Go! And Spur One Another On Series

Go! And Spur One Another On

Introduction:

There’s a story told about a coal left on its own.

A group of men were sitting around a fire one evening when one man, who had stopped attending church, was visited by his pastor.

The pastor didn’t say a word. He simply picked up a glowing coal with the tongs, set it apart from the fire, and sat back down.

In just a few minutes, the coal lost its heat, turned black, and grew cold. The pastor quietly put the coal back into the fire — and it immediately began to glow again.

The man looked at the pastor and said, “I’ll see you at church this Sunday.”

This is the heartbeat of today’s passage. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. We are called to live in community, to stir one another up, to encourage one another, and to keep each other’s faith burning bright until Christ returns.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NLT): "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near."

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers facing persecution, hardship, and temptation to abandon their faith and return to old religious systems.

The writer is urging them — and us — to hold firmly to Christ, because Jesus is better than anything else: better than angels, better than Moses, better than the old covenant, better than the sacrificial system.

Hebrews 10 is part of a section that explains how the finished work of Christ on the cross should change how we live.

Verses 24–25 are rooted in the preceding truth that we have confidence to enter God’s presence through the blood of Jesus (v. 19), and that He has made a new and living way (v. 20).

Key Greek Words:

"Think" (katanoo – ?ata????) – to consider deeply, to observe attentively, to give careful thought to something. This is not casual thinking. It is intentional, prayerful planning on how to help others grow.

"Motivate" (paroxysmos – pa????sµ??) – literally means to stir up, provoke, or incite. It’s the same word used for “sharp disagreement” in Acts 15:39, but here it’s positive: to provoke people towards love and good works.

"Neglect" (egkataleipo – ???ata?e?p?) – to abandon, desert, or leave behind. This is more than missing a Sunday — it’s forsaking the fellowship entirely.

"Encourage" (parakaleo – pa?a?a???) – to come alongside, exhort, comfort, strengthen.

1. Go! And Be Intentional in Building One Another Up

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works."

The Christian life is not passive. We are called to actively seek ways to help others grow in Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT), Paul writes: "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."

In the first century, believers faced persecution. Encouragement wasn’t just “nice words” — it was often the difference between staying faithful or falling away.

In the 21st-century, people are drowning in digital noise yet starving for real encouragement. A text, a prayer, a coffee invitation, a word of Scripture shared in love — these can be lifelines.

Charles Stanley: "Encouragement is an essential part of the Christian walk. Without it, we can grow weary and lose heart. With it, we can endure the trials and challenges of life with hope."

If Charles Stanley saw encouragement as essential, then failing to give it is like withholding water from a thirsty soul.

Think of a runner in a marathon. The cheers from the crowd don’t make the race shorter, but they make it possible to finish strong. Your words can be the “cheers” someone needs to keep going.

2. Go! And Don’t Forsake the Fellowship

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do…"

The early church met regularly — Acts 2:46–47 (NLT) says: "They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God…"

The writer to the Hebrews knew that some had already stopped meeting. The Greek word egkataleipo implies abandonment, like deserting a comrade in battle.

Today’s danger is “digital attendance” without relational connection. Watching online sermons is helpful, but it cannot replace face-to-face community, accountability, and the sharing of life.

John Piper: "God has ordained that the regular assembling of the church is essential for our perseverance in faith."

If God has ordained it, then neglecting it is disobedience, not preference.

3. Go! And Live in the Light of Christ’s Return

"…but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near."