Our scripture reading, to which I invite you to turn with me at this time, is found once again in the New Testament book of Hebrews, the 10th chapter, right before the book of James, sort of near the end of the New Testament. Hebrews chapter 10, beginning in verse 1. If you were with us last Lord's Day, you may recall that we began this four-part series of messages on the theme, let us, not the vegetable, let us, but the biblical exhortation, let us. What are some things which God exhorts His holy people to do corporately, communally before Him as brothers and sisters in Christ? Last Lord's Day morning, we began the series by looking at Hebrews 10, verse 22. Let us draw near to God. Last Sunday evening, we continued that series by focusing on verse 23. Let us hold to our hope. And now we continue the series today, focusing in especially on verse 24. Let us spur one another on. And we hope to conclude the series this evening. But we begin reading then in Hebrews 10 verse 1, we read through verse 25, but again I draw your special attention, brothers and sisters, to verse 24, which is our text. But let us then hear the word of the Lord. The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming, not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifice repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said, Sacrifice an offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me. With burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am. It is written about me in the scroll. I have come to do your will, O God. First he said, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them, although the law required them to be made. Then he said, here I am, I have come to do your will. He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day, every priest stands and performs his religious duties. Again and again, he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time, he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says, this is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds. Then He adds, their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain that is His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. But let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching. Thus far, the reading of God's Holy Word. And as always, dear friends, I ask and urge you to keep your Bibles open and handy as you look to God's Word together today. Dear congregation of Jesus Christ, one of the highlights for the Kukin family in the course of a year is the week we tried to spend all together down at the Jersey Shore. In fact, for a number of years now, our several children, along with their spouses and all of our grandchildren, gather from near or far, and we all head down to the Jersey Shore for several blessed days of simply being together, seeking to lovingly catch up on each other's lives. enjoying some great food and warm fellowship and indeed having a lot of fun in the sun. But I must confess that one of the highlights of those given weeks occurs on the last night that we are there together. And it's a highlight of the week, especially for all of our grandchildren and also for my wife. We go down to the beach sort of after the dinner hour, around dusk before the sun has fully set. The beach is relatively deserted. And all together, we feed the seagulls popcorn. And it's really quite a sight. In fact, the seagulls are rather remarkable birds. They seem to be... By the way, I don't know if this is legal, but this is what we do. They seem to be really intelligent birds. They're quite acrobatic in their flying ability. But we've also noticed that they are rather strong-willed, selfish, merciless birds in the sense that it's sort of every goal for themselves. They fight for the popcorn. They want others to get out of their way. Basically, a seagull is a bird that is going to get what it wants when it wants it no matter what it takes to get it. Now as I was thinking about that annual flock of seagulls, I began thinking about the great contrast which a flock of seagulls poses in comparison with a flock of geese. For example, If you've ever noticed a flock of geese flying in their famous V formation, it is really quite a sight. And I've always been fascinated by that. In fact, so much so that just the other day, I Googled the question, why do geese fly in V formation? And what I discovered was really quite interesting. I'm gonna quote to you what I read online. Scientists have determined that the V formation that geese use serves two important purposes. First, it conserves their energy as each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of them, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. Secondly, the V formation makes it easier for each bird to keep track of all the others. In fact, from what I understand, that is one of the reasons why fighter pilots also fly in a V formation. I mean, think about that. These modern-day fighter pilots learn that lesson from the birds which our Almighty God created. All praise be to God. I shared with the pastor's class last Sunday evening. Science is always trying to catch up with the Bible and with God's creation. It's true. It's true. I learned a few other things about that V formation. Apparently, the geese rotate which bird flies in front. So that when the leader gets tired, that bird drops back into the pack, it is replaced by another bird, and that one can rest. And by rotating leadership that way, apparently this flock of geese can fly some 1,000 miles, think of this, before they need to land and rest. Finally, on this score, the scientists also believe, of course it's just a surmise, they simply suppose that with all of that honking going on, the geese are instructing each other and advising each other and keeping track of one another and basically cheering each other on. Now friends, think about this, think about this. The reason why I share this information with you is because in stark and direct contrast to the behavior of the seagulls, these geese are very beautifully and powerfully portraying precisely what verse 24 of Hebrews 10 is trying to teach us today. Namely, that part of our corporate communal responsibility as the body of Christ, Part of our corporate communal responsibility as brothers and sisters in Christ. Part of our communal corporate responsibility as those who have been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb and therefore have direct access to our Heavenly Father's throne through the cross of Christ and His blood shed on Calvary. Part of our corporate communal responsibility, brothers and sisters, is that we must be spurring on one another. We must be spurring on one another. Now, what exactly does it mean to be spurring on one another? Well, look at verse 24 of Hebrews 10 with me and focus in specifically on that verb, spur on. It's a very powerful verb in the original language. In fact, it is used only here in the entire book of Hebrews. I think I have on your study sheet that the Greek term is paroxysmos. And this is where we get our English word paroxysm from. Boys and girls, young people, a paroxysm essentially is a convulsion or some sort of sudden violent emotion or action. And thus, it generally has negative connotations. Now, I noticed that the old King James Version translates that word, which is in the NIV spur on, as provoke. Let us provoke one another. And because provoke also is a term in our common parlance, which has negative connotations, I happen to notice that the New King James Version no longer uses that word provoke, but rather the New King James has changed the term to read to stir up, to stir up, which of course is more closely in line with the new American standards to stimulate and the NIVs to spur one another on. Because indeed, it is a word that has to have positive, not negative connotations. Well, with that being understood, as we begin to work our way through the words of our text now together, let us first of all take note of the fact that this biblical exhortation to spur one another on must be preceded by prayerful preparation. This exhortation to spur one another on must first of all be preceded by prayerful preparation. For example, look at verse 24 again of Hebrews 10 with me, if you would please. Here we read, and let us, that is communally, corporately, as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, this is something which we're doing together, and let us consider, underscore that, how we may spur one another on. How we may consider. That term in the English is used in virtually all of the English translations that I have checked, that most of them read and let us consider. But when I looked it up in the Greek lexicon, I found some other synonyms. It's a term that literally means to take notice of, to observe carefully, to contemplate, to reflect upon, to take notice of, to observe carefully, to contemplate and reflect upon. And friends, why do you suppose that word is used in this particular context? Why is it so critically important that before giving us the exhortation to spare one another on, the Holy Spirit-inspired author says, first of all, and let us consider. Well, the reason is, is because we want to make sure that before we start engaging and spurring one another on, we want to make sure that we are doing so in a sanctifying and not in a sinful sort of way. That is why we need to take heed to other cautions in the Scriptures concerning these things. In fact, if you would turn to the Gospel according to Matthew with me, turn with me please to Matthew chapter 7. If you want to just listen, that's okay. In the first Gospel account, In Matthew 7, we looked at this passage several weeks ago under the theme of spiritual eye surgery, you may recall. And in Matthew 7, the first five verses, Jesus is speaking here in the Sermon on the Mount. And He says, Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite. First, take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. And similarly, dear friends, let's go over to the book of Romans, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, the second chapter, the first four verses. In Romans 2, 1 through 4, the Apostle Paul declares, You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth, so when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? And then finally on this score, if you would care to turn with me, let's go to the book of Galatians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians to the right after Romans. Galatians chapter 6, verses 1 through 4. The Apostle Paul again declares, If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself without comparing himself to somebody else, you see. And so, brothers and sisters, in a word, we must carefully and we must prayerfully consider how we may spur one another on, because this is a matter of mutuality, it is a matter of reciprocity. We do not want to engage in this behavior, fulfill this exhortation in any kind of a sinful or selfish or meddling or interfering way, but we want to do this in the sense of of giving each other, could I call it, a holy provocation. A holy provocation to growing in holiness and becoming more completely conformed to the image of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We want to treat each other, if I may say, with a sanctified regard. Now, one biblical commentator has so insightfully said in this regard, and I quote, Our church membership is not maintained merely for one's own personal edification. That's an excellent statement. I'm going to read that part again. Our church membership is not maintained merely for one's own personal edification. We should consider one another in the spirit of brotherly love and so that we may be mutually helpful to each other in the divine life. Brothers and sisters, let us always remember as well that in 1 Peter 5 verse 8, the Apostle Peter declares that our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for those whom he may devour. And just as a lion would try to separate a zebra or a gazelle or whatever kind of animal from the herd in order to take them down more easily, So Satan knows that he can take you or I down much more quickly, spiritually, to the extent that you and I separate ourselves from one another. It's true. It's true. And so, that is why as our text for today teaches us in no uncertain terms back in Hebrews chapter 10, before we are to be actively engaged in spurring one another on, Let us consider, let us consider, we must first of all engage in prayerful preparation, prayerful preparation. Abba notice. Secondly and finally, let us take note of the fact that as we seek to obey this biblical exhortation to spur one another on, we must do so for a particular purpose. We must do so for a particular purpose. Look again at Hebrews 10, 24 with me if you would. Here we read. And let us consider how we may spur one another on. Now we've got some good biblical insight into what that means. Toward love and good deeds. Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Friends, let's take those two items individually. First of all, we are exhorted in God's Word to spur one another on toward love. Many of us know what that Greek word is. It's the word agape, A-G-A-P-E, agape. And agape love, interestingly enough, is used only twice in the entire book of Hebrews. It's used extensively in the New Testament, but it's used only twice in the book of Hebrews. It's used here, and it's used, if you'll flip back a page or two, to Hebrews chapter 6, verse 10, where we read, Hebrews 6, 10, You will not forget your work and the love and the agape you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. It refers to a very selfless, sacrificial, servant-hearted, unconditional, no-strings-attached kind of love. And of course, dear friends, it is a love that is most powerfully made manifest for us in the cross of Christ at Calvary. In fact, if you'll turn to Romans chapter 5 with me just for a moment, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, chapter 5, God sort of fleshes out the meaning of agape love in verses 6 through 8. In Romans 5, 6 through 8, we read, you see, At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Think of this. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man. For a good man, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love agape for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Think of that. Not while we were His friends. Not while we were obeying His law. While we were shaking our fist in His holy face. That is when Christ died for us. While we were his enemies, Christ died for us. That is agape love. In fact, similarly, let's turn toward the end of the New Testament. 1 John chapter four, verses nine through 12, right before the books of Jude Revelation. 1 John 4, nine through 12. The apostle John was known as the apostle of love. And in 1 John 4, nine through 12, he writes, this is how God showed his love among us. He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love. Not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. Now friends, think about that and then ask ourselves this question. What would you say is the most primary way in which we could or should be spurring on one another toward agape love? What would you say is the main way or one of the most primary ways in which we can be used of God to spur one another on toward agape love? I've been thinking about that, I've been praying about that. It's a bit of a tough question. The thing that the Lord laid on my heart that I suppose one of the primary ways in which we could do that would be by modeling, by manifesting, by exhibiting, by providing a living, breathing example to others in very personal, practical ways what agape love is all about, what agape love is all about. But if we do so and we are feeling like the spirit is enabling us to take up that challenge and so exhort one another, spur one another on toward agape love. We need to remember, brothers and sisters, what Paul says in First Corinthians 13, verses four through eight, where he gives some personal practical characteristics of agape love. And he says love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love, agape, never fails. And then down in verse 13 of 1 Corinthians 13, he writes, and now these three remain, faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love. Now, it's interesting that many Bible commentators point out something that I had not happened to have caught myself, maybe you caught it when we read Hebrews 10. Did you notice that that triad of faith, hope, and love is mentioned right here in the verses we're studying as part of this little sermon series? For example, back in Hebrews 10, 22, it says, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of what? Faith, verse 23, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. And now in verse 24, and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love, faith, hope, and love. Isn't that interesting? And these commentators also point out, not only that that triad is noted here in Hebrews 10, but they also make a very interesting insight. They said, a person could experience faith by themselves. You can have faith as an individual person. A person could have hope in and of themselves. You could have hope as an individual person. But they say that's not true with love. By definition, love necessitates community. To express agape love, you need to be in relationship. You need to have someone else with whom you can share that kind of love. It's an action word. It's an action word. And that is why the text doesn't end with spur one another on toward love, but it goes on to mention that second purpose, that second reason why we are to exhort one another on and spur one another on. And it says we must spur one another on toward love, but not only so, and good deeds. And good deeds, the outworking of love, if you will. Now, if you're interested or if you're taking notes, the Greek word for good there is kalos, and it refers to that which is good or beautiful or excellent. It's a term that speaks of quality. And then the word for deeds is ergon, and that simply refers to an act or a deed or something that is done. And that's why the King James translates it, spur one another on toward love and good works, good works. But friends, while we must surely remember, as the Apostle Paul declares in Ephesians 2, 8 and 9, that it is by grace you have been saved through faith, this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, lest any man should boast. We must also certainly remember that love is indeed an action word and is the most blessed source or the fountain of the very best that we do. Agape love is the most blessed source or fountain of the very best that we do. In fact, that is why in the book of Romans, the 13th chapter, if you would like to turn with me or you can listen, just that's OK. But in Romans 13, verses eight through 10, the apostle Paul drives home that point this way. He says, let no debt remain outstanding. except the continuing debt to love agape one another. For he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. The commandments, do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet, and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this one rule, love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And similarly, the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica, if you go to the right from Romans, 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 2 and 3, Paul says to the church in Thessalonica, and he says to the church in Pompton Plains, we always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. And so, brothers and sisters, as a body of believers, you see, the bottom line is that we must be making manifest this kind of love, this agape love, to, for example, the boys and girls, the children, the young people, the young adults of this congregation, by getting to know them, by becoming involved in their lives, by encouraging them along life's way. We need to be making manifest this kind of agape love, as Brother Steve mentioned in his pastoral prayer, to our seniors, and to our shut-ins, and to our widows, and to our widowers. And we do that by reaching out to them, by calling them, by including them, by visiting them, by sending them a card, or bringing them a meal, or giving them a phone call, simply saying, I'm just checking up to see how you're doing. We need to be making manifest this agape love by praying for and providing the needs of our military members and all of our missionaries as well. And brothers and sisters, in short, whether we do it officially or unofficially, we all need to be playing the part of helping hands or the band of brothers for one another. We've got to be there for each other, encouraging each other, counseling each other, comforting each other, ministering to each other, encouraging each other. In fact, one of the reasons is because in 1 John 3, verses 16, right near the end of the Bible, 1 John 3, verses 16 through 18, the apostle of love declares, this is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love agape with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. And again, why so? Because our spurring on of one another has a particular purpose. It has a particular purpose. Well, you know, friends, I began this message today by talking about the difference between a flock of seagulls eating popcorn and a flock of geese flying in V formation. And with that imagery in mind, I'd like to close by asking us all to personally answer this question. Which bird more accurately reflects or characterizes your spiritual life? Which bird more accurately reflects or characterizes my spiritual life? That is, as you and I seek to live the Christian life before the face of God, Do our attitudes and actions, our thoughts, our words, our behaviors, our interactions more closely reflect seagulls eating popcorn, looking out only for number one, what's in it for me? It's going to be my way or no way, and I'll do whatever it takes to get it. Or does the living of your Christian life and mine more faithfully reflect the flock of geese flying in V formation? looking out for one another, helping each other, making each other's load lighter. And if I could say honking all the way, advising, instructing, comforting, correcting, cheering each other on, cheering each other on. Well, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, by God's grace, as you and I leave this place, by the person and power and presence of His Holy Spirit, and through faith, in the name of Jesus, let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love, and good deeds. Amen. Let's bow our heads and our hearts together in prayer. Oh, our mighty God and most merciful Heavenly Father. Many years ago, a very popular vocal duo sang the words, I am a rock. I am an island. I touch no one and no one touches me. And unfortunately, dear Lord, and far too frequently, that is precisely how so many of us as your people seek to live the Christian life. And yet, O faithful Father, that is not who and how you have created us to be. For your holy word teaches us that in the body of Christ there are many members but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, I don't need you. In the head cannot say to the feet, I don't need you. Consequently, O Lord. Enable and empower us, we pray. Today and every day. To consider how we may spur one another on. Toward love. And good deeds. In Jesus name. Amen.