Growing Together- Hebrews 10:23-25

Introduction

Last week we looked at the first pillar of our purpose here as Washington Street Baptist Church, which is to Love God. We find that concept many times in scripture, but we used Mark 12:30 as the main text for that pillar. Every fiber of our being and of our church should be used towards loving God.

This week we will look at pillar 2 which is growing together. As we think about growing together, it would be impossible to grow together without being assembled together.

Tonight the key thought is this, As we see the day of the Lord approaching, we should hold fast to our faith, encourage each other to love and good works, assemble together, and exhort one another.

Tonight we will look at the 5 ways we grow together and how often we should do them.

The first way we grow together is by holding fast to our profession of faith. vs. 23

If we want to grow together as a church, we must first have made a profession of faith.

Churches are made up of saved and baptized members, without that profession, we cannot grow together, in fact quite the opposite will happen. We will likely grow apart.

Remember the book of Hebrews was written to Christians of Hebrew or Jewish descent. So in the original context that is who the writer is speaking to, but this truth remains today.

The writer tells us to Hold Fast which means to have a firm grasp on something.

Then he tells us what to hold on to, and that is the profession of our faith.

The word profession means a public declaration, so here we are told to have a firm grasp on our public declaration of the faith.

Next he tells us how to hold fast and that is without wavering which means without fluctuating or being in doubt.

To sum up what he said we could say that we should have a firm grasp on our public declaration of our faith without fluctuating or being in doubt.

As this passage was written the church was young and facing persecution, there were likely some who thought things like “is it worth it?”, so the writer gave them the reason they could hold fast to their faith.

for he, speaking of God, is faithful that promised.

1 Corinthians 1:9 “9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

The first way we grow together is we band together around our faith and trust that the God that was faithful is still faithful today, despite what persecution comes, God will take care of us.

The second way we grow together is to consider one another vs 24a

The word consider here means to have regard or respect.

How do we have regard and respect for each other? First we love each other the way that God loves us.

Mark 12:31 “31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

Philippians 2:3–5 “3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

Do we see the needs of others?

The third way we grow together is to provoke one another to love and good works vs. 24b

The word provoke here means to call into action, and the action we are called to do is to love and do good works.

Normally the word provoke is used in a negative way. How many of us would agree its easier to stir up people to hate and evil works than to stir up people to love and do good works.

How do we call someone to love?

Love is an action, it isn’t something we just talk about. We call someone to love, by loving them the way God loves us.

Love is a fruit of the Spirit and we should be full of love for others.

Hebrews 13:1 “1 Let brotherly love continue.”

Mark 12:31 “31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

How do we call someone to good works?

First we must define good works. Good works in the christian life are things that would help us be more like God.

Examples would be prayer, studying God’s word, attending church, giving of our time, talents and treasures.

If we want to encourage others to good work we must be doing them our selves.

When is the last time we had a conversation about what God is teaching us in our quiet time?

Titus 3:8 “8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

Ephesians 2:8–10 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

If we want to grow together we must stir each other up to love and do good works.

The fourth way we grow together is by not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together vs. 25a

Here the writer is telling them not to desert the meeting together of the church.

There were some already in this group who had stopped being at church and assembling with the church.

Remember the church is defined as a group of saved, baptized believers assembled together for the purpose of fulfilling the great commission.

Acts 2:1 “1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

Every time the doors are opened and we are able, we should assemble together with each other.

The reason we have Sunday school isn’t just to add something else to the program, but rather to grow together as we study the word of God.

The reason we have Wednesday night bible study isn’t just to do it, but rather so we can grow together as we study God’s word.

The reason we have a time of prayer is so we can grow together as we pray for each other.

Spurgeon said this “For Christian fellowship is helpful to us, and we are helpful to others by it. A Christian is not meant to be a solitary being. Sheep are gregarious, and so are the sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not be solitary pilgrims along the road to heaven, but join that glorious host of God’s elect who march beneath the guidance of our great Master.”

The fifth way we grow together is by exhorting one another vs. 25b

The word Exhort means to incite to good deeds by words or arguments.

Hebrews 3:13 “13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

If we want to grow together, we must encourage one another.

Like was said in verse 24 we must incite each other to love and good works.

When is the last time we encouraged someone to love and do good works?

How often should we follow the 5 ways to grow together? vs. 25c

Here the writer encourages us to hold fast to our profession of the faith, to consider one another, to provoke one another unto love and good works, to assemble together and exhort one another, and we should do this more often as we see the day approaching.

It would be foolish for us to miss that Jesus’ coming is imminent. He could come back at any moment, and the signs of His coming are appearing more every day as well, which should show us the expedience of this truth that we should grow together.

Conclusion

Are we growing together as a church, it is vital that we do as we grow forward together.

Psalm 133:1 “1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”