11-5-2024

Good Morning All,

    Hebrews 10:23-25;” Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

    “Hang in there,” “Don’t give up,” “Keep trying;” how many times have we offered these words to our children and grandchildren when they are trying a new venture?  Whether they were trying to play a band instrument or try a new sport or maybe a new class at school or a more challenging 4-H project, we encourage our children to keep trying.

     Perhaps you have offered these words to someone who is experiencing a personal tough time.  It may be a family relationship issue; it may be job related; it may be health related; it could be any of a number of things.  We tell them to hang in there.  We may have no idea what we mean by that, but we don’t know what else to say.

     The author of Hebrews offers us this same exhortation; except he gives us a little more background and support.  In the previous portions of Hebrews, we read where the atoning sacrifice of Jesus is all sufficient for our salvation.  We no longer have to offer animal sacrifices or pay the priest for his sacrifices; Jesus’ sacrifice is complete.  So, what do we do now?

      We hold onto that promise; the promise that we are redeemed and washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.  We hold on tight to the confession of our hope and that hope is based on the certainty of the promise of eternal life.  Since our salvation is secure, now what?  What do we do with all the time we spent doing sacrifices and making offerings to God for our sins? 

    We have to figure out how to stir each other up so that we show love for one another by doing good works.  We remember that a “good work” is anything that glorifies God and benefits our neighbor.  It might be going to some far-off place as a missionary; it might be sitting down and listening to a lonesome neighbor. Our salvation is secure; now let’s live a life of joy as God designed us to do; loving one another.

     Yet we need to keep gathering together with our fellow believers.  This is where we hear God’s Word spoken to us.  This is where we hear God’s Words of redemption.  This is where we join for the soul nourishing meal.  We join together for the same reason any family joins together; to show the love and affection to our brothers and sisters, our uncles and aunts, our parents and grandparents.  We join for those times when we need comfort and consoling as well.  We look to our family for support when we need it and to offer it when others do.  God made man to be a communal creature not a loner; we join to meet this need and to receive this blessing. So, hang in there; hold fast to the confession of our hope.  God has promised us eternal life because of Jesus.  We have that as a certainty.

Lord Jesus, you are our hope and our confession.  Thank you for the gift of salvation which you give to us freely.  Use us as your hands and mouth to proclaim your love to those who are most in need of it.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret