"The Value of a Church" (Hebrews 10:19-25)

The Value of a Church (Hebrews 10:19-25) by Rev Warren Hodge (October 2017)

Introduction

What do think is the value of a church???

Where do you find value in church?

This is an important question, since the reputation of the church has been run down in many places.

Whereas some of this is understandable and has been deserved, we need to recapture, understand, speak up for, and proactively present … the value the church can have in society, and particularly in this community.

What is Church?

When the New Testament talks about what we call ‘church’, it uses the Greek word ekklesia. Essentially, ekklesia means an assembly or gathering or meeting of people … summoned together for a purpose. Ekklesia came to indicate an open and interactive company of equals … under the guidance of Jesus (rather than under human control). As there is a strong point of connection between these people i.e. a relationship with Jesus … this gathering becomes like a family, where we see each other as brothers and sisters in the Lord. On certain occasions, Jesus even highlighted the importance of his spiritual family over and above his natural family. Therefore, the ‘church’ should be understood as a relational and functioning community of believers under Jesus’ leadership.

Church seen as community actually derives from who God is – a community of three … unified in purpose with a variety of functions. Thus, the church is also a unified diversity of people. This is where we really experience the magnificence of the ideal of ‘church’. Very different people, from very different walks of life, can come together … and interact toward a unified purpose. God wanted a corporate expression of the Trinity on the earth, and the ‘church’ is the way God went about it. It is in this way, that we better represent God together than apart.

When the apostle Paul seeks to explain the function of a church, he uses the term ‘Body of Christ’. The church – the ‘Body of Christ’ – is one united body, made up of many different parts, just like the human body is made up of so many different (yet interrelated) parts . This ‘Body of Christ’ metaphor shows how the Holy Spirit draws together all our human diversity into a complete whole, just like how all the parts of the human body are brought together to form a complete human person.

None of us, though, is the head, because Jesus is the head. The church is now the physical body of Jesus on the earth; and Jesus, because it is his body, is the head. So, in this way, the church represents and encapsulates the thoughtful activity of Jesus on earth. Our diversity forms a rich tapestry of what it means to be human, while, at the same time, giving an opportunity to model a brilliant cooperative unity. In other words, very different personalities are brought and bound together by the Holy Spirit to work creatively under the leadership of Jesus for the common good of all humankind.

There are two further implications of this, all talked about in 1^st Corinthians chapter 12. The first of these is our shared giftedness. We all share in a variety of spiritual gifts or inspired abilities that are meant to be brought together, encouraged, developed and used in cooperative activity. Secondly, we are each indispensable to the whole. Just like the human body ideally needs all its parts, we need each other, and we are lesser without one another. The New Testament knows nothing of ‘going it alone Christianity’ – even those on mission (to the outermost) need to be sent from, and responsible to, the wider body. We are accountable to one another for the wise use of God’s gifts.

Adjusting our Thinking

So, a ‘church’ is NOT a building, but a people. In some cultures, like ours, buildings have become very useful, and very identifiable, as points of gathering and worship – but these buildings are NOT the church. Thus, any buildings that we utilise must be our servants and NOT our masters, and should be designed to facilitate the growth and training of the people in their mission to the world. A church doesn’t just meet within a confined space with thick walls, but rather participates in all parts of society all of the time … constantly representing the values and ideals of its head – Jesus.

A ‘church’ is also NOT an institution, nor an organisation (like a club) – but rather a living spiritual people movement … seeking to encounter God in the here and now, and follow Jesus into the future. And, ‘church’ is NOT an event to attend. We don’t go to church, we are the church. As the church, we worship God, share our resources, and serve the general community together. Church is NOT optional – it’s who we are … part of our identity. Our salvation is expressed in the corporate adventure.

Church should NOT be assessed by what we get out of it, so much as what we can put in to it. And it’s NOT the content of the service so much … as the character of the people, and the quality of the relationships … that count. This is all modelled by the early church in Acts chapters 2 & 4, where we read about devotion to God and one another, thankfulness, generosity, and having the goodwill of the general community.

The early church brought together a great diversity of Gentiles and Jews, slaves and free, women and men and children … all on an equal footing – no wonder it required constant visits and letters from apostles like Paul to help them pull it together! Yet the very richness of this diversity of people [under the one roof] should capture the world’s attention. Nowadays, there is also that exciting mix of people … that are new to the way of Jesus, together with those long on the journey, and everybody in between.

Being the Church – Hebrews 10

Our entry into the church is through the work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection – that we see outlined in our Hebrews 10 reading. Jesus provided for the atonement or forgiveness of our sins, and gave us free access to God on the other side of the curtain. We have been cleansed and deemed suitable to be Christ’s representatives, and we are brought together by Jesus through His Spirit to become Christ’s Church – through which there should be a supreme witness to Him. There is nothing to hold us back or out!

We are invited into a full appreciation of church – where we experience a different sort of attitude to life than what we often encounter elsewhere. Whereas the earthly culture is largely self-interested, people who follow Jesus into the church are interested in how all of creation is faring. If there are those who are struggling or living under injustice, we want to know how they can be helped in Jesus’ name. We are interested in how others might grow in their capacity to be an effective Jesus-follower.

So, we buy into this idea in Hebrews 10:24: “… let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds”. But we do this in a gentle, humble, teachable, peace-giving and encouraging way. We do this without judgment, and with total understanding that life can deal out some cruel blows … that we are often totally unaware of. We are ready to learn as much as we teach, and listen as much as we speak (if not more)! This is the church; and, at times, it is far different to the world.

“Provoke” is an interesting word, that is often used in a negative sense i.e. provoking someone into a reaction that could be frowned upon, or provoking someone into a fight. How can we “provoke” someone in a positive way? Other translations use the word “spur” or “stimulate”, but these don’t have the same edge that the original Greek word brings. Closer might be “stir one another” or even “incite one another” or what about “ruffle one another”? Clearly, we are supposed to be proactive about this, and at least somewhat provocative! We have a role in holding each other accountable to a biblical lifestyle.

But, how can you “provoke” love and good deeds in peace, gentleness and humility?? This could only be through a credible example … in a lifestyle attuned to the life of Jesus! One commentator of old (Hastings) wrote: “We are to affect each other acutely to love and good works”. So, “awaken one another” might be a way of applying this, with the idea that love and good deeds lie somewhere within all of us, but need to be actively drawn out.

So, in the church, we need to be about encouraging others to bear more closely the image of Jesus … through more closely bearing the image of Jesus OURSELVES. This is part of our mutual commitment to each other, and we can help each other to attend to this. This is mutual discipleship. So it is, that it is probably only possible … to properly pull off this “provoke one another” thing, within a well-connected, caring, loving environment!!

So whenever we find ourselves complaining about the state of the world, or even the church, or any particular person – our response should NOT be to withdraw or give up, but rather to continue to seek to bear the image of Jesus. In this, I find verse 23 (of Hebrews 10) quite inspiring – “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful”. In other words, if we hang in with what we have become sure is true, and what we have often confessed with our mouth about Jesus, then our faithful and true God will work it all out in time.

The Value of a Church

I have been talking here about ideals, greatest potentials, best case scenarios. I know and understand that many people have been deeply hurt and disappointed in churches … when it hasn’t worked out as it should have. I’m sorry for this – we would all regret this. But it remains true, that the church can provide the most magnificent of spiritual environments in which people can flourish. And even, when a church is far from perfect, there can still be extraordinary opportunities of personal growth, pastoral care, leadership development, and mutual mission to the world.

1. We can be part of something that has eternal significance. We have a vision beyond the material and temporal into the larger vision of God for the world. And as the “Day” approaches, as it always approaches, reflecting on what has eternal significance, and what does not, is increasingly important. The opportunities of ministry that the church provides are rich indeed! The church stands in the gap – between the evil in the world that causes despair, and the glory of God which brings deliverance. It is the church that is God’s chosen instrument to redeem the world. In the church we experience the world-changing power of salvation. In the church we experience the earth-shattering presence of the Holy Spirit. Elton Trueblood wrote: “The last chance for the renewal of the human spirit, lies in the formation of genuinely redemptive societies, in the midst of ordinary society”.

2. We can be in relational community. Because we were made in the likeness of God, we were created to live in relationship with others – that’s just the way we were designed – this basic human need to connect with other people, is well-served, in the church, (hopefully) in a safe and trust-filled way. Thus church can be seen as a compelling necessity for all believers. As we journey together, we can learn to trust, deal with our brokenness, find healing for our hurts, grow spiritually, and become more open to meaningful relationships. We can find reassurance in the faith of others, whenever we have seasons of doubt or fear. We can build the sort of community that we were designed to need, and through which we can actually flourish in life. And this sort of broad and inclusive community can be very positive, because we are brought together with people from wider backgrounds and different interests than we would have ever likely done by choice. Without the church, people usually drift away from God.

3. We can come together in a positive, safe and encouraging environment with the commonality of following Jesus. Encouragement is what people need most, and often get least. We know how much encouragement is required to offset criticism and despair! Encouragement is found through genuine acceptance into community. Encouragement is found through loving kind words and caring service. Where life often brings many put-downs, encouragement is about being lifted up. Encouragement strengthens and energises us. Encouragement builds faith and confidence for the Jesus-following life in the wider community, especially as we encounter spiritual warfare. In such an environment we can express joy when others have reason to rejoice, we can laugh when funny things have happened to one of us, and, as this is a safe place, we can weep alongside others when they have their own occasion to weep. People can confess their sin, and rather than being judged or condemned, experience forgiveness, healing and freedom. Expressions of hurt, concern, struggle and need … are brought to the place of prayer. The church thus becomes a place of honesty, where masks can safely be removed.

4. We can all have a role to play, a voice that can be heard, life experience and wisdom to offer. Dormant gifts can be awakened. We can all be a part of discerning the will and wisdom of God. This has been called the ‘priesthood of all believers’, meaning that each one has a supportive and redemptive ministry role to everyone else, and we are all interpreters of God’s will and purposes for each other and the whole. God could speak through anyone at any time. We all get to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the cause of the common good. There is the right role for everyone to play in Christ’s body! As ministries are shared broadly with intentional teamwork, limitations disappear.

5. A church functioning well offers a new and fresh start for people who have lost their way. People can be twisted out of shape by earth’s distorted images of living – embracing the god of consumerism or angry retribution. Yet, the church can offer an alternative reality or worldview, because of the presence of Jesus, who never stops looking for people … loving them … seeking them out … offering transformative forgiveness, inviting them to leave behind the old and become new. While this can be read in a book and heard in a sermon, it can be most relevantly seen to work in the life of a church community … in a multitude of ways. Providing a warm welcome and broad hospitality and practical care proves how much God values all people. The church can, at its best, model the new creation, the kingdom of God, heaven, especially to those who have experienced very little kindness in their lives.

6. We can experience really healthy and growthful times of corporate worship, including song, prayer, communion, sharing, and listening to the Word. In worship we get to sing the timeless truths about God, read the Bible, and kneel at the cross – a great tonic for the weary soul! A good discipline of participating in worship is especially helpful when we are faced with challenging circumstances, because worship will remind us of God’s availability and faithfulness, and we can receive encouragement from others who also face trials. Hard times should draw us toward, not away from, worship. Churches become stronger as they worship together; and their witness, as members disperse throughout the week, is more effective for the faith that has been built through worship. There is something staggeringly good about a gathering in which everyone is seeking Jesus together!

7. With all the capacities of God made available to us collectively, we can make a serious impact for good. Repeatedly, in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit surges through the assembly of God’s people, bringing remarkable outcomes. And it is our openness to love that the Holy Spirit can work with. The agape love referred to in verse 24 is a love that has the cross as its reference point. Love is active to the point of sacrifice. And, love is NOT abstract, it can’t be experienced alone – love can only be experienced in actions. The face of Jesus can be recognised in the poor, lost and vulnerable, and they can be served in Jesus’ name. The church can be a witness to what redeemed and reconciled humanity looks like – what the kingdom of God is like – counter to the times when the world has given up on real agape love. Agile, under the Spirit’s leading, prepared to change whenever necessary, the church can quickly respond to the needs of a society, and any individual soul within it.