Hope for the Church

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 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 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Heb 10:19-25

 Church is a Real Community “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,” - Hebrews 10:19 The Greek word is “Parreesian” which means “Boldness” Or to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor. But that’s not all. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We also come to church to : Consider one another Spur one another Encourage one another 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,

The community brings about our transformation. Christ works on us in all sorts of ways. But above all, He works on us through each other. We are carriers of Christ to each other. It is easy to think that the Church has many purposes—education, building, missions, holding services— but the purpose of all those purposes is one. The Church has no other purpose than to draw people into Christ, to make them like little Christ’s. If they are not doing that, then all the cathedrals, missions, sermons, even the teaching of the Bible, are simply a waste of time. C S Lewis in “Mere Christianity”

 Church exhibits the Characteristics of a family.  Consider one another 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. - Ps 32:8-9

 Spur one another The actual word in Greek means to “irritate”. What this actually means is “ to sharply confront, to sharply disagree”.

18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'" 21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. - Luke 18:18-23

- Jesus gave him what he needed not what he wanted. Encouraging is the great word parakaleo. It means “to encourage,” but para means “to come along side” and kaleo means “to call.” Encourage one another