Series: The Church

Preacher: Ps. James Tang

Date: 11th January 2026

Passage: Hebrews 10:24-25

Sermon Summary:

It is hard to love. We know this. Loving and looking beyond oneself is so antithetical to who we are, to what the world calls us to be, that we cannot hope to do it on our own. And yet, Scripture tells us we cannot flourish without human community. The Greatest Commandment compels us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind... Yet equally as important is the call to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matt. 22:36-40)

This week’s passage of Hebrews 10:24-25 gives us encouragement for how we can do this, and why we should be doing this. Though the Mosaic law provided the Israelites with a system of sacrifices and offerings to atone for their sin, it would never be enough. (Heb. 10:11) Even the offerings themselves would serve as a reminder of the people’s sin that could never be fully wiped away. (v.3-4) But Christ, in His death upon the cross, acted as the perfect sacrifice to offer whole and complete forgiveness for all sin. (v.12-18) It is through His death for us and His gift of His Holy Spirit to us that we are fully reconciled to God, no longer slaves to sin but able to walk according to the ways and standards He has called us to.

We know that sin only leads to death (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:13-15) and separation between man and God. We serve and follow a holy God who cannot tolerate sin, which is why the author of Hebrews urges the early church to consider how they can keep the habit of meeting continually, how they can stir each other up to love and good works. (Heb. 10:24-25) The day is drawing near, where each will be judged according to his deeds. (2 Cor. 5:10) As we gather, let us consider how we can encourage, edify, and exhort each other, knowing that we are called to love God, His Church, and His world.