Stirring up something good

 Some people have a way of stirring up trouble and/or chaos. Some keep constant turmoil brewing all the time, while others seem to always speak calm into every situation. What are we personally stirring up?

My father-in-law had a way of promoting conflict in his children when they were young. My wife tells of her father divulging to the neighbor boy that she said something about him,, while he would tell her the same. The result would end in a boxing match in the front yard between my wife and the kid next door. Now, before I continue, I must disclose that these were young pre-teen children fighting in a grass ring several decades ago. And, I must admit, it would be several years later before I would eventually meet my wife, but I will lean heavily toward the fact that she worked the neighbor boy over like a borrowed mule. (I just have that feeling.) But, in this context, he would stir up trouble just for entertainment purposes.

Webster defines the word stir as “to mix thoroughly or arouse strong feeling in (someone) or to move or excite.” I’ve witnessed people stirring feelings and arousing those around them into a state of panic over things that haven’t even happened. Some have watched our favorite teams stir excitement, while reclining in our easy chairs, on Monday night through the television mounted on the wall. Why, it’s easy to stir something, but the question remains, “What are we stirring up?”

The best way to use our influence to its fullest potential is to “stir up” for God. Hebrews chapter 10 instructs us in verse 24 to do that very thing when the author says - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. That one statement would be great by itself and empowering enough to stand alone, however, the scripture doesn’t end with a period. It actually continues with a comma when it goes on to verse 25 by saying - 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.

So, how do we stir up one another to love and good works? Well, verse 25 gives us a pretty clear instruction manual when it says to meet together, do not neglect the meeting time, stay connected continually, and, by doing this, we will promote encouragement. In the early days of the church, they did that in homes; today, we call it church. I’ve heard it said there are no successful Christian islands. We stir one another up in love and accomplish good works through connection - connection with God and connection with others who are likeminded. Choose a tribe, run with a herd, make your presence known. That’s the atmosphere of Christpoint Church. We want you to be a part of a tribe so we can stir one another to love and good works. Let’s meet together this Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and get you on the team. We’re located on the square, in Sparta. We’re real people, living real lives, serving a real God. Welcome home.