November 29, 2011 Growing Together

Grow Together
Read Hebrews 1 - 3

Heb 3:12-14 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

LIFE is a challenge. Be careful and be alert. Help each other stay true to God.
That in essence is what the writer of Hebrews is saying. These are words that those in the early church needed to hear as they dealt with many physical and verbal assaults on their new belief. These are also words that we in the 21st-century church must know as we deal with assaults on our beliefs.
The assaults on our belief in God are huge today. Threats of many kinds attempt to push us away from seeking and obeying him. Sometimes the threats are from within us—pride, lack of discipline to pray or read the Bible, anger, unforgiveness, or rejecting relationships.
Sometimes the attacks come from without—”the church is irrelevant”, “the church is too boring”, “I’d rather sleep in than worship God.”
Sometimes the attacks come from within the church—”I don’t like the music.” “There’s too much liturgy.” “There’s not enough liturgy.”
To stay strong in our relationship with Jesus, focus on him. It’s about him, not you. Deal honestly with your struggles, doubts and fears, and even your pride. Get your eyes off the mirror and look to the King. Grow in him. And grow together with others in your church.


Pause and Consider: the threats against your beliefs. Pray against them.