Why We Gatherنموونە

Stirring Up to Love and Good Deeds

If you haven’t seen Avengers: Endgame, proceed with caution. There are some mild spoilers ahead.

I am a huge fan of Thor, the Mightiest Avenger. Thor is an unstoppable, lightning-wielding, hammer-swinging, bicep-bulging hero through the first three Thor movies and Avengers: Infinity War. Unfortunately, Thor experiences some real hardship and loses his edge in Avengers: Endgame. Thor does eventually get his act together, but not until he has a much-needed heart-to-heart with his mother. She encourages him and inspires him to be the man she knew he could be. Her loving encouragement stirred up the hero in Thor and enabled him to take up the good work of saving the universe. Like Thor, you might be tough. But remember, even superheroes need a little encouragement sometimes. 

The Bible is full of heroes. The book of Hebrews revisits a handful of the Old Testament heroes, compares them to Jesus, and explains how Jesus is greater than all of them. Because Jesus is superior to all these heroes and represents us before God, we can be assured of our hope and faith in him. Still, the writer of Hebrews knows that despite the confidence we have in Jesus, we sometimes need reassurance. Read the following scripture:

“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).”

Christians walk out their faith together. In part, this is because the good works we have been called to are difficult and cannot be done alone. Remember that Jesus said we would be persecuted on his account and that we would have trouble in this life (Matt 5:10-12; John 16:33). In 2 Timothy 3:12, we read that all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Still, Jesus calls us the light of the world and has commissioned us to make disciples of all nations (Matt 5:14-16; Matt 28:18-20). We have been given a big job and there are times when it will challenge our resolve and feel pretty thankless. These are the times when we will need a friend who can encourage and stir us up to love and good works. That is why we do not neglect to meet together.

The first letter to the Thessalonians offers a similar instruction: “…encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thes 5:11; ESV).” To the Corinthians, Paul writes about upbuilding, encouraging, and consoling one another as an important part of exercising the spiritual gift of prophecy (1 Cor 14:3; ESV). 

It is clear that the Christians of the early Church valued gathering because it was an opportunity to encourage, build, and stir up one another to love and good works. Many people today still find that church is the first place they experience the life changing power of a little encouragement and love. Ask anyone in ministry, join a small group, serve on a prayer team, and you will find that there is no shortage of people who simply need to be surrounded by an encouraging community. It is from community such as this that we often find the greatest source of strength for ourselves and for the good work that God has called us to. That is why – even in unusual times—we do not neglect to meet together. 

Reflect

How does your community encourage you and stir you to love and good works?

In what ways can you be intentional about offering the same encouragement to those around you?

How do you think your life has been enriched by your community?

Respond

Take a moment to invite individuals to share something from their life with the group. Offer encouragement and practice stirring one another to love and good works.