“And we should think toward stirring up one another to love and to 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.

For if we sin willingly after we are to receive the knowledge of the truth, no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,”

Hebrews 10:24-26 has a very important message for us today, when so many do what is right in their own eyes and are uncommitted to God’s people. They say they are saved by grace, but they do not love the church.

First, let us stir up one another. vs24

“And we should think toward stirring up one another to love and to good works,”

Christianity has an unsettling trend among some who profess the truth. They hear that the gospels of works religion, lying signs and wonders, and prosperity preaching are false. They are delivered FROM churches that don’t preach the truth, but they ARE NOT COMMITTED to people and churches that do.

I go some places and a saint (I hope they are,) is one hour away, but they are too lazy or too busy to meet to hear the gospel. They say they love the message, but they won’t make an effort with those who are laboring to advance it. They want nothing to do with other believers, except online.

Paul told Titus to ordain elders in every church [Titus 1:5]. He’s saying that we’re to come out of false religion and come into true fellowship with saints in God given order, not just meeting on our terms but His.

The book of Titus teaches us the conduct of God’s elect [Titus 1:1; Titus 2:1]. He is telling us that what we do matters: it shows that our faith is real and honors the God that saved us, making us useful in His purpose [Titus 2:5, 8, 10].

There’s a distressing trend that 2,000 years old, because Hebrews 10 speaks against it. Some are delivered from lies but forsake the whole truth. They don’t want to worship, to sacrifice, and to commit to others, but it can’t be this way.

The Lord gives the illustration of the servant whose master is away for a long season [Matt 24:45-51]. He begins to beat the fellow servants and drink with the drunkards. His life shows that he’s not waiting for the master’s return.

The result? He’s cut into pieces, and this will happen to many in our day who feast and drink, caring only for themselves. They say that they believe the gospel, but there’s no concern for God’s kingdom. They are computer warriors. Sadly, they are members of the “internet church,” but they have no interest in the body of Christ: Everyone does what is right in their own sight.

This is sad, and it must be avoided.

Secondly, the Day is drawing near when we’ll give account. vs25

“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.”

Let us not sleep but be sober. Let us live as children of the light, ordering ourselves according to Scripture [Rom 13:12]. This is the true grace of God: it regulates how we live, not just our doctrine but our life and how we live to save others.

Most people live for today. Some even say, “Judgement Day is tomorrow, and I’m living for now.” This is irreverent boasting. Others talk big about loving God, but there is no sacrifice and no giving!

Tell these people that you’re not saved by works, and they do none. Tell them tithing won’t bring you to heaven, and they won’t give. Tell them you’re justified by faith, and they think love and commitment to the body of Christ is optional!

They get it all twisted. They come short of the kingdom. They’ve forgotten what they’ve been saved from and saved for. The Judgment Day is not in their thoughts, so they live UNCONCERNED for others.

Thirdly, do you see what it means to sin willfully? vs26

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,”

“Sinning deliberately” is abandoning the gospel, either by open confession or lifestyle denial! Hebrews is teaching, “If we don’t live by the gospel, then nothing else can save us. If we give up on this hope, then there’s nothing left but hell.” He tells this to people who are forsaking the assembly! He is saying that your actions demonstrate your hope is not in Christ, and Judgment Day is an uneasy thought!

This is not the way to live. Buckle down and stir up your brothers in love. Live to bring others into the kingdom and to assist them tangibly. It will be well with you. Joy will be yours and peace too. You will have true usefulness, power over sin, and a clean conscience. God will be with us to do His will.

Finally, don’t forsake the assembly, but love people enough to sacrifice for it. Join people to worship God.

If you can’t be there on the weekend, then meet during the week. You can contribute something. When you see brothers suffering, don’t merely say, “Salvation is by grace,” but help. Call them, encourage, and pay them a visit [2 Tim 1:15-18].