You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
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Y'all, that is glorious truth being sung, isn't it? Can you imagine if something like that was
true and it didn't make any difference in your life? Wouldn't that be really strange?
That's actually what we're encountering this morning in Hebrews, is that glorious truth,
like what he just sang, changes us. And it must, and it has to. It's one of the most important
patterns in the Bible that we run into this morning. Over and over in the Scriptures,
we're told what's true and then what to do. Or you might say what to believe and then how to behave.
Or the amazing reality and the necessary result of it, right? You get that pattern? It's really
important to remember that pattern for two reasons, really. To keep those two things connected
and in the right order. In other words, that how we live is actually based on what is true about the
world, not just how we feel, keeping them connected, right? And also, that our obedience, the way we live,
is a response to God's glory and grace. Not a way to earn that. Keeping them in the right order.
So the preacher in Hebrews has, for 10 chapters, spilled a lot of ink and blood, you might say,
teaching us how great Jesus is. The first half of chapter 10 summarized that truth. Greater priest,
greater sacrifice, greater savior. And now this morning, he says, therefore. Therefore. A summary now
of how that great Jesus must transform our lives. It's not just theoretically true, but no one should
really care. No, it's actually true. It's ultimately real and everybody should be changed by it. That's what
he's saying. We're going to read this passage as we go. But first, let's pray and ask for God's help.
God, we are so often resistant to change. You know I am. Especially change that's coming from outside of us.
That's not our idea. I just, I so want to do things my way. I want to have my life shaped the way I'm
most comfortable. Father, this morning we ask, we long for our lives to be shaped more by your word,
by your spirit, by your gospel, than anything else. And so if that's going to happen, we need,
we need your help. We need you to speak to us so we hear your voice. We need you to work in our hearts.
We need you to change our lives moment by moment and day by day. So speak to us now, we ask for Jesus' sake
and by his name. Amen.
Hebrews 10 verse 19.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, addressing the whole family of God here, of course,
since, since, since, a quick review of the basis of our transformed life before he gets back to his
therefore, okay? What's true? Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
walking into God's throne room where we have no right to be on our own. We couldn't get there.
By the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
that curtain that kept people out of God's holy place, is torn in two from top to bottom
while Jesus hangs on the cross, his body being torn, right?
And since we have a great priest over the house of God,
Jesus is our perfect representative before God for everyone who trusts in him.
Since that's true, don't, don't, in other words, don't start thinking you can change your own
relationship with God. Just do it by yourself. Not that. But on the basis of Jesus' work for you,
your union with Jesus by faith, don't by any means leave your relationship with God unchanged.
That's what he's saying. If you were to do that, if you were to hear this glorious truth and see no
change in your life, that would be ignoring Jesus' amazing work, his sacrifice, his living, loving reign
today. No, no. Jesus transforms our lives. He makes a difference. So since all of that that he's been
teaching us about Jesus being new and better and greater, since all of those things are true,
so what for us? The main thrust of this text is actually in these next four verses.
If you start looking at them, these next four verses have enough lettuce in it to make what theologians
refer to as a Greek salad. That's pretty good. Okay. I thought I'd have to explain it to you,
but thanks for hanging with me. All right. Got that one out of the way. Here's our focus, right? Here's
the focus, the essence of a transformed life. What's it going to look like? How we're to live differently
after studying Hebrews. It's been a long time for some of you. Therefore, verse 22, let us draw near.
Draw near to God. Now, if you've been here, we've heard that before, right? This is a summary in many
ways. Verse 22, draw near to God with a true heart, not by mere outward conformity to some rules or by
completing some religious rituals to get close to God. No, no, no, no, no. The genuine closeness of your
heart relationship with him. In full assurance of faith, trusting him that the welcome he extends is
sincere. The invitation is not merely optional. Draw near with our hearts sprinkled clean from an
evil conscience. No more guilt, no more guilt, no more sin. It's been forgiven. And our bodies washed
with pure water, whether through baptism or other cleansing rites. The picture is that we stand clean
before a holy God by the blood of Jesus. So if you're listening, it's a command. Let us draw near.
Not merely a statement that you can come before God. We've heard that. We know that's true. But actually,
a call to draw near. Really to live under the desk. Truly to speak freely to your Father about what's on
your heart. He's saying here, don't let anything keep you from God. Not doubt, not fear, not shame,
not sin. Don't let it stop you. Run to God. Can you imagine how transformative that would be for someone,
an Old Testament believer? Who they've been told and they've seen and felt in the tabernacle and temple
that they can't really get close to God, especially when they're unclean or unworthy. They need to be
really far away, right? This is transformative. How transformative is this for us who often feel
distant from God? Who think we couldn't possibly be good enough? What he's saying is,
now live in an entirely different location, a relationship with God. That's what needs to
change the way you live. See, this morning, I want us to notice that sometimes what happens to us
is that life changes and that changes our relationship with God. Life changes and that speaks back into how we
experience our relationship with God. No, no, no. We want it to be the other way around, letting our new
relationship with God transform our lives, right? I mean, just think about how life changes when trials
start to make God feel to you. And that moment, if you're like me, you really like feeling comfortable and
getting close to God doesn't really feel like that maybe. And so you just, you start avoiding him,
avoiding time with him. It's more comfortable not to think about it. And he's calling you back right
now. Draw near. He said, no, don't drift away. Draw near. Maybe life changes when you have kids.
Having kids change anybody's life? Okay. We'll just take laughter as a show of hands.
But you have kids and you think, I'm going to bring them to church because you think that there's
something there that they need God or morality or something that you think you're really too grown up
for. And so you bring them near to God while staying distant to yourself, even in the sanctuary.
And God calls you back right now. No, no, you. You draw near. Draw near. What happens when you do?
Pastor Andrew Murray helped me start thinking about what it's like to actually live your life
always near God. Feeling like no matter where you go, you are in the throne room of heaven. God is
right there with you. What does that mean for our lives as we slow down to remember Jesus has actually
brought us in near to God? I'd encourage you to close your eyes for a minute and imagine that that's
where you're right there near to God. You're right there with him because of Jesus bringing you right
there to his feet. What's true? You can see the Father's face shining on you. You can feel the Father's
love embracing you. The holiness of God begins to overwhelm you and at the same time attract you.
You're there with Jesus and the sacrifice of Jesus stirs unending thanksgiving in your heart.
The prayers of Jesus, you can hear them and they're building this unending confidence in you.
Our souls are not merely united to Christ a little bit. They're completely connected to him and being
conformed more and more to his likeness. There's a comfort of God's presence that assures us that
we're never alone. The Holy Spirit fills us as an ever-streaming river flowing from the throne of God
and the Lamb right to us. So we're empowered and emboldened to be intercessors before the throne of
grace on behalf of others. We're able to mount up as on eagle's wings when we're weary. We're able to go
as God's priest to bless a dying world in his name. The longer we stay there with him and know that
God's with us, the more we're equipped and encouraged to be the living instruments through
whom the King announces his salvation and through whom he works out his full and final triumph in this
whole world. And we're a part of that. And we're there with God and we taste in him the fullness of joy
and deep pleasures forever. And it's not just right now when you're in a sanctuary listening to a sermon.
It's all the time whenever we will actually draw near to God. Let us draw near to God, he says.
Next, let us hold fast. It's another repeated exhortation in Hebrews. Don't drift. Don't give up. Don't turn
back. We have a sure and steadfast anchor for our souls. Hold fast the confession of our hope.
Like what we confessed together this morning in the Apostles' Creed. That Jesus really is greater.
That he alone is Lord. That our present and our future are secure. Our sins are forgiven. Our welcome
is guaranteed. So hold fast. What does he say? Without wavering. For he who promised is faithful.
There's a verse for you to memorize if you want one this week. It's short.
Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. For he who promised is faithful. He's saying
don't give up on the only one that you can always trust. You do that and it will leave you unmoored
in life from any anchor. Right? You'll be wavering back and forth for the rest of your life
because the truth is you're not perfect. The truth is other people are unreliable.
The truth is that the future without your anchor becomes uncertain. You don't know where you'll
end up. Life changes. Maybe life is changing and you're realizing for the first time in your life
your faith in Jesus is costing you something. Maybe not your very life like believers in some areas
right now. But maybe it's costing you your reputation. A friendship. A control of all your spare time
that seems so precious. Or maybe what's changing is that you're starting to see other people with
more things than you. More connections. More fun it seems than you're having. And you feel your heart is
attached to the things of this world more than you realized. More than you wanted to admit.
And you're starting to drift there. You're starting to think that's where I'll find life. And God says
to hold fast. Hold fast to the promises of the one true and living God. How transformative will they be
from living for the fading promises of this world that don't hold. Rushing and grasping to be fulfilled
by a new house or a new hobby or a new relationship. Is that where I'm going to find life? Is that going to
last? It says he's faithful. He will come through. He'll never change his mind. So your hope in Jesus is
eternally secure. Listen, Jesus died and lives for you. No one and nothing else in this world has done that
or will do that. He has died for you. He lives for you now. Life in him really is more glorious,
more lasting than anything else. Draw near to God and hold fast to him.
Now the third let us is new. So let's slow down a little more here.
Verse 24.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
Let us stir up.
Fits better with draw near and hold fast.
But if you're looking closely at the text, the command actually tells us to do what?
Let us consider.
Let us contemplate.
Think about. Spend time planning.
How to stir up
other people.
That's kind of exciting, right?
Don't you know we need more pot stirrers here at Southwood?
Some of you would volunteer to serve on that committee, wouldn't you?
The Southwood Pot Stirrers Committee.
Man, that is the one for me right there.
I'm not commending gossip
or controversy
or quarreling.
You know that.
But sometimes we need to be stirred up a little bit,
don't we?
To stir up is often
a bit uncomfortable,
even painful.
Maybe in the translation you're holding,
you're seeing that word translated as spur on.
The picture is of a horse, right?
Who's just standing there until there's metal jabbed into his sides
and he jolts into action, right?
The spurs do something.
The pain motivates
action.
We are to stir one another up to what?
Love and good works.
Motivate to loving God and loving neighbor.
Inspire to living the reality of our new relationship with God.
Not just talk about it some,
but come on,
let's let this change everything.
Notice the communal nature in that, right?
He doesn't merely say,
hey, just get on with it.
Let us love and serve.
Is that what he says?
No.
He says,
no.
No.
He says,
let us consider one another.
He urges us to look around,
to help one another toward this.
And y'all know as well as I do,
that kind of community,
that's an extra hurdle
for ruggedly individualistic Americans.
We'd rather just get the job done.
He says,
that's not the way I've set it up.
I want you to look around
and I want you to help someone else be a part of it.
There's,
in fact,
a specific caution about losing community.
Verse 25,
not neglecting to meet together,
as is the habit of some,
already then,
that early,
but encouraging one another.
Now,
y'all have heard this verse.
Sometimes we use this verse
merely to make people feel bad
about skipping Sunday morning.
And you can't really do that
while they're already here.
So,
you know,
skip over that.
It is not less than
worshiping together
in the sanctuary
that should be a priority.
Our hearts
and others' hearts
are helped
to draw near
and hold fast
by regular
Lord's Day
worship rhythms.
The gift of that
that so many
treat so lightly
these days.
It is a warning
against that.
But the word here
in this context
goes beyond
merely this formal gathering.
These Christians,
we know,
were gathering
day by day
in one another's homes
in contexts
where encouraging
one another
was intentionally fostered.
See,
it's really talking
about what we would refer to
as grace group
level community.
That it,
that that is characterizing
all of your life,
not just a meeting
once or twice
a week.
Notice,
it doesn't
contrast
giving up
meeting together
with
sitting in a pew
on Sunday.
That's,
that's not the two things.
What's it contrasting
not meeting together
instead of that?
It's contrasted
with encouraging
one another.
Right?
There's a relational
dynamic coming
alongside
to urge on
your brothers and sisters,
cheering for them
as they face
life's challenges.
So yes,
this verse
tells us
don't leave a church
when you're rubbing
against one another.
When her politics
or his personality
or their parenting
rubs you the wrong way.
Now,
it doesn't mean you go
quit being a part
of that church.
but beyond that,
it is calling us
to be the church
together.
And see,
there's a big difference
here I want to tease out
for just a minute
in how we view
church
being a part of that.
Is church a place?
An event?
Or people?
You may know the answer
but think about that
honestly in your life
and the way you live.
If functionally
church is a place
then we go to church.
I don't mind the phrase,
I've been saying it
since I was a kid.
If that's true,
then adding an educational
wing on the side
is building the church.
If that's true,
then you can expect
to see these new members
who were down here
this morning
a few more times
when you're all
in the same room
when you go to church.
But that's it.
What if church
is an event
or events to you?
Maybe you love
being a part
of church events.
Well,
then we attend church
or do church
in those moments
when there's something
on the calendar.
And then your job
then would be
to make sure
that you show up enough
to make God happy
or maybe make your spouse happy,
whatever the case may be.
Maybe you do show up
to a grace group meeting
and if one of these
new members
happens to be there,
then you'll probably
learn their names
and some basic info
about them
because otherwise,
if you don't,
the events are awkward.
Right?
And it's weird
to introduce yourself
to the same guy
ten times.
So you get to know
him a little bit.
Now let me be clear,
there is actually
some encouragement
from just being together.
Period.
In a place,
at an event,
especially when life
is hard
and you're just
showing up.
But think about
the difference
if church is people.
Encourage one another.
That means church
is relationships.
There's something,
there's a building
of community,
really a family
that's built then.
When's the church built?
It's built,
for example,
when someone is baptized.
And we delight in that
and say,
oh, the church
is being built.
Right now,
that's when the church
is built.
It means I'm expecting
to have at least
some of these new members
at some point
in the future
praying with me
for our kids,
perhaps through tears.
To expect that
some of us
will be comforting
one another
with the hope of heaven
when we grieve
because we're not a family.
That some of us
will be challenging
one another
to share the good news
of Jesus
with our neighbors
and inviting them
into the family
as well.
You see how life
becomes different
if church is the relationships,
the community,
the people.
Actually,
not just an answer
you could give on a test
but in your life.
Can you be honest
about what church
has meant
to you?
See,
the writer here
is concerned,
yes,
with those who
aren't showing up.
That's true.
But he's especially
concerned with
those of us
who are around,
who are present
to hear,
for example,
God's word
being read to them
as the church
is gathered.
Those are the ones
he's speaking to,
to us.
And he's concerned
that there would be
those of us
who don't call
those who quit
showing up
at Grace Group
for a season
and just say,
somebody else
will check on them.
He's concerned
about us
that we don't
thank those
who've started
to drift
for all the time
they've been investing
leading a small group
for our kids.
He's concerned
that there are
those of us
who are here
in the church
but not living
as the church
and seeking out
the hurting
for dinner
or coffee.
He's concerned
about us.
I want you to think
right now
of someone
in your church family
even if this is not
your church family.
That you could
encourage.
Maybe
if the relationship
is close enough
you could even
stir him up.
Tell him the gifts
you see in him
and how you think
we really need him
to serve as a deacon.
Tell her the heart
that you see in her
and how you think
she would be a great
Grace Group leader
and help even more
people have a place
to connect in the family
and grow together.
Tell them that you'd like
to bring them dinner
and sit down
and listen to their
journey with Jesus
and get to rejoice
in his love together
and learn more
about walking
with him
or tell them
you'd like to go
on a missions trip
together with them
to visit one of our
partners next year
and spread that
encouragement even further.
Whatever it is
you can make up
your own idea
but would you write
a name down?
Would you think
of someone
you've got to
if you need ideas
just you know
put your head
on a swivel.
There's people around
some of you in the front
might really have to
turn around
if you need help?
Maybe just picturing
people you know
aren't here
would help you
who especially
need your encouragement.
Because see
what can happen
is that life changes
and we don't even realize
that it changes
our relationship
with God.
Maybe life's changing
you're a senior
about to graduate
and leave home
for the first time
and you're going to
have a chance
to set your own agenda
and new relationships.
Don't give up
meeting together.
Maybe life's changing
and you're a retiree now
and you've heard it all
at church honestly.
You've heard this sermon
before.
You're already starting
to check out.
Can't I just use
my extra time
to travel?
I mean to do my stuff?
Haven't I earned it?
Please don't give up
meeting together.
We need you
and you need us.
Or maybe you're anywhere
in between
those two stages
and you're just
so busy
with so much
important stuff.
But if you're honest
what you're thinking
is there's nothing
I could give up.
I've had to put
my true friendships
on the shelf
for a season.
There's just no time
to invest in them.
We've got too much
going on.
Friends don't wait
to pick them back up.
Don't give up
meeting together.
Instead
let the reality
of Jesus
change your life.
How transformative
this is
from our self-consumed
society
walking around
with my head
and my phone
and my heart
focused only on myself.
He's saying
no, no, no, no.
Lift your eyes up.
Consider
one another
it says.
How to stir
one another up.
Don't leave
the team
when the game's
on the line.
See the day
is drawing near.
The day
when Jesus
returns
to bring us
home forever
and so we've
got to encourage
one another
to draw near
and to hold fast
until that day.
We've got to
stir one another up
to invite others
into the throne
of God
through Jesus.
We're a family
all on a mission
treasuring
and pointing
to Jesus.
That's what we're up to.
That's what the church
is supposed to be.
Now I know
I have a tendency
of communicating
in a way
that you hear
something
very
pleasant
like
do this
if you like
when it works
for you
if you think
that's a good idea
I know that's
more my personality.
If that's what
you hear
this morning
I'm not
helping you
hear God's voice.
that's not the way
he's communicating.
There is an
urgency
the urgency
of eternity
as the day
is drawing near
that is connected
to these three
primary commands
to see your life
transformed
so that you
draw near
hold fast
and stir up.
Verse 26
for
we must
do these things
because
warning
for
if we go
on sinning
deliberately
after receiving
the knowledge
of the truth
there no longer
remains a
sacrifice
for sins.
In other words
if you willfully
neglect
Jesus' sacrifice
and walk away
from it
there is no
other sacrifice
for sins.
Nothing else
will reconcile
you to the
holy God
but a fearful
expectation
of judgment
and a fury
of fire
that will
consume
the adversaries.
Anyone who
has set aside
the law
of Moses
dies without
mercy
on the evidence
of two or three
witnesses.
How much
worse punishment
do you think
will be deserved
by the one
who has spurned
the Son of God
and has profaned
the blood
of the covenant
by which he was
sanctified
and has outraged
the spirit
of grace?
He's saying
if people
were punished
for ignoring
God's word
through Moses
what about
the greater
word sent
through Jesus
right?
How shall we
escape
if we ignore
such a great
salvation?
You're starting
to feel
the seriousness
of this warning?
For we know
him who said
vengeance is mine
I will repay
and again
the Lord
will judge
his people
it is a fearful
thing to fall
into the hands
of the living
God.
You're hearing
it now.
This is one
of many passages
asserting
as our mission
says
that our
relationships
impact
eternity.
Are you
pursuing
the wandering?
Are you
clinging
to the anchor
and building
a chain
to reel
the drifting
one back
in?
Are you
encouraging
especially
the brothers
and sisters
you've committed
to in a
grace group
in your
neighborhood
or at school
together
let's draw
near
let's hold
fast
are you
not just
there
but you're
you're moving
into their
lives
my brother
Bob calls
this rejecting
isolation
because God's
word here
tells us
being isolated
before
one another
without community
is dangerous
because being
isolated
before God
without Jesus
is deadly
being isolated
before one
another
being without
community
is dangerous
because being
isolated
before God
without Jesus
is deadly
eternity
hangs
in the
balance
of how
we handle
these
requests
of our
hearts
and lives
don't treat
his death
so lightly
as to stay
distant from
God
or his
people
to treat
what Jesus
has done
so lightly
that you
start believing
your own
press
that you're
okay on
your own
to quit
caring about
other people
for whom
he has shed
his blood
no
instead
verse 32
but recall
the former
days
when after
you were
enlightened
you endured
a hard
struggle
with sufferings
sometimes
being publicly
exposed
to reproach
and affliction
and sometimes
being partners
with those
so treated
for you
had compassion
on those
in prison
and you
joyfully
accepted
the plundering
of your
property
since you
knew that
you yourselves
had a better
possession
and an abiding
one
I remember
when I was
18 and
ready to
win a
secular
college
campus
for Jesus
no matter
what happened
what they
thought of me
or what it
cost me
maybe you've
gone without
to see God's
kingdom
supported
and advanced
praying
for persecuted
brothers and
sisters
like their
lives
depended
on it
let goods
and kindred
go
this mortal
life also
the body
they may
kill
God's
truth
abideth
still
his
kingdom
is
forever
so look
back
and remember
that zeal
for what
really matters
that you
once had
and then
look forward
in light
of eternity
with confident
hope
verse 35
therefore do not
throw away
your confidence
which has a
great
reward
God will
come
through
for you
have need
of endurance
so that when
you have done
the will
of God
you may
receive
what is
promised
what's the
promise
it's the
coming
of the
Messiah
it's
this
person
who's
going
to
come
in
judgment
yes
but also
in
promised
reward
for yet
a little
while
and the
coming
one
will
come
and will
not
delay
but my
righteous
one
shall
live
by
faith
and if
he
shrinks
back
my soul
has no
pleasure
in him
but we
are not
of those
who shrink
back
and are
destroyed
but of
those
who have
faith
and preserve
their souls
he's got
much to say
about faith
but that's
next week
in the
meantime
don't forget
we're all
so capable
of neglecting
our relationship
with God
neglecting our
relationships
with one
another
along the
way
don't shrink
back
instead
in light
of what
Jesus
has come
and accomplished
for us
in light
of what
Jesus
is coming
again
to accomplish
for us
draw near
to God
hold fast
to Jesus
stir up
one another
I want us
to consider
that at the
Lord's table
as well
this morning
let's start
by remembering
what's true
what it's
all about
what's true
is that the
Lord Jesus
the night
he was
betrayed
took bread
he broke
it
and he gave
it to his
disciples
as I
ministering
in his
name
give this
bread
to you
he said
take and
eat
this is
my body
given
for you
do this
in remembrance
of me
in the same
way after
supper
he took
the cup
and said
this cup
is the
new covenant
in my
blood
shed for
many
for the
forgiveness
of sins
drink from
it all
of you
for as
often as
you eat
this bread
and drink
this cup
you proclaim
his death
until he
comes
that's
what's
true
if Jesus
is not
your hope
this morning
you don't
need to
leave
just because
you're not
taking the
bread and
the wine
we're glad
you're here
and we would
welcome you
to observe
with us
to ask
questions
about this
Jesus
and the hope
that he offers
we'd love
to talk
with you
about him
but if
Jesus is
yours
by faith
what's
true
is that
all who
come to
this table
are
undeserving
and he's
the one
who brings
us in
what's
true
is that
every one
of us
as we
come
doesn't
come
alone
but comes
in a
family
that Jesus
has brought
you into
by his
blood
he's given
you a new
father
and so
many many
new brothers
and sisters
if those
are the
things
that are
true
what should
we do
even in
the next
few minutes
while we're
celebrating
this sacrament
I want to
give you
three good
things that
you can
do
don't just
sit there
at least
pick one
of them
okay
draw near
you can
draw near
come and
eat with
God
and pray
to experience
his presence
with you
today
it's a
great thing
to do
hold
fast
as you
contemplate
the sacrifice
of Jesus
and as you
remember
that he
died
for your
sins
personally
have your
faith built
in him
hold
fast
to him
those are
two things
that I think
you're used
to doing
when we
celebrate
the Lord's
Supper
here regularly
draw near
hold fast
there's a
third that
may feel
a little bit
different
this morning
but I'm
encouraging
us
towards that
I want
to give
you permission
to talk
to one
another
while we
have the
Lord's
Supper
you already
had it
if you
didn't
know that
but I'd
like you
to stir
up
one another
this morning
talk
maybe before
or after
it's your
turn to
come forward
and you
would like
to take
a moment
to draw
near
and hold
fast
please don't
feel awkward
about that
there's going
to be a little
bit of music
playing
it'll cover
you don't
have to be
boisterous
like it's
meet and greet
time
but you can
walk all the
way across
the sanctuary
if you
want to
what I
have in
mind is
that you're
going to be
looking around
at brothers
and sisters
and they
need your
encouragement
you might
need to say
hey brother
it just
encourages me
that you're
here this
morning in
the midst
of battling
cancer
I'm so glad
to see how
God's sustaining
you
you may
look at
the person
standing
next to
you
and say
hey can
we spend
a minute
just praying
for one
another
before we
go down
to take
the Lord's
supper
maybe you
just say
this is
awkward
and Will
made us
talk
what do
you say
isn't
Jesus
great
isn't
this
wonderful
it's
so good
to see
you here
it doesn't
have to
be
profound
right
maybe you
can say
I wrote
your name
down during
the sermon
and I
just wanted
to confess
that to
you now
I'm supposed
to encourage
you this
checks it
off my
list
I don't
whatever
you say
I want
you to
see
that God's
put you
in a
family
and I
want us
not just
to think
that but
to live
that
it's not
this is
not the
only time
we can
do that
but it's
a good
time
that's
part
of the
truth
we
celebrate
here
is that
Jesus
has brought
us into
a family
and so
we're not
to neglect
the body
when we're
together
to celebrate
after I
pray I'm
going to
give you
the freedom
to stand
and move
and then
come as
you can
the ushers
have promised
both to
help you
and to
be flexible
when you're
not sitting
where you
usually are
when they
come to
your row
come to
a table
as you're
able and
we're happy
to serve
you
let's
pray
father
we're
so
grateful
for
this
gift
because
it
reminds
us
of
your
presence
with
us
your
love
for
us
your
forgiveness
of
our
sins
your
welcome
into
a
family
we
could
never
have
earned
our
way
into
thank
you
thanks
that
we
never
come
alone
that
there's
brothers
and
sisters
that
we
need
and
who
need
us
give
us
grace
to
speak
and
live
that
truth
that
life
changing
truth
into
one
another's
lives
use
even
these
common
elements
to do
something
deeply
spiritual
and
supernatural
in our
hearts
today
that would
carry
through
this week
in our
lives
we
ask
in
Jesus
name
amen
for
more
information
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online
at
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