'One Another' Series - Spur On One Another

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

As we begin a new year, I have begun a new series, focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.

Today we turn our attention to the command in Hebrews 10:24-25.

“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.”

That was the New International Version. Here is verse 24 in the English Standard Version. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Older translations admonish us to “provoke” one another to love and good deeds.

Two aspects stand out to me in these verses. The “what” and the “how.”

The “what” is that as leaders we are to “spur on”, “stir up” or “provoke” one another to love and good deeds.

Secondly, the author of Hebrews gives instruction on “how” we are to do this. We do this by “meeting together” and “encouraging one another.”

Good and godly leaders firstly set the example for love and good deeds. In my country we have the idiom, “your actions speak louder than your words.” While it is helpful for leaders to encourage their followers to love others and do good deeds, it’s much more impactful if those who follow us actually see us doing these things. Leaders set the example.

Secondly, leaders are intentional to “spur on” or “stir up” others toward love and good deeds. Another way we do this is by pointing out, by communicating where love and good deeds are needed. Sometimes it’s appropriate to make others aware where hurting exists in the Body, and we need to point them in the direction of that need.

I will reiterate two practical means by which we “spur on” others. We do so by meeting together and by encouraging one another. “Meeting together” brings to mind something called the “ministry of presence”. Sometimes people simply need someone to be with them during times of suffering or grief. I found online some thoughts about this from a physician who shared three aspects of this ministry of presence. https://www.drcarolministries.com/the-ministry-of-presence-being-there/

 Physical presence – being physically with someone

 Focused attention – turning off, or tuning out, distractions

 Shared suffering – empathy in the situation

Finally, we “spur on” others with words of encouragement. Good and godly leaders point others to Jesus and to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

I urge you today to be intentional to spur on others to love and good deeds.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.