Sermon Notes
Sermon: Walking Boldly Through the Veil by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: November 18, 2018
Scripture Passages:
Sermon:
The Tearing of the Veil
There are no more mediators between us and God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had the priests and prophets that interceded on behalf of the people. When Moses led the people out of Egypt and throughout the wilderness, he served as God’s spokesman to the people. He would make requests to God about the Israelites and then tell the people what God wanted them to do. Even though King David was not a priest or prophet, he saw himself as a mediator between the people and God. Noah, Abraham, and so many others served as mediators between God and his people.
Within the tabernacle, or Temple, itself, not just any man or woman of God could pass the veil to enter the holy of holies, only the high priest could do that. And the high priest only did it once a year. There were many rules about who could go where in the Temple and when. And if someone broke those rules, there were consequences, including death. They were serious, reverent, and rigid in their religion. That veil that hid the holy of holies was representation of the separation between God and the people. That is why the tearing of the veil in the Crucifixion story is so important. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, the veil was torn in half, exposing the holy of holies for all to see. Jesus became our mediator between God and us, and, and since Jesus is God walking amongst us, all barriers to God were stripped away. Jesus made the way clear, after all He is the Way. (John 14:6)
Boldness
When we gather together as a church on Sunday mornings, we casually enter the sanctuary. Usually, my kids are running all around it. We do not even give it a second thought, because we do not face death to be here. Christ has made it open to all who seek Him. But I want you to consider the words of the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 10:19. He says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus…”
Most of the early Christians would have been devout Jews most of their lives. People that would not have dared to enter the holy of holies or to approach God directly. The Jews barely say the name of God out of reverence and honor for Him. It took great boldness for them to approach God directly in this new way of living that Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection gave them. How do you suddenly have a relationship with God without the safety of mediator? Certainly, they prayed to God, but even though the Jews were God’s chosen people, this would have been a huge change in how they viewed and related to God. It would have taken a boldness of faith.
The Faithful
The writer of the Hebrews was not talking to lost people who did not know Christ. He was writing to faithful followers of Christ. He is encouraging them to keep “a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10: 22), and he reminds them that they have been washed pure. He reminds them that Christ tore the veil, that He purified them of their sins, and that Christ is faithful to the people, always keeping His promises. Christ’s final promise was that He would always be with us, and He would send us the Holy Spirit to help us.
The way that the author of Hebrews writes verses 10:19-25, the Christians may have been experiencing persecution, or they may have been experiencing doubts about Christ and His promises. Either way, the author offers them three suggestions of how to remain faithful, strong, and bold in their faith. First, he encourages them to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). In essence, the author is asking them to hold onto Christ and not waver in their faith. They need to rely on God to get them through whatever trials or doubts they are experiencing. Since it is thought that Hebrews was written before the temple’s destruction in 70 A.D., some of these early Christians were eyewitnesses of Christ’s ministry or their parents were. They could have actually seen things with their own eyes. They did not just believe, but they knew. Yet, they had doubts in the face of trials. The author reminds them to stand firmly on God and His Word. He reminds them to be bold and that they are able to approach God directly.
Encouragement
The second thing the author encourages the Hebrews to do is to lean on each other. In verse 24, he says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”. When I was a teacher, one of the things that I would teach my students is that if their friends were true friends, then they would support each other in their education. They would encourage each other to stay on task and not distract each other. They would help each other learn if someone was having trouble understanding, giving guidance but allowing them to seek the answers on their own. They would praise them in their successes and tell them to keep trying in their weaknesses. They would inspire each other to be and to do better.
This is what can or should occur within the Church body. We can inspire each other to love and do good works. We are more than a team; we are a family living together under Christ. We are not alone in our walk with God or in our life on this earth with all its trials. Through good times and bad, we have each other. Just like any other family, we may quarrel or take each other for granted, but, overall, a true family inspires each other through love to be and to do better.
Neglect
While the first two suggestions were positive, the author tags on a warning. In verse 25, he says, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The Day that he is referring to is the promised day of Christ’s return. As with most of the writings of the New Testament, there is a sense of urgency. It is an urgency to tell as many people about Christ as possible before the Day of Judgment comes when Christ comes again. However, the warning that the author states here seems to directly address a specific problem that the Hebrews were having: they were neglecting to meet with one another regularly.
This is a problem that we face today for a variety of reasons. It could be misplaced priorities. It could be the convenience of technology, the “I can just stream a church service from my own home” philosophy. It could the prevailing mantra of “I hate religion, but I love Jesus.” Or another version of “I just need Jesus, I don’t need the church.” These are the reasons they tell others, but often the roots of the problem go much deeper.
Final Thoughts: Commitment
The list of why believing Christians neglect going to church or meeting together regularly is endless. It was back then, and it is now. The point is this: we need each other. We have also made a commitment. We have committed to God and by doing so have become a part of God’s kingdom. We have committed to following Christ, and by doing so we have become a part of His body. Remember the Church is the body of Christ. It is not a church building or its programs. It is the people. In order to BE a part of the body of Christ, we have to be with the other parts of the body as one Church. We have not just committed to God, but also to His people. This is why Christianity is based upon building relationships. It is not just our relationship with God or Jesus, but also our relationships with each other. These relationships occur when Christians meet regularly together, and not just on Sunday mornings. And the relationships with other Christians within the church body is not just within one congregation or one denomination. It includes all who have follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The motto of Agnus Dei is living life together under Christ. You may have heard me say this before, and you will most certainly here me say it again. Living life together under Christ is how we live out our faith in Christ. My challenge to you this week is twofold:
First – I want you to think about what barriers you have in your life that keep you from meeting regularly with other Christians or developing authentic friendships with other Christians. Then think about how to overcome those barriers.
Second – I want you to think about specific Christians in your life. Brainstorm some ways that you can encourage them in their walk with God or inspire them to do good works, visible acts of love, towards others. Then pick one or two of them and do them.
Walk boldly through the veil, approaching God directly, and be intentional about your relationships with God and others. Beginning intentional relationship building practices will make you stronger, will make your relationships with God and others stronger, and will begin a cascade of kindness and good works rippling out towards others. We are living life together under Christ, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week with your family and friends.
Further Suggested Study:
Suggested Reading:
Sermon: Walking Boldly Through the Veil by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: November 18, 2018
Scripture Passages:
- Hebrews 10:1-25
Sermon:
The Tearing of the Veil
There are no more mediators between us and God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had the priests and prophets that interceded on behalf of the people. When Moses led the people out of Egypt and throughout the wilderness, he served as God’s spokesman to the people. He would make requests to God about the Israelites and then tell the people what God wanted them to do. Even though King David was not a priest or prophet, he saw himself as a mediator between the people and God. Noah, Abraham, and so many others served as mediators between God and his people.
Within the tabernacle, or Temple, itself, not just any man or woman of God could pass the veil to enter the holy of holies, only the high priest could do that. And the high priest only did it once a year. There were many rules about who could go where in the Temple and when. And if someone broke those rules, there were consequences, including death. They were serious, reverent, and rigid in their religion. That veil that hid the holy of holies was representation of the separation between God and the people. That is why the tearing of the veil in the Crucifixion story is so important. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, the veil was torn in half, exposing the holy of holies for all to see. Jesus became our mediator between God and us, and, and since Jesus is God walking amongst us, all barriers to God were stripped away. Jesus made the way clear, after all He is the Way. (John 14:6)
Boldness
When we gather together as a church on Sunday mornings, we casually enter the sanctuary. Usually, my kids are running all around it. We do not even give it a second thought, because we do not face death to be here. Christ has made it open to all who seek Him. But I want you to consider the words of the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 10:19. He says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus…”
Most of the early Christians would have been devout Jews most of their lives. People that would not have dared to enter the holy of holies or to approach God directly. The Jews barely say the name of God out of reverence and honor for Him. It took great boldness for them to approach God directly in this new way of living that Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection gave them. How do you suddenly have a relationship with God without the safety of mediator? Certainly, they prayed to God, but even though the Jews were God’s chosen people, this would have been a huge change in how they viewed and related to God. It would have taken a boldness of faith.
The Faithful
The writer of the Hebrews was not talking to lost people who did not know Christ. He was writing to faithful followers of Christ. He is encouraging them to keep “a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10: 22), and he reminds them that they have been washed pure. He reminds them that Christ tore the veil, that He purified them of their sins, and that Christ is faithful to the people, always keeping His promises. Christ’s final promise was that He would always be with us, and He would send us the Holy Spirit to help us.
The way that the author of Hebrews writes verses 10:19-25, the Christians may have been experiencing persecution, or they may have been experiencing doubts about Christ and His promises. Either way, the author offers them three suggestions of how to remain faithful, strong, and bold in their faith. First, he encourages them to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). In essence, the author is asking them to hold onto Christ and not waver in their faith. They need to rely on God to get them through whatever trials or doubts they are experiencing. Since it is thought that Hebrews was written before the temple’s destruction in 70 A.D., some of these early Christians were eyewitnesses of Christ’s ministry or their parents were. They could have actually seen things with their own eyes. They did not just believe, but they knew. Yet, they had doubts in the face of trials. The author reminds them to stand firmly on God and His Word. He reminds them to be bold and that they are able to approach God directly.
Encouragement
The second thing the author encourages the Hebrews to do is to lean on each other. In verse 24, he says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”. When I was a teacher, one of the things that I would teach my students is that if their friends were true friends, then they would support each other in their education. They would encourage each other to stay on task and not distract each other. They would help each other learn if someone was having trouble understanding, giving guidance but allowing them to seek the answers on their own. They would praise them in their successes and tell them to keep trying in their weaknesses. They would inspire each other to be and to do better.
This is what can or should occur within the Church body. We can inspire each other to love and do good works. We are more than a team; we are a family living together under Christ. We are not alone in our walk with God or in our life on this earth with all its trials. Through good times and bad, we have each other. Just like any other family, we may quarrel or take each other for granted, but, overall, a true family inspires each other through love to be and to do better.
Neglect
While the first two suggestions were positive, the author tags on a warning. In verse 25, he says, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The Day that he is referring to is the promised day of Christ’s return. As with most of the writings of the New Testament, there is a sense of urgency. It is an urgency to tell as many people about Christ as possible before the Day of Judgment comes when Christ comes again. However, the warning that the author states here seems to directly address a specific problem that the Hebrews were having: they were neglecting to meet with one another regularly.
This is a problem that we face today for a variety of reasons. It could be misplaced priorities. It could be the convenience of technology, the “I can just stream a church service from my own home” philosophy. It could the prevailing mantra of “I hate religion, but I love Jesus.” Or another version of “I just need Jesus, I don’t need the church.” These are the reasons they tell others, but often the roots of the problem go much deeper.
Final Thoughts: Commitment
The list of why believing Christians neglect going to church or meeting together regularly is endless. It was back then, and it is now. The point is this: we need each other. We have also made a commitment. We have committed to God and by doing so have become a part of God’s kingdom. We have committed to following Christ, and by doing so we have become a part of His body. Remember the Church is the body of Christ. It is not a church building or its programs. It is the people. In order to BE a part of the body of Christ, we have to be with the other parts of the body as one Church. We have not just committed to God, but also to His people. This is why Christianity is based upon building relationships. It is not just our relationship with God or Jesus, but also our relationships with each other. These relationships occur when Christians meet regularly together, and not just on Sunday mornings. And the relationships with other Christians within the church body is not just within one congregation or one denomination. It includes all who have follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The motto of Agnus Dei is living life together under Christ. You may have heard me say this before, and you will most certainly here me say it again. Living life together under Christ is how we live out our faith in Christ. My challenge to you this week is twofold:
First – I want you to think about what barriers you have in your life that keep you from meeting regularly with other Christians or developing authentic friendships with other Christians. Then think about how to overcome those barriers.
Second – I want you to think about specific Christians in your life. Brainstorm some ways that you can encourage them in their walk with God or inspire them to do good works, visible acts of love, towards others. Then pick one or two of them and do them.
Walk boldly through the veil, approaching God directly, and be intentional about your relationships with God and others. Beginning intentional relationship building practices will make you stronger, will make your relationships with God and others stronger, and will begin a cascade of kindness and good works rippling out towards others. We are living life together under Christ, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week with your family and friends.
Further Suggested Study:
- Hebrews 10:19-25
- Acts 2:42
- Ephesians (whole book)
- Acts (whole book)
Suggested Reading:
- I Am a Church Member by Thom Rainer
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