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."
Romans 13:11 (NLT): "This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."
First-century believers lived with the expectation of Christ’s imminent return. That expectation kept them mission-focused.
Greek Word: Parakaleo — to strengthen, to comfort, to urge forward. It’s the same root word Jesus uses for the Holy Spirit (Parakletos), the One who comes alongside us.
R.T. Kendall: "When we live as though Jesus could come at any moment, it changes the way we treat people and the urgency with which we live."
In other words, eternity sharpens our priorities.
Gospel Presentation:
Friends, the whole reason we gather, encourage, and spur one another on is because of what Christ has done.
We were dead in our sins, under God’s judgment. But God, in His love, sent His Son — Jesus Christ — to live the perfect life we couldn’t live, to die the death we deserved, and to rise again, conquering sin and death.
The cross is not just an event in history; it is the turning point of eternity.
Christ’s death was the full payment for sin. His resurrection is the guarantee that all who believe in Him will have eternal life.
Acts 3:19 (NLT) says: "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."
Repentance means turning from your sin and trusting fully in Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.
Call to Action for Believers:
Make a list this week of three believers you can intentionally encourage.
Recommit to faithful, consistent church attendance — not as a habit, but as a joyful act of worship.
Live each day as though Jesus could return before the day ends.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have never repented of your sin and trusted in Jesus Christ, I urge you — today is the day of salvation.
Confess to Him that you are a sinner. Believe in your heart that He died for you and rose again. Ask Him to be your Lord and Saviour.
Benediction:
May the Lord strengthen your heart, stir your love for one another, and keep you faithful until the glorious day when we see Jesus face to face. Amen.
