Starting the New Testament Church in Your Place ( Hebrews 10:25-31) August 21,2022
DANIEL A OLIVA / 2022-08-21
Hebrews 10:25-31, " Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one a nother...to stir up love and good works. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without nercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much more punishment...will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, " Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, " says the Lord. And again, " The Lord will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," ( NKJV).
INTRODUCTION
A. Many Christians today give various excuses for not attending the church services on the Lord's Day.
1. Their main reason, " there is no NT congregation in my place so I attend the services of a " denominational church!"
2. What does the Bible say about this seemly predicament of modern-day Christians? Let us know the TRUTH as Jesus said in John 8:32
B. The approach in this lesson shall be as follows:
1. The command " not to neglect the assembling of ourselves," verse 25
2. The results of " forsaking the assembly of the saints," verses 26-27
3. The reasons for God's strict punishment, verses 28-31
4. Starting the New Testament church in one's place
DISCUSSION
A. The command " not to neglect the assembling of ourselves," verse 25
1. This imperative was given because " some" had made it a HABIT to forsake the assembly of the saints.
2. In other words, it was a DELIBERATE neglect of assembling with the saints.
3. The reasons for the deliberate neglect of the appointed assembly were not given, but might have been due to the following:
a. time schedule
b. place of assembly
c. location of the saints
d. travel restrictions
e. fear of persecution/death
B. The results of forsaking the assembly of the saints, verses 26-27
1. Missing the duty of " exhorting one another as the Day approaches."
a. " Iron sharpens iron," Proverbs 27:7
b. Christians need each other in life
2 We commit a willful sin " after receiving the knowledge of truth."
3. " There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins"
a. we are endangering our salvation
b. God demands obedience, not sacrifice, I Samuel 15:22
c. God desires " mercy, not sacrifice," Matthew 12:17
C. The Reasons for God's Strict Punishment, verses 28-31
1. Anyone who rejected the Mosaic Law died without mercy on the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses
a. Violating the Sabbath Law
b. Death Penalty, Exodus 31:14
2. Deliberate and willful neglect of the worship assembly means " trampling the Son of God underfoot."
a. Equivalent to crucifixing Jesus
b. Read also Matthew 10:32- 33
3. " Counted the blood of the covenant a common thing"
a. Equivalent to sacrilege of holy things, i.e. " ark of the covenant!"
b. Offering of strange fire by Nathan and Abiram, Leviticus 10:1
4. " Insulted the Spirit of Grace!"
a. Equivalent to Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
b. This is " unforgivable sin," read Matthew 12:31-32
5. God will take vengeance on all wicked people
a. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
b. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
D. Starting the New Testament church in one's place
1. Follow the New Testament pattern of the Lord's church
a. Matthew 16:18-19 ( Christ established His own church)
b. Romans 16:16 ( local congregations in Paul's time)
2. If alone, start worship service in your own residence
a. with your family, friends, relatives and others
b.early disciples met in their houses, Acts 2:46
- Mary's house, Acts 12:12
- Lydia's house, Acts 16:40
- Aquila's house, Romans 16:3,5
- Nympha's house, Colossians 4:15
- Philemon's house, Phile.vs1-2
3. Be faithful until death, Revelation 2:10
CONCLUSION
A. Owing to the present situation in the world caused by many factors, it is wise and practical to start a " house worship" in one's own place.
1. We are commanded to make disciples from all nations, Matthew 28:19-20
a. Discipleship should start with our own families, relatives, friends, neighbors, co workers, acquaintances and other social contacts
b. The gospel is still God's power to save all men, Romans 1:16
B. If you are not yet a child of God according to the NT pattern, become a disciple of Christ now as He invites you, 1. Meditate on Matthew 11:28-30
2. Believe and be baptized, Mark 16:16
3. Repent of your sins and be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38
Christian World Ministry
"..the churches of Christ salute you" Romans 16:16
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