24  And let us consider one another in order to stir up   love and good works,    25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,

as is the manner of some,   but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

{Because Christ is superior to the way we were, believers should live in faith (chap 11),  hope (ch 12) and love (ch 13) while awaiting Him.}

I. The NT emphasizes a HS empowered fellowship based on truth that glorifies God and attracts others. Ac 2:42-49

~5% of NT commands  relate to unbelievers (2.5% submit to gov’t, employers; 2.5% evangelism)

Mt 5:16  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

~15% of NT  commands  relate to our interaction with God, ie  Mt 22:37  Jesus said to him," `You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  39  "And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

~25%  of NT  commands  relate to  personal sanctification  2Pt 1:5-7 giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge...

1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Cf 4:7

~55%  NT commands relate to interacting with other believers (45% = do; ~10% = don’t do) ie, 59 “one another passages”

16x = love John 13:35

20x = be united/likeminded Rm 15:5

be devoted to Rm 12:10

honor above self Rm 12:10

live in harmony with Rm 12:16

build up Rm 14:19; 1Thess 5:11

accept Rm 15:7

admonish Rm 15:14; Col 3:16

care for 1Cor 12:25

serve Gal 5:13

bear burdens Gal 6:2

forgive Eph 4:2, 32; Col 3:13

be patient with Eph 4:2; Col 3:13

kind compassionate Eph 4:32

speak truth to Eph 4:25 5:19

submit to Eph 5:21, 1Pt 5:5

consider others better than yourselves Phil 2:3

look to the interests of Phil 2:4

bear with Col 3:13

teach admonish Col 3:16

comfort 1Thess 4:18

encourage/exhort Heb 3:13

show hospitality to 1Pt 4:9

grace for the benefit of 1Pt 4:10

be humble  towards 1Pt 5:5

pray for Js 5:16

confess our faults to Js 5:16

We are to do these things because we are members of each other, intertwined and interdependent  in union with Christ Rm 12:5; Eph 4:15,25.

II. Biblical Fellowship produces Christ-pleasing love and good deeds so we’ll do well at the judgment seat  2Cor 5:9-10

A. Objects of consideration: Jesus Heb 3:1; a burning bush Ac 7:31; heavenly vision Ac 11:6; us in a mirror Js 1:23; other’s faults Mt 7:3 

Barriers: strangers; self-centeredness; fear of rejection; pride/transparency; hiding sin; gossip; improper judging w/o understanding nor helping;

B. Love is self-sacrifice for the highest good of another  (usually in meeting needs) (cf Jn 3:16)

Jn 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Physical needs: crises; stress points; care-giving; financial

Spiritual needs: forgiveness; QT; Bible Study: victory; spiritual warfare; speech; obedience; anxiety; discipline; other-centeredness; godliness;

zeal; ministry; service; purpose; priorities; relating to spouse/children/family/employers; disciplemaking (Mt 28:19-20)

C. Good works are other-centered acts that make God look good in the eyes of others (cf  Mt 5:16)

Eph 2:10 we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Titus 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 1Tim 5:10,25; 6:18;  Titus 2:7

Purity precedes production Titus 2:14  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

1Pt 1:22...purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

D. Exhortation is a “calling alongside”, as we climb up the mountain, that gives others courage and hope.

1Thess 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

If we love each other we will desire what’s in each other’s highest interest, which would include doing well in the final judgment.  1Cor 3:15

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. What hinders true Biblical fellowship with each other and what can you personally do about it?

2. When was the last time you exhorted or were exhorted to love and good deeds? What was your response? How would you like to be “provoked”?

3. What physical and spiritual needs do you notice in the lives of those around you? How could you help meet those needs?

4. How can you demonstrate to other believers the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated to us (1Jn 4:11)? What will it cost you?

5. What love or good works could you “incite” four people to display or do this month?