Hebrews 10 (4)

Introduction
Christians need each other when the going gets rough. Alone, we may seek rest from trouble or opposition in places where no rest can be found. Together, we can look to our High Priest, draw near to Him in prayer, recall and hold fast to our confession, encourage one another to press on toward good works of love, and enjoy the fellowship, worship, and growth which are ours in the restof God. This is how the first Christians persevered through trials, and it’s a formula we must follow as well.

Read Acts 4.18-37.

Read Hebrews 10.19-25.

Think it through.
1.  The writer reminds us that the restwe seek is only to be found in the “Holiest” place (v. 19). What place is that? Why are we able to enter that place? What does it mean to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith”? Is this a kind of precondition for fruitful prayer? When is your heart “sprinkled from an evil conscience”? When is your body “washed with pure water”? Are these also preconditions for fruitful prayer? Explain.

2.  The writer uses a string of verbs which he expresses in the cohortative sense (“Let us…”). Explain each of these verbs: “hold fast,” “consider,” “stir up,” “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” and “exhorting.” What do these suggest about the importance of life together in the Body of Christ? In what sense do we “see the Day approaching”? Why should that motivate us with respect to these verbs?

Meditate.
“It is not separation but assiduous effort at unity that is the work of love.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2.3, 4

Grant me grace, Lord, to serve You this day by reaching out to my fellow believers to…

Pray Psalm 40.14-17.
Pray for your fellow believers, using these verses to hold them up to the Lord. Ask the Lord for someone to encourage in Him today.

Psalm 40.14-17 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
Bring to shame my ev’ry foe, all who would my life destroy; 
Bring them down to scorn and woe who at my hurt sing for joy.
Let them come to grief and shame who heap scorn upon my name.

Let them shout for joy and sing who in saving grace delight!
Let them praise to Jesus bring, though affliction be their plight.
Christ, our help, our Savior He! Of us ever mindful be!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.