We Gather Here for Encouragement

We Gather for Encouragement

Life can feel like a storm—relentless winds of confusion, waves of frustration, and the endless tug of uncertainty. Yet, imagine having a lighthouse, a place where every week you’re reminded to press on, to hold fast in faith. That’s a gift beyond measure.

Now, think about this: solitary confinement. Strange connection, right? But stay with me. In prisons, solitary confinement—or what they call "administrative segregation"—is used as the ultimate punishment, a way to discipline those deemed dangerous or unruly. Stripped of human interaction, prisoners often unravel mentally and emotionally. A 2012 article by the American Psychological Association described it clearly:

“Deprived of normal human interaction, many segregated prisoners reportedly suffer from anxiety, panic, insomnia, paranoia, aggression, and depression.”

It’s not surprising, is it? The evidence supports what we already know deep down: we were never meant to be alone. Our sense of self, our purpose, even our sanity—so much of it is rooted in the bonds we share with others.

Here’s the irony: we use isolation to punish criminals. Let that sink in.

So why, then, have so many of us willingly built lives of quiet isolation? Why do we close ourselves off from the very connections that give life meaning? What are we losing? If who we are is shaped in the soil of relationships, what happens when we uproot ourselves?

Think about it. What mental clarity, emotional healing, physical health, and spiritual revival are we forfeiting when we choose to live apart from the lifeline of community? What beauty might we rediscover if we let ourselves be seen, known, and loved?

I hope to dive into some of these questions because they matter deeply. I truly believe there’s power in gathering together—a power that lifts, restores, and strengthens us in ways we can’t always see. But more than just being powerful, it’s biblical. God designed us to come together, to share in each other’s joys and burdens, and to be living reminders of His grace.

One of the most important reasons we gather is to encourage one another. In a world that can so easily wear us down, coming together becomes a spark—a way to rekindle faith, inspire hope, and remind each other to keep going. There’s something sacred that happens when we look one another in the eye, speak words of truth, and say, "You're not alone."

We need encouragement from time to time and some of us desperately need encouragement right now. The writer of Hebrews says this:

Hebrews 10:24–25 “and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

You may have noticed from the passage that the way we truly encourage one another and spur each other on toward love and good deeds is through gathering together. Have you ever tried to encourage yourself when you’re alone? It’s not impossible, but let’s be honest—it’s hard.

Sure, some call it self-talk or positive thinking, and there’s absolutely value in that, especially when we don’t have others around. But no matter how strong your self-talk game is, it can’t replace the energy, inspiration, and accountability that come from being part of a group.

There’s something profoundly transformative about standing shoulder to shoulder with others who are just as committed to the journey as you are. Together, you’re not just encouraging one another—you’re propelling each other forward toward a shared vision, reminding one another of the bigger picture when the path feels long and weary. That kind of encouragement is like a breath of fresh air for the soul, a fuel you simply can’t find alone.

So, what does it really mean to spur one another on toward love and good deeds? Let’s take a closer look.

First, we need to unpack that word spur. Interestingly, the only other place this word shows up in the New Testament is in Acts 15:39, where Paul and Barnabas have such a sharp disagreement that they part ways in their mission work. The word carries a strong connotation—Strong’s Concordance defines it as “incitement” (to good) or “dispute” (in anger). This paints a clear picture: spurring someone on isn’t passive or gentle; it’s intentional, passionate, and purposeful.

Think about a cowboy using spurs on a horse. It’s not a cruel action, but it is deliberate—a firm nudge to get the horse moving in the right direction. That’s the imagery here. Sometimes in life, we stall. We grow complacent, lose sight of our purpose, or feel too weighed down to take the next step. In those moments, we don’t just need encouragement; we need a good spurring—a sharp, loving push from someone who cares enough to call us higher.

This passage reminds us that spurring one another on toward love and good deeds isn’t about being harsh or critical; it’s about being boldly committed to each other’s growth. It’s about stepping in when someone is stuck and saying, “I see more in you, and I’m not going to let you settle for less than what God has for you.”

As believers, we’re called to move toward Christ-centered love and good works—acts of kindness, service, and compassion that reflect His heart and point back to His glory. But here’s the thing: this isn’t just a solo journey. It’s not just about our own faith; it’s about helping others avoid falling into a stagnant, isolated life, cut off from the community of believers.

In the convenience and chaos of 21st-century life, complacency can creep in so subtly. The noise of the world tempts us to retreat, to disconnect, to believe the lie that we can go it alone. But we weren’t meant to live that way. When we grow isolated, discouragement sets in easily, faith can feel like a flickering flame, and hope starts to wane.

It’s too easy to get disillusioned. And it’s far too dangerous to journey alone. That’s why we need each other—so we can remind one another of the joy set before us, spur each other on when the road gets hard, and link arms as we walk the path of faith together. Alone, we stumble. Together, we stand firm.

Don’t Give Up

Life isn’t a quick sprint—it’s a marathon. There are stretches where the path feels smooth, the sun is shining, and your steps feel light. But then come the uphill battles—the moments of adversity, despair, and exhaustion where every fiber of your being whispers, “Just give up.” And the truth is, this race is long enough that you’ll encounter those cycles again and again.

Even those of us whose faith is firmly rooted in Christ are not spared from the trials of life. In fact, some would argue that following Jesus means we should expect even greater challenges. After all, the road of faith is narrow and often steep. And today, there are those among us who find themselves deep in the valley, weathering storms so fierce it’s hard to see the way forward.

To you, I want to say this: Don’t give up. You’re not running this race alone. You’re surrounded by others who care, by a God who sees you, and by a Savior who has promised to never leave or forsake you. Thank you for being here today, for choosing to keep going, step by step. You’re not alone. And we’re in this together.

King David, a man deeply familiar with adversity, gives us this hope-filled reminder: “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). This truth echoes through time to remind us why gathering together is so vital. When we come together, we’re able to strengthen and encourage those who are hurting, to remind them to keep pressing forward. Together, we remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, even when the night feels endless.

In our passage from Hebrews, it’s clear that some had made a habit of not meeting together. Now, most of us are familiar with the idea of habits—how they’re formed, how long they take to build or break, and how they shape our lives. But let’s dig a little deeper today.

The word habit in this passage is translated from the Greek word ethos. It doesn’t just mean habit—it carries the idea of custom or rite. And it’s no coincidence that this word sounds just like our English word ethos. The English definition of ethos, according to Webster’s, is “the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding principles of a person, group, or institution.”

What Hebrews is saying is profound: for some people, neglecting to gather together has become more than a habit—it has become part of who they are. It has become their ethos.

As believers, however, our defining ethos, our distinguishing characteristic, is that we meet together regularly. There are countless benefits to fellowship, and over the next four weeks, we’ll explore many of them. But let me be clear—our gathering is about something deeper than personal benefit. It’s not just about what we receive; it’s about who we are. When we come together, we reflect the heart of Christ, who calls us to live in community, to build one another up, and to be His body on this earth.

Do It More, Not Less

Let me ask you something, and I want you to use your imagination for a moment.

If you’d spent your whole life believing you were an antelope, and then one day you discovered you were actually a lion, wouldn’t that change everything? Wouldn’t you want to start living like a lion—learning what lions do, how they live, how they thrive? And wouldn’t it make sense that with each passing day, as you learned and embraced your true identity, you’d start looking, sounding, and living more like a lion?

Now imagine seeing that same lion, fully aware of who they really are, going back to living like an antelope. It’d be strange, wouldn’t it?

And yet, isn’t it just as strange to see Christians—people who’ve been transformed by the love of Christ—living in ways that seem contrary to their new identity? Isn’t it reasonable to think that as we grow in faith and understanding of Jesus, we’d want to spend more time with others who share that same faith? That we’d want to dive deeper into what it means to live as part of His body, the church?

If gathering together is part of our nature—our ethos—then it makes perfect sense why Hebrews says we should do it all the more as we see the day approaching. The closer we get to Christ’s return, the more encouragement we’ll need, not less. The more spurring on toward love and good deeds we’ll need, not less. The more of the bride of Christ—the church—we’ll need, not less.

So let’s lean into who we are. Let’s spend more time acting like lions, not less. Because that’s who we are—children of the King, made for community, and called to a life that reflects the beauty and power of His kingdom.

Every day that passes brings us one day closer to the return of Christ for His bride, His Church. And just as Jesus warned, with the increase of wickedness in the world, there also comes a decrease in love for one another.

It’s impossible not to notice that decrease all around us every single day. The love we were meant to share, the care for one another, seems to be slipping away.

Friends, I cannot stress this enough: it is so unbelievably important that we commit to meeting together. In a world where love is growing cold, our connection with one another becomes even more vital. It’s not an exaggeration to say that for many of us, this commitment is a matter of living or dying. We simply cannot stand alone. We need encouragement. We need to be spurred on toward love and good deeds. Without one another, we will not survive. We need each other more than we might realize.

In response to the message today, I want to ask two things of you:

Commit to fellowship.

We need to make intentional time to gather together—whether it’s small groups, Sunday morning classes, dinner groups, or any other form of gathering. These spaces of connection are where we strengthen each other. (Pastor, this is a great opportunity to offer these spaces, to encourage people to step into community.)

Let’s take some time today to pray for and encourage one another.

Look around you—who can you pray for? Who needs a word of encouragement today? Let’s be the body of Christ to one another, lifting each other up in prayer and love.

I truly believe one of the most important reasons we gather together is to encourage one another. We need this—each and every one of us—so let’s commit to it, because we are stronger when we stand together.