Encourage each other (Hebrews 10 :19~25)

Encourage each other   Hebrews 10 :19~25   19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.Let's see Genesis 2:18~23 18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Based on what Genesis chapter 2 said, humans created to be stay together. In other word " Man is by nature a social animal " a word human, In Chinese "人" represent two person standing against each other's back together, which means person cannot live alone. We cannot be happy without people around us. I need you and you need me. 2. Some lady from New York married with Jacob Walker who works at Robins reef as a light house keeper. The lady thought she couldn't live in the island at first but she couldn't leave him so, she got used to live in the island. After 3 years, Jacob had a disease which end up killing him. Before he died Jacob told his wife to think about the light house. She buried Jacob near the hill which is in the island. And she could leave the island, but she didn't and through 41 years she keep the light house. Mrs. Walker said she couldn't leave the island because whenever she thinks about leaving her husband's voice ringing in her head. Yes the memory of the loved one can give one's meaning, and power of life. 3. More than 100 senior citizens are dying alone in New York. Most of them are who were live alone. The security of apartment checks their room when their post boxes are stacked with letters. In Tokyo, Japan there are telephone system called a "Comfortable call." When the elder person sense one self's death  is near, the person press the button under their pillows. Death is cold, it is very happy to have your friends and family around you. This was simple examples, however sadly this is the fact and also part of our society's face. So some say, There are many people in the world but no warm organizations.   People needed to be encouraged in their life. Verse 24 says " And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." So spur(encourage) for what? The text gives us Love and good deeds for example. In the brutal 1st century, for Christians, love and good deeds were very important elements. Those were most encouraging methods. Even the circumstances oppressed Christians they could hold on to each other and overcome the hardships because of love and good deeds. In present day, unlike Christians in 1st century, we are in different position thing are much easier, but still it is true that we need to encourage each other with love and good deeds. One of the most famous pianist and composer " Rachmaninoff" and his most popular concerto the Piano concerto #2 wasn't just come out there was a behind story. Rachmaninoff arrogant in his early age, he thought he would succeed but he didn't he failed and even went to the mental hospital. His personal Doctor "Nicolas Dell" told him "There are something great in your heart, and that greatness wants to come out." Rachmaninoff was encouraged by him and the very next year he composed the Piano concerto #2. The King of Automobile Henry Ford said, Encouraging is wonderful assets of life. There are reason he said this. When he trying to develop the engine of the car, many people laughed. one day at some dinner meeting, Ford met Edison. After listen Ford's idea of engine Edison hit the table with his hand then said, "Young man! that is brilliant idea, you already made it." After Ford create the Car engine he said "When Edison hit the table, I feel like I had it all." In early 1800, Some kid in Denmark learned language little bit late than his peer. When he able to write something people make fun of him because the words he wrote wasn't make sense. However some lady in town told him "Don't worry, one day your writing skill will bloom like a flower." When he grew up he became a famous fairytale writer "Andersen."   Brothers and sisters! those people we met everyday have worrys and feel empty inside because of mistakes of their lives, and some have deep scars in their mind. Even if someone believes in Jesus could fall. We all need someone could encourage us to keep go. In Philemon 1:7 says " 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother." and shows how precious encouraging is.   2. We have to encourage who has weak faith. Verse 25 says. " not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Apostle Paul also said, in 1st Thessalonians 5:14 " Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." Do we try hard to gather in front of God? we should. The secret of first generation churches were being so powerful is the gathering. Do they gather once in a week? no they met frequently. Act 2:46 says " And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," They met everyday sharing food, praise the Lord and spread Gospel. It is hard to gather nowadays with busy life of each one of us, but if problems solves by gathering why not gather? We have three meal per day, however if we didn't it once a day, because of our business, we will have some sort of problem in our digest system. How about us? do we put our effort to gather? or not, the day Jesus' return is getting closer everyday. Moreover when we gather, we should not just gather we have to experience God's grace through other people.   3. We have to know there aren't many times to encourage others.  Verse 25 says "2 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The writer of Hebrew want us to never giving up meeting together. We all have problem, and to solve the problem first we need to learn how to love each other, and that learning process is begins from meeting. So what should we say to encourage others? we shouldn't follow the method of this world. Use bible! it can revive their souls. 1 Timothy 3:16,17 "16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Verse 23," 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  We can see many of Gods promises, but our circumstances can shake us. When we are weaken by this world, somebody have to encourage us to only look God again and believe his promises. Verse 24 love: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, " Why the Good deeds followed after love? it is because good deeds are come from love. We have to encourage each other all the time. Time doesn't wait for us we have to cheer up each other when we have chance! Bob Hope was a famous comedian in America. one time he went to Vietnam to perform his show. However he said he will only perform five minutes. Surprisingly he didn't stopped at 5 minutes he was on the stage over 30 minutes. The reason he performed more than he said was the two war heroes in the front seats. Both of them lost their arm (both only have one arm each). However when Bob was on the stage they clap their hand against each other. Bob Hope was touched by them and realized what is true encouraging was. Conclusion One of the purpose of be at meetings and services is to praise the Lord, and another one is communicate each other and take care of each other. Encouraging breathe new life to spiritually dead person; heartbroken people. Encouraging can be the oasis to people who wandering in the desert of failure.   translated by sung w,Ahn & Hyun s,Kim