It is always such a blessed thing for us to gather together in corporate worship! There is nothing else in all the world that will form us into the holy people our Father has called us to be than our worship together as His new people in Christ!

In the light of the events of this week in our nation, I am especially eager to gather in our Lord’s presence with each of you. It is in the company of the redeemed that the Spirit not only sanctifies us and cleanses us by the preached Word, but also strengthens our faith, builds our love, and gives us immeasurable hope!

Honestly, I have struggled deeply since Wednesday over what I should preach this coming Lord’s Day. Without getting into all of the sordid political details, I believe we are all most aware now that the cost of following our Lord faithfully in this country will become even greater in the days ahead. 2021 will doubtless bring a more formidable assault upon our basic freedoms, and those values that we believe are essential for the survival of a just nation where human life is cherished as a sacred gift from our Creator.

My heart is broken, and I know that each of you could give a similar testimony.

And yet, from the depths of that same broken heart, I believe that the inspired Word of our Father will provide all that we need to move forward in joy and hope! That’s why, despite my struggle, I am certain that our series in Hebrews should continue as planned.

Our text, while on the surface seeming to be far removed from our current afflictions, will nevertheless provide us with exactly what we need in this painful moment.

On Sunday, we will prayerfully consider Hebrews 6:1-3. Here, the Spirit of God will call us to “ go on to maturity” together! We will see that this exhortation, first sounded to Christians prior to AD 70, will give us our marching orders in this new year of 2021.

Whatever challenges lay yet ahead for us, we know for certain what our Father’s will is: we must keep moving! And we must do so as empowered by the very Spirit who raised our blessed Redeemer from the dead!