1. THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LIVE! LIVING THE BETTER LIFE OF THE NEW COVENANT Hebrews 10:19-25

2. Summary argument & transition “Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He has inaugurated for us, through the curtain (that is, His flesh); and since we have a great high priest over the house of God…” (Heb. 10:19-21)

3. What is life like under the new covenant? How do we respond? “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean The bracketed text has been added for clarity. from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:22-25)

4. What is life like under the new covenant? How do we respond? 1. Keep drawing near to God  “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”  2 internal conditions: “a true (sincere) heart” (Luke 18:9-14) “in full assurance of faith”  Beware of the Eeyor Complex

5. Just say “NO!” to Eeyor…

6. What is life like under the new covenant? How do we respond? 2. Keep holding on to the hope that we profess  “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Don’t abandon your hope Don’t stop professing your hope (1 Peter 3)  Why do so few of us profess our hope? Lack of confidence in our hope Intimidated by opposition Don’t realize what God is up to all around us

7. What is life like under the new covenant? How do we respond? 3. Keep stimulating one another to love and good deeds  “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds…” “Stimulate” = incite, irritate, provoke!!!  How do we do this? Meet together intentionally Make our meetings intentional

8. Just say “YES!” to the peloton…

9. What meetings do we prioritize in New Hope? What is their purpose?  Functions that happened in their community (from Acts 2…and the rest of New Testament):  Devoted selves to apostles’ teaching (the Word of God – Bible)  Devoted selves to fellowship (stimulating & inciting one another to follow Christ)  Devoted themselves to the breaking of bread (the Lord’s Supper – it is more than you think…)  Devoted themselves to prayers (for one another’s growth, for the advancement of the Gospel, etc.)

10. What meetings do we prioritize in New Hope? What is their purpose?  Forms they established to experience these functions (from Acts 2 & rest of New Testament):  Regular meetings “in the temple complex” Not to engage in religious rituals, but to hold out the hope they professed to people seeking this hope!  New Hope  The Central Gathering Profess the hope we have in Christ Spur on to understand & embrace hope in Christ Teach, celebrate, relate to friends (old & new)

11. What meetings do we prioritize in New Hope? What is their purpose?  Forms they established to experience these functions (from Acts 2 & rest of New Testament):  Regular meetings “from house to house” “breaking bread” – consistent, stimulating, & welcoming to outsiders  New Hope  LIFE Groups L earning biblical truth I nterceding for one another & the world F ellowshipping E xtending LIFE to others

12. What meetings do we prioritize in New Hope? What is their purpose?  New Forms we are adding to better experience these functions:  We desire to stabilize and expand our children’s ministry. KidsLIFE starts Aug. 24, 9:00-10:00am  We desire to better equip adults for a lifetime of following Jesus together. LIFE U. starts Aug. 24, 9:00-10:00am

13. How do we respond to the finished work of Christ? 1. Keep drawing near to God 2. Keep holding on to and keep holding out the hope you profess 3. Keep intentionally stimulating one another to live a lifestyle engaged in the above!!! What is your response?

14. NEXT WEEK… THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LIVE! HOW CAN WE LIVE A PERSEVERING LIFE IN THIS NEW COVENANT? Hebrews 10 – 12 reflections