Biblical Building Block #19 Consider One Another (Hebrews 10:24) – PART 1

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”

Biblical Building Block #19 Consider One Another (Hebrews 10:24) – PART 1

Hebrews 10:24, And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

The reality of Christian love should be demonstrated in the personal relationships and mutual concerns of the community. The church serves three main functions, each of which enables its members to fulfill the Great Commission. These include:

1. Preaching and Teaching: As believers are taught the Word of God, they are equipped to testify of their faith.
2. Worship: As they engage in worship, they are motivated to witness.
3. Edification: Finally, as they are spiritually edified, they are emboldened to evangelize.

The church exists for you, Christian, and you exist for the church. The reason our church experiences growth is due to each of us, each member of the body, exercising our part within the body. Believers that do not attend church will not receive the encouragement they need to continue sharing their faith. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” They miss out on the iron sharpening iron effects of fellowship with like-minded believers.

What is the Lord’s answer for believer’s pursuing Christ and growing in grace? Christians are called to consider one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Everyone needs encouragement! That’s why the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to “…consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). This word "consider" is from the word katanoeo which means to give attention to; to fix our attention upon; to give continuous care; to watch over.

This carries the idea to thoroughly consider something; to think hard about something; to think something through from the top to the bottom; to deeply ponder a matter; to fix one' s eyes or mind on a matter or thing; to observe fully, behold, perceive. When Jesus talked about considering the lilies and how God took care of them, the Lord used this word “consider”. God wants us to be attentive and focused upon helping one another.

We are to look for opportunities to encourage each other.
What an exhortation for believers to:
1) Give attention to one another.
2) Give continuous care to one another.
3) Guard or watch over one another.

This is difficult to do when one is not in church or involved in the lives of other believers. When God urges us to “consider one another,” He is saying we are to be so concerned about each other’s wellbeing that we take time to regularly and seriously contemplate how we might encourage one another. May we be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and truly be concerned about the people who are close to you. He will show you when they need a special word to lift their spirits. Think about how much it means to you when someone deliberately goes way out of his or her normal daily routine to let you know you are appreciated. Isn’t it powerful when someone does this for you? Well, just as you need people who will sincerely love you, be sensitive to your needs, and support you when you are struggling through challenges or feeling tired and worn out, the people you encounter in your daily life have those same exact needs. Let the Holy Spirit use you to be a source of encouragement to others and you can start by letting Him use you to be a blessing to someone today!

We are called to gather together because the church is where we can find mutual encouragement. There is great importance in the consistent gathering together of the saints. The urgency of meeting together is stressed here because the coming of the Lord is very near. When the church gathers and its members show practical concern for one another, this distinguishes them as a community from those outside. Believers should exhibit a concern for one another that unbelievers do not have. The local church is designed by God to be a spiritual family where people sincerely love and are mindful of each other’s needs.

• Every Christian has a place within a local church.
• Every Christian is needed within a local church.
• Every Christian has responsibilities within a local church.
• Every Christian is to commit to the members of a local church.

And if you’re wondering how to do that when times are hard, that’s what the local church is for. Connecting to a vibrant, Biblically-based, Christ-centered loving church is a critical tool that can steer one away from disobedience so that one can avoid sin’s consequences and divine discipline. Believers who are not a functioning part of a local church are living outside of the will of God and limit God’s work in their lives.

It’s not that we never get discouraged. But why is there less discouragement within our church?
Members of our church observe and consider each other’s needs thoroughly.
1. We are committed to one another far more than a commitment to Sunday morning services.
2. We are committed to worshiping with them.
3. We are committed to fellowshipping with them.
4. We are committed to serving them.
5. We are committed to praying for them all throughout the week.

Our church is a place where everyone is committed to being a blessing to one another. It is to bind ourselves together in a covenant in which we promise to do good to them, to make them the special object of our attention and encouragement. It is to promise that we will identify and use our spiritual gifts for their benefit so we can serve them, strengthen them, and bless them.

Prayer, Lord, help me not to become self-centered and forget to think about other people’s needs. Often, I get so fixated on my own problems that I forget I am not the only person in the world who is struggling with a situation. Help me to take my eyes off myself and to look around me to see who needs a special word of encouragement. Holy Spirit open my eyes and help me be sensitive to recognize people who need a tender touch. I ask You for this work in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thank you for reading PART 1 of Biblical Building Block #19 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #19 of this series.

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