Hebrews 10:19-39 “Has Jesus Transformed My Life?”

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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.

Hebrews 10:19

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

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

visit us

online

at

southwood.org