February 5, the main purpose of ministry.

We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and

preserve their souls, Hebrews 1039.

Don't look at the temporary cost of love and shrink back from confidence in God's

infinitely superior promises.

If you shrink back, not only will you lose out on the promises, you will be destroyed.

Hell is at stake in whether we shrink back or persevere.

It's not just the loss of a few extra rewards that hang in the balance.

Hebrews 1039 says, we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed.

That is eternal judgment.

So we warn each other, don't drift away, don't love the world, don't start thinking nothing

huge is at stake.

Fear, the terrible prospect of not cherishing the promises of God above the promises of sin,

as Hebrews 313 and 14 says,

exhort one another every day as long as it is called today that none of you may be hardened

by the deceitfulness of sin, for we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original

confidence firm to the end.

But mainly we must focus on the preciousness of the promises and help each other value

above all things, how great the reward is that Christ has purchased for us.

We must say to each other what Hebrews 1035 says, do not throw away your confidence which

has great reward and then we must help each other see the greatness of the reward.

That is the main task of preaching and the main purpose of small groups and all the ministries

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