Life + Faith – joncoombs.com

Tag: Church

Greater Than: The Message of Hebrews

Have you ever found yourself at the point where you realised whatever you’re doing isn’t worth the time, energy, or effort to continue, so you quit?

Many of us have experienced this with various things in life, like gym memberships, growing a veggie patch in our yard, or even more significant commitments like jobs or relationships. It’s a common human experience.

We’ve begun a new sermon series at our church where we’re diving into the book of Hebrews, a letter that inspires and encourages us not to quit but to persevere in our walk with Jesus.

The central message of Hebrews is that Jesus is greater than all. He is the ultimate revelation of God, providing us with everything we need for our souls, life, and faith. This then leads to the constant encouragement to not give up, to not quit the faith, but to keep on keeping on.

If you’ve ever signed up for a gym membership, then you may have experienced something of the following. You sign up inspired to get healthy, turn up 3-4 times per week, and want to make use of the classes on offer or the swimming pool in the complex. But about 6 weeks in, the results aren’t there. Another 6 weeks later, you realise you haven’t attended in a while, and then 6 weeks after that, you realise you’re paying a good amount of money for nothing. So, you quit. You give up on it.

In our faith we may be tempted to do the same. We get some months or years or even decades down the road of faith and drift. We drift so much, we decide it’s not true, or not worth the time, or we’re not longer convinced it’s worth it.

This is where the message of Hebrews comes in. It is written to encourage us not to give up, but to persevere in light of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. It is written with teachings, with warnings, and with encouragements to help us do just that. To keep going.

This sermonic letter opens with a majestic declaration:

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)

As the letter progresses, we see that Jesus is greater than the angels, Moses, the priests, and the old sacrificial system. He is our Great High Priest, who mediates between God and his people, and offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice once and for all. This truth is at the heart of our faith and is written to give us the strength to keep going.

Toward the end of the book Hebrews 12:1-2 says the following to continue this encouragement:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In our faith journey, we might face moments where we want to quit due to life’s challenges, doubts, or our own shortcomings. But we are not alone. We are surrounded by a ‘great cloud of witnesses’—those who have gone before us and those walking alongside us. Most importantly, we have Jesus, who endured the cross for us and intercedes for us.

The continued encouragement is to commit to running the race of faith with faith, fixing our eyes on Jesus, and drawing strength from His example and the community of believers around us.

I look forward to sharing more on Hebrews in coming months as we explore this book.

July 19, 2024
Conduct Reflects The Gospel
We know when people work together in unity much can be achieved. There is a bond together, there is a goal to achieve, there is progress made, sometimes quite rapidly, when people are united.

We may have experienced this before ourselves when working with others on a particular task, on a particular project, or toward a particular goal. We might even look at the natural world and think of the ant colony that works together in various lines to sustain themselves, or birds flying in a V formation to make a flight easier, or lionesses hunting in packs to capture their prey.

When in community with others being united is important in achieving common goals and objectives. And for the church at Philippi, to not crumble under the pressure they are facing, Paul presses on them the need to be united at the end of chapter one, verse 27.

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel…”

Reflecting The Gospel In Unity

Paul names the unity of the church as a way for the church to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.

This is how the gospel is displayed, through the unity of believers.

Whether Paul is with them or not, that in the end doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the conduct worthy of the gospel will be displayed through the church’s unity and togetherness.

The church in Philippi is under some pressure and persecution. We read in v28 of some opponents and Paul’s word to the church is, “to stand firm in one Spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents.”

As the church stands firm, and are of one accord, through the work of the Holy Spirit, then in their striving together they are contending for the faith. In their unity they are displaying the unity they have in the gospel, in Christ. In their unity they are conducting themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.

Disunity In The Church

In my experience of church life I have seen and experienced plenty of disunity within the church. So much so I wonder what I’m still doing here sometimes. You may well know or have experienced times when a church has not been united either. And when this occurs, when there is disunity in the church, things can go wrong, very wrong.

The conduct of people goes awry,

The idea of where the church should be putting its energies gets pulled this way and that.

There is commonly some relational breakdown.

It becomes a very poor witness to the Christian community, let alone the wider community.

And the main thing no longer becomes the main thing. The gospel is sidelined, pettiness and gossip increase, and it becomes awkward and awful for many.

When we read the scriptures we are encouraged and challenged toward unity by these words of Paul. As we seek to conduct ourselves worthy of the gospel may we be people who stand firm in the Spirit and in one accord contending together for the faith of gospel.

In today’s polarised society, achieving this unity can seem like an uphill battle.

Unity In An Age of Polarisation

Like the Philippians, we face growing skepticism of Christianity in our society. The secular nature of our society may sometimes conflict with gospel-worthy conduct, creating tension. Furthermore, our era is characterised by extreme polarisation, where civil discourse has been replaced by a binary divide, fostering an us-versus-them mentality.

The challenge we face is how we can maintain unity amid the cacophony of differing opinions and debates. A congregation of 150-200 people will naturally hold differing views, much like any friend or family group. Yet, this must not deter us from seeking unity in our common faith while still encouraging healthy dialogue and disagreement.

As we navigate complex societal issues like:
- government and political ethics
- euthanasia
- race and discrimination
- personal and corporate justice
- substance use
- relationship dynamics
- reproductive technologies
- sexuality and gender issues
- economic disparities
- health matters
- environmental stewardship
- and for us in Australia this year – the Voice to Parliament
We must constantly ask ourselves how to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. It is not about agreement on all matters but upholding the spirit of unity and love as taught by Christ.

As we live in the reality whereby issues such as these are part of our lives and culture how do we remain united around the gospel while wrestling with these things?

Love On Display

Thankfully Paul writes about this unity in a few places in his letters, and he speaks no better about unity than in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13. Beginning with the illustration of the church being one body with many parts he moves on to his most crucial point regarding unity–love. In 13:4-8 we read,

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

It is love which is most central to unity, it is love which is most central to Paul, and it is love which is most central to our faith. It is the “more excellent way” as he writes in 1 Corinthians 12:31.

Christians are to be marked by love and to be unified by love.

That love is best displayed when we head to the cross.

That sacrificial, God-exalting, sinner-redeeming love is most clearly seen through Jesus’ death and unifies all believers to love others rather than themselves.

Why is it that churches split, that conflict occurs, that disunity abounds?

It is because there is no Christ-like love.

On the other hand, why does unity occur?

It is because there is love.

It’s not actually unity through diversity that Paul is calling for here, which for some is a common catch-cry, it’s actually unity through love.

And through the cross of Christ and the love of Christ unity is found.

As people, and as the Church, who are conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel may we be encouraged and challenged to be united through the message of Christ, and in so doing display the love of Christ.

This post is part of an ongoing series where we dive into the themes, messages, and lessons found throughout the book of Philippians. For earlier posts please see:
June 19, 2023
The Grieving of the (Non) Gathering of God’s People

We now enter the third Sunday where our church is unable to gather together.

And this week it has finally hit me.

I’m grieving. I’m sad.

Perhaps I’m a little angry, but mainly I’m sad.

I’ve been involved in church life all my life. Being born into a pastors family means church is part of my life and lifestyle of my weekly rhythms–as it is for many Christians around the world. And it is in this time of uncertainty and alleviated stress where we seek the rhythms of familiarity. There is something about our nature that seeks rhythm and regular structures in our lives.

And so over the last few days I’ve been aware enough to notice that my emotions have changed as I’ve gone about my responsibilities this week. Knowing we are not gathering as the local expression of God’s people here at Rowville changes the nature of how I think about my weekend. While I may well be on the premises during our livestream, while I may know many from our community maybe watching even, I know it is different and there is something sad about this.

In our secularised, comfortable Western world grief and sadness are not seen as positive emotions. In modern Christianity we are more inclined to want to speak encouragement, we want to push people to see the joy, and take up the opportunity of the season. And of course, we know that God is in control in all of this, there is hope; the peace of our souls does not rest upon the prevailing winds of the world.

Instead, we worship a God, who through Christ Jesus, laid his solid foundation of hope and joy upon our hearts–knowing we are still held in him with enduring joy.

Yet, I’m still feeling sad. I’m still experiencing the grief of not being able to gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

For two years I lived in a small village in the mountains of Lebanon. I was apart from my home church back here in Melbourne, but I gathered each week with a local community of believers and ex-pats that I was working with.

Despite being away from my home church, what I knew and what I experienced was still a closeness with those I gathered with each week. Even though I didn’t know many of them very well, particularly in the initial months, I was encouraged and reminded of our unity as part of the family of God.

This time it feels incredibly different.

It isn’t simply being away from the usual sheep pen I reside in, this time it feels like we’re all out of our usual sheep pens and left out in the pasture. This isn’t to say God is not with us. Nor is it to say we aren’t all alone–modern technology accounts for something, but not everything.

The feeling of isolation, loneliness, and sadness comes from not being able to gather together with our church family. Rather than try to find some sort of faux-joy in amongst all the strangeness, perhaps it is appropriate to lament…?

After all, we enter Passion Week tomorrow, the week that symbolises the final week of Jesus’ life, culminating in his horrific death and glorious resurrection.

And perhaps this is something we can take away from this season? As we recognise the aloneness of this season this year it may help us enter more into the aloneness of Christ during this time. Though Jesus was surrounded by his disciples, and though he continued his ministry in this final week, we read of the unique isolation he felt as he headed toward the cross. Luke 22:42-44 helps reveal this to us:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

And so, while we may feel alone, sad, and grieved, unable to meet in the same physical location this week perhaps this provides us with an opportunity to see Jesus more clearly and walk his way more steadily?

April 4, 2020
Published: A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry by Michael McGarry

A friend of mine from the USA, Mike McGarry, recently published this great book, A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry. It’s an excellent read, and a much needed contribution on the theological foundations for youth ministry.

I reviewed the book and had the review published at TGCA. You can read the whole thing here.

You can find my review of A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry here.

September 6, 2019
Published: Youth Minister, ‘But Now’ You Have Been Included

Over at Rooted Ministry the fifth and final article of a 5-part series I’ve written has been published.

The essence of the series is identity for the youth pastor, centred on the phrase ‘but now’.

You can read the first post here, which looks at being made right with God. The second post focusses on the freedom we have because of the cross. The third post seeks to show how God has broken down barriers in order for us to be part of his family and community. The fourth post highlights our identity in relation to being reconciled to God. And the fifth post is a reminder that we are now included in God’s family.

You can read the whole thing here.

“I am reminded often, when working with teenagers, that there is a tendency in our younger years to withhold mercy toward one another. This, of course, isn’t solely a student problem. This is a humanity problem. But the withholding of mercy toward others, especially school friends and those who we deem “different,” seems particularly evident in teenagers.

In our ministry to students, one aspect of the gospel to emphasise is the fact that the mercy we have received from God through Christ changes our identity to mercy-givers. Following in the example of God, we too are called to offer mercy to others. History’s greatest act of mercy is the mercy offered by Jesus on the cross. And in our lives and the lives of our students, it is he whom we seek to imitate.”

You can read other published pieces here.

August 23, 2019
Published: Youth Minister, ‘But Now’ You Have Been Reconciled

Over at Rooted Ministry the fourth article of a 5-part series I’ve written has been published.

The essence of the series is identity for the youth pastor, centred on the phrase ‘but now’.

You can read the first post here, which looks at being made right with God. The second post focusses on the freedom we have because of the cross. The third post seeks to show how God has broken down barriers in order for us to be part of his family and community. Today’s post highlights our identity in relation to being reconciled to God.

You can read the whole thing here.

“In youth ministry we call upon our students and their families to recognize this gift of grace God has given us through Jesus. It is great that we can have a fun time, enjoy each other’s company, learn more about God, and find a place to belong as a community. But we also need to put front and center the truth that there is a need to reconcile with God. When we call our students to God, we call them to come and receive all these benefits. The gospel is a gospel of hope that delivers us from separation and alienation and reconciles us with the God of the universe, the lover of our souls. What was broken has now been finally and forever repaired.”

You can read other published pieces here.

August 22, 2019
Published: Youth Minister, ‘But Now’ You Have Been Brought Near

Over at Rooted Ministry the third article of a 5-part series I’ve written has been published.

The essence of the series is identity for the youth pastor, centred on the phrase ‘but now’.

You can read the first post here, which looks at being made right with God. The second post focusses on the freedom we have because of the cross. And today’s post seeks to show how God has broken down barriers in order for us to be part of his family and community.

You can read the whole thing here.

“But here’s the rub: Because God is with us, and because we are with God, there is no competition. There is no separation. There is no division. There is no apart-ness. No, we are with God and he is with us. We have been drawn near.

While we, and the students we lead, live in this lonely separated world we know there is something greater. Real relationship with others, being loved for who we are, and being accepted on the basis of grace is a call to community. In our churches we want to be known by people who are similarly known by God. And when we have students who are lonely, yearning for someone to simply listen, then we become an integral part in helping them be known. This is why our work is so important; it’s connecting people to God and to one-another. The greatest gift for our students is Jesus, the greatest community we can provide them with is one that shows love, respect, and acceptance in his name.”

You can read other published pieces here.

August 21, 2019
Published: Youth Minister, ‘But Now’ You Have Been Set Free

Over at Rooted Ministry the second article of a 5-part series I’m having published this week has gone live.

The essence of the series is identity for the youth pastor, centred on the phrase ‘but now’.

You can read the first post here, which looks at being made right with God. Today’s post focuses on the freedom we have because of the cross. You can read it here.

“As we minister to teenagers, as we parent our children, we often find ourselves drawn back to living pre-Calvary. We are more comfortable operating out of a place of rules, law, and instruction. And while we teach our students and children this freedom message, we often place upon them the same law we find ourselves so drawn to.

Living gospel lives means we speak this teaching and instruction from a new foundation, a foundation of grace and freedom that seeks to highlight this gift God has given through his Son. With gospel living comes rest; performance to achieve for God is turned into being with God. With gospel living comes security; we are held fast by a loving Father, free in the assurance of his promises. With gospel living comes comfort; in times of pain and trial we lean into his sovereign hand in all things, knowing that God is truly in control. With the freedom that comes from the gospel we are able to live lives from a place of joy, gratitude, and thankfulness.”

For today’s full article, go here.

You can read other published pieces here.

August 20, 2019
Published: Youth Minister, ‘But Now’ You Are Made Right

Over at Rooted Ministry I have a 5-part series coming out this week, all focussed on the theme of identity for the youth pastor and centred on the phrase ‘but now’. The first of these five have been published today.

“Our identity, as well as our worship and obedience, is found at the cross. Nothing else matters, nothing else suffices. Yet in the chaos of our jobs and calling, how often do we forget this? Like clouds above, slow and silent, we find ourselves drifting from this truth among the busyness, the self-importance, and the variety of youth ministry. We lose ourselves in the thrust and hustle. We seek to serve God and those in our congregations, yet we find ourselves wondering who we are amongst it all.

‘But now’ reveals our true identity to us in a way that feels like we’ve just walked into a glass door. Once we were a people who performed in order to be worthy, now we are a people who achieve through the free grace we receive. These two words set us back on the path to rest and rightness.”

The full post can be found here.

August 19, 2019
Published: The Power of Two by Danny Hunt

My friend and colleague, Danny Hunt, recently wrote a book about being a second-chair leader. That is, a leader that has a boss.

It’s a short book but packed with wisdom and reflection from his 30-plus years of experience in church leadership. It is aimed mainly at those who are involved in church life, but would be suitable for other industries as well.

I was fortunate to read the book recently and have a review of it published on TGC Australia.

You can find it here.

July 18, 2019