Day #2 – You can’t do life alone.

It’s day 2 in our 6-day devotional through the core values we talked about this past Sunday at Vertical Church.

One of the passages we listed under this value is from Hebrews 10.  Let’s read verses 19-24 together, then think through a few questions:

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. How many times does the author of Hebrews (many think Paul wrote it, but we’re not sure) use the words “us” and “we” and “one another” and “together”?  Thinking about that, do you think God ever intended on Christianity being a “Lone Ranger” activity?

2. What do you think it looks like to “not give up meeting together”?  Is he specifically talking about a church worship experience, or is he talking about something even more basic?

3. There may be some who would argue that church community isn’t that big of a deal… or that I love Jesus but not the church.  How do you think the author of Hebrews would respond to that?

4. Hebrews 10:24-25 names at least three benefits of being in community with other believers.  What are those and how important do you think they are in the life of a Christian?

Read Ephesians 3:20-21… what does Jesus think about the potential of the church that He established?

Finally, read Mark 14:32-35… Even though Jesus was the Son of God, fully God and fully human, did He try to do life alone?

This life is going to be filled with high mountains and deep valleys, incredible successes and devastating failures.  In each and every circumstance and situation, life is better in community.  It’s more exciting to celebrate wins when you celebrate them with others, and the losses are more bearable when you share the pain.  So, who are you living life with?  What’s your next step into community?

Day #1 – We never outgrow Jesus.

In case you missed it… I mentioned yesterday at Vertical Church that I would be posting a devotional-type guide here on the blog that would help each of us continue to work through the 6 core values (or The Core) that were the main part of the final sermon in our series, “Sacred Cows.”

So, grab your Bible or YouVersion app and let’s get down to business.

WE NEVER OUTGROW JESUS.

When you think about the New Testament, who’s the first person you think about (besides Jesus, of course)?  Is it a disciple?  your favorite character in a parable?  I think about the Apostle Paul, the man who wrote the most individual writings in the New Testament (Luke actually wrote the most words, just FYI).  Paul is one of the most influential people in all of Christian history.  If anybody could claim to arrive at a place in their walk with Christ where growth was no longer necessary, I imagine it could be Paul.

With that in mind, read Philippians 3:1-16, and reflect on the following questions:

1. Was Paul more concerned with who we was currently or who he was becoming?  How would you describe your focus?
2. Was Paul more dependent on his own gifts and abilities or Christ’s power and righteousness working in him?  Is Paul’s way better?  Why or why not?
3. Was Paul content in his relationship with Christ?  Did he think he had arrived and no longer needed anything?
4. How did Paul describe the mind of someone who was mature? (Hint: He says in v. 15 that this who are mature should be of the same mind.  What is he talking about? What kind of mind?)

Read James 1:22 – Remember the filter we use to make decisions (Listen to God and do what He says)?  Are you doing that?  What is He telling you to do?

Finally, don’t forget that this Christian life is a journey with Christ.  Often, we can get so consumed with the destination (which we should be focused on) that we fail to take the simple step of obedience that Christ had placed in front of us.  Because we never outgrow Jesus, we are never in a position where we don’t have a next step.  What is your next step?

And if your step seems daunting, or you’re a little nervous about it, read Psalm 37:23.  In fact, read it regardless.  I think it will encourage you today.

A quick thought on kingdom and glory

*The following post comes from a daily email which I send to participants of Vertical Church’s 40 day Kingdom Come Initiative.  The italicized words at the end are the words of a prayer I’m praying that day over our church.*

C.S. Lewis said, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God says, ‘All right then, have it your way.’ ”  It is often said that God is for us, which is absolutely true.  However, when we stop there, I believe we miss some of the motivation behind “God being for us.”  God is for us, primarily I believe, because God is for God.  Habakkuk 2:14 speaks about the knowledge of the glory of God filling the earth like the waters cover the sea.  Have you ever been on a boat in the middle of the ocean?  There’s water everywhere!  And that’s the analogy God gives us through Habakkuk.  It isn’t the knowledge of my glory or your glory that will fill the earth.  It is the knowledge of His glory.  This is what Jesus is saying when he commands us to pray “Let your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  God’s kingdom, this glorious and beautiful reality being turned into earthly reality, this is what we are seeking.  God’s glory.  Not my glory.  Not my kingdom.  God’s glory.  God’s kingdom.  Nothing else matters.

Lord, let your kingdom come and your will be done in all things.  Let the knowledge of the glory of God fill the earth… let it fill Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Suffolk… Let the knowledge of the glory of God the earth like the waters cover the sea.  Let it start now, today, with me and in me.  Let your kingdom come.