Fellowship / Hebrews 10

In the heart of Honolulu at 3 AM, a sociologist and pastor named Tony found himself in a small, 24-hour café. As he sipped his coffee, a group of women entered the diner—women who worked the streets and found solace in each other’s company. One of them, Agnes, mentioned that it was her birthday and that she had never had a party before. The comment passed with little reaction, but Tony’s heart was stirred.

Tony approached Harry, the café owner, with an idea: to throw a surprise birthday party for Agnes the next morning. Harry agreed, and together with his wife Jane, they decorated the café, bought a cake, and spread the word. When Agnes walked in at 3 AM the next day, she was met with a joyous “Happy Birthday!” Overcome with emotion, she couldn’t even bring herself to cut the cake. Instead, she asked to take it to her mother’s house—perhaps the only tangible celebration of her life she had ever received.

In the stunned silence that followed, Tony prayed aloud for Agnes, asking God to bless her and heal her wounds. Harry, the café owner, was amazed and asked, “What kind of church do you belong to?” Tony simply responded, “I belong to a church that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 3 AM.” To which Harry replied, “No, you don’t. Because if you did, I’d join that church.”

This story embodies a fundamental truth: many people are interested in God but not in the church, often because they have found churchgoers to be more condemning than compassionate. The question, then, is: what does it mean to truly be the people of God? Hebrews 10:19-25 gives us a compelling answer.

The Call to One Anothering

The passage in Hebrews reminds us that because of Christ’s sacrifice, we now have direct access to God. But this access comes with responsibility—three things we must do with confidence:

1. Draw Near to God (Hebrews 10:22)
   We are invited to enter God’s presence with sincerity and full assurance of faith. James 4:8 tells us that when we draw near to God, He draws near to us. When we do this, our character is transformed—pride, selfishness, and greed give way to humility, generosity, and love.

2. Hold Fast to Hope (Hebrews 10:23)
   Despite challenges and disappointments, we are called to cling to our hope in Jesus. The church should be a place where hope is rekindled, not diminished.

3. Encourage One Another (Hebrews 10:24-25)
   The author of Hebrews urges believers not just to attend church but to engage in deep, life-giving relationships. One anothering goes beyond sitting in pews; it’s about doing life together in four essential ways:

   • Considering One Another: Just as a therapist takes notes to help their patients heal, we are called to pay close attention to the needs of those around us. Who in your life has permission to truly know you and help you grow? Who do you intentionally invest in?

   • Spurring One Another On: Like a spur on a cowboy’s boot, sometimes love means confronting a friend to keep them on the right path. Who in your life has the authority to challenge you? Are you willing to be corrected for your own good?

   • Encouraging One Another: Encouragement isn’t just about saying nice things; it’s about standing beside someone in their darkest moments and speaking life into them. Who do you have that comforts you? Who can you comfort?

   • Meeting Together: True Christian community isn’t just attending a Sunday service—it’s about forming deep connections. Are you part of a congregation, or are you merely an attendee of an event?

The Church That Throws Parties for Prostitutes

Tony’s story challenges us to reimagine the role of the church. Instead of being a place of judgment, the church should be a place of radical love—where sinners find celebration, where outcasts find belonging, and where broken people find healing.

So the question is: what kind of church do you belong to? Is it a church that throws parties for prostitutes at 3 AM? If not, what can you do to make it one?