Spurring One Another Toward Love and Good Deeds
Summary
In our journey through Hebrews 10:24, we explore the profound call to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." This passage challenges us to consider how we can actively encourage and provoke each other to live out our faith in tangible ways. The imagery of a spur, often associated with cowboys and horseback riding, serves as a metaphor for the discomfort that prompts action. Just as a spur directs a horse, we are called to lovingly challenge each other to grow in our faith and actions.
The Greek word "paroxysmos," used in this context, carries a sense of provocation or irritation, much like a splinter or a rock in a shoe. It’s uncomfortable, yet it compels us to change direction and take action. This discomfort is not about nagging or hostility but about helping each other become more like Jesus. In a world where social media often divides us, we are reminded that our interactions should be rooted in love and aimed at building each other up.
The author of Hebrews presents three invitations in response to the gospel: to draw near to God, to hold unswervingly to hope, and to live a fruitful life. Drawing near to God involves intimacy and a sincere heart, breaking through false perceptions of God as distant or judgmental. Holding onto hope means focusing on the eternal promises of God, resisting the distractions and empty promises of the world. Living a fruitful life involves actively engaging in good works, reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives.
We are encouraged to confront sin and hold each other accountable, understanding that true love sometimes involves difficult conversations. The pain of being spurred is minor compared to the consequences of not being challenged. As a community, we are called to normalize confession and repentance, recognizing that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Lord who demands our surrender.
Ultimately, we are meant to build a life together that transcends the temporary solutions of this world. We are called to spur one another on toward a life that is truly life, grounded in love, accountability, and the hope of eternity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spurring One Another On: The concept of spurring one another on involves lovingly challenging each other to grow in faith and good deeds. It’s about provoking action through discomfort, much like a spur directs a horse. This is not about nagging but about helping each other become more like Jesus. [20:39]
2. Intimacy with God: We are invited to draw near to God with a sincere heart, breaking through false perceptions of Him as distant or judgmental. This involves a regular rhythm of spending time alone with God, encouraging each other to deepen our relationship with Him. [30:12]
3. Holding onto Hope: The call to hold unswervingly to hope emphasizes focusing on the eternal promises of God. Despite the distractions and empty promises of the world, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on the future glory of the new creation. [33:07]
4. Accountability and Confrontation: True love sometimes involves difficult conversations and holding each other accountable. The discomfort of being spurred is minor compared to the consequences of not being challenged. We are called to normalize confession and repentance within our community. [39:16]
5. Living a Fruitful Life: We are encouraged to live a life of love and good deeds, reflecting the character of Christ. This involves actively engaging in good works and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our lives, leading us to a life that is truly life. [41:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [20:39] - The Power of Spurring
- [22:09] - Understanding Paroxysmos
- [23:41] - Irritation as Motivation
- [24:34] - Social Media's Division
- [25:51] - Becoming More Like Jesus
- [27:05] - Jesus: The Better Way
- [28:52] - Intimacy with God
- [30:12] - Drawing Near to God
- [31:33] - Regular Rhythm with God
- [33:07] - Holding onto Hope
- [35:06] - Unswerving Focus
- [38:05] - Confronting Sin
- [39:16] - Accountability in Love
- [41:47] - Living a Fruitful Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 10:24
- Ephesians 2:10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the imagery of a spur suggest about the way we should encourage one another in our faith? [20:39]
2. How does the Greek word "paroxysmos" enhance our understanding of the call to "spur one another on"? [22:09]
3. According to the sermon, what are the three invitations presented by the author of Hebrews in response to the gospel? [28:52]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of social media in our interactions, and how does this contrast with the biblical call to spur one another on? [24:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the discomfort of being "spurred" lead to spiritual growth, according to the sermon? [23:41]
2. How does the concept of drawing near to God with a sincere heart challenge common misconceptions about God's nature? [30:12]
3. What does it mean to hold "unswervingly to hope," and how does this relate to the distractions and empty promises of the world? [33:07]
4. How does the sermon suggest we should approach accountability and confrontation within the church community? [39:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were "spurred" by someone in your faith journey. How did it impact your spiritual growth, and how can you be a spur for someone else? [23:41]
2. What are some false perceptions of God that you have encountered, and how can you work to overcome them to draw nearer to Him? [30:12]
3. Identify a specific distraction in your life that takes your focus away from the hope of eternity. What steps can you take this week to minimize its impact? [33:07]
4. Think of a situation where you need to hold someone accountable in love. How can you approach this conversation with grace and truth? [39:16]
5. How can you incorporate a regular rhythm of spending time alone with God into your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this? [31:33]
6. Consider the concept of living a fruitful life. What specific good works can you engage in this week to reflect the character of Christ? [41:47]
7. Who in your life is currently spurring you on in your faith, and who might you need to reach out to for encouragement and accountability? [45:28]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Loving Provocation
In Hebrews 10:24, believers are called to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." This call is not about nagging or being hostile but about lovingly challenging each other to grow in faith and actions. The imagery of a spur, often associated with horseback riding, serves as a metaphor for the discomfort that prompts action. Just as a spur directs a horse, believers are encouraged to lovingly provoke each other to become more like Jesus. This involves creating an environment where discomfort leads to growth, helping each other to live out their faith in tangible ways. In a world where social media often divides, interactions should be rooted in love and aimed at building each other up. [20:39]
"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you lovingly challenge to grow in their faith this week, and how can you do so in a way that builds them up?
Day 2: Drawing Near to God with Sincerity
The invitation to draw near to God involves breaking through false perceptions of Him as distant or judgmental. It requires a sincere heart and a regular rhythm of spending time alone with God. This intimacy is about fostering a deep, personal relationship with God, encouraging each other to deepen this connection. By drawing near to God, believers can experience His love and guidance, which helps them to live a life that reflects His character. This closeness with God is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. [30:12]
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22, ESV)
Reflection: What false perceptions of God might be hindering your intimacy with Him, and how can you begin to break through them today?
Day 3: Unswerving Hope in Eternal Promises
Holding unswervingly to hope means focusing on the eternal promises of God, despite the distractions and empty promises of the world. This hope is anchored in the future glory of the new creation, encouraging believers to keep their eyes on what truly matters. By maintaining this focus, believers can resist the temptations and distractions that seek to pull them away from their faith. This hope is not just a passive waiting but an active engagement with God's promises, allowing them to shape and guide their lives. [33:07]
"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain." (Hebrews 6:19, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions in your life are pulling you away from focusing on God's eternal promises, and how can you refocus your attention on His hope today?
Day 4: Accountability in Love
True love sometimes involves difficult conversations and holding each other accountable. The discomfort of being spurred is minor compared to the consequences of not being challenged. As a community, believers are called to normalize confession and repentance, recognizing that Jesus is not only their Savior but also their Lord who demands their surrender. This accountability is about helping each other grow in faith and character, encouraging one another to live a life that reflects Christ's love and righteousness. [39:16]
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a difficult conversation you need to have with someone in your community to help them grow in their faith, and how can you approach it with love and gentleness?
Day 5: Living a Life That Reflects Christ
Believers are encouraged to live a life of love and good deeds, reflecting the character of Christ. This involves actively engaging in good works and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform their lives. By doing so, they can lead a life that is truly life, grounded in love, accountability, and the hope of eternity. This fruitful life is not just about doing good deeds but about embodying the love and character of Christ in every aspect of their lives. It is a call to live out their faith in a way that impacts the world around them. [41:47]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific good work can you engage in this week to reflect the character of Christ in your community, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in this endeavor?
Quotes
1) "Let us consider how to irritate one another to love and good works. Does that make sense? How can I irritate you to love and good works? It just doesn't sound right. I think the intensity of the word actually helps point to the importance of what's being asked of us here. As followers of Jesus." [23:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Are my thoughts and actions helping this other person become more like Jesus? Here's what this really looks like. It's the idea of wading into the majority. most painful, challenging, and uncomfortable aspects of someone else's life so that the best version of that person can emerge. The one that looks more like Jesus." [25:51] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "In this world that has put all of these different paths and pursuits of good life in front of us, Jesus is still better than anything this world could ever offer us. Jesus is better." [27:05] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Jesus opened that door. That door is open. Now God has given a better way in Jesus into a relationship of full transparency, into a relationship of intimacy with God. Jesus is the better way." [28:52] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "We have to be willing to wade through each other's past hurts, to wade through our pain, to wade through our presuppositions, and these things that the world has told us to do. We have to be willing to wade through each other's past hurts, we have to be able to get through that stuff, the lies that we've been told, the lies that we've believed, so that we can spur one another on to intimacy with God." [31:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "The pain that we experience from being spurred pales in comparison to the pain that we will experience from not being spurred. You think being confronted for your sin hurts? The pain of not is worse." [40:52] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "We should be spurring one another on to be men and women who are loving, men and women who are joyful, who are peaceful, men and women who are patient and kind and good and gentle and faithful, men and women who are self -controlled. The more that we spur one another, help correct each other, the more we direct each other to intimacy with God, the more that the Holy Spirit then can do transformational work in our lives, in our hearts to reflect God's goodness." [41:47] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "We're meant to build this kind of life together. The kind of life that at the end is completely dependent upon one another. The kind of life that ultimately transcends and does not need the easy solutions of technology in this world. Because it's caught up in something more. Something more true and something more lasting than anything our world can invent." [48:25] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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