Provoking Each Other - 3/9/08am

Provoking Each Other
Hebrews 10:24-25

We’ll be focusing on Hebrews 10:24-25, although oddly enough, we will not be focusing on the “assembling together” portion of this passage. Instead, I want to examine in this passage the brief outline for helping others develop in the Faith. We recognize that we are all at different points in our growth, but we can all help each other in developing into better Christians.
“and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ASV)
1. Consider each other
2. Provoke each other
3. Exhort each other
4. As we see the day approaching



1. Consider – Is a deliberate, reasoned, thoughtful way of looking towards others.

We should always be looking for who needs help, support, or a little bit of prodding. Likewise, we should consider how best to do this for each other. And, of course, we also need others to consider us, and how to help us along. (In context, remember to think along spiritual lines.) This is all inclusive, and leave no one out:
Matthew 22:34-40 -Love your neighbor
Luke 10:25-37 -Good Samaritan (BE the neighbor)
Matthew 7:12 -Doing unto others
More specifically, we can look at people specifically mentioned who we should put above ourselves:
Colossians 3:18-21 -Family members
Colossians 3:22-25 -Our employers
I Peter 2:13-17 -Our rulers
I Peter 5:1-3 -To elders
I Peter 5:5-7 -To others
And, let us take it a step further. Not only should we consider what might help someone develop, or look to see who we can help, but we can look to make sure we do not become a stumbling block to that person.
I Corinthians 8:9-13

So look around you and think: is there anyone who can use a little help, spiritually? Of course there is! In fact, I’d imagine you don’t even have to look any farther than where you are sitting or where I am standing. We all have areas in which we need to grow and become stronger.



2. Provoke – Is inciting someone, or stirring them up to action

Once we find someone who needs some encouragement and/or development, we look to stir them up. We look for ways to get them started. We look for ways to help people light a zealous fire for the Lord.
There are two things mentioned here that we should be stirring people up to: love, and good works.

To Love:
Matthew 22:34-40 -Love towards God and neighbors
I Peter 2:17 -Love towards the brethren
John 13:3-17 -Jesus’ example of washing the disciples’ feet
To Good Works:
James 1:22-25 -Be a Doer
Matthew 7:15-27 -Doing works, showing wisdom
Hebrews 5:8-9 -Salvation is to those who obey

There’s all sorts of ways to provoke someone. Invite them for a Bible study. Take them with you when you try to teach people. Talk to them about spiritual things. It’s something that we can all do, should all do, and is pretty easy to do. Don’t just say, “that person could use a little nudge,” BE the nudge!



3. Exhort – To urgently encourage another

We are not to idly encourage someone, but to do so urgently. After we’ve helped stir up a fire, we help keep it going! Don’t just get people started, then ignore them. Keep helping! Throw some wood on the fire!

Exhortation should be Bible based:
II Timothy 3:16-17 -God’s word is useful for exhorting
Exhortation is for everyone:
I Corinthians 15:31 -That all may be exhorted
Exhortation should be done by everyone:
Hebrews 3:12-13 -Brothers should exhort each other daily
Exhortation should build up, and not tear down:
I Thessalonians 5:11 -Exhort and build up
Exhortation has a purpose:
Jude 1:3 -To contend for the Faith
Exhortation should be done gently and meekly:
I Timothy 5:1 -Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him gently
Exhortation should always be taking place:
II Timothy 4:2 -In season and out of season

These three things are something we all need. It does not matter who you are, or where you live, you need to be doing these things, and you need other people doing them for you. Think of this: if everyone concerns themselves only with themselves, then each person has the support of one person. If we all concern ourselves with the spiritual growth of each other, then how many more people do we have helping us? How much stronger can we be? If I’m helping you grow, you’re helping me grow, we will both be better for it.



4. As the day approaches – we have a deadline!

There is a day, when it will be too late to prepare. There is a time coming when we need to be ready. This is why we should always be working on these things. This is why we constantly exhort and provoke each other. This is why it is urgent: because the deadline is coming, and we don’t know when it will be.
II Peter 3:10-13 -So what sort of person should we be?
I Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 -We should be ready for judgment, whenever it is

Are we ready? Are we prepared? Will God find us to be willing, zealous servants? Will God find us to be working together to get as many people to Heaven as possible? Or will He us focused only on ourselves?