Walking Together In Love
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One Another Series:
Perhaps the main duty and privilege of church membership that encapsulates all others is our obligation to love one another.
Significant Statement: We will walk together in love as brothers and sisters in Christ, a family of sinners saved by grace. (I John 4:7-12; Rom. 12:10)
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Love is the “the self” surrendering to God fully and completely by serving others sacrificially and redemptively.
Love is a radical change from self to unself.
Love is a selfless and sacrificial investment in the wellbeing of another.
Love is a conscious decision to act first in behalf of another rather than first in behalf of myself.
Every other significant statement that we have made concerning church membership depends upon this one idea of loving one another.
We will be proactive in maintaining and restoring unity with one another (Eph. 4:2-3)
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
We will be diligent in helping one another grow in every way in Christlikeness (Eph. 4:12-16)
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
We will forgive one another in the same way that God has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13)
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
We will disciple one another, through participation with the Holy Spirit, to become like Jesus (Rom. 15:14; Col 3:16; I Thess. 4:18; I Thess 5:11)
We will welcome one another in the same way that Christ has welcomed us for the glory of God (Rom. 15:7).
We will avoid judging one another, taking care not to trip one another up (Rom. 14:13)
We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, to deny ungodliness and worldly passions, to bring holiness to completion in the fear of God, and to do all to the glory of God (Eph 5:15-17; Titus 2:11-12; 2 Cor 7:1; I Cor 10:31).
Nearing the end of our “One Another” series- the following commands also are expressions of this primary command to love one another.
What other “One Another” commands flow out of the primary command to love one another?
I. We will commit to the ministry of attendance, regularly gathering with the whole church for worship and fellowship, using our gifts to serve one another
I. We will commit to the ministry of attendance, regularly gathering with the whole church for worship and fellowship, using our gifts to serve one another
This one another promise is an expression of biblical love. The ministry of attendance flows out of a conscious decision to act first in behalf of another rather than first in behalf of myself.
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.
Notice we have two “one another” commands in this text.
V. 24- we are to consider (to give careful thought to) stirring up one another to love and good works.
Stir up- rousing to activity, to provoke. It is the act of stirring up emotions, feelings, and responses. These feelings can be either positive or negative.
39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
Here in Heb. 10:24 it is used in a positive sense.
24 And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works,
The second “one another” command is found in v.25
We are to encourage one another- Encourage is the idea of earnestly supporting or encouraging a response or action.
Sandwiched in the middle of these two one another commands is this instruction- do not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some…
Do not neglect to meet together. This means that the the one another commands to stir up and to encourage are dependent upon the ministry of attendance. You can’t stir up if you don’t show up. Becoming a member means you promise to be present at church for the sake of ministering to others.
Illustration: Seeker-friendly church. Definition? The thought was—in order to attract unbelievers to our churches—services ought to be designed around the needs of these “seekers”—unbelievers searching for answers to the big questions of human origin as well as pondering the existence of a supreme being—those most likely to become followers of Christ.
One of the many downsides to this approach is that it created an attitude that church was all about me. What did I get out of church today? How did church make me feel?
You don’t find this attitude in the NT! First and foremost church is all about Who? God! And second to that church is all about others! We are commanded to meet together on a regular basis so that we can stir up ONE ANOTHER and encourage ONE ANOTHER.
Church attendance is critical. It’s focus is one the Lord and on one another. We need one another. No one can faithfully follow Jesus alone!
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
We will commit to the ministry of attendance, regularly gathering with the whole church for worship and fellowship, using our gifts to serve one another
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
ABOVE ALL — IN ORDER THAT
Above all- love one another
Examples of what loving one another looks like: hospitality, service, speaking, etc..
In order that— God may be glorified.
Illustration: Gentleman once told me that he didn’t need to be in church. He felt closer to God in the woods sitting in a tree stand that he did in church on Sunday morning.
How would you respond to such a statement? What arguments could you make from Heb 10:24-25 or I Peter 4:8-11?
Do you believe those arguments? Do you practice them?
Have you commited to the ministry of attendance? Do you think church is all about what you get out of it? Or is your focus on worshiping God first and serving one another second?
What other “One Another” commands flow out of the primary command to love one another?
II. We will pursue transparency with one another, resisting the temptation to hide our struggles and sins, so that we might help each other through frequent encouragement, patient admonition, and faithful prayer
II. We will pursue transparency with one another, resisting the temptation to hide our struggles and sins, so that we might help each other through frequent encouragement, patient admonition, and faithful prayer
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Refutation- not all sins, but there should be some level of transparency
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
The one another commands of encouraging, building up, admonishing, praying all require some level of transparency. They require strong relationships with one another.
Opportunities: Disciple-making, Wednesday night prayer, small group fellowships, welcoming one another into your homes
III. We will lovingly rejoice at one another’s happiness, and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens
III. We will lovingly rejoice at one another’s happiness, and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens
Love is a selfless and sacrificial investment in the wellbeing of another.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
What are some major hindrances to rejoicing with those who rejoice or weeping with those who weep in your church family?
Jealousy
Bitterness
Unresolved conflict
An unforgiving spirit
Ignorance
Sometimes seeing our friends fail make us feel better. There’s something wrong with that, isn’t there? In a world of envy, jealousy and greed, we are called to see other’s happiness and praise God for it. This may be one of the most difficult promises made in our covenant to keep. We truly are a selfish and proud people in need of God’s grace.
Illustration: church app- praise group- two praises and many of you rejoiced together. How many of us use those opportunities? Prayer app- that is for ever member!
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. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
to bear (endure) v. — to endure something unpleasant or difficult whether on one’s own behalf or on behalf of someone else.
God did not design us to go through difficulty alone. As this promise from Galatians 6 points out, God ministers to us through others.
Discipling- people shepherding people! Find someone in the church who you can get to know well enough so that they can help bear your burdens. And do the same thing for someone else. That is a beautiful thing!
IV. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the ministry of this church, to the needs of the saints, and to the spread of the gospel from our Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
IV. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the ministry of this church, to the needs of the saints, and to the spread of the gospel from our Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
What does it mean to contribute to the ministry of this church? Money right!
Through prayer, commitment to biblical teaching, finances and other means, each individual member has an important role in supporting the church body. We will work together for the continuance of the mission of this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines.
What does it mean to contribute to the needs of the saints?
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
As church members we have an obligation to show brotherly love- sibling-like affection- for one another. We have an obligation to show each other honor. And we have an obligation to take care of each other’s material needs.
I am not suggesting that we form a commune. I don’t mean that we have to provide a government like well-fare system for one another.
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness
14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
As members we promise to CONTRIBUTE to one another’s material needs. As God supplies abundance in our lives and as God works in our hearts by his grace we need to be ready.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
How? Deacon’s fund, special love offerings, privately
We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the ministry of this church, to the needs of the saints, and to the spread of the gospel from our Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Next Steps: meeting with pastors and deacons about changing our church covenant to be in line with all of these different one another commands. We will eventually make those changes know to you the church and we will have church family conversation time where you can ask questions or offer suggestions, and then we will look at voting those changes into our constitution.
And then! We will renew our church covenant promises with one another and every time a new member joins our church we will read the covenant and reaffirm those same promises so that it becomes a very important and vital document in our church’s life.
