Watch Over One Another

Introduction:

Our series on the one another Commands Jesus Gave the church is vital to our church’s mission of Making and Equipping Disciples of Jesus in our community and around the world.

Now in our church - we have three categories of People who join us on Sundays for Worship

We have visitors - People who are checking us out to see if we are a church that they would like to be part of

We have regular attenders- People who regularly attend and participate in our services. Most of these individuals have accepted Jesus as their Savior

and then we have

Church Members-

A church member is not the same as a church attender- to be a member of the church you are making a commitment to a local body of Believers. - to a church - like Clear Lake Baptist Church.

You are committing to not just attend church services but to actively serve the body of Christ,

And the way that church members commit to serving one another is that we make a promise that we will be faithful to the teachings of the church, and to faithfully serve one another in the church.

This promise that members of a church make is to God, to one another and to themselves . We call this Promise our call a church covenant.

A church covenant is a summary of how we as members of a church agree to live in accordance with God’s Word. 

Basically, its a commitment to live a life that Pleases God.

Many of you have never seen our church covenant and So I want to read it for you this morning before we jump into our next one another command in Scripture.

And As I read it I believe you will see how this Commitment that we make to one another matters in a church family.

CHURCH COVENANT

Having been brought by divine Grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having been baptized by immersion on the basis of our faith, by the aid of the Holy Spirit we now joyfully covenant with God and with one another. [1]

We will walk together in brotherly love; this love will be demonstrated by the way we serve one another, care for one another, watch over one another, encourage one another, admonish one another, forgive one another and seek reconciliation with one another whenever it is necessary. [2]

We will consistently pray for ourselves and for each other, sharing in one another’s joys and bearing one another’s burdens. [3]

We will make Christ first in all things both spiritual and temporal; we will be diligent in our personal study of the Word of God, faithfully trusting God and obeying His commands both privately and publicly. [4]

We will seek to live wisely in this world; denying ungodliness and worldly desires, abstaining from addictive behaviors that harm our bodies, our spiritual growth and hinder our testimonies as we pursue holiness in the fear of God. [5]

We will seek to teach our children and all those placed in our care in the wisdom of the Lord;  and by our example, in both our words and our actions, seek the salvation of our family, friends and community. [6]

We will actively participate in the worship, ordinances, discipline and evangelism of the church. We will also faithfully attend and contribute financially to support its ministries and the spread of the gospel to the World. [7]

We will, when we move from this place, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant.

This is the promise we make to One another in this church.

Did you see the theme that runs through out the text of our church covenant?

Its all about living for God with our lives, and committing to buildup one another in the church.

Everything we commit to doing as a member of the church is what God has asked us to be as the church.

We are not committing to extra rules and regulations to keep us from Sinning. We are committing to being the Christians God intends for Christians to be.

The term “One another” is one of the key phrases in the Christian’s vocabulary.

As Members of a church, We are committing to live out the One another commands Christ has given us as His church.

and that is why this series that we are in is vital to the spiritual health of our church.

( USE COVENT TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEXT LINES AS YOU TALK ABOUT IT)

LOOK AGAIN AT OUR COVENANT WITH ME.....

We began our series with the first One another command we see in our church covenant

We began by looking at How we can Love One Another in the Church.

then we looked at Serving One Another,

Last week We studied what it looks like for us to care for One another

and this brings us to our next commitment to the body of Christ - Watch over One another.

I believe that As we grow together as a church. we need to be reminded of who we are called to be as the church.

We are called to make and Equip Disciples of Jesus.

and oNe of the main ways we do this is by functioning as a church that Exemplifies the Character of Jesus in all we do.

And when our lives are in line with Jesus the result is that the One Another Commands are lived out in the church,

Let’s Jump into our study today on the Command to Watch over One Another.

Now this command to watch over one another is not specifically found in one verse but the Bible is anything but short on passages of scripture that tell us as the church to keep a watch over one another's spiritual; lives.

This morning what I want us to do is look at 8 Reasons why we are instructed to watch over one another.

1. Watch Over One Another so that your brother doesn’t fall into sin

Galatians 6:1 (ESV)

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Paul paints a picture of a man who is overcome by a sin in his life.

And He says church you have a responsibility here.

If you see your brother being overtaken by sin, dont just sit back and be happy that your not caught in that sin or even sit back and think they finally got what they deserve, Instead we are called to step into our brother’s life with the purpose of restoring their relationship back to God.

Did you notice the two key ingredients we must have when we step into our brother or sisters life in this situation.

We must do it in a spirit of gentles and we must watch out for our own selves that we dont fall into that sin as well.

Church - We watch over one another by gently and loving stepping into one another’s lives when that brother or sister is overtaken by sin.

And we dont do it to make a spectacle of their sin, but to restore their relationship with their Savior.

2. Watch Over One Another so that your brother is not devoured by Satan

not only do we struggle with our own sinful desires. that want to pull us away from Christ, But the Bible tells in 1 Peter 5:8 that Satan wants to destroy Christians.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Satan is the most cunning the most deceptive Creation ever to roam this earth. And He hates Jesus Christ and the church more than anything. and there is nothing he is not willing to do to destroy its effectiveness in reaching lost sinners for Christ.

Church family -Satan hates you and He hates the salvation that Jesus Christ bought for you with His life.

And His greatest desire for your life is to make you doubt your Savior so that you live for yourself and not for His glory.

He loves it when you turn your back on Jesus and live your life for your own glory..

And this is why we must watch over one another in the church. We must be ever on guard watching and looking for the deception of Satan that creeps into each of our lives.

3. Watch Over One Another so that your brother is not consumed by the World

Luke 12:15 (ESV)

15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:16–21 (ESV)

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Not only can your brother’s own sinful desires lead him astray, not only is Satan constantly trying to devour him, But we also live in world that wants to make your brothers in Christ its slave.

Jesus in this passage said “Be watchful against the pleasures of this world”, dont let them grab your heart.

In verse 20 Jesus called the man who was chasing after the things of this world a fool

- He was a fool because he lived for things that he could not keep instead of storing up treasures that would be eternal.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, God has called you out of this world. He has placed you in his eternal kingdom.

You no longer have to seek your own pleasures, you no longer have to try and gain your own happiness, because you are now in Christ.

It is so easy for us as Christians to look back at the pleasures this world offers and fall prey to their lies.

We look at the possessions of this world, and we start to believe the lie that they will make us happier if only we have them in our lives.

Church family we are all susceptible to this worldly deception, and this is why we need one another watching over our lives.

Paul in Heb 12:1-2

New Living Translation (Chapter 12)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne

The idea is this - When w Help your brothers and sisters keep their eyes on Jesus so that they do not fall prey to the lies of this world we are watching over one another.

4. Watch Over One another so that your brother stays faithful to church

Hebrews 10:23–25 (ESV)

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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.

To stay faithful to the church- first means that we hold fast to the confessions of our hope.

this means that we stay faithful to the gospel message that We heard and accepted and proclaim.

This means that we dont let the world influence our doctrine but that we let our doctrine influence how we proclaim Christ in the world.

to Stay faithful also means that we faithful attend and participate in the ministries of our local church body.

Thats why Paul said Do not neglect to meet together

The church is not the building we meet in, but it’s the people in the building.

Pauls says Dont neglect being part of your brother and sister’s lives, which is the habit of some, but instead meet together so that you can live out the One another command’s Christ has given you as His church.

If we are called to serve the church then we have to be with the church in order to serve the church. It just makes senses.

This one is pretty simple to do. If a brother or sister isn’t at church, watch over them and give them a call and encourage them.

We shouldn’t let our brothers in Christ slip into the habit of missing church , because they need their church family as much as we need our church in our lives.

5. Watch Over One another so that your brother uses his abilities to serve ( Spur on)

Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

This one is a little different- we are not watching out for sin and temptation per say, but we need to understand that the bible is very clear.

If we are a believer in Christ We are part of His church, and as part of His church, He has gifted us to serve the church, and if we are not serving the body of Christ than we are not obeying the commands of Christ.

We watch over our brothers encouraging the to use the gifts God gave them to serve the church.

How do we do this? I think it can be very simple.

If you see a brother or sister in Christ who may not be serving , Invite them to part of how you are serving the church. Give them an opportunity to serve the church.

Simply put, God didn't call one person to do everything- He called a church to do it together,

When we bring others along with us in our ministries we are watching over them in Christ.

6. Watch Over One another so that False Teachers dont corrupt the gospel.

The New testament has no shortage on passages telling the church to watch out for false Teachers.

In Fact Jesus told His followers in Matthew 24:24

Matthew 24:24 (ESV)

24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Jesus says watch out chu

rch - there are going to be some very impressive preachers out there But dont be fooled the gospel they are preaching will only send people to hell.

In Acts 6 Paul is speaking to the pastors at the Ephesus Church and he warns them

In Acts 20:28-30

Acts 20:28–30 (ESV)

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

and then in 2 Tim.4 Paul is again Speaking to Pastor Timothy

Paul speaking to Pastor Timothy said in

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV)

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Church family make no mistake about it. We are living in this age that Paul was warning against .

People dont want to hear the truth of Gods Word so that they can live their lives by it. They want live their lives and Have Gods word back up their lifestyles.

We live in perilous times when men and women want to come to church to be affirmed in what they want to do, Where men and women want to come to church for social interaction, where men and women come to church to get a feel good pick me up sermon so that they can make it through another week.

But we cannot fall prey to this type of preaching in our church. We must Be Alert so that False Preaching does not come into our church and water down the gospel message of Jesus.

Romans 7:15 (ESV)

15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

7. Watch Over One another so that your Brother’s Faith is proven

If you have ever read the book of 1 John, you know that it is all about Faith’s Paternity test. Whose Child am I?

The question John asks the reader to consider is “Am I a child of the world, or am I a child of God?”

And John, and in this short book tells us 19 times to consider whether we are a true believer in Jesus or just a religious lier.

In chapter 2 John says this.

1 John 2:3 (ESV)

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

1 John 2:9 (ESV)

9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

1 John 2:15 (ESV)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The point I want us to see from these passages in 1 John is this. the salvation that you claim to have should be proven by your actions.

If you are in Christ, than you obey Christ.

In Matthew 7 Jesus is speaking to His followers About the final judgement of mankind. and He says...

Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Jesus was saying “these people were very religious, they just failed at doing what I commanded them to do in order to gain eternal life.”

They banked their salvation on their religion and not on a personal relationship with Him,

These are people in the church believing that their religious acts could bring them favor with a holy righteous God. And in the end all of their good deeds in the church where not enough to save them, because good works is not what our sin penalty requires.

We watch over one another in the church because we dont want others in the church to get a false sense of salvation based on their religious experience.

We want people in our church family to have a deep understanding of who God is, of who we are as sinners, of what penalty our sin demands, and what Jesus did to redeem us from that penalty.

We watch over one another in the church because we care about their eternal destiny.

NEXT

8 Watch Over One another so that no Division comes into the church

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:1–6 (ESV)

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

As the church we are one in Christ- Ilove what Paul says in this passage in Ephesians- We have one hope, one Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, And One God.

If we are called to be one in Christ than there is no room for division amongst us.

But the reality is that we are all sinful people who still battle our old selfish nature.

And at times we all need one another to step into our lives watching out for us so that we dont become selfishly divisive in the church.

We must watch over one another so that division and divisiveness doesn t enter into our church family.

Satan loves when he can get a church family divided among themselves because their focus turns away from making and equipping disciples and towards trying to figure out how to get along with one another.

As long as church is divided in itself it will not be united in reaching the lost for jesus.

and this is why Paul says to watch out for people who are divisive in the church.

Romans 16:17 (ESV)

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Paul says divisive people are toxic to the body of Christ.

And in His letter to a young pastor in Crete named Titus, Paul told him in..

Titus 3:9–11 (ESV)

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Church we must Watch out for people who want to cause divisions in the church because they are warped and sinful. and cause a church to be unfruitful for the glory of God.

Bring It Home.

If we love one another Like Christ loved us we will watch over one another in the church.

God’s desire fro your brothers and sisters in the church is that they become more like Jesus Christ daily. But this is not something that is easy for any of us to do.

We all still struggle with giving Jesus total control of our lives. And this is why we need our brothers and sisters watching over us, Helping us to stand firm in our faith, Lifting us when we fall, and encouraging us to grow deeper in our own faith.

As I close Listen to the challenge Paul gave the church,

An

1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Be watchful -

Satan hates you and HE hates your brothers in Christ and He will do whatever He can to destroy your faith in Christ

Stand Firm in the faith-

Cling to the gospel that saved you the gospel that never changes in your life. Let it be your foundation, .

Act Like Men-

Grow up spiritually Dont stay an infant in your spiritual walk - Get into Gods word and Grow in your faith

AND BE Strong- Be a courageous leader in the church when when mature leadership is desperately needed in our culture today.

Church family God has sent you into the world to follow him alone He has given you a church family. Brothers and sisters who can watch over you as you become more like Jesus in your life.

Let’s be a church that is not selfish in our actions and our attitudes but lets me a church that joyfully and faithfully watches over one another for the glory of Christ in this church.

Pray