Saturday, September 5, 2026
Stirred up to love and do good deeds!
With gratitude to Mark, Becky, Susie, Chip, Chuck and Jessie, and guest David Fox for leading us in worship today.
We praised God together for prayers answered — especially that Samuel and William are recovering from a serious accident — infection has gone down! We continue to pray for blessing over our church family–healing, wisdom, discernment and specific needs.
The kids were intrigued by Susie’s illustration of the need for some things to be stirred up to be at their best — like milk and chocolate syrup — and the church.
We remembered that God is ever faithful as we sang.
David Fox (son of Dean and Susie) blessed us with the reminder that as we intentionally practice the “one anothers”: love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another, we stir each other up to love and good deeds–and that brings our dead hearts to life.
Speaking from Hebrews 10, David shared that beyond personality types, regardless of natural leanings, we come to God’s word to find out who we are, how we should be, and who He is making us to be.
The Church is God’s “Plan A” to go to the world. Something special happens when believers gather to worship God and share that with others. God is faithful in all that He says, is, and does – this is the starting point of everything we are going to be and do.
The author of Hebrews teaches that because of Jesus, our great High Priest and perfect sacrifice for sin, we can actually enter into God’s presence with confidence. We can draw near to God in worship.
Jesus was both high priest and sacrifice – his blood makes us clean. Jesus gives us rest from our sins. Jesus promises heaven. He reigns forever. We are saved to good works God has prepared for us to do – and some of that is ordinary life together with other believers
As we consider how to stir up one another (provoke one another) to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24) we know that this a joy, a command, a burden, and a blessing. Sometimes its fun and sometimes its difficult.
But, we can hold fast because God is faithful. God constantly reminds His people of what He has done – and continues to make more promises. God is consistent.
What does stirring one another up to love and good works look like?
Encouraging, motivating, provoking one another….
Love one another, serve one another – greet, comfort, serve, bear one another’s burdens. These are the heart attitudes / behaviors the auhor of Hebrews had in mind.
These one anothers can only happen when we intentionally gather together. Coffee with a Christian friend, worship together, midweek prayer– they all matter.
Don’t neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some. Hebrews 10:25. Habitually deciding to prioritize other things over gathering with other believers is a form of idolatry. Week to week, we have different needs / gifts – and sharing those stirs us together and makes something new. It helps us hold fast to God.
… and all the more as you see the day drawing near. We continue to be faithful to gather together until Jesus returns–which as SDBs state, we believe will happen suddenly, personally, and visibly –at a day determined by God. Jesus is coming back, soon.
As we live in the tension of waiting, we work in the works God prepared for us to do. By God’s grace we encourage one another, and share this good news with people outside the church.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
When Jesus gave this word, only 11 disciples remained. One had already left. Some doubted. Stirring up needed to happen. They needed to do the “one anothers”. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. As we go, carrying out His great commission, Jesus is with us.
God is faithful – he has both the power and the willingness to carry out the mission. He commands the disciples to be active and fulfill the mission: in ordinary life–maybe somewhere else – but always here and now. As you go, make disciples. This business of making disciples will happen as we go forth to do all that Jesus commanded.
Making disciples happens when we gather together in worship, stir up one another and encourage one another to hold fast. It brings our dead hearts to life, and continues to transform us. This good news makes us holy.
Amen.
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Pataskala Seventh Day Baptist 