Faithful Alliance PART 2

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Looking After One Another as THE DAY Draws Near

If we are near the end and we are seeing THE DAY approaching, then what should we be doing? Last week's message was so big, we only heard about two thirds of what needs to be shared. So today is Part II.

In Part I, we had two points: the Faithful Alliance is challenged, and the Faithful Alliance holds fast. Today we're going to talk about how the Faithful Alliance looks after one another. And we're going to talk about the day. What do we see? What things tell us that the day is actually drawing near?

Our Text: Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more, as you see the day drawing near."

Point Three: The Faithful Alliance Will Look After One Another

Remember now, this whole paragraph speaks to the "us" and "we" - then gives the singular "you" - "all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Quick Review: Joined Together with Fellow Strugglers

We are to be joined together with fellow strugglers, knit together with folks who are struggling just like we are. And the great byproduct of this unity is to encourage, to help, to be stronger together, to care for how we're doing and to be helping each other.

Christianity: One Beggar Telling Another Beggar Where to Find Bread

I heard R.C. Sproul one time give the greatest bottom line sentence explanation of what walking out authentic Christianity actually is. You ready? He said:

"Christianity is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."

That sums it up pretty good. That context, that attitude can help make clear all we do here at church in order to eliminate the pretense and just get after the main things.

The challenge for us is to "consider how" - and the words "consider how" means to set the mind on. We are to set our minds on our fellow believers in an effort to "stir up," which is the best translation that I gave you today. Other versions instead of "stir up" use the word "provoke." The word provoke is usually used in a negative manner. It means to incite, like to get going with a riot kind of thing. In this context, the word literally means stir up.

Another significant word in these verses is the word "encourage" in verse 25.

How Do We Do That? It Comes Down to Love

OK, Chris, yeah, I get that. So how do we do that? Well, I want you to notice a couple of the ways. And it comes down to love. And I want to use scripture to show you what God tells us about love.

Love Is the Calling Card of the Church

First of all, love is to be the calling card of the church. We are to love together. John 13:34-35 says this:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Love of God is to be the catalyst. It's to be supreme. It's what jump starts all this stuff. Matthew 22:37-38 says this:

"And he said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment."

This is our Savior talking. So that's where it all starts - loving God.

Second, and only second to that, is the love we are to have for our brothers and sisters in Christ. And you know where that's found in the scriptures? The very next two verses as Jesus continues talking. Verses 39 and 40 of Matthew 22:

"And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

The Sheer Mark of Real Salvation

Genuine godly love for one another is the sheer mark of real salvation. In 1 John chapter 3 verse 14, it says this:

"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death."

Basically, the absence of this kind of love is the absence of true salvation.

I want to show you two little segments in 1 John chapter 4. They're separated a little bit, but this is the doubling down on this. First John 4:7-8 says:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Drop down to verses 20 through 21 of 1 John:

"If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

What This Tells Us as We Gather on Sundays

So what does that tell us as we gather here on Sundays? It tells us that the church house is to be a place where people feel loved. It's sad when people receive a warmer greeting at Walmart than they do at a typical church.

So now over the last 20 years, churches have realized this and they've created greeter teams - a great enhancement to the church in my opinion. Originally designed to welcome guests, the real benefit is actually greeting the regular body, showing them love through greeting.

Since we are to love, don't wait to be loved - start loving others and love will come your way. That's usually how it works.

Love in Action

I was writing these notes this week and I look out my window and Jim Beaker is mowing the church lawn. That's love. That was an act of love.

When you start doing stuff for others - we had church men go and help another brother with car trouble yesterday. That's love. We had church people show up at the house to help take down a tree and get rid of the brush. That's love.

At the end of the day, we intentionally love. That's the vibe we got going on here. Again, are we perfect? No.

Point Four: The Faithful Alliance Will Work and Worship Together

We are here to help our brothers and sisters in their work for the Lord. We are to encourage them in the work they do. Instead of finding fault with everything and everyone, we take time to notice the positive things people are doing and encourage them in their work for Jesus. That's the way to do it.

We are in this thing together and to be building up and not tearing down. We're to be in the building up business and not tearing down.

Sure, there are times when we have to point out badness, when we have to knock some sense upside the head. We have to do those things from time to time. But around here, in my little over three years here, that's been the exception, not the rule. That's a rarity, but it happens and it needs to happen. But the general vibe is one of love.

Encouraging One Another

We should be encouraging one another to continue faithfully in the Lord's work. Go tell somebody today, "Hey, I appreciate you." Tell somebody after the service, "Hey, I appreciate you." I dare you. I double dog dare you. Do it.

Not Neglecting to Meet Together

We also worship together, and that is so awesome. Some of the Jewish converts in chapter 10 had abandoned the public gatherings of the believers. We're to seek out the fellowship of the saints and not find ways to avoid it.

Church attendance is far more vital than people realize. And I'm going to get to why that's so much more important today than it ever has been in our past.

Just as a hot coal becomes cold when it's separated from the fire, a believer will become cold when the believer is separated from the fellowship of other believers.

I always tell people, look, I don't take attendance. I really don't. But if we realize we haven't seen someone in a while and you know them real well, pick up the phone.

Because if we're truly going to believe, we're getting the excitement, the teaching, the preaching, the worship, the challenges, the encouragement, the fellowship, and the sense of family that is available when we come to church.

My Hope for Faithful Attendance

My hope is always that folks stay sensitive to their commitment to the public worship of the Savior.

"Nothing will help you stay close to the Lord any more than regular faithful attendance to the services at the house of God."

You know what that also means? That also means that some really good genuine Christians may choose to worship somewhere else. And if they're genuine and they're true, they've got my blessing. We're not here to build a church. We're here to build up the kingdom of God. We're here to make Jesus' name great.

Come to Church - Here's Why

So come to church, come often, come faithfully. Come on Sunday mornings. Come ready to sing worship songs. Come to pray, come to praise Him, come hear His word. The word here is preached strongly.

Come and fellowship with His people. Come to serve. Come to help. Come to be helped. Come excited. Come prepared for the Lord to do something big in your life. Come expectantly. Come praying. Whatever you do, show up. Come for your children. Come for yourself. Come for the glory of the Lord. Find your place when these doors are open. Come to church.

Waiting on the Lord Together

And what does this mean? This means that we will wait on the Lord together as well.

We are seeing the coming of the Lord's day draw closer each and every hour. We already encourage each other in faithfulness and holy living. Why? Listen, it is going to get harder and harder and harder as the light dims and the darkness falls across our community.

Here's the Reality

"As the end of this evil age draws near and the coming of Christ draws near, it's going to become increasingly harder to remain holy and separated from this world, even those of us who are soundly saved."

Let me repeat that: As the end of this evil age draws near and the coming of Christ draws near, it's going to become more and more increasingly harder for us to remain holy and separated from the world.

We're going to need the fellowship of a church more than ever. A good ground church to be in. Wherever it is on the planet, it is the place to be as this happens. And we have a duty to one another to encourage, challenge and help each other along in the way of life. Jesus is coming and we need one another.

THE DAY: What Is It?

What is that day? What is it? That is the day of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus told about the leading up to His return, He specifically spoke about birth pains. In Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13 - the message from Jesus in all three of these parallel gospels is known as the Olivet Discourse.

Understanding Birth Pain Characteristics

Now, generalizing, I want to show you how in 2025 we can understand the tendencies of birth pains the Lord spoke about. Birth pain characteristics. What does that mean? It is like contractions become more frequent - soon the baby is going to be here.

Here are these four things - birth pain characteristics:

1. Increase in Visibility

More people are going to be aware of what is going on, whatever it might be.

2. Increase in Intensity

Each thing will become more and more intense, whatever that might be.

3. Increase in Frequency

Happens more often than normal and even can overlap and become commonplace.

4. Increase in Impact

Wider and wider groups of people will be impacted by each one of these events.

What Was Jesus Talking About?

Remember what He said? Wars and rumors of wars. Earthquakes. Famines. Look at our world today in comparison: visibility, intensity, frequency, and impact.

Just this week: multiple earthquakes in Greece and Turkey. Just this month: volcanoes blown up in Italy. Anyone know of any wars? How about four or five happening right now? Air quality in Minnesota and Northern Iowa from the wildfires in Canada? That's just the latest news.

Jesus Gets Straight to the Point

So if we're seeing the day drawn near, then the strength of our fellowship is of great importance. I'm going to let Jesus just bottom line it for you today. When we put these verses on the screen, I want you to really pay attention to what the Lord is actually saying to you and me today.

Matthew 24:10-13 - Jesus goes for broke. Look at it:

"And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Make sense? Deception and love growing cold. It's all around us. That's just some reasons to study, to pray, to be on the lookout for the day.

Seven Prophecy Chapters to Study Together

We need to study prophecy. We need to be engaged. But we also need to know where to draw the line and keep our focus on Jesus and not on these theories, whatever they may be.

Here are seven prophecy chapters to consider as we look for the coming of the day together:

The Current Reality Check

OK, I know that it's easy to allow the news of the day to wash over us with too much familiarity. Just think about mass shootings. If we hear of another one that is not so close, we may feel it, but not for long. We may stop and pray for those affected, but not for long. Kind of wild how quickly we just get on with our day in light of tragedy around us. Familiarity brings that.

What We're Seeing Today

Let me remind you of a few things today:

Terrorism & Conflict:

• Hamas - low-life terror organization that uses children to shield them from real conflict, kidnapped women and children and murders them in spite
• Yemen trying to attack anything that isn't Chinese in the Red Sea
• Iran - have you looked deeply into Iran beyond just the headlines?

Economic & Leadership Crisis:

• Global finances are wobbling
• Here in America, the dollar is just about toast
• We're the richest country in the world and we now have a bad credit score
• Global leadership is filled with more lightweights than I can ever remember

Natural & Environmental Disasters:

• Massive fires all over the earth (California, Canada)
• The weather's gone wild
• Volcanoes erupting
• Earthquakes every other day somewhere
• Food and water scarcity concerns

Other Concerning Trends:

• WMDs being teed up to be used in multiple nations
• Global plagues and poisons
• Cattle numbers at lowest since 1950

End of World Trends Template

Here's a template that takes it a little deeper - end of world trends we are to consider. Together we will see the day approaching:

1. Global deceptions will become more believable
2. Global disasters will get more lethal
3. Global water shortages will get wider
4. Global food scarcity will get more regular
5. Global conflict will get bigger and deadlier
6. Global hatred for Christ will get more personal
7. Global tracking - man, they just about got that down where it's going to be complete

What Should All This Prophecy Do for Us?

Well, first and foremost from our text today: we are not to neglect to meet together as is the habit of some, but encourage one another and all the more - as you see the day approaching.

I heard a Bible teacher say the following, and I quote:

"Be a part of a local church. Gather around people who are watchful like you - some solid fellow believers - and then invite in your unsafe friends and then look on as the end of the prophetic messages that determine the destiny of humanity."

If God's telling us about the destiny of humanity, anybody interested in taking a little peek at it?

Remember: "Let Us" Means Command

So encourage one another so much more as you see the day approaching. Please remember when we started this chapter 10 study: the phrase "let us" - in the Bible, whenever you see a "let us" in the Bible, it's usually a command. The "let us" phrases here in chapter 10 are no different.

The commands teach us what the faithful people of God actually do with their lives. What do faithful people do? This is what the faithful people do. Does it describe you?

Seven Action Steps: If You See What I See

Look, based on world events and as they get worse, if there was ever a time to be serious about serving God, now is that time.

I want to give you seven things. If you feel it is the time, if you see what I see, then these are the seven action steps I want you to consider:

1. Time to Get Consistent Spiritually

Be consistent in what you do. It matters. It matters. Study the entire Bible. I say that knowing that there's Leviticus and there's genealogies. I get all that. But there's a whole lot there that you're not looking at.

2. Time to Get a Solid Grasp of Biblical Doctrine

When I say doctrine, I'm talking about bringing it back to the narrow road, the hard narrow path Jesus calls us to. The context of what the Bible has to say and what the context can mean for us to apply it in our life.

Not "well, what does the Bible mean to me?" Nobody cares what the Bible means to you. Nobody cares what the Bible means to me. What matters is biblical doctrine that gets us on that narrow path.

3. Time to Understand and Believe Bible Prophecy

We do not have to figure it all out. But know the signs. Know when you see something.

4. Time to Understand and Apply the Attributes of God

You see God working and moving? Join Him. Look at God as part of the reason some of these things are happening. God's in control - that's His attributes.

5. Get Prepared for Spiritual Deception

None of us are immune. "Well, I've been walking with the Lord for 55 years and I know the Bible forwards and backwards. I'm pretty immune." No, you're not. Neither am I.

That's why I get up every day asking God, "Please, Lord, let me see clearly again today." When you stay in that depth with Christ, deception can't touch you. It cannot touch you.

6. Time to Memorize Verses and Share the Gospel

Memorize verses and share the gospel any way you can if you see the day approaching.

Two Final Questions

Question 1: Are You Saved?

Straight up. Are you saved? Are you?

If you are, you're in the family. You're in the family of God and all of these things apply to your life. And if you're not, let me invite you to come to Jesus today. He loves you. He died to save you. If you will come to Him, He will save your soul and put you in the family.

Question 2: Are You Faithful?

If you are, the Lord will reward you for your faithful servant attention to His will. That's what the Scriptures say.

If you have allowed yourself to wander from the path God intended for you to walk, you can get that right today. If you need help in your life, listen to what the Lord is speaking to you. Listen to Him.

The Bottom Line

If you're like me and you see God moving, and you want to come alongside and join in the work of the Lord, remember this: as we see the day approaching, we are not to neglect to meet together as is the habit of some, but encourage one another and all the more.