And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

You might have seen the clip from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off where Ben Stein plays the role of a mundane teacher. If not, you can view it here, and I would suggest watching it before continuing to read.

Stein is educating a room full of students on the subject of economics. His monotone voice, lack of enthusiasm, and refusal to engage students leaves them drowning in boredom. The scene is a comical one with Stein’s continuous question of “Anyone? Anyone?” But the idea of lack of excitement and boredom happening in our Christian communities is scary.

Last week we looked at Hebrews 10:24-25. There are 3 important practices found in these two verses:

1. Spur each other on to love and perform good deeds.
2. Do not give up meeting together.
3. Encourage one another. {Tweet These 3 Practices}

Surrounding ourselves with other believers is vital, and these three practices are meant to be implemented to further our faith. This week I want us to take a closer look at the first practice.

The Greek word for spur or provoke, as used in some translations of Hebrews 10:24, is paroxusmon. Paroxusmon means to excite (Barnes Commentary). As Christians, we are to excite each other to love and perform good deeds as a reflection of Christ and His love.

Excitement among believers, the kind that facilitates love and good deeds, can come in many forms. It looks like:

A church sanctuary full of worshipers excited to be praising God and showing that praise through lifted arms and voices. When a newcomer walks in, they are awed by the excitement in the pews.  

A brave woman in need of prayer, surrounded by believers embracing her at the altar, where she went to talk to God. Her prayer mixes with the prayers of those with their hands on her shoulders, and God’s presence can be felt in that place, an excitement tangible to the soul as God transforms hearts.

A man giving His testimony in front of a youth group of boys, encouraging them to love the Lord as they grow into men. The excitement those boys see in the man’s love for God, spurs them on to become men of faith.

A preacher who can’t stand still because the Word of God is so important, so true, and so vital he has to pick the Bible up and wave it around to show the congregation. His excitement is audible in the scripture he shares from the pulpit.

A group of women going door- to- door inviting other ladies to join them in an upcoming Bible conference. Those women preview an excitement only produced when standing shoulder-to-shoulder with your sisters in Christ.

A sweltering July evening of Vacation Bible School camp, where children sing, dance, and use their gifts for the Lord. The camp ends in prayer, thanks, and saved souls. Imagine the excitement of the angels in Heaven as they rejoice over another lost sinner being found. Hallelujah!

A Christian mentor staying in contact with a young woman who longs to minister to others through writing and community outreach. The mentor prays for the young ministry leader, texts her supportive verses from the Bible, and holds her accountable to finish what she has begun for the Lord. The mentor’s excitement keeps the young woman focused.

These scenarios are only a few of the many ways we may witness excitement, the kind capable of spurring others toward love and good deeds. They are examples of the blessings that can occur in a community of believers, when they specifically seek encouraging others to move toward Christ.

I wonder about communities of believers lacking excitement. What if sanctuaries are full of stagnant worshipers, and the altar is bare, and the brave woman who approaches the altar is left there alone, and there aren’t any men willing to step up and encourage the youth, and the preacher never picks up his Bible, and the women do not reach out to their sisters, and VBS camp is never created, and mentors seize to exist – what  would happen then?

I imagine the results would be much like that classroom in the 80’s teen movie… Anyone? Anyone? Lack of excitement brings boredom, stagnation, and certainly no love or good deeds.

Pray with me for the communities we live and work in to never turn into what Satan wants for this world- lacking excitement for God. {Tweet This} And in that prayer we need to ask God to show us what we can do to spur excitement for Him in our communities!

The author of the book of Hebrews knew communities were in danger, and he shared godly wisdom to combat these divides. He saw the value of spurring one another to love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24 is a call to action: How are we spurring others in our daily lives? {Tweet This}

 

 

This post edited by the wonderful Jennifer Hacker, who is continually helping me become a better writer. She is the founder of The Center for Help and Hope. Check it out!