The Importance Of Fellowship Series

The Importance of Fellowship

Theme:

Text: Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:22-25

Heb 10:19-22 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Acts 2:42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Introduction

Heb 10:19-22 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

When you see the word therefore in a verse you have to ask the question, “What is it there for?” Well the author of Hebrews just went through 18 verse telling us how the blood of bulls and goats are not enough to cover over sins.

Two issues

1) They were dissatisfying . They could never cover over the sin. You had to go back and back.

2) They were discouraging. They reminded you of the sinful person you are, each time you went ot sacrifice.

We are told that it is the blood of Jesus who satisfies. Us.

And because of this we can now do something that no one was able to do except the high priest. We could go “boldly into the Holy of Holy. A place where we meet God. He tore the veil, He opened the door. We have a new high priest.

So having this new found opportunity what should we do.

Draw Near

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

The first thing we must do is draw near to Christ. That means that we must not forsake our worship and devotion to Christ. We have just spent three weeks on worship. We should have and understanding of worship. Yet I know that understanding worship and practicing worship could be two different things.

We must draw near to him. We must devote ourselves to him. How? “with a true heart in full assurance of faith”.

Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

We must learn trust him even when we “don’t need Him”.

Drawing near to God is an action on our part and there is a promised result.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded. (James 4:8 AV)

True heart – no hypocrisy and sincerity

Assurance of faith Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience

Bodies washed in pure water

Repentance, forgiveness and change. “God loves you enough to meet you where you are and enough not to leave you there.

Hold fast

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)