A Church Purposed for OthersSample

LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS

The author of Hebrews encourages his readers to be strong and mature in God, which appears to be OTHERS ORIENTED. And, as we discussed last week, it is about directing our thoughts toward how we can stir one another to LOVE and GOOD DEEDS!

Our strong encouragement towards one another is to stir others toward what matters most in this life! Toward LOVE and GOOD DEEDS—things that endure and help advance God’s Kingdom in and through our lives.

Being “a Church purposed for others,” our focus should be to help others grow in and towards LOVE and GOOD DEEDS.

LOVE – Love for God and love for others.

GOOD DEEDS – Serving and helping others.

In other words:

Know Jesus (Love God), Find Community (Love Others), and Discover Purpose (Good Deeds).

1. TOWARDS LOVE: As Jesus outlined, the two commandments that all the other commandments rest on are LOVE FOR GOD and LOVE FOR OTHERS. How can we stir up others to grow in LOVE FOR GOD? We can show our love for God, share our passion for God, and be present in people’s lives, making it clear that they are needed and known.
2. TOWARDS GOOD DEEDS: Good deeds are not about being morally upright–though it is inclusive of that–but about serving others. It is about doing good to others, serving them, and helping them practically. It is about going out of our way to be like Christ, who would cross every barrier to serve and help others. Being people who GO and spread the gospel in our daily lives and surroundings is what good deeds are all about. While we gather and grow, we have an outward focus, looking for opportunities to GO and bring Jesus to people through acts of kindness, generosity, and serving-good deeds.

Scripture: Matthew 27:34-40 and Matthew 5:14-16

Prayer Point: Lord, I ask that you help me this week to see how I can practically support those around me, to serve and help others. Let me be a person with a ‘go’ heart that brings the gospel into my family, work, and everyday life.