Monday Evening Refresh

Jeremy Robinson

Living Hope • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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Sunday Reflect

We had a great Sunday at our house.

Took some of the ideas Jennifer shared on last weeks Wed. Word and the girls did great!

Hannah and Olivia heard me say “love” 26 times (I think it was much more) and we all loved singing together.

How are you doing with Sundays? (I really am interested)

I have spoken to several folks and have heard the same, “It is great, but I miss everyone.”

But how are you really doing? One of the things I see most glaringly missing in this season is our ability to connect and just know what is going on in each other’s lives.

In our normal rhythms of church life we are able to connect, even if for only a few minutes, on a fairly regular basis and are able to check in with one another.

I have been able to connect with several folks the last few weeks, but know there are many we are not able to connect with.

That is one of the biggest reasons we are so passionate about these 4L Groups we starting in the week of May 10th.

4L Groups

Hebrews 10:23-25 has been on my mind throughout this whole crisis.

Hebrews 10:23–25 ESV

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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.

not just the part about “not neglecting to meet together” because that is often times used as preacher guilt-trip to get people to a church service more often.

Really the purpose behind the “meeting together” is what is so important for us to consider.

The author of Hebrews highlights 3 reasons to should gather

Holding fast to the confession of our hope - reminding one another of the precious Words of God

1 Peter 1:24–25 ESV

24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Considering how to stir one another to love and good works - Challenging one another to use our time, talents, and treasure for the glory of God and the mission of Christ.

When we gather face to face (or screen to screen) we have the opportunity to challenge one another and inspire one another to live out our faith in tangible, everyday ways.

It isn’t about knowing only, it is also about doing.

James 2:17 ESV

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Encourage one another as the Day draws near - helping one another to journey through life in all that come our way.

We need one another for prayer, words of encouragement, even words of rebuke.

We need one another to help shoulder our burdens and even just to belong to a group of people.

It is hard to forecast what the coming months hold for our church and so many other areas of life.

It seems more and more evident that we will not be shifting back to “normal life” any time real soon.

So let’s LEAN IN to community during this season.

Couple of Things

The group you sign up for isn’t necessarily your PERMANENT group.

As we are able to meet in smaller groups moving forward, some of our groups may need to change in order to foster better community.

Also you might not connect in one group so let us help you find a group that you are better able to connect with.

Don’t have overly lofty expectations on these groups, but don’t under expect either.

These groups are not going to be in-depth bible studies (we will have opportunities for those as well).

It will be awkward at first as we figure out the digital platforms and shake off the unfamiliarity of these groups.

But stick it out, because YOU NEED THIS!

It isn’t about YOU!!

If all you are worried about is your comfort or what you get out of these groups, then you are starting off in a VERY wrong and VERY dangerous place.

Heb 10 is not about YOU it is about US and your involvement, your engagement, and your INTENTIONAL interaction in these groups is about US not about YOU.

By US I mean the rest of the group, EHBC as a whole, and the Gospel witness of the Church in our community.

So don’t be a consumer, don’t focus on what make YOU feel good or not feel awkward.

To BE the CHURCH means to be LIKE JESUS

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.