Hebrews 10:24 – 25 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”
Hebrews is a book of encouragement and it is written to the Hebrews. Let us consider one another and think of one another. What words of encouragement do I have for my brother? How can I spur my brother on in love and to do good works for Gods glory? Some people are pulling away from fellowshipping with others. Maybe they were offended, discouraged or have lost heart. We can help each other especially those who are hardened.
Every church needs a culture of encouragement, not a culture of criticism, harsh words or finger pointing. Hebrews is a culture of encouragement. There are warnings like do not harden your hearts. The purpose of the letter is to encourage God’s people on. Sam then encouraged Crossroads to develop a culture of encouragement.
We really do have an enemy who uses discouragement and comes with a finger of accusation. People may not think good thoughts and have negative words. These are the lies of the enemy. Come back to Jesus and see what He has done for us. Yes, I have sinned, messed up but I have a wonderful Saviour who has given me righteousness.
The letter to the Hebrews causes us to look to Jesus, our High priest, who represents us to the father. God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit, is for us and his purpose is to do a good work through us. Out of a loving community, we are to love one another, bring words of encouragement to one another. Through our triune God, there is a constant flow of love and we are to learn to do the “one another” verses in the bible e.g.
1. Serve one another
2. Love one another
3. Bear with one another
4. Wait for one another
5. Forgive one another
6. Honour one another
7. Be devoted to one another etc, etc
If we are to be in the church, we are to forgive each other. We don’t always get it right. Let’s share our stuff with one another, sing to one another etc. It’s biblical. Encourage one another.
There is the story of 2 men who were close friends, like brothers and these men were Jonathan and David. David was a commander in King Saul’s army. He was young but God was with him powerfully. David rose in popularity. Saul was King at the time. The ladies would come out and sing about Saul killing thousands but David killed tens of thousands. Saul was jealous of David and this jealousy began to work in his heart. David was popular and Saul was thinking “what about me? What about me?” In King Saul’s heart, the jealousy and envy turned to hatred and he wanted to kill David. Hatred makes people want to kill others and it starts with jealousy.
Jonathan (King Saul’s son), had a good heart. Jonathan met David and they hit it off very well. They became close friends and made a pact together. They were like blood brothers. When Jonathan went home to King Saul, he saw his father pacing up and down muttering hatred towards David. Saul called his officers and Jonathan together and told them that they will bash him down. Jonathan stood up for David and pleaded with his father Saul. However, jealousy continued to eat Saul’s heart. Jonathan helped David escape from Saul. They escaped into the wilderness. Jonathan at times experienced the wrath of his father Saul.
David was living in a cave when word came to him that Saul and his officers were looking for him and wanted to kill him. David was discouraged. Jonathan wanted to find his friend David and encourage him in the Lord. Jonathan went out despite the danger of his father Saul and his officers and eventually, Jonathan found David. They were happy to see each other. Jonathan encouraged David. He brought him words of strength and new life. Jonathan then returned home and David stayed in the cave. David wrote many psalms of these things. Psalm 27: 1 – 3. These are the words of a man going through a difficult time but he was encouraged by his friend and by God.
What does this story teach us? It teaches us to develop a culture of encouragement. Jonathan was a man with a heart of compassion, love, preferred someone else over himself. He had a passionate heart. Discouraged people often go into hiding. David had no choice. We need someone to come along and lift us up, to say lets pray and God is for us.
Sam encouraged Crossroads again to be a church that grows in a culture of encouragement. He ended the service by prophesying over several people. That was incredibly encouraging!
Summarised by Molly Manhanga
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