Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25
Scripture Memory: Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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.
Journey: For a few weeks we’ll be thinking about the subject “God intends for the church to be . . .” If you are reading this you must be in church today and you likely have some desire for the way church ought to be. Perhaps you want church to provoke great thoughts that translate to meaningful action. Perhaps you want church to be a comforting, healing environment. Perhaps you want church to be a fun place for kids where they are taught the truth about who God is in ways they understand. Perhaps you want church to be a place of vibrant praise and prayer.
It seems to me that just about everyone has thoughts about what the church should be so here’s an exercise for you: Take your most cherished assumptions you believe should be true about the church and then see if you can support those ideas with the clear teachings of the Bible.
We ought to be able to do that right? I mean, we do say we believe that God is the one who created the church. And after all, (and I’m not just trying to posit a politically correct platitude) we also say we believe God is infinitely wiser, more creative, and knows infinitely more about fun and joy than any of us so if we really seek His mind on what the church should be what do we have to lose? I would say that we have nothing at all to lose – and everything to gain.
Always hoping for your gain,
Will (for the pastors)