A Church Purposed for OthersSample

STIR THEM UP And let us CONSIDER how to stir up one another to love and good works... The writer of Hebrews has just been encouraging his readers to draw near to God in full assurance of their faith which is in Jesus Christ and the finished work of the Cross, which has washed and cleansed us, that we can stand before God, Holy and righteous. The writer further encourages his readers to hold fast to their confession of hope without wavering. The writer wants his readers to be strong and steadfast. In verse 24, the writer now encourages their readers to move from being focused on themselves to be focused on others. That is what it looks like to be strong in God, and strong in faith is to be OTHERS ORIENTED. In Hebrews 5:12, the writer says, “...in fact by now, you ought to be teaching others...” highlighting that our capacity to help others grow reflects our strength and maturity in Jesus. The word CONSIDER – means “to direct one’s mind.” That is, we should not direct our minds towards self, what we stand to get or benefit, but in fact, the encouragement is that as we grow in knowing Jesus, our minds will and must be oriented towards OTHERS. Verse 24 says, consider how we can STIR one another up. That means we should direct our minds towards stirring one another up — being a Church purposed for others. STIR is a strong word – it means to incite, strongly encourage, or engage with someone in helping them grow in love and good deeds. It is not passive, and it is not distant. In the context of a close community, we would strongly encourage each other to grow in our love for Jesus and love for one another to be involved in God’s purpose, which looks like serving others. Good deeds are not about moral behavior but about helping others. Imagine what our churches would look like if all week we were considering not what we are going to get out of services or small groups, not what we want God to do for us, but imagine if all week as a church we were directing our minds and meditating on what we could do this week to stir someone else up toward love and good deeds! This would create a joy-filled and missional environment as we see the gospel working through us to make a significant difference in people’s lives! AND LET US... “LET US” describes the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the community context. We usually rely on the Holy Spirit, and it is always in the context of community that we help people grow. You grow the most when you help others grow. Scripture: 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. - Hebrews 10:24-25 Prayer Point: Lord, I ask that you stir me up to direct my mind and focus on others, love, and good deeds. Lord, forgive me for the times I have been self-absorbed. Open the eyes of my heart Lord to see those around me in my community and church. Holy Spirit, stir my heart and empower me to consider, love, and do good deeds that are others oriented.