Positive Provoking Part One: Love

TAP "NOTES" TO FILL IN THE BLANKS & TAKE YOUR OWN NOTES.

A well-known pastor and Bible conference speaker was asked what the meaning of Hebrews 10:24-25 was. He replied bluntly, “Go to church!” To be sure, the expectation of faithfully gathering together as a local body is in these verses. Many of us have heard them quoted in that way our entire Christian lives. Looking closer, however, yields more than just a command to go to church. These two verses are packed with instructions on what we should do when we get here.

• Thoughtfully consider positively provoking to love. (“stir up”)

• Why we should positively provoke others to love:
 It marks one as a follower of Jesus, John 13:24-35
 It fulfills the Law, Romans 13:8
 It follows God’s teaching, 1 Thessalonians 4:9
 It pleases God, 1 John 3:22-23
 It reveals God to a watching world, 1 John 4:12

• How we should positively provoke others to love:
 By our service to them, John 13:1-5
 By our growth in love, 1 Thessalonians 3:12
 By our intensity for love, 1 Peter 1:22
 By our sacrifice for them, 1 John 4:7-11

It is not a matter of just going to church, but what do we do when we get here.