19 Therefore, brothers,[c] since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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. Hebrews 10:19-25

Worship as a Church Family Is Unmatched Corporately 

Worship as a Church Family Is Unmatched Vertically 

Worship as a Church Family Is Unmatched Horizontally 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:1-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to their own town to register.        Luke 2:1-3

God is Sovereign over every detail in this world

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.        Proverbs 21:1 

Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.      Micah 5:2

God is sovereign over where you are in life

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.     Luke 2:4-5 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28

God’s sovereignty makes way for God’s plans

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.         Luke 2:6-7

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.     Mark 10:42-45

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.       Romans 3:23

So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. 13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity.14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.      Hebrews 9:11-15

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prune so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”          John 15:1-5

Jesus is the Vine and God the Father is the Gardener

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.        John 15:1

Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.       Isaiah 5:1-2

The Gardener works in His garden to make sure what isn’t growing is gone and what is growing grows more

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.      John 15:2

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.              Galatians 5:22-23

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.             John 15:2

Jesus is the only source you can connect to bear fruit; we must remain in Him

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.           John 15:2-5

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.              John 15:8

For apart from me you can do nothing.                   John 15:5

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.                2 Corinthians 3:5

Come near to God and he will come near to you…        John 4:8

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.           John 15:8

Whoever abides in me, and I in him, he it is, that bears much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.                 John 15:5

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”               John 14:1-6

Jesus gives reassurance for our souls

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”        John 14:1

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”            John 14:27

Jesus gives a map of our eternal destination

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?          John 14:2

“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.”       Psalm 145:13

Jesus lets us know why Heaven is worth pursuing

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.         John 14:3

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.                            1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Jesus gives us the map to Heaven

You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”          John 14:4-5

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”         John 14:6

“…and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”        John 6:37b

Jesus is the bridge to what is Greatest

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.          Hebrews 13:8

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.         John 8:32

“…No one comes to the Father except through me.”       John 14:6b

They shall see his face.         Revelation 22:4.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.        1 Peter 3:18

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”  9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”       John 11:1-27

Even though God loves you, you will suffer

So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”     John 11:3

So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days….     John 11:6

Even though you will suffer in life, something better is coming

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.        John 11:17-20

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”        John 11:21

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”        John 11:23

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”           John 11:24

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”       John 11:25

Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.    2 Samuel 14:14

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”             John 10:11-18

Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.          Psalm 23:1-2

I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.       Micah 2:12

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.”       Ezekiel 34:11-16

Jesus is with us through thick and thin all the way to the end

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.        John 10:11-13

Jesus knows His Sheep

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10even there your hand will guide me your right hand will hold me fast. 11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.  

Psalm 139:1-12

Jesus protects His Sheep

Jesus cares for and provides for His sheep

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.      Psalm 23:6

I am who I am.         Exodus 3:14 

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.            John 8:12

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.           John 9:5

Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died!  Who do you make yourself out to be?        John 8:53

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day.  He saw it and was glad. You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?  Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”            John 8:56-58

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.       Ephesians 5:13

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good.  And God separated the light from the darkness.         Genesis 1:3-4

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.       Exodus 13:21  

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.         1 John 1:5  

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”          John 8:12

Jesus is speaking to you today

Jesus is inviting you to trust Him and obey Him

I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.           Isaiah 42:6-7

If you follow Jesus, you will always have Light

All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate,the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.         John 14:25-28

If you follow Jesus, you will be forgiven

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.        John 12:46

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.       Colossians 1:13-14

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.           Ephesians 5:8

If you follow Jesus your life will be changed

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer.  Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.”         John 12:35

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.         1 Peter 2:9

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.      Matthew 5:15-16

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.       Hebrews 10:25

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.          Psalm 119:105

“I am the bread of life.”     John 6:35a

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.         John 6:5-6

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”            John 6:25-34

This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.       John 6:29 

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.       John 6:35

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.    John 5:6

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.       2 Corinthians 5:21

Who is Jesus?

How should we respond to Jesus’ claims?

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”       John 6:35

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.           Romans 8:26-27

We have weaknesses

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.      Romans 8:26

While we may be weak, our God helps us in our weakness

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.     Romans 8:26

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.        Romans 8:28

We can be certain in this; there is no need to doubt

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.      Romans 8:27

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.       1 John 5:14-15

"Your will be done."