PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Weekly Bible Study - Study 11 - The Book of Hebrews Ch 3:12-19

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sins deceitfulness. We may come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. As has just been said; “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion”” (Hebrew Chapter 3: verses 12 to 15 (New International Version)

No person is an Island!

There is something similar about golf and faith in God; both are understood as individual pursuits. Golf is one of the few games you can play by yourself. However while there are some who enjoy going out to the course to play on their own, most choose to play with friends or in a club competition or a team event. The reality for most is golf is much more enjoyable when playing with others, especially if you get a hole in one.

Life is meant to be shared at all levels and this includes our faith in God as well. I really enjoy talking about faith in God, but it’s sad how for many it becomes a point of tension.
I am always surprised when I hear people talk about their faith in God only from an individual perspective. Comments like; “I have my own faith” or “you do not have to go to church to be Christian“, I hear often. There is a certain amount of truth in their statements but unfortunately from the perspective of following Jesus, they fall short of the mark. In any fair assessment of the faith following Jesus, it is a community at its heart. When a person is baptised for instance they are welcomed into a new family of God’s people. It is an insult to the meaning of baptism when people talk about getting a child “done” as if that is all there is to it.

The word church has its root meaning in to gather together. In our reading this week, we have an important role in helping each other and encouraging each other daily, especially those who for various reasons begin to desert the faith they once held. The point about faith in God is that it can be easy to lose heart and go back to unbelieving habits. Just like as parents we would do all we can to help our children who sometimes stray from what is right and good, so as followers of Jesus we have a responsibility to encourage ourselves and others in following Jesus, especially when they and we begin to drift away. I have found church to be the best place to be when I am struggling.
For all the faults that people point to the church, it is still the best place to be encouraged in our faith and to celebrate the great things God has done and continues to do in our world.

The basis for this community who follow Jesus is Jesus himself, not us, who is the radiance of God’s glory and has secured our eternal salvation.
The other factor in this reading is our responsibility to God for persevering and not giving up when we chose to follow Jesus. How sad it is in our country when so many have abandoned the faith they were introduced to as children.

Prayer, Lord, help me today to encourage my sisters and brothers, mothers, and fathers children and grandparents that are my family in the church. Amen.

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