Embedded Files
All Creatures of Our God and King
Verse 1
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him O praise Him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Verse 2
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heav'n along
O praise Him alleluia
Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
O praise Him O praise Him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Verse 3
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him alleluia
Praise praise the Father praise the Son
And praise the Spirit three in One
O praise Him O praise Him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Build My Life
Verse 1
Worthy of ev'ry song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Verse 2
Jesus the name above ev'ry other name
Jesus the only one who could ever save
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
We live for You
Chorus
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
Verse 2
Jesus the name above ev'ry other name
Jesus the only one who could ever save
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
We live for You
Chorus
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
Bridge
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Bridge
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Chorus
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
Amazing Grace
Verse 1
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see
Verse 2
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Verse 3
Through many dangers toils and snares
I have already come
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
Verse 4
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun
My Jesus I Love Thee
Verse 1
My Jesus I love Thee I know Thou art mine
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign
My gracious Redeemer my Savior art Thou
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now
Verse 2
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now
Verse 3
I'll love Thee in life I will love Thee in death
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now
Verse 4
In mansions of glory and endless delight
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now
Community that Transforms - Heb 10:19-25
Key Idea: By divine design, spiritual growth happens when we prioritize community.
My name is Paul. Pastor for 34 years of pastoring, the last 13 at Bay Park here in Kingston. During our 13 years at BP we partnered with MCM. A ministry you are well acquainted with and faithfully support – thank you! Shout out to any Momentum students or alumni here! Before diving into the sermon, I want to encourage you with a MCM update. What is God doing through your partnership?
Momentum was formerly known as Geneva House which started in 1974 on Queen’s campus. Why the new name? Because the ministry has now expanded from one house on one campus to many houses on several campuses - SLC, RMC, Loyalist College and Trent U. Even though we are on a lot of different campuses – we have one mission which is to be an incredible community where people experience Jesus and His transformation. To accomplish our mission, we focus on 3 things: Building community, disciples and leaders (all 3 interconnected & build on each other).
What does this look like on a week to week basis? It’s 38 Huddle groups, we’re talking 190 some students pressing into discipleship and accountability together. It’s The Well and some 200 students gathering for workshops and worship on Wednesday evenings. It’s Grad and Beyond groups, International Student Ministry, Saturday Socials and internships. It’s Missional houses – students living out their faith together. There are currently 10 MHs and we’re needing more.
So that’s just a glimpse of what God is been doing on our campuses. Isn’t that exciting? As Steve would say - can you feel the momentum? Here’s something else that’s exciting. Momentum’s mission of desiring to be an incredible community where people experience Jesus and his transformation is not unique. It’s an expression of the very mission Jesus entrusted to his church in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our passage is Heb 10:19-25. One of the many together, one another passages of scripture. In our text we’re going to answer 2 questions. Why do we need each other? How can we go about being a community that transforms? Stand and read together. Vv 19-25. Pray.
Anybody know what this is? Older people help them out. It’s a rock tumbler. You put in coarse, dull looking rocks and the drum rolls them around together, making them smooth and shiny like gems – brings out best in them. Did you know that rock tumblers have a lot in common with our text and God’s intended purposes for you church? For starters did you notice how Hebrews 10 is a “we” not “me” text? 19 - bros and sis, 22 - let us, 23 - let us, 24 - let us, 25 together. Quoting C S Lewis: He (Christ) works on us in all sorts of ways, through nature, our own bodies, books, experiences. But above all he works on us through each other. So Why do we need healthy Christ centered community? Transformation happens in connection not isolation. Just as rocks don’t become gems in isolation - they need other rocks to smooth out the hard edges - so too God gives us each other as a means of divine transformation. Here’s the irony. Why do we avoid deep connection? Because our greatest wounds come from? Relationships. But so does our growth and healing.
Vv 19-21 are steeped in Jewish temple imagery and high priestly duties. There’s a lot here but let me cut to the chase. What’s the connection between confidently drawing near to God knowing our sins are forgiven in vv 19-22, and the call to prioritize gathering together of vv 23-25? Hint, it’s not a random grocery list - get milk, bananas, tp. Together breaks the shame and isolation of sin. When Adam & Eve chose to believe a lie rather than trust God what was the consequence of their sin? Death – their days and our days are numbered. But sin also broke their relationship to God and each other. It’s her fault. Take any sin - lust, pride, greed, anger, jealousy, unfaithfulness. Take any addiction - porn, alcohol or shopohol. They are ultimately relationship destroyers. And the way we typically deal with our sin is to hide it, mask it, deny it, downplay it, blame shift. But all that does is dig a deeper hole of shame, isolation and bondage. The good news is that Jesus died in our place to restore and reconcile us to who? God (vv 19-22) AND each other (vv 23-25)! As MCM missional house pastor to the guys I had the privilege of sitting in on their huddles. Know what they do in a huddle? Before sharing what they’re learning in God’s word, or praying, the first thing they do is confess their sins to each other. Why would they do that? Because in doing so they experience Christ’s forgiveness and healing. They know longer need to hide, fake it, deny. (Jm 5:16) 23.
Together grows hope and perseverance. What happens if I take a rock out of the tumbler. Any renewal or transformation stops. So too, alone we don’t grow in faith we regress. And maybe that’s where you’re at this morning. So how do we go about being a community that transforms? v 24.
To consider is to be thoughtful/intentional. Tumbling rocks isn’t as simply as just throwing anything in. You pick the rocks, you add some grit or polishing agent. You think of the location and duration. Likewise If you have a work or school presentation, you research and rehearse, anticipate questions. If you’re going out on a date. You find out what they like. Check restaurant reviews. Make a reservation. Think of topics of conversation. So that in an awkward moment of silence you don’t nervously blurt out “how much do you make?” That’s what it means to consider. Before gathering - Consider being rested, punctual. Pray asking God to use you to encourage, help, welcome. 24.
Consider and? Spur. That’s a pointed word right?! It means to sharply disagree or provoke. It can be positive or negative. That’s why the author of Hebrews is careful to clarify the outcome - it’s a provoking to? Love - compassion, grace, sacrifice. To good deeds - generosity, service, encouragement. So if your presence repeatedly stirs up envy, argument, resentment, division – the problem isn’t them, it’s you! Think of the rock tumbler. How do rocks go from having sharp, hard edges to being smooth and awesome? It’s the rocks in a confined space rolling around TOGETHER that slowly smooths the hard edges. Did you know, we all have our share of hard edges? Before you elbow the person next to you – know that they have plenty of reason to elbow you back. That’s why you and I need the people that God place in his church. To spur one another on means going beyond talk about the weather or the leafs. You need to really get to know some people. Enough to encourage - your generosity is convicting me to trust God more in my giving. What’s up, you seem to be on edge these days. Ok? How can I journey with you? 25.
Consider, spur, repeat. Know why rock tumblers aren’t popular anymore? The process can take months. In an age of same day delivery or I die, that doesn’t bode well. Like a rock tumbler, some of our rough edges will take years, even a lifetime, for the Holy Spirit to soften. That’s why we need to keep encouraging one another, drawing near to God together.
Do you see why and how community/together, is a God given means of growth? Even when it hurts? How it’s for all of us in all seasons of life? Leave with a quote & question from J M Comer:
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse