Spring 2000
Exhorting One Another
Msrvin Isum
Teacher, Pinecrest

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering; (for he is faithful that
promised;) And let us consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good works.”

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but
exhorting one another: and so much the more,
as we see the day approaching.” Heb 10:23-25.

We may go to Church and not be “assembled together." We can sing songs and hear the Word, but when it's over, it is just an hour and a half later. Something more than this should happen in our services.

I enjoy ministering at Rescue Missions. It is a thrill to hear a man say, "I thank my Lord Jesus that He has kept me dry for one more day." For that person, 24 hours without a drink is wonderful, and everyone claps and cheers. They encourage one another. But in our services, all too often, there is no challenge or excitement.

In the early 70s, people were turning to the Lord who were an embarrassment to the church. In one place, hippies began attending a newly built sanctuary, but were openly treated as "undesirables." There should have been excitement about the change in their lives, both that which had happened, and that which would yet take place.

One time, while ministering at a Church, the pastor told me, "I prayed that a certain family will come to the Lord during your service." This did not happen, but several "undesirables" were saved. Rather than being excited, the church only tolerated these people.

Then I discovered that those being prayed for by the Pastor was a family of wealth and influence, whom he wanted in his Church. However, many of these "nobodies" of the 70s, who became disenchanted with the ways of the world and the hippie lifestyle, turned to the Lord and became spiritually mature Christians and strong supporters of the Church.

It is a responsibility to be a father - someone who will encourage and exhort to greater fidelity to God. Today, as we see “the day” drawing near, the Lord is raising up many "fathers" in the Church, those who will nurture spiritually and raise up faithful servants.

Abraham was unknown, except the Lord saw the potential in him and called him from “Ur of the Caldees.” Joseph was the lesser son who was given the menial task of watching over the sheep. Yet these became Fathers in the full sense of all that a Father should be.

There is a song of which one phrase says, "But he chose me." He could have chosen others with more ability, but he chose me. Each of us has this testimony. Let us encourage one another in the faith, become excited about all that is before us, and no longer look back to our beginnings.