Confess, Consider, Watch

"Let us hold fast the confession/profession of our hope without wavering....Let us consider one another.., not forsaking the assembling...as you see the day approaching."  (From Heb. 10:23-25)

Four things here (sorry "three-things" preachers):

   1. "Hold fast the confession"
                                  2. "Consider one another"
                                  3. "Not forsaking the assembling"

4. "You see the day approaching"
 
Hebrews 10:19 is the pivotal point of the Epistle, and begins with, "Therefore."  Bob Mumford used to say, "When you see a therefore, find out what it's there for."  This, "Therefore," in v. 19 is there for all the previous words of the Epistle, telling us Who Jesus Is, what He has done, and what He is right now doing.  "Therefore," now and only after what Jesus has done for us, can we have, "boldness to enter...."  If all the writer had been saying from chapter 1, verse 1 was not "in place," you and I would have absolutely no reason for, "boldness."  Rather, we would be living in shame and disgrace, under the sentence of eternal death, as Ephesians 2 says, "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world."   But now, because Jesus Christ, "in His Blood...and through His Flesh," has made us citizens of, "the commonwealth of Israel," and included us in, "the covenants of promise, having...hope, and with[] God in the world," we are now invited to, "enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus... through His flesh...."

Our text then tells us a little of the life which characterizes the Church after this, "Therefore."  First, the Church is commanded to, "hold fast the confession (profession) of our hope," and this, "profession," and, "hope," is based solely upon all that precedes the, "Therefore."  Secondly, the Church is to, "consider one another in order to stir up (stimulate) love and good works...."  The word, "consider," here means to "examine, to understand, perceive, irritate" (I knew I had a place).  Thirdly, we are commanded to not forsake, "the assembling." The number one reason a person forsakes, "the assembling", is self sufficiency.  Then fourthly, the Holy Spirit solemnly warns us and gives a "reason" to assemble together----------------------------- the day approaching"!  

Father, in Jesus' Name, give me eyes to see just how real is, "the day approaching," and govern myself accordingly.  Amen.
*********************
New Article about Obama siding with Muslims over Christians: www.apf327.blogspot.com

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"This...Living Way"

"Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, by this...living way...through (by) His flesh....And let us all come forward with...(honest and sincere) hearts...and let us all seize... and retain...the hope we cherish...." (From Hebrews 10:19-23, Amplified Bible)

Many commentators have referred to Hebrews 10:19 as the pivotal point in the Epistle.  Everything before has been leading us to the revelation that this Jesus, "High Priest of our confession," brings all who trust and obey Him right into the Holiest "Place" in the Universe, "The Most Holy Place."  My dear friend, you just cannot get any "closer" than this.  There is no activity, no religious endeavor, nothing of man's sermonizing theories which can do this for you and me, only, "in the Blood of Jesus...by His flesh." 

My, "confidence," is not in me or anything of me.  The, "confidence," referred to in our text is the, "full freedom...[by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus...," again, "in the Blood of Jesus."  Moreover, the hymn writer's question is still relevant for you and me today, "Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?" 

Hebrews 10 tells us that we enter the "Holy of Holies...in the blood of Jesus," and, "by this new and living way which He initiated and dedicated ('consecrate, renovate')...through (by) His flesh...."  This is a great passage which I have used often over the years in the communion "service."  I have fellowship in Father, I have entrance and abiding assurance of my "place" in the, "Holy of Holies...in the blood of Jesus...by His Flesh...."  We try frequently to, as the old United Brethren in Christ "ritual" used to say, "feed on Him by faith with thanksgiving."  I can think of no great "means of grace," no greater worship, no greater prayer meeting than, "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?  The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)

Father, in Jesus' Name, yes it is, and I, "bless," and participate eagerly.  Amen. 
********************
Francis Schaeffer is considered by many to be one of the great Christian thinkers of the Twentieth Century.  I never read many of his writings, or of his son, Frank, but there is a most disturbing article about Frank Schaeffer at:  www.apf327.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2