“The House of God” (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Hebrews 10:19-25

 

Pastor Tom Johnson, November 15, 2015

Welcome to the house of God. The entry way is wide open. There is only a torn curtain. The tatters and shreds are only what remains on the door posts. When death tore through the Body of Jesus on the Cross, the fabric tore in two. Death was torn in two. All who wish to enter no longer need to fear that impenetrable obstacle. The death of death removed all obstacles to our entering into the House of God. Jesus, by his blood, overcame that curtain and veil of tears. The door could not be any more open. The welcome could not be any more hospitable. This is a royal house. It is a priestly house. The Lord of the house has given his own self to make a way for all the world to enter in. He invites to enter his house. He calls us to come in. Come in with a pure heart. Come in with full trust in your host. He not only wants you to say “Yes” to his invitation, he assures you that it is his good pleasure and delight.

Do you have an evil conscience? Are you weighed down by guilt for what you have done? Are you paralyzed by shame for who you think you are? This is a priestly house. There is a font at the door.
The water, the Word, and the Spirit are there to sprinkle your hearts clean and to cleanse you—body and soul. Foul stench of sin, be gone! Dreaded feeling of unworthiness, wash away. This is not the time to stop speaking hope-filled words. This is not the time to waver. The Great Priest of the House of God has made his promise. He is faithful and true. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise” (Ps 100:4). Make yourself at home. “My house is your house,” the Lord says.

Consider with me how we can spur each other on to do some good in this world that desperately needs it. Ponder with me how we can love one another and our neighbor. “Let’s provoke one another to love and good deeds”! Let’s turn each other’s worlds upside down for good. Let’s keep things dynamic by shaking each other out of complacency, dullness, and laziness. “Don’t neglect coming together as is the habit of some.” Don’t forget the value of hearing God’s Word. Don’t take public worship for granted. Avail yourself on the vast resources we have in God’s gifts and in one another as a family of faith. Don’t miss Supper around the Lord’s Table. Don’t deny yourself the benefits of the Bread and the Wine and the blessed fellowship we share.



We are here to encourage one another. The House of God is a house of encouragement. It is a place of positivity. Only constructive and edifying words should echo off these walls and reverberate through our halls. Encourage. The New Testament word means to call to one’s side—to partner, to invite a person to be on your team. It is based in the Hebrew idea to strengthen someone emotionally and spiritually. It is not unlike how we say, “Come with.” To encourage is embolden, strengthen, and comfort another person. It is to ground them in the truth of who they are as a member of the High Priest’s household. It is to call someone to remember they are royal and priestly children of God.

The House of God is a house of encouragement. And as we eagerly await the Lord’s return—we should be all the more committed and diligent to be encouraging to one another. That means we build each other up with our words. It means, by God’s strength and each other’s encouragement, we stop criticizing one another in order to stroke our own egos. It means we refrain from ridiculing one another and find value in every member of our family. It means that we do not participate in playground gossip, junior high politics, or turf wars. We are family. This is the Lord’s House. This is a place of acceptance and mutual edification. Everybody has a place at the table. We are on the same team and working toward the same goals. As one of my childhood TV show hosts Cowboy Bob used to say, “If you have nothing good to say, then don’t say anything at all.”

This is the House of God. It is a House of Encouragement. It is a safe place. It is a nurturing place. It is a blessed place to be as the Day of the Lord approaches. It is a foretaste of our eternal dwelling. The entry way is wide open. The curtain that separated us has been torn in two. Christ crucified has brought about the death of death. There is no obstacle keeping us from entering in. We enter by faith trusting in the High Priest who is faithful. We are cleansed by the water, the Word, and the Spirit in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sin, guilt, shame, and hopelessness are carried away by the flood of his mercy, grace, and love. The Lord of the house has given his life to secure your place and mine. Encouragement awaits you. A feast is already prepared at the Table. This is a royal house and you are royal children. This is a priestly house and you are a holy priesthood.
Welcome home.