 says: “as those who will give an account”-They
take serious the judgment day. They know that when it comes to your live, they will join
you in giving an account of whether or not they led you. The truth is someday I will join
you in giving an account at judgment day. You’ll see me again, so I’ve got to do my part,
and you’ve got to do yours. We’ve got a date with God together someday.
Simply said: God wants you to have a good Pastor who seeks to model the Good Shepherd. If you find one you should allow them to lead.
Illustration: Pastors prayer
I was listening to Adrian Rogers talk about a Godly Pastor who preached God’s Word and led by example yet His some of the men of the church got together and decided that he was getting “too powerful” in the church so they decided that he had to go.
In an attempt to get him to leave, the men came with several complaints and told him they thought he should pray about leaving.
The Pastor was surprised but promised to actually pray about it and they planned to meet again in seven days. The Pastor actually prayed.
After the seven days was complete they met with the Pastor and asked if he had prayed as they agreed. He said: “Yes, I actually have and I even brought up your names to God and told him your complaints.” The responded: “Well what did God say to you?” He responded: “God told me he did not know you.” ?
Application:
I am grateful today to be able to honestly stand here and tell you that in Kennesaw First, I am actually the Pastor and I am leading the church. It does not mean that people do not have opinions and different feelings sometimes, but I am blessed beyond measure to be able to lead this church. In February it will be for 17 years.
Many people ask me what it takes to lead a church this long. There are two answers: Don’t resign and the second is; just fall in love with the people. Lead with love.
Part of God’s faith growth plan for your life is that you have a church home, and a church leader that loves you that you can follow and will feed your faith.
This is why the Bible tells us to seek out a Pastor you can supper and allow them to lead as we read in verse 17: “Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
Transition: What does the writer of Hebrews teach us about the church and why should I join the church?
II. It Helps Me Face My Problems
Vs. 18- Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, so I may be restored to you the sooner.”
Explanation:
The writer of Hebrews is obviously a church leader himself. Yet, in his prayer request he communicates another reason why we need each other and a church family.
Specifically, I will show you that he was missing his church family. He actually asks the people to pray and one of his main requests is that “I may be restored to you sooner.”
This is a tender place in the Book of Hebrews. It is a place where “the Pastor” is admitting that we all go through times of trouble. We all have problems. We all struggle. We all suffer.
Maybe you are suffering in silence today. I have good news. God created a family to love you and pray for you. He created the church for you.
Notice the writer is concerned about several things we should all be concerned with in a world of trial and trouble:
a) He is concerned about his own conduct and faith. He says: “Pray for us for we are sure
we have a good conscience desiring to conduct ourselves honorable in all things. Vs.
18
b) He was concerned about his isolation- He says: “And I urge you all the more to do this,
so that I may be restored to you the sooner.” Vs. 19
Isolation is often a tool and temptation of the enemy. Proverbs 18: 1 says: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire he breaks out against all sound judgment.”
One of the things we need to work diligently to do is to come, participate, and not isolate spiritually. Likewise, we that are able bodied must work to reach out to the shut-in. Isolation is difficult and often a detour ant of a growing faith.
Illustration: Disfigured
In the book, This is Christianity, Dr. Maxine Dunnam told a true story about a man whose family home caught on fire one evening. The man who was a husband quickly rescued his wife and children and took them to safety.
Yet, his aged parents were also living in the house and in an attempt to rescue them, he was severely burned and his parents both died in the blaze.
Following this, the man went through many surgeries to try to repair his disfigured face with little success. The disfigurement was an endless symbol of what he thought to be a failure as a man to protect and rescue his parents. In turn, he hated his face, removed all mirrors in the house, and he retreated to isolation.
His wife tried everything to comfort and heal the heart of her husband. Yet, with no avail. Finally, he agreed to return to the plastic surgeon for one last appointment in hopes to restore his image.
When he did, when they arrived it became apparent that the appointment was not made for him; it was made for his wife. In anger he asked: “Why do you need plastic surgery? Your face is normal just a little wearied from this trial we have endured.”
She quickly explained: “No you have it wrong. I want him to disfigure my face so I can be like you. I love you so much I want to share in your pain.”
Application:
One of the first things God said was: “It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 says: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?
I am glad that in the body of Christ, there are people who struggle just like you and me. In this fellowship I find a true koinonia-- a place where we can identify with one another. We can take off our masks, be honest, share in one another’s pain, and walk away in the hope of Christ.
Perhaps the best sign to put out front would be this: “Sinners welcome.” That’s what the church is all about. It’s not a beauty contest; it’s a place where the body meets (as one man once told me) “Warts and all!”
Charles Spurgeon said this: “ “If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all; and the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us.”
Today, I invite you to come join an imperfect church with a perfect Savior.
Transition: What does the writer of Hebrews teach us about the church and why should I join the church?
III. It Helps Me Fulfill My Life Mission
vs. 20-25- “Now, the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord equip you in every good things to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Explanation:
As the writer closes the pages of this precious book, He points us to Jesus and His will for our lives involves being part of the church.
He says: “Now, the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord equip you in every good things to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Vs. 20-21
Did you know that God has a will for your life and for your being part of His church? He has a purpose for you. The church is simply “a place you go” or an “event you attend” --- it is a spiritual family that has joined in a commitment to help each other fulfill God’s mission and will for our lives individually and together.
Rick Warren compiled several verses of how Jesus feels about the church.
How does Jesus feel about the church? (By Rick Warren)
a) He says that the church is His family- I Timothy 3:15 says: “That family is the church of
the living God, the support and foundation of truth.”
b) He says that it’s the church was one of His very first and greatest desires- Ephesians
1:4 says: “Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose us to be His very own
through what Christ would do for us. “
c) He says that He’s using the church for His eternal purposes- Ephesians 3:10-11: “God’s
intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made
known to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal
purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
d) He says that He loves the church so much that died for it- Ephesians 5:25- “Christ loved
the church and gave Himself for it.. He died so that He could give the church to
Himself like a bride in all her beauty. He died so that the church could be pure...”
e) He says that it’s the only thing on earth you can join that that will have lasting impact
forever- Ephesians 3:21- “Glory will belong to God in His church and in Christ Jesus for
all time and eternity!”
One of the greatest privileges in life is to be part of the church. I Peter 1:3 says: “God has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God’s own family (the church.)
God’s will is not ever just and “I”--- it’s a “We.”
Notice what we read in these verses.
20-25- “Now, the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord equip you in every good things to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
He tells us that the Chief Shepherd of the church is Jesus. It tell us that He is working through “us” to do His will and all that is pleasing to Him.
He equips us. He is working through us and that it is pleasing to Him. Part of God’s plan for you and me; is the church.
He closes with how all this is possible. It is possible because of what verse 25 says: “Grace be with you all.”
By grace...... we have been saved.
By grace.... we have been adopted into God’s family.
By grace.... we grow in our faith and trust God more.
And by grace.... fulfill God’s plan, purposes, and will for our life.
So as we conclude the Book of Hebrews, let me ask: “What are you investing your life in? Or perhaps a better question is, Who are you living for?
Concluding Illustration: Do you make the cut?
For evert 1,223 High School Senior Football players, only 44 will play. College ball. Of those 44 only 1 will make the roster of an NFL team.
So with that said, the current 1,696 professional football players are in a very select group. Yet, out of those 1696 players, every year before the Super bowl a committee will meet and select 4 to 7 of those players to be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame and their name and efforts be etched into Football history that will be remembered for years to come. Yet, their accomplishment will not be eternal; only temporal.
Yet, when speaking about our individual and collective efforts in this world, sometimes we might feel that we don’t make the cut.
When it comes to God; He’s not only for us, in Christ He lives in you, and He’s got a place for you in His family-- the church; if you will only open up your heart and invite Him to come in.
And guess what? Your life will have an eternal impact as you accomplish His will because it will be Him working through you as part of His church.
May He until He comes “equip us in ever good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Vs. 21
