Gtcotr/ss082320
This morning we are going to be reading our text from the New Testament Book of Hebrews, chapter 10. While you find our text for today allow me to say that:
I am so glad you have joined us this morning at Church On The Rock Church Online. I believe in Church Online and I am so proud to be able to share the word with you today. I see broadcast Church as a valuable tool that is being used by God all around the world, especially in these strange times. And, for those of you who are unable to attend in person for various reasons and in many different situations around the globe, Church Online may be your best source and only access to Church.
37 years ago, just after starting the first Church I pastored, in a small community of just a few hundred people in Northeast Texas, I shared a vision with my congregation. The Lord had put it on my heart to raise $3,000 from the dozen families who attended our Church and use it to purchase a satellite dish, a Kloss Nova-beam projector, and a 10-foot diagonal screen.
It
was my vision to be able to give my congregation the best preaching, singing,
and ministry of the Gospel available anywhere in the world. I had faith we
could do it and so I called a distributor in Dallas and committed to the
purchase and set a pick-up date. It took only a month for us to raise that
money. People sold cows, took on extra work, made cakes, and gave in faith
until we had the money.
My dad and a deacon named Joe Cruse drove to Dallas and picked it all up on a 16’ lowboy trailer. Several of us were waiting when they pulled in the Church driveway that evening. We had already gotten the bolt pattern by mail and had the concrete pad poured and the electricity and most of the cables laid. We unloaded the base and had it in place before dark.
The following week we assembled that 14’ dish, turned on the receiver and started scanning the sky trying to find the right elevation and azimuth. We used walkie-talkies to communicate between me working the receiver in the sanctuary and the guys outside, cranking, turning, and aiming the dish.
It’s a little humorous now but it was alarming back then. I don’t remember if it was the Westar, Satcom, or Galaxy satellite we finally found and tweaked in until we could scroll through the 14 channel possibilities, we were told were available on each platform. But, when we started getting a less than completely fuzzy picture, everybody came inside to see what we could see on that big screen sitting front and center on our Church stage.
Most of the channels on that satellite had those color bars and a humming tone. It would take about 15 to 20 seconds to change to the next channel and wait for it to fully tune in to get a clear picture. Everything was going along well, and we were all excited with our success, right up to the moment the next channel came up and started to get really clear. It was the playboy channel and we were all caught off guard. So off guard in fact that nobody said a word and we all must have went into shock. Finally, probably 2 seconds, but it seemed like forever, somebody shouted … “turn it!”, and then it took forever again for the images to fade out and then the next channel started to get clear. It was somebody preaching the Word of God.
We had found our channel, Word of Faith Satellite Ministries … right on the flip side of the Playboy channel. Let me tell you, this made several of our monthly satellite preaching services really tense for me and a few guys … especially during thunderstorms. I could just see our whole congregation of good and godly families worshipping along or listening to the word and all of the sudden Hugh Heffner appear on stage with his disciples. Thankfully, that never happened again but, as a result of that first experience, I became so aware just how close the world was to the doors of the Church and how devastating it would be to let it in.
You have heard me say this before but for the sake of redundancy, allow me to say it again. The Church is:
·
The Bride of Christ
·
The Body of Christ
·
The Family of God in Heaven and on the Earth
We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We are a very special people chosen by God to show the world the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
We the members of the Church of the Living God are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto everyone who believes regardless of their color, custom, culture or past. Our God is an all-consuming fire and He has given us His own Spirit to guide, guard and govern us on the earth.
For centuries, the world has tried to infiltrate the Church, intimidate the Church, delegitimize the Church, and rob us of the influence God has given us to convert souls and change lives. They have not and they will not succeed. Do not believe what the world has to say about the Church.
The Church of the Living God is alive and well. We are bigger and stronger, more powerful and more productive, growing faster and going farther than ever before in the history of mankind. Our message is a message of love and grace and our ministry it to all who will hear His Word and give their hearts to Jesus. The Church of the Living God is alive and well yet, The Church is only one generation away from extinction. We cannot stop here.
We have a work to do in the world and also a work to do in the Church. Unfortunately for them, not every Church is located in Texas. We are fortunate to have great leadership in our great State who are Born-Again Christians and understand the value of the Church to our families, communities, our state, the nation, and generations to come all over the world. The strength of the Church has been and always will be the strength of our nation.
Have you found Hebrews 10 yet? If not, you may want to just follow along with me on the bottom of your screen and don’t forget, you can always rewind or re-watch if you want to hear it again. And take time to share this on your timeline or text a friend with the link. Ok, now for our text:
Hebrews 10
24 And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching.
This is clearly written to the Church. The world at that time, and in each generation since, was trying to intimidate Believers in Jesus and keep them from meeting and encouraging one another. Peter and John had experienced the government of their day threatening them and trying to shut them down. Their response was simple:
Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
Paul faced similar threats as well from city governments, state governments and even from the empire, not counting the mobs who disrupted his meetings. Several believers were arrested and put into jail for nothing more than gathering with others to worship Jesus and hear the word.
When the writer of Hebrews gives these divine instructions to us from the Holy Spirit, he understood what it might cost some in the days to come. Nonetheless, these words were written for such a time as this. I believe we can see the Day approaching. Let’s take a moment to break this down:
·
Not
forsaking = to leave behind; to withdraw from; to abandon
·
Assembling
= (n) found only 3 times in the Bible. 2 times in this verse.
o A complete
collection
o A gathering
(understood for the purpose of worship)
·
Together
= same Gk word as assembling.
·
Manner = Custom or habit prescribed by lethargy or law
·
Exhorting
= Gk: parakaleo – to invite, invoke, implore; intreat; specifically to
encourage. (to call alongside and encourage)
·
So
much = vast quantity; large amount in number
·
The
more = in greater degree; better by far
·
See
= perceive; become aware of (literally or figuratively)
·
Day
= literally a day; figuratively a period; defined by content
· Approaching – drawing near or at hand; close; nigh
The Day of the Lord references - 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Philippians 1:10
Our
responsibility to assemble together with other believers is not just a
privilege but is rather a duty given to us by God. Why would some forego this
duty? Here are the top 5 Reasons Why Believers Don’t
Assemble
1.
Fear of persecution, arrest, or loss of status among peers.
2.
Lack of interest often due to lack of involvement.
3.
Doubt of duty or
diminished sense of value.
4.
Neglect,
which is at times present in many areas of a person’s life.
5. Dislike, disagreement, or dissatisfaction with the Pastor, Church leadership or others in the Church.
We have a sacred duty to assemble together when we are able and at times even in the face of opposition. This is important to God and His plan.
As
I said earlier, I believe in Church Online and am thankful that those who have
no other access or opportunity to join a congregation in person are a part of
our Church family. However, for those who can attend Church in person, I want
to encourage you to not grow comfortable at home or get out of habit of going to Church.
Our staff pastors and eldership understand and agree that not everyone can or should congregate at this time. However, we want to remove any concerns we can and reasons why you might not feel comfortable being in a larger group. For this we have all agreed to offer a new Fall Family Church schedule with you and your family in mind.
Beginning Sunday, September 6th, we will be adding a few more weekly opportunities for you to enjoy and participate in an on campus, in person, Church service of your choice each week. We are asking that you choose a service time that best meets your needs or the needs of your family. We will do everything reasonably possible to provide a comfortable and safe environment. Each service is expected to last approximately 1 hour, with the exception of Sunday mornings, which will be a few minutes longer.
Beginning September 6th, Church services at Golden Triangle Church on the Rock will be offered:
·
Sunday Mornings 10:30am
On Campus 11am Online
·
Tuesday Mornings 11am On
Campus
·
Wednesday Mornings 11am On
Campus
·
Wednesday Evenings 7pm On Campus 7pm Online
· Thursday Evenings 7pm On Campus
Each service on campus will offer an opportunity to participate in worship, communion, corporate prayer for our nation, and the preaching of the Gospel.
