The New and Living Way
The New and Living Way: Phase 1 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 8 viewsWhat does it mean to be a Christian? Do you call yourself a Christian? If so, why? American Christianity has been diluted, and has given us false notions of what it really means to be a Christian. The author of Hebrews helps us understand that it's about the person and work of Christ, to whom we draw near, in whom we have hope, and for whom we live in obedience together as a community of believers.
Notes
Transcript
Theme: Being a Christian is a pattern of life here and now, not just a mark for where we spend eternity, or a title that describes how we were raised.
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:19-25 (CSB)
I. Introduction - False Ideas of What It Means to Be a Christian
I. Introduction - False Ideas of What It Means to Be a Christian
Christianity is NOT …
A title that describes how we were raised (cultural)
A record of our church attendance (habitual)
About fire insurance (minimal)
An affinity for Jesus’ teaching (partial)
What do all of these definitions of Christianity lack? They lack two things:
The work of Jesus
A life lived in response to Jesus
Transition: This brings us to our theme for this year, “The New and Living Way.” The work that Jesus did, through his life, death, and resurrection, established something new. iNew = what Jesus has done for us; Living = our response to Jesus. Hebrews 10:19-25
READ PASSAGE TOGETHER
II. What does it mean to be a Christian?
II. What does it mean to be a Christian?
A. Being a Christian begins with what Christ has done for us! (Heb 10:19-21)
A. Being a Christian begins with what Christ has done for us! (Heb 10:19-21)
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,
i. Here’s the gist- Christ died for us so that we can be in God’s presence
i. Here’s the gist- Christ died for us so that we can be in God’s presence
Forgiveness is a necessary means to an end
Jesus doesn’t just free us from sin (guilt, power, nature), but frees us to love him, love neighbor, and walk in obedience to him
God desires communion with us.
That was his original intent, that is his final intent — unmediated access to the presence of God.
ii. Isn’t God omnipresent? How is the presence that Jesus has made possible different?
ii. Isn’t God omnipresent? How is the presence that Jesus has made possible different?
The presence empowers us (God’s own Spirit will enable us to obey his Instruction!!)
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you … And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezek 36:26-27).
The presence indwells us (We are the new tabernacle!)
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Cor 3:16).
The presence enlivens us (God’s spirit brings life, here and now)
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Rom 8:11).
B. Being a Christian continues with how we live in response to Christ (vv. 22-25)
B. Being a Christian continues with how we live in response to Christ (vv. 22-25)
i. Our Approach to God: “Let us draw near” (v. 22a) — Inward Disposition
i. Our Approach to God: “Let us draw near” (v. 22a) — Inward Disposition
Christ has made nearness to God possible, but we must still choose to draw near.
How do we draw near to God in our daily lives?
We pray
We read Scripture
We deny ourselves
ii. Our Faith in God: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (v. 23a) — Outward Confession
ii. Our Faith in God: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (v. 23a) — Outward Confession
There are four levels of faith
1) Faith is Assent - belief that what is stated about God is true
James 2:19: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder.”
2) Faith is Trust - personal confidence in God, to the point where we seek his goodness
3) Faith is Commitment - personal surrender to the Triune God
Matt 16:24: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
4) Faith is Obedience - personal obedience to God and His word
iii. Our Obedience to God: “Let us consider how to stir up one another” (v. 24) — Living it Out
iii. Our Obedience to God: “Let us consider how to stir up one another” (v. 24) — Living it Out
Two misconceptions:
Christianity does not include good works
Christianity is an individual enterprise.
Transition: Hebrews 10:19-25 gives us a concise picture of what it really means to be a Christian. It’s about what Jesus has done, and how we live in response to him.
II. Conclusion
II. Conclusion
Therefore, Hebrews 10:19-25 will guide us this Fall
The Person and Work of Jesus
How we should live before the Triune God?
How we should live as a community of Christ followers?
Here is my charge to this group:
You guys are the core.
You guys are representatives of the new and living way.
You can invite others to join you on the new and living way.