Keep On Keepin’ On! Pt.1
Romans 12:5, In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Foundation Of Biblical Community
Acts 2:41, Those who accepted His message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer … 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
-Salvation -Baptism -Belonging
How Do We Persevere In Community?
Hebrews 10:19, Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1. We Draw Near To God With
Hebrews 10:22, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
2. We Hold Firmly To
Hebrews 10:23, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
“The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.” —Jonathan Edwards
Ecclesiastes 4:10, If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them… 12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
3. We Encourage One Another Toward Love And
Hebrews 10:24, And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
1 Corinthians 12:26, If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
• We
Ephesians 2:10, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
• We
Colossians 3:16, Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one other with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Sprit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
• We
1 Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing… 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Philippians 1:27, Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.