It amazes me to see how our attitudes change when we get around holidays. So, all during the months of November, December, and January our country was protesting, fighting and in an uproar. Now, I’m not saying that there isn’t some of that going on now, but as I scrolled through Facebook this past week I found it interesting that there were fewer posts of protests, fewer posts of President Trump, fewer posts of hatred. Could it be because it was Valentine’s Day? I don’t know, I just find it interesting (not that I’m complaining).
I had the privilege to speak at Iglesia de Shalom Church of God this past Sunday. Part of what the Lord laid on my heart I would like to share here in this blog. I don’t know if social media will start up again with the posts of protest, hatred and negativity, but this one thing I do know is what the Word of God says that we should do as believers. That is what I would like to share in this blog.
Hebrews 10:24 “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Take a look at these verses with me for a few moments. The writer of Hebrews is to do several things in these two short verses. First, consider one another. Growing up whenever we would go out somewhere there was a sense of watching out for the “other guy.” You watched where you walked, how you talked, you were polite saying “Thank you, please, excuse me, etc.” I see less and less of this in our world. In our society, today it has become more and more about “ME.” We’ve graduated to an “I” society and have very little concern about the other guy. If you doubt this, go to the grocery store around 4 or 5 in the afternoon and just sit on the bench by the checkout and watch people. You will see people cutting in line, rushing through the store not talking to anyone, and just try and count how many carts crash or almost crash into each other. I fear that this attitude is sweeping its way into the church. We may not be as rude as at the grocery store, but we have a tendency to have the “Me” attitude. Instead of provoking people to love and to good works, I see us provoking people to anger, bitterness, and hatred. I wonder, is the Lord happy with this kind of attitude? Is the Lord happy with this kind of spirit when we gather for worship? Is the Lord happy when we minister to each other? Now, I realize that we all have bad days. I realize that there are days we don’t feel good and just have problems dealing with people. I get it!!! However, that shouldn’t be our attitude 90% of the time. We should consider our brothers and sisters and “provoke them to love (not anger) so that we all can do good works.” We have a lot to accomplish for the Kingdom. Jesus said the fields are white unto harvest but the laborers are few. Could that be because we are not provoking each other to love and good works? We have several in our nation who are scared because of policies that are being made in Washington and then mis-interpreted. There are several in our churches who are in that boat. Are we provoking them to love and to do good works? Are we easing their fears, or do we sit quietly by and let them fear?
Okay, I’ll get off that soapbox and get on another one. The writer goes on in v. 25 and talks about gathering together. There are some believers that feel that they can be Christian and be by themselves. They can be independent of other believers. This verse tells us quite frankly that we need to be together. When I come to worship on Sunday, Bible Study Sunday Night, Church Wednesday Night, Special services, I look forward not only to be in God’s presence, but also to have my spirit joined with other believers. I get strengthened and encouraged by being with other believers. Hearing how the Lord blessed them. How the Lord worked in their lives. How the Lord blessed and performed a miracle in their lives. It helps me face the trials and the troubles that come my way during the week. I look back at that worship service, or that conversation and remember, “God brought them out, God answered their prayer, He’ll work it out in my life as well. I just need to have faith and need to continue to stay the course. It may be tough right now. There may be persecution right now. I’m in the fire right now, but I read in the Word that God pulled them out, I heard from so and so that God pulled them through. If God did it for them, He’ll do it for me.” What an encouragement!!!! What a joy!!! What strength comes from being together in worship.
The writer also says that we’re to keep doing it until the day Jesus comes again. Now, I haven’t heard the trumpet yet. The sky hasn’t split open yet. Jesus hasn’t come back yet. So, I guess that means that we’re still supposed to get together and encourage one another. We’re still supposed to provoke one another to love and good works. We’re still supposed to lift one another up in prayer and share God’s love with each other. Of course, that means that we have to have faith in Him to start with. So, next time we’ll talk about faith. Where does your faith lie? How’s your faith working for you? Until then… Hebrews 10:24 “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Pastor Rob
