Unexpected Exhortation

“And let us continue to consider how to stimulate one another to love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24

            Exhorting other followers of Jesus serves as a necessary practice of the Christian life. In our effort to further the gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples, we must diligently seek to “stimulate” fellow believers to love one another and others as well as perform good works that glorify God.

            I assert that the above text concerns intentional stimulation, that is, a follower of Jesus purposefully exhorting other believers to “love and good works.” However, I also assert that this can be done in an indirect manner as we live out the gospel. By our “love and good works” we influence folk we did not even know were watching or listening.

Recently I experienced this in an unusual way and an unusual place. Ted’s Electrical & HVAC, the company I co-own with my father, needed me to troubleshoot an Electric Steam Generator, which I had never worked on before, for a retirement center in Chapel Hill. After having discovered the problem on the Generator, I stood in the lobby to call for parts. While on hold I overheard a conversation between two employees. What I heard exhorted me to “love and good works.” A fellow follower of Jesus was sharing boldly, kindly, compassionately, and clearly how Jesus Christ arose from the grave to redeem us from sin. When being questioned about those in church who live unfaithfully, he responded by sharing how following Jesus concerned his obedience and was not measured by how others lived. In other words, he gathered on Sunday with the body to worship Jesus and not to please others. The conversation soon ended; however, the seed was planted. I finished my duty and when leaving I met the individual who had been witnessed to by a co-worker. I shared with Hosea my testimony and exhorted him to listen to his co-worker; for, Jesus alone can satisfy the longings of his heart.

            God’s wonderful work occurred in 2 clear ways: 1 man heard the clear message of redemption, I was “stimulated to love and good woks.” Our faithfully living for the gospel either directly or indirectly stimulates other believers to love and good works. My encouragement to you is be faithful; for, even when you are not aware your faithful service to the King is working for His glory.  

Reference

In my quest to better understand the NT, I desire to read an accurate and informative history of the Roman Empire. What suggestions do you have? You can email me at joelbradsher@gmail.com. Looking forward to your suggestions :)

I recently wrote a post about a Global challenge I received from Dave Black's "Will You Join the Cause of Global Missions." Here you can find three convictions that undergird the book. 

Is there a cost to obediently following Jesus? Is death a great possibility for those who faithfully proclaim Him as Lord? Are there very few Christians today who suffer and die for the gospel? According to this report the amount of Christians (obedient followers of Jesus) who died for the gospel this past year, doubled from 2012. More will be to come, I am sure, as we await the coming of our Savior. The world and its ways are militant against God's kingdom, thus we must not be surprised by the persecutions, rejections, and martyrdoms we face. By the way, our hope is not in safety or in world peace, but rather in the truth, the promise of God, that we will share in the resurrection experience of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20-21). You can read the article here. 

This is what occurs when your buddies front wheel drive car gets stuck in your yard and you attempt to push him out. What did I have for lunch today? Mud :) Thanks Jughead. 

Papa B and Nigussie stopped in for a visit today for a time of fellowship and encouragement. The kids are always excited to see Papa B and Nigu :) And O yea, they brought some delicious chocolate pie for dessert after lunch! 

Meet Philip

Meet Philip. He was born a few days before Christmas, a beautiful and blessed Christmas gift indeed. His mother, Amber Austin, lost her husband Sean Austin, Philips dad and my dear friend, this past year to a tragic car accident. Sean had experienced the new birth a few years prior to my arrival as a family member at Clement Baptist Church. Sean and myself quickly bonded as we were in the same Sunday School class. Sean was a kind, gentle spirited young man who was maturing in Christ as he and Amber read and studied Scripture together, as well as, faced the challenges of life together with Christ as their Lord. In fact, only hours before Sean lost his life, Sean, Amber, and their daughter Georgia were reading Acts 8, which we had been discussing in SS, when they were struct by Philip the Evangelist's boldness to preach the gospel. It was then they decided to name their son Philip, after the "global missionary" Philip in Acts 8. I cannot describe for you the blessing I experienced when I was finally able to hold this beautiful young boy that we had prayed for and anxiously awaited to arrive. Philip, I wish you would have had the privilege of meeting your daddy, Sean Austin. He hungered for intimacy with the Father like few men I have met. He longed to understand the Scriptures with a great fervency. He would be one proud "papa" to hold you and then to teach you to follow the Lord he loved dearly. My prayer for you Philip is that you will quickly meet and embrace the Savior your daddy knew and that you would pick up where he left off, seeking to proclaim the greatness of King Jesus to the nations. I look forward to seeing you grow into a fine young man :)