One Another Motivate Text : Hebrews 10: 19-39

Transcription

1 Sermon : One Another - Motivate Page 1 INTRODUCTION : A. Let me ask you two questions : 1. Why did you come to this assembly? One Another Motivate Text : Hebrews 10: What did you think about while preparing to come? ( Mental preparations ) B. There are several different reasons some come to the assemblies of the church. 1. Some come by force of habit. 2. Some come out of a sense of duty to God. 3. Some come because this is the place to worship God. 4. Some come anticipating being in the assembly will make them feel good. C. Depending on who you ask, there are divergent views of the assembly. 1. The bible class teacher thinks people should be in the assembly for his lesson. 2. The song leader knows that the singing sets the tone for the whole assembly. 3. Preachers know that many don t study so their lesson is the most important part. 4. The scriptures say we come together on the Lord s Day is to eat the Lord s Supper. I Cor. 11:20 Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord s Supper, D. What is your process for preparing for the assembly? 1. Is getting ready to leave a big hassle? * a. Have you ever noticed it s easier to get off to work on Tuesday than ch on Sunday? b. By the time everyone s up, fed, dressed for church and in the car you re exhausted. 2. AS well, many are busy making preparations for what they will do after church. a. Wife s make preparations for Sunday dinner. ( Satan invented oven timers. ) b. Pack the car for trips to grandma s house or for recreation. 3. In my travels I ve seen some good examples, but I wasn t wise enough appreciate. a. A family went out for breakfast on the way to church and talked about the spiritual. b. A family sat down together and each read a verse, said why and prayed together. *c. Best... had brief devotional and discussed who they would talk to, set with, etc. Most Christians do not have a proper view of the assembly and even fewer come to the assembly prepared to accomplish God s purpose.

2 Sermon : One Another - Motivate Page 2 I. With this lesson, we want to look at a familiar passage from a different perspective... A. Heb. 10: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. B. Our purpose is not to do a complete exegesis of the text, but to unfold it s core teaching with regard to our responsibilities to each other. 1. We ll see that the assembly is a place where we minister to one another. 2. We ll see the consequences of our success or failure in accomplishing God s plan. C. Within this text we will observe six things : 1. The command given. 2. God s objective for the command. 3. Where the command is to be fulfilled. 4. The method by which the command is fulfilled. 5. One of the motivations in fulfilling the command. 6. The some of the consequences of not obeying the command. D. Understanding the context helps one to understand the command. 1. The book was written to Jewish Christians. 2. They had been enduring sustained persecution. 3. When they should have been mature in the faith, they were not. 4. Some were drifting away, perhaps back into Judaism. 5. Jesus is presented as superior to Judaism in every way. a. Superior priesthood b. Superior high priest c. Superior covenant d. Superior sacrifice e. Superior access f. Superior promises * Because Jesus is superior in every way, one should stay faithful to Him.

3 Sermon : One Another - Motivate Page 3 II. The basic command is to not just to attend services, but to motivate each other.. A. Heb. 10: 24.. let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,.. B. We are commanded to consider each other. 1. This word ( katanoeo ) is in the imperative mood indicating a direct command. a. This word for consider is also translated as : behold, perceive, discover b. It literally means : to consider attentively, to fix one s eyes or mind upon, to understand, to observe, to perceive 2. Therefore, we must develop a relationship with each other. a. Just coming into the same room with another is not considering him. b. If we re to know how to motivate a person, we must develop knowledge about him 3. The knowledge to motivate can t be acquired just by doing acts of worship together. a. We need time together in various settings. ( Opportunities for extended interaction ) b. One can learn more by sticking around longer after services. ( too selfish w/ time ) C. This is easier in a small congregation. 1. There is no reason for us not to know every member of the congregation. 2. We must make ourselves available for others to get to know us. This is a command that we must all work together to accomplish. III. The goal of this command is to motivate each other to be more active Christians... A. Love and good works are at the very core of Christianity. 1. Matt. 22: Jesus said love is the most important function of a human being. 2. We know that we have been saved by the fact that we have learned to love. I John 3: 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 3. Good deeds are simply the application of love in our lives. a. Eph. 2: God created us in Christ Jesus FOR good works. b. James 2... Love and good works are the fruit of faith and require practical deeds. c. I John 4... The Apostle John agrees with James. (Js first & I Jn last epistles agree ) * Christianity is more than a passive belief system based on faith in Jesus. It is an active pursuit... a lifestyle... a different way of living.

4 Sermon : One Another - Motivate Page 4 B. Every Christian has the duty to stir up these attributes in every other Christian. 1. This is a very active, proactive, assertive verb. a. It s also translated as : contention.. so sharp, stimulate, stir up, provoke, spur on b. It means to excite to action, to irritate, to incite c. This same word was used to describe the clash between Paul and Barnabas. Acts 15: 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and... * Action must occur which engenders a response. 2. The aforementioned action must transpire between brethren. ( Part of fellowship ) a. The objective is not to engender contention, but positive action. b. Both parties must participate in a gracious way. Eph. 4: 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. c. I Cor. 14: 26b... Everything done in the assemblies of the church must edify. 3. Why do we consider, study, closely observe the brother before taking action? a. The action is not just a repetitive ritual ( act of worship ) to uniformly perform. b. Not everyone in the congregation will be stirred to action by the same thing. 4. Even a small congregation is made up of a variety of kinds of members. I Thes. 5: 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. a. Unruly b. Fainthearted c. Weak * Since every member is different the motivation must be custom tailored. That s why it s necessary that we consider the needs of each individual. IV. The command is to be fulfilled in the context of the assembly.. A. As earlier noted, the assembly has many different purposes. 1. Obviously, we worship God when we assemble, but God designed the assembly for more than that. It s horizontal as well as vertical. 2. God instructs us to edify each other in the assembly. a. I Cor. 14: 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

5 Sermon : One Another - Motivate Page 5 3. Some things are done in the assembly just because it s convenient to do so. a. I Cor. 16: The assembly is the most convenient time for a collection. b. The assembly is just one of the time was are to be involved in relationship building. Rom. 14: 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. B. Every Christian has the duty to assemble with their brethren. Heb. 10: 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, 1. We most often use this passage to explain to people that they are required to attend. a. The assembly of the church is not optional... Willingly forsaking it is sin. b. Vss explain the consequences of not attending : falling... no forgiveness c. Forsaking the assembly is the first step in the falling away process. 2. Choosing to do something else instead of the assembly or just staying home is sin. a. It is a willful sin. ( Vs Deliberate rebellion against the authority of God ) b. It is a premeditated refusal to obey God in order to do what one wants instead. *c. This does not include those who are sick, but it does include all voluntary acts. 3. We cannot make exceptions to God s commands; imagine standing before God : a. I abstained from fornication most of the time, but I just had to visit my friend... b. I abstained from murder, but I really hate Hindus so I killed some occasionally. c. I understand you wanted me to love you more than father, mother, son or daughter, but you know how it is Lord, Family first! ( i.e., My family before yours. ) C. God instructs us all come to the assembly to fulfill our ministry to His family. 1. We are to study them carefully. 2. We then formulate a course of action that causes them to love more. V. The method that God instructs us to use is to encourage each other.. A. We must emphasize again that we worship when we assemble, but the assembly is for more than just worshipping God. 1. Identifying the assembly as thee worship of the church causes spiritual problems. e.g., some view worship as something one goes TO and neglect their daily worship. 2. We must assemble for the Lord s Supper, but we can worship any time, any where. 3. The assembly of the church is very much about our one another relationship.

6 Sermon : One Another - Motivate Page 6 B. One of the methods we are to use to motivate one another is encouragement. 1. This word ( parakaleo ) is not altogether what we understand it to mean today. 2. It is translated in a number of different ways : Beseech, comfort, exhort, desire, pray, entreat 3. It literally means : to call to one s side to strengthen by consolation to admonish to teach ( words are required ) C. God requires that Christians verbally interact with each other regularly. 1. When we get together it is not to just do some acts of worship and go home. 2. When we talk with each other it is not just to talk about the weather, sports, etc. CONCLUSION : A. Why should we assemble to motivate each other? 1. Doing so will prevent the weak from falling away. 2. Doing so will keep ourselves faithful. 3. Doing so pleases God. B. This one another command is increasingly problematic in our society. 1. There is enormous competition for our time and our attention. 2. We live among denominations who call themselves Christian, but don t live it. a. Too often we are tempted to accept their definitions of Christianity. b. They try to fit their version of Christianity into their busy schedule. ( secondary ) C. The day will come when it s too late : all the more as you see the day drawing near 1. The scriptures do not tell us the day is to which the writer refers. a. Day of assembly b. Day of death c. Day of judgment 2. Which day is irrelevant, the point is that our time is limited. a. We can t live to ourselves planning to repent just before we die or before judgment b. Eph. 5: Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 3. It is vitally important that we obey God and that we function as HIS family. We ARE our brother s keeper. We support each other s struggle against the world. INVITATION :

7 Sermon : One Another - Motivate Page 7 Lesson Text : Hebrews 10: Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling 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 willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY. And again, THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. 38 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.