MUTUAL CHRISTIAN DUTIES

HEBREWS 10:2

A. "AND LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER, TO PROVOKE UNTO LOVE AND TO GOOD WORKS"
  1. This exhortation by Paul is a continuation of his effort for Christian constancy in both:
    1. Their public profession.
    2. Their inner church relationship.
  2. It reveals his vision of living faith and Christian fellowship:
    1. He was, indeed, a Master Builder in the great and living temple of faith - 1 Cor. 3:10
    2. He recognized the great essentials of the inner affectionate relationship of the believers to the winning of souls.
B. NOTE, PLEASE, THESE THREE SALIENT POINTS IN OUR OPENING TEXT
  1. Mutual consideration:
    1. "Let us consider one another." The word "consider" means to give serious thought to; to make it a point of special interest.
    2. We are called upon to "consider our ways" (Hag. 1:5, 7); to "consider our latter end" (Hos. 7:2); to "consider the wondrous works of the Lord" (Job 37:14); to "consider our great high priest" (Heb. 3:1).
  2. Consider one another:
    1. The frailty of our common human nature - Jas. 3:2; Rom. 6:19; Heb. 5:2
    2. The oneness of our calling.
    3. Our common exposures to affliction and temptation, as well as dangers.
    4. Our reciprocal duties to the church and the world, indicated in the working of the human body - 1 Cor. 12:12-25
  3. Consider each other in our relationship to Jesus Christ our Lord:
    1. We should think of our brother in his relationship to Jesus Christ - 1 Cor. 8:11
    2. We should have the same attitude to one another that our Lord has toward us.
    3. Many of our difficulties come because we do not consider one another in our relationship to Jesus Christ, who is no respecter of persons.
C. END RESULTS OF OUR MUTUAL CONSIDERATION
  1. It will lead to:
    1. A better understanding among ourselves.
    2. Many difficulties are due to misunderstanding among the brethren.
  2. It will help us, by the grace of God, to esteem one another higher than ourselves: Phil. 2:3; 1 Thess. 5:13
  3. It will, in the words of Paul, "provoke one another unto love":
    1. That word "provoke" is to call forth; to stir up; to incite action or activity - 2 Cor. 9:2
    2. Love the brethren - 1 John 4:6-8; Rom. 13:8
    3. Love sinners - John 3:16; Rom. 9:1-6; 10:1-3
  4. Provoke unto good works:
    1. To bear one another's burdens - Gal. 6:1-3
    2. To be good Samaritans - Luke 10:30-37
    3. To share our faith with others - Acts 1:8, 9; 10:38
    4. To care for the poor - Jas. 1:27
    5. To be an example in humility, in faith, in love, and in charity - 1 Tim. 4:12
  5. In doing these things:
    1. We reveal the virtues of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - 1 Pet. 2:9-11
    2. We shall be both the light of the world and the salt of the earth - Matt. 5:13-16
  6. Last, but not least:
    1. No one among us can be a true Christian and not sense our mutual obligations.
    2. Cain attempted to be irresponsible for his brother Abel, but it did not work.
    3. The prodigal's brother felt no burden for his erring brother; to the contrary, he felt hurt because his father took an interest in the prodigal - Luke 15:11-32
    4. Even men in official positions in the church need to be on guard - Luke 10:30-37


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