Four Essential Practices of a Loving Church A Special Sunday Message Hebrews 10:19-25 September 8, 2013 Pastor Paul K. Kim

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 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. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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 10:19-25

THREE COMMITMENTS: PREREQUISITES OF BECOMING A LOVING CHURCH To FAITH: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (v. 22)  Why? It is because we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus who is our great priest. To HOPE: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.” (v. 23)  Why? It is because Jesus who promised is faithful. To LOVE: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (v.24)  Why? It is because the Day of the Lord’s return is drawing near.

WHAT ESSENTIAL THINGS SHOULD WE PRACTICE AS A LOVING CHURCH? 1)As a loving church, we must ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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. (vs )  A loving church proactively and habitually encourage one another. What is this encouragement about?  This encouragement is for three purposes: (1) to draw near to God in confidence [faith], (2) to hold fast to the confession of our hope [hope], (3) to love and good works [love].  To create a culture of mutual encouragement, we ought to seek first to encourage others rather than to be encouraged.

WHAT ESSENTIAL THINGS SHOULD WE PRACTICE AS A LOVING CHURCH? 2)As a loving church, we must STIR UP ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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. (vs )  Notice that the exhortation is not “love one another and to do good works”; rather, it is “CONSIDER/STIR UP one another.”  Consider one another—to stir up others toward love and good works! It is to shift to others-orientation in love.  Hence, we are to study others for the purpose of finding thoughtful personal ways to ignite others’ love & good works.

WHAT ESSENTIAL THINGS SHOULD WE PRACTICE AS A LOVING CHURCH? 3)As a loving church, we must MEET OFTEN/REGULARLY. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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. (vs )  Meeting together here means more than Sunday worship service; it is more about meeting as a relational community (i.e. homegroups, men’s/women’s groups).  Some were neglecting to meet due to various reasons—e.g., hardship, persecution, cumbersome, complacency, etc.  Therefore, meeting together must be proactive, habitual, and with a passion to love one another.

WHAT ESSENTIAL THINGS SHOULD WE PRACTICE AS A LOVING CHURCH? 4)As a loving church, we must VALUE ONE-ANOTHER MINISTRY ESPECIALLY AS THE END DRAWS NEAR. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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. (vs )  Why would “to meet together” be more urgently necessary as the End draws near?

1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3: And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:11-12

WHAT ESSENTIAL THINGS SHOULD WE PRACTICE AS A LOVING CHURCH? 4)As a loving church, we must VALUE ONE-ANOTHER MINISTRY ESPECIALLY AS THE END DRAWS NEAR. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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. (vs )  Why would “to meet together” be more urgently necessary as the End draws near?  Jesus’ warning: Our hearts can apt to grow cold more easily in the last days. We need each other to stay HOT.  In meeting together relationally, we see our spiritual gifts emerge to be used for one another in love.  Hence, “one-another ministry” is crucial for the health & love of a spiritual community—especially as the End draws near!

The Unspeakable Value of One-Another Ministry All who have entered into the Holiest to meet their God must turn to the meeting of His people. The tabernacle of old was the tent of meeting; to meet God and to meet our fellow-men are equally needful. Among the Hebrews it was already the custom with some to forsake the assembling together; it was one of the dangerous symptoms of backsliding. They are reminded, not only of the personal duty of each to be faithful, but also to care for others, and to exhort one another. For exercise and strengthening of the faith and hope and love, to which we have just been urged; for the full development of the life in the Holiest of All; for the helping and comforting of all who are feeble; for the cultivation of the fellowship of the Spirit and the Word—the assembling of ourselves together has unspeakable value. Let us listen to the exhortation, in connection with our entrance into the Holiest. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom of some is. ― Andrew Murray

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways can I more proactively encourage others in my church community? 2.In what ways can I aim to stir others more in my community to love and good works? 3.In what ways can I become more committed to meeting regularly and using my gifts in one-another ministry with urgency?