Stirring Up One Another To Good Works
Christian Bond • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
Last week we began a new “short series” on the “Christian Bond” taken from the passage of Hebrews 10:24-26 wherein we find…
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. 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
As these Hebrew brethren struggled in their walk with God and love for Jesus the writer declare “how they can continue to keep the “Christian Bond” with their God and each other.
By stirring each other up to love and good works by way of the assembly.
Last week we focused on “stirring each other up to love” and in so doing noticed that we do this, partly by being reminded “every time we come together” that…
We Are Family (1 Peter 1:22) and that Growth (in Love) Is Need (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).
Today I want to start looking at the second part of the stirring each other up which is to “stir each other up to good works.”
Every time we gather together to worship “our God” we are coming to an assembly of people, “Christians,” that are…
Welcoming
Welcoming
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Greetings.
Greetings.
Greeting each other, right off the bat, is one of the easiest and most welcoming things about coming together.
This might be why so many passages are dedicated to this very thing.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
When we great each other in such a way we not only welcome but excite each other to “want to be together all the more.”
This greeting, however, must not be quirt or inhospitable because our welcoming or greeting must be…
Hospitable.
Hospitable.
The word “hospitable means…
“given to generous and cordial reception and welcome to guests.
Have you ever been to a congregation on vacation and no one really greeted you, no one was hospitable toward you and your family?
This should never be in the church because a major aspect of Christianity is hospitality.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Summary
Summary
How do we “stir one another up to good works” and make attendance a place to be cherished?
By welcoming each other, each time we meet, with a hospitable greeting.
What is another way we can “stir one another up to good works?”
Every time we gather together to worship “our God” we are coming to an assembly of people, “Christians,” that are…
Encouraging
Encouraging
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Strengthen.
Strengthen.
Encouraging brethren comes when we strengthen them spiritually and emotionally.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
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.
We we assemble together to worship we “encourage one anther” and strengthen each other spiritually.
17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
This strength we gain through encouraging each other when we assemble in fellowship not only strengthens us but it makes us…
Embolden.
Embolden.
It isn’t easy going through this life and the ups and downs of it all, when we are not together, can make life challenging.
So when we get together to worship our Creator, that strength we receive from such, emboldens us or gives us courage to continue to fight the good fight of faith the rest of the week.
13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
4 Great is my confidence toward you; great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.
Summary
Summary
How do we “stir one another up to good works” and make attendance a place to be cherished?
By encouraging each other so as to strengthen and embolden them to make it until the next appointed time.
What is another way we can “stir one another up to good works?”
Every time we gather together to worship “our God” we are coming to an assembly of people, “Christians,” that are…
Kind
Kind
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Gentle.
Gentle.
No one wants to come and worship their God with saints that are cranky, hard-hearted, and mean.
Worshiping with the saints is the place where gentleness abounds.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We deal with cranky, hard-hearted, and mean people at work, school, or other places we find ourselves during the week.
Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening is the place we go to find those that are kind, gentle, and…
Altruistic.
Altruistic.
The word altruism means, “unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.”
In other words it means “loving your neighbor as yourself.”
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Summary
Summary
How do we “stir one another up to good works” and make attendance a place to be cherished?
By being kind, gentle, and altruistic to one another each time we assemble in fellowship to worship our God.
What is another way we can “stir one another up to good works?”
Every time we gather together to worship “our God” we are coming to an assembly of people, “Christians,” that are…
Humble
Humble
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Lowly.
Lowly.
We come to worship our God and fellowship with our brethren, in part (as we have been studying), to be lifted up don’t we?
Yes, of course, but every time we assemble with the saints we are reminded of just how much, like everyone else, we need God.
Everyone in the assembly, whether rich or poor, whether white or black, whether young or old, all can only say, “we are unworthy servants; we have done what was our duty” (Luke 17:10).
The assembly is were we find the greatest encouragement to be “lowly.”
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;
When we assemble to worship our God we are reminded of how humble or lowly we must be, to be faithful and true to our Creator by others striving for the same.
Part of humility is not just being lowly but also…
Meek.
Meek.
As we have discussed meekness literally means “tamed animal” and that doesn’t mean “weak.”
No, when we come together with the saints we are reminded of the attitude we must bear because we are all sinners in need of such from one another.
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Summary
Summary
How do we “stir one another up to good works” and make attendance a place to be cherished?
We humble ourselves and become meek and lowly in mind toward one another for the development and maturity of the congregation as a whole.
What is another way we can “stir one another up to good works?”
Every time we gather together to worship “our God” we are coming to an assembly of people, “Christians,” that are…
Teaching & Admonishing
Teaching & Admonishing
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Instruction.
Instruction.
The assembly of the saints is the place where those with a love for God and his word can go and grow through instruction of God’s holy writ.
This is done through “songs” as we just noticed but also through sermons and casual conversations and every time we gather together we can grow “together” in the word of God.
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Not only are we able to instruct one another beautifully when gathered together but we are able to admonish each other as well, a very vital part of Christianity and the assembly.
Admonishing means, in most simplistic since…
Warning.
Warning.
Again many get the blessings of assembling wrong by thinking it is all about “feeling good emotionally about ourselves” but that can only truly happen if we are willing to be admonished or warned about sin that we all deal with.
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Summary
Summary
How do we “stir one another up to good works” and make attendance a place to be cherished?
By cherishing learning from God’s word through song, sermon, and conversation before and after the worship service.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What is another way we can “stir one another up to good works?”
Every time we gather together to worship “our God” we are coming to an assembly of people, “Christians,” that are…
Welcoming
Encouraging
Kind
Humble
Teaching & Admonishing
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.