The Power of Each Other

When I See My Brethren

Text

Acts 28:11–15 NASB95

At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

Introduction

There is power in each other; What does this title suggests?

God placed us in a community/family setting for a reason

God knows we need Him, but He wants us to know we also need each other

If we could’ve made it on our own God would done so from the beginning

God would not have called us Christian, but John Rambo

When we are able to develop proper realtionships with each other, God can do some amazing work

There Is Power In Each Other

Consider What Paul Just Faced

This consideration enriches the response of Paul to the brethren he met in Rome.

Paul was still a prisoner making his way to Rome for trial

Paul just went through a shipwreck after undergoing difficulty (Acts 27:8)

This difficulty went on for days Acts 27:18-20.

There was no food (prisoners)

Paul knew what it was like to face difficulty of various kinds. . .But when he saw the brethren

APPL. We sometimes face some chaos but “when we see brethren it ought to bring some HOPE, STRENGTH, COURAGE etc. to our hearts.

Paul face many things but when “he saw the brethren” something changed inside him.

He Thanked God - Aren’t you glad that there are some brethren you can thank God for

He had fulfilled his mission to get to Rome

He was able to see their faith, Rom 1:8 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.”

He Took Courage - He was encouraged, strengthened

He saw their faith and they his Rom 1:11-12 “For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

APPL. What do I see that gives me strength? - When I see brethren do I see enough to “thank God and take courage”

Consider Paul’s Example

(It wasn’t just the Romans) Rom 1:8 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” **

2 Cor 1:11 “you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”

Php 1:3-5 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”

APPLICATION

It’s ok to see a good example and commend it

It’s good to encourage good when we see it

Consider Jesus’ Assessment

Jesus considers how we treat each other to assess what we think of Him - Matt 22:39-40 ““The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.””

Gal 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Acts 9:4 “and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?””

The “other” include those outside the body of Christ

Consider How Much We Need Each Other

The phrase is used >35x by Paul in the context of how we treat each other

1 Thess 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

Col 3:9 “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,”

Php 2:3 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”

Eph 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

We are not going to make it without God or each other

If Jesus could find a way to get along with you, you can find a way to get along with each other

Stop letting things get in the way of closer relationships. . .stop saying “never”

Offences (true offences) - Matt 5:23-24 (offender). Matt 18:15 (offended)

The past. Things may never be exactly like it was BUT it could be better! -

TIME!

Issues. . .

No one calls me/visits me

No Visitation Ministry

The church doesn’t feel like a family