What Your Church Needs From You
Roger Thomas
Hebrews 10:19-25
Introduction: I remember the words like they were spoken yesterday. I can remember exactly where I was sitting in my eighth grade social studies class as I watched the events unfold on television. The teacher had brought in a television, not an everyday occurrence, for the special occasion of the inauguration of the 35th president of the United States. One line in particular seared itself into my memory. I wasn't the only one. The young president's words of challenge in his inaugural address stirred the nation. Those of you who are old enough will never forget those lines from John F. Kennedy's famous speech. "Ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country."
I would that I were eloquent enough today to stir each of you with similar words. I would say to you, "Ask not what your church can do for you; rather ask what you can do for your church."
What can you do for the church? I can list them on one hand. Note them with me.
First, the church needs you to STAND UP. This church is not, first of all, a community service agency. Though hopefully we do serve our community. We are not a family help organization or a place primarily designed to rescue vulnerable youth. Though I hope we do both. We are not in the entertainment business, the financial business, or the counseling business. Though this church is involved in all of that from time to time. And there is nothing wrong with that as long as we don't forget that more than all of that we are in the gospel preaching, soul-rescuing business. So before you can do anything for this church, you must let Jesus Christ do something for you.
Note how our text from Hebrews 10 calls the church to lives of mutual encouragement and support. It offers three "let us" statements. "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,... Let us hold unswervi ...
Roger Thomas
Hebrews 10:19-25
Introduction: I remember the words like they were spoken yesterday. I can remember exactly where I was sitting in my eighth grade social studies class as I watched the events unfold on television. The teacher had brought in a television, not an everyday occurrence, for the special occasion of the inauguration of the 35th president of the United States. One line in particular seared itself into my memory. I wasn't the only one. The young president's words of challenge in his inaugural address stirred the nation. Those of you who are old enough will never forget those lines from John F. Kennedy's famous speech. "Ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country."
I would that I were eloquent enough today to stir each of you with similar words. I would say to you, "Ask not what your church can do for you; rather ask what you can do for your church."
What can you do for the church? I can list them on one hand. Note them with me.
First, the church needs you to STAND UP. This church is not, first of all, a community service agency. Though hopefully we do serve our community. We are not a family help organization or a place primarily designed to rescue vulnerable youth. Though I hope we do both. We are not in the entertainment business, the financial business, or the counseling business. Though this church is involved in all of that from time to time. And there is nothing wrong with that as long as we don't forget that more than all of that we are in the gospel preaching, soul-rescuing business. So before you can do anything for this church, you must let Jesus Christ do something for you.
Note how our text from Hebrews 10 calls the church to lives of mutual encouragement and support. It offers three "let us" statements. "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,... Let us hold unswervi ...
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