A People Devoted to One Another

Outline

Big Idea: Because we belong to Christ and to one another, we are called to love one another through mutual care, sacrificial service, and Christ-centered encouragement.

A Biblical Guide to Life Together in the Body of Christ

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

SERVE ONE ANOTHER

HONOR ONE ANOTHER

CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER

BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

BUILD UP ONE ANOTHER

TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER

FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER

ACCEPT AND WELCOME ONE ANOTHER

CONFESS SINS AND PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

SHOW HOSPITALITY TO ONE ANOTHER

Introduction

Open in prayer:

John Piper in a message delivered on a Monday morning college campus stated this:

Yesterday was Sunday. As usual, my wife and I went out for lunch, this time to Old Country Buffet, where only old people go. And I had planned that we should talk about something weighty and something significant relationally that needed to be talked about. I had prayed earnestly that it would go well.

And it went very badly.

So badly that all through the afternoon, we could scarcely talk to each other, and I just felt like crying all afternoon. I told her that I couldn’t find words to express what I was feeling. And she said—she just began to pray. And then I prayed for help.

And so that’s where it is in the Piper household right now.

Here’s three reasons why I’m telling you that.

Number one, you need to know that when hotshot preachers come to campus, they are imperfect, fallible, emotionally embattled sinners who need a Savior every day of their lives. So beware, young people, of thinking too highly of any man.

Second reason why I told you that story:

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are precious to me, not because they turned my life into a string of successes, but because they keep me from collapsing under my string of failures.

And the third and last reason that I told you that story was that hundreds of you in this room came to this room frustrated and discouraged and disappointed in something that hasn’t gone at all the way you’d hoped. Fearful about something in the future—tonight or five years from now. Confused about theological things, maybe things you’re hearing in classes. Angry at somebody. Full of lust, perhaps. And you need to know that I have good news for you, but it’s perhaps not the good news you thought it would be.

Your final healing is as far away as your resurrection from the dead.

However, your invincible joy of hope is as close as the risen Christ.

I almost cried when I heard these words this week. Know why?

Because two weeks ago, I had a rough week. The roughest in a while. And I have some rough ones recently.

Did you know I didn’t want to be in church last week?

I was low.

I was hurting.

I was depleted.

But you want to know what restored my soul (or at least pulled it back away from the ledge a bit)? You want to know what pulled me from the self imposed pit I had leaped into?

The Body.

A mutually honest and vulnerable conversation last Sunday—

Subsequent conversations with the Body during this last week—

Expressions of deep care and love from the body—

A people devoted to one another—who pointed my gaze back to where it belonged is what drew my out.

The grace of God, through the people of God visited me in my despair and lifted my chin to see where my help comes from so that I could press on in hope, joy, and faith.

Church—I cannot tell you how critical it is that we be a people who are devoted to one another.

The problems did not immediately go away or resolve themselves but the weight of carrying them lessened—I was no longer alone in carrying them. The body shared the weight.

So far we have seen…

Church: A People Who

A people who are formed by the word.

A people compelled to minister

A people devoted to one another.

We are compelled to minister because of the living word abiding in us.

We are compelled to minister because we are united to one another as one body.

So these one another’s are really answering the question, what does it mean to be one? How do we relate to one another as one? How do we practice and apply our oneness?

This morning as we begin to examine our oneness, I want us to see that—

Big Idea: Because we belong to Christ and to one another, we are called to love one another through mutual care, sacrificial service, and Christ-centered encouragement.

THE “ONE ANOTHERS” OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

A Biblical Guide to Life Together in the Body of Christ

Over the next two sermons in this series, we will seek to expound on 12 one another themes in the NT.

Let me break these into three specific categories of Heart, Hands, Mouth

One note about your notes—at the bottom of each point are additional scriptures and texts. These are for your own personal benefit. If I were to cover every text, we would be here for 6 years. :) I am going to move us through key texts—but I wanted you to have the extras for your own personal study and review.

Heart

1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - John 13:34-35

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

As I have loved you…

…so love one another.

Talk about setting the bar high.

There are really two key thoughts about love from this command.

Love is the foundational command governing all Christian relationships.

Certainly you can argue—all relationship—but the overwhelming majority of the one another’s are in the context of the body, so that is our emphasis.

But as Galatians 6:10 points out, we are to do good, to show love to everyone—but especially to those of the household of faith.

Love is the fundamental witness to the world that we are His disciples and it reveals God’s unconditional love.

The world will know we are God’s BY OUR LOVE for one another.

Because the simple truth is—it is hard to love Christians sometimes, isn’t?

We still live out of the flesh and pursue our selfish and prideful wills. We live out of our hurts and wounds. We live out of our independence and self-protectiveness. We live out of faithlessness and blindness sometimes.

And that places us squarely at odds with one another.

So, when we love one another—forgive one another—die to ourselves, take up our crosses, and consider others more significant than ourselves—we testify to the world that we are living with a supernaturally enabled and powered love—one that transcends us.

Consider—

1 John 4:19 ESV

19 We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 - We love BECAUSE He first loved us.

We cannot love another with Christlike love apart from God’s gracious work in us.

We cannot live out Christlike love apart from receiving Christ’s love.

This also means in practicality, that even after salvation, if we struggle to receive/to accept God’s love,

Struggle to accept it, believe it, trust it

Perhaps because of your wounds

You won’t be able to love as Christ loves.

The power behind our love for others is the recieved love from God.

The power behind our love for others is the grace of God in our lives.

We love because He first loved us. And the more deeply we understand, believe, and rest in that love, the more freely and abundantly we will love others. Even when we struggle to feel His love, His love remains the source of ours.

We love with a borrowed love.

We love out of an overflow of God’s love pouring into our lives.

Unbelievers can demonstrate genuine affection, care, and even remarkable selflessness. But the Christlike love commanded here—the love that flows from union with Christ and seeks another’s highest good for God’s glory—is the fruit of God’s gracious work in us.

And when we receive it—God get’s the glory.

When we show it—God get’s the glory.

Yes—Love—that unselfishly choosing for another’s highest good—is the foundational command governing all relationships and is the fundamental witness to the world of God’s unconditional live.

Love is not merely one characteristic of the church. It is the defining characteristic of Christ’s people.

This is the foundation — I seek your highest good because of Christ’s love for me.

So what does love look like in practicality and practice?

I am glad you asked…

2. HONOR ONE ANOTHER - Romans 12:10

Romans 12:10 ESV

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Believers are called to esteem others rather than seek personal recognition or superiority.

Love leads us to value others above ourselves.

Philippians 2:3 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

This is about our attitudes.

This is about how we view others.

This is about the value and worth we place on one another’s lives.

Honor is not merely being polite. It involves recognizing the worth of others and treating them accordingly.

Honor is about treating others with respect.

Even when someone acts disrespectful—we ought to respond in respectful and honoring ways.

Did you know you could rebuke, admonish, and correct in honoring ways?

You can.

You can be firm, hard, and rebuking all the while showing the person whom you are directing that to in honoring and respectful ways.

And we ought to endeavor to always do so.

Because, no matter how wicked and sinful man is—man bears the image of God and therefore bears honor and value because of that.

Practical emphasis:

Do I treat others as important, regardless of their age, status, or usefulness to me?

That last one is particularly poignant.

We have a tendency to treat someone as less if we perceive that they add no value to our lives. When they are more annoyance than blessing.

Do I view ALL people as have equal worth and value?

Things like culture, race, ethnicity, financial status, occupation, intelligence, physical ability, etc can greatly impact and influence how we view people. Do we permit that? Or do we see every living person, regardless of any qualifications, as worthy of being treated with honor and respect?

Certainly some in places of authority and leadership require greater honor due to their position of authority but as humans, as image bearers of God, we are on equal standing.

Do I genuinely listen when others speak?

And this involves listening ALL THE WAY before responding

This involves listening all the way BEFORE FORMULATING your response.

Do I celebrate others’ contributions without needing recognition myself?

Do we turn every conversation back to ourselves or do we allow the person’s sharing, their excitement, their achievements to be their own with comparison or bringing in our own or another's?

Am I willing to defer to another person’s preferences?

We live in a world that is heavily focused on pursuing our own comforts and pleasures and wants.

We are not immune to this temptation.

Do I give consideration to another person’s preference or opinions and reject the temptation to dismiss them out of hand?

Do I speak respectfully about others, even when they aren’t present?

This gets tested greatly when we meet/encounter that person who just rubs you the wrong way.

Example: Shakespeare (college) and my first roommate in college. I did not show honor or respect to these men like these scriptures command me to. Shakespeare—I tolerated at best. My first roommate—I treated with disdain because I loathed his behavior.

Honor is about how I value and treat others, rather than seeking recognition for myself.

Biblical humility expresses itself in a willingness to elevate others rather than ourselves.

This is about our attitude — I treat you as valuable and worthy of respect.

Romans 12:10 — Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:16 — Do not be haughty or conceited.

Philippians 2:3 — Count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 — Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.

Ephesians 5:21 — Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1 Peter 5:5 — Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.

Mark 9:34 — Negative: The disciples argued about who was greatest.

1 Corinthians 11:21–22 — Negative: Do not humiliate or disregard others at the Lord’s Supper.

Galatians 5:26 — Negative: Do not become conceited or provoke one another.

Galatians 5:26 — Negative: Do not envy one another.

3. CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER - 1 Corinthians 12:25-26

1 Corinthians 12:21–26 ESV

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

We saw this last week when we examined that the body is compelled to minister.

One of the reasons why we are compelled so is because we are part of one body.

And as members of the same body…

The members of Christ’s body are responsible for the well-being of one another.

Central Truth: Love makes us attentive to the well-being of every member of the body.

No member is insignificant or dispensable. All are essential.

And because we belong to one another, we cannot remain indifferent to one another.

Practical emphasis:

Do I notice when someone is missing?

What do I do when I notice someone is missing?

Do I know when someone is struggling?

What do I do when I notice someone is struggling?

Do I intentionally check on people?

Do I persist when they are not at first responsive?

Do I rejoice when others rejoice?

Do I rejoice without jealousy or envy?

Do I grieve when others suffer? Do I sit with and grieve with others?

Am I careful with my words and actions when grieving with others?

Am I attentive to those who are easily overlooked?

Am I cultivating an attentiveness to the needs of those God has placed in my life?

Care is about being attentive and responsive to the condition of others.

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

The reverse side of this is also true.

Galatians 5:15 ESV

15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Care for one another means that we are intentional, careful, and protective about not biting and devouring one another.

It means we are careful with our words and actions.

It means that we are kind and gracious with our words.

It means that we never intentionally throw around careless or harsh words.

It means that we never spite, slander, or gossip about one another.

Care for one another means we keep others best interests (love) in mind and we are keeping our eyes open looking for needs and ready to jump at opportunities to care for one another.

Because we belong to one another, we share responsibility for one another’s spiritual and practical well-being.

This is our attentiveness — I notice and respond to what is happening in your life.

1 Corinthians 12:25 — Have the same care for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:26 — Suffer together and rejoice together.

Romans 12:4–5 — Recognize that we belong to one another as members of one body.

Romans 12:16 — Live in harmony with one another.

Romans 15:5 — Pursue harmony with one another according to Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:33 — Wait for one another when gathering to eat.

Acts 4:32 — The believers were of one heart and soul.

Philippians 2:2 — Be of the same mind and love.

Philippians 2:5 — Have the mind of Christ among yourselves.

Mark 9:50 — Be at peace with one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 — Be at peace among yourselves.

Ephesians 4:2–3 — Bear with one another in love, maintaining unity.

1 Peter 3:8 — Have unity of mind, sympathy, and brotherly love.

Galatians 5:15 — Negative: Do not bite, devour, and destroy one another through conflict.

Romans 14:13 — Negative: Do not pass judgment on one another.

Hands

4. SERVE ONE ANOTHER - Galatians 5:13

Galatians 5:13 ESV

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Every believer is called to actively minister to others rather than merely receive ministry.

Church—this flies in the face of everything in American, entitlement culture.

Entitlement culture says—I deserve to be served, ministered to. I deserve to receive.

That is not biblical culture.

Biblical culture is: Selflessly choosing for another’s highest good.

And listen, as I have said before, when every believer is committed to living, loving, honoring, and caring for one another like this—YOU END UP receiving richly, deeply, and abundantly.

God will meet our needs and even some of our wants, at the hands of the body of Christ.

But for our part, are attitude, heart, and passion should be that of Christ—giving.

Love moves us to willingly place ourselves at the service of others.

The Greek word douleuō carries the idea of serving as a slave.

Paul is calling believers to use their freedom in Christ, not for self-indulgence, but for loving service.

Paul is calling us as believers to WILLING submission to the needs of others.

Instead of demands, Christ call us to use our freedom as leverage for the good of others.

As we have said repeatedly so far throughout this series, and we will see again, I am sure—this is about a way of life.

These are not momentary acts and occasions, but we live with a philosophy of how to serve one another.

So, let me once again get practical with some evaluation question.

Practical emphasis:

Do I approach church primarily as a consumer or a contributor?

Am I willing to serve when it is inconvenient?

Do I serve only when asked, or do I actively look for opportunities?

Am I willing to do things that nobody notices or appreciates?

Service is about what I willingly do for others, not what I receive from them.

Let me direct your attention to a familiar example of service

Example of Service - John 13:1-7

John 13:1–7 ESV

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

Notice something about verse 3.

Jesus knew:

The Father had given all things into His hands.

He had come from God.

He was returning to God.

Therefore, He rose and washed their feet.

Why is this significant?

It gives foundation for WHY He rose to serve.

Christ’s humility and service was not rooted in insecurity or uncertainty about His identity.

He knew exactly who He was.

And He served.

Jesus didn’t serve because He needed to establish His worth.

He served because He knew His identity and willingly humbled Himself.

Application: We don’t serve to prove our worth, earn recognition, or establish our significance within the body. We serve because of who we are in Christ. And because we belong to Him, we belong to one another.

Our service is rooted in our relationship with Christ.

Not based on another persons worthiness of it.

Jesus—

The most rightfully deserving — disrobed and performed the most degrading task in the house.

The most worthy and righteous — disrobed and served the most undeserving and unrighteous (Judas—as well as the others)

The most perfect and holy — humbled Himself below the most wicked and blind.

Church—who among us is willing to serve?

AND WHY are we serving? For self gain? To get something in return? Or because of who we are in Christ.

In context, these “one anothers” are referring to our relationship with one another. Certainly we have applications and commands to minister to the world, but these are to one another—who are part of the same body, who belong to one another. Honestly, serving those who have a shared passion for our great God should be the easier of those two—though we know it is not always.

But even when “one another” is not worthy of it—

Especially then—

Will you wash one another’s feet?

Will you follow the example of Jesus who died to make You His brother, to restore you to the Father, and to make you a temple for the Spirit?

Will you not serve others who are heirs with Jesus, children of the same Father, and indwelt with the same Spirit as you?

Every member of the body is both a recipient and a provider of ministry.

This is our willingness — I willingly give myself for your benefit.

Also with our hands, we called to bear one another’s burdens.

John 13:14 — Wash one another’s feet.

Galatians 5:13 — Through love serve one another.

Philippians 2:4 — Look to the interests of others.

1 Peter 4:10 — Use your spiritual gifts to serve one another.

Galatians 6:10 — Do good to everyone, especially the household of faith.

Hebrews 13:16 — Do not neglect doing good and sharing.

5. BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS - Galatians 6:2

Galatians 6:2 ESV

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Believers are called to enter into the difficulties, struggles, and suffering of others.

Paul’s context includes restoring someone caught in transgression (v. 1), so this command encompasses spiritual burdens as well as other difficulties.

Sometimes bearing a brother’s burden means helping him confront and overcome sin.

It isn’t always comforting someone in suffering.

Sometimes it’s entering the uncomfortable work of restoration.

Other times it is about shouldering the weight of grief or loss

Sometimes it is about helping to bear stress and tangible weights of life and duties.

And as verse 1 of Galatians 6 tells us, we do it in a spirit of gentleness.

There are limitless expressions and applications of what it might mean to bear one another’s burdens—a list we could never hope to even come close to exhausting today.

Whether physical or spiritual—we are called to help bear one another’s burdens.

Who has a burden this morning?

Go ahead, raise your hand if you do. I won’t ask you to share what that burden is.

There is not a one in this room, if you are being honest, who does not have a burden. Those burdens will vary in weight and severity, sure. But we all carry something.

Brother/Sister—who is bearing your burden with you?

Who knows what you’re carrying? Who have you allowed to walk alongside you?

**Let silence sit for a long beat.

Church—we are not meant to walk this life alone. Isolation is foreign to God.

He created us to mirror the community He knows within Himself.

Church—we are members of one another.

We are supposed to be selflessly choosing for another’s highest good.

This love will compel us to honor and care for one another, serving one another for one another’s benefits.

This love and care will have a tender and intentional eye to how we can bear one another’s burdens—both physical and spiritual.

Love willingly shares the weight of another person’s struggles.

Brother/Sister—when was the last time you offered to help someone carry their burden?

When was the last time you tenderly, patiently, lovingly offered to be a trusted friend to help bear another’s burden?

When was the last time you ASKED for help?

When was the last time you OFFERED help?

Care notices that someone is struggling.

Bearing burdens does something about it.

Example: Wilderness journey in high school — Struggling on Day 3 on “The Mother.” Another member of the team took my canoe and carried it for me to the end.

Bearing involves caring but caring does not necessarily involve bearing. But love compels both. Caring compels bearing (even if we resist it at times)

So, let me ask…

Practical emphasis:

Am I willing to enter into someone else’s difficulties?

Do I make myself available when others need help?

Do I help carry burdens, or merely acknowledge that they exist?

Am I willing to sacrifice my time and comfort?

Do I help those struggling spiritually rather than simply judging them?

Bearing burdens is about actively helping others carry what is weighing them down.

Care says, “I see your struggle.”

Burden-bearing says, “You don’t have to carry it alone.”

The burdens of individual believers are not meant to be carried in isolation.

This is our involvement — I help carry the weight of your struggles.

The final One Another for today moves us beyond heart and hands to mouth.

Galatians 6:2 — Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 — Bear with one another in love.

Colossians 3:13 — Bear with one another.

1 Corinthians 12:26 — If one member suffers, all suffer together.

1 Peter 3:8 — Demonstrate sympathy and tenderheartedness toward one another.

Romans 12:13 — Contribute to the needs of the saints.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 — Help the weak and be patient with everyone.

Mouth

6. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

The immediate context takes us back to verses 9-10

1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 ESV

9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

Paul is reassuring the believers of the certainty of their salvation. We as believers are not destined for wrath. Salvation is sure. He died and rose again to secure it.

THEREFORE

“…encourage one another and build one another up.”

The encouragement is grounded in gospel realities.

This is what Piper means when he speaks about the invincible joy of hope being as close as the risen Christ.

Paul tells believers to encourage one another because of their hope in Christ.

This is what I mean when the body has helped me countless times in my life to redirect my gaze toward Christ.

Church

We are called to strengthen one another through encouragement, comfort, and exhortation.

The word translated encourage (parakaleō) carries the sense of coming alongside someone to exhort, comfort, or strengthen.

Love intentionally strengthens others through our words and actions.

If someone had a transcript of every work you spoke from the last 7 days—would those words be heavy on encouragement or criticalness?

Would you be embarrassed to have your last 7 days worth of words read aloud?

I would.

At least for some of them.

Love is going to prioritize and emphasize words that strengthen one another through encouragement, comfort, and exhortation.

This means that some words may be hard to hear because of their content but they ought not be hard to hear because of their delivery.

We are talking about more than giving compliments or saying something nice. Encouragement is more than that.

It is intentionally helping another believer persevere in faithfulness to Christ.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV

13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Encouragement is helping one another stay faithful—especially when we are experience low periods.

Do you ever get discouraged?

Do you ever want to quit?

Does fleeing and running away ever seem the better option?

Can I be honest? That is my go to. When life gets hard, when discouragement reaches pinnacle heights—I am tempted to say, be done with it.

I am aware of this and yet it does not stop the temptation from coming in low periods.

And yet—time and time again, it is the words of faithful brothers and sisters who encourage me to stay faithful.

Faithful brothers and sisters whose words point my gaze back to The Living Word, back to the Savior in heaven.

They may not even be aware of it, but time and time throughout my life, it has been the words of encouragement spoken by faithful saints who have stayed my heart when I needed it most.

Church—do your words encourage the body?

Are you a faithful steward The Living Word—giving back to the body?

Do your words encourage the body to see Jesus? The trust His faithfulness? To hope in His goodness? To be joyful in His presence? To rest peacefully in Him as refuge? Do your words encourage, give hope, and build one another up?

Or are your words critical? Harsh? Condemning? Judgement?

In encouragement or in exhortation—do your words strengthen and build up?

Practical emphasis:

Do my words strengthen or discourage others?

When was the last time I intentionally encouraged someone?

Do I point struggling believers back to the promises of God?

Do I express appreciation for the ways God is working through others?

Do I speak words that build up, or words that tear down?

Encouragement is about strengthening others to continue faithfully following Christ.

Every believer has a responsibility to strengthen the faith, hope, and perseverance of others.

Do not underestimate the power of encouraging words.

Do not underestimate the power and hurt of a careless word.

This is our words — I strengthen you to persevere in Christ.

Romans 1:12 — Be mutually encouraged by one another’s faith.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 — Encourage one another with the hope of Christ’s return.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 — Encourage one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 — Encourage the fainthearted.

Hebrews 3:13 — Exhort one another daily to guard against sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 10:25 — Encourage one another as the Day draws near.

Ephesians 5:19 — Address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

Conclusion

Big Idea: Because we belong to Christ and to one another, we are called to love one another through mutual care, sacrificial service, and Christ-centered encouragement.

We have 6 more to consider in two weeks. But I want you to notice the progression here:

LOVE is the foundation.

HONOR shapes how we regard one another.

CARE makes us attentive to one another.

SERVICE moves us to act for one another.

BURDEN-BEARING draws us into one another’s difficulties.

ENCOURAGEMENT strengthens one another in Christ.

CAUTION: We do want to be careful not to assume that this is calling us TO DO MORE.

This is about having a conviction, passion, philosophy, and intention of developing deeper relationships.

This about developing genuine and rich love for one another.

The overwhelming majority of these commands cannot be fulfilled in one gathering.

This is about sharing life together. Doing life together.

We have a variety of gathering opportunities, formats, and styles. This is intentional. Each is intentional to give opportunities for each of these to happen. They are intended to help build relationships that we intentionally take beyond the organized and schedule gathering times. They are designed to train and equip us to do life together.

God has designed the church to function as a mutually ministering body, not merely as an audience receiving ministry.

Church, as we strive to be growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God—let us commit to loving, honoring, and caring for one another.

As we grow in that love, honor, and, care, may we serve, bear one another’s burdens, and encourage one another—for the common good of the body.

We are not called to manufacture a love we do not possess. We are called to live out the love that has already been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

“We love because He first loved us.

“And as we abide in Him, as His Word dwells richly within us, as His Spirit works in us, may His love increasingly overflow from us into the lives of one another.

“Not because we are trying to earn His love.

“But because we have already received it.”

Pray.

Application

1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER — The Foundation — John 13:34–35; 1 John 4:19

Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. Our love for others flows from His love for us.

How does understanding and resting in Christ’s love for you affect the way you love others?

What are some attitudes, habits, or personal struggles that make it difficult for you to love others selflessly?

2. HONOR ONE ANOTHER — Our Attitude — Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3

Honoring one another means recognizing the value of others and treating them accordingly.

What are some subtle ways we dishonor others, even without intending to?

Is there someone you struggle to treat with genuine honor and respect? What might need to change in your attitude toward that person?

3. CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER — Our Attentiveness — 1 Corinthians 12:25–26

Because we belong to one another, we share responsibility for one another’s well-being.

What does genuine care look like beyond simply asking someone how they’re doing?

What prevents us from noticing or responding to the needs of others within the church?

4. SERVE ONE ANOTHER — Our Willingness — Galatians 5:13; John 13:1–17

Jesus demonstrated that genuine service flows from humility and love, not a desire for recognition.

How can we recognize when we are approaching church primarily as consumers rather than contributors?

What might it look like to serve someone when doing so is inconvenient, unnoticed, or unappreciated?

5. BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS — Our Involvement — Galatians 6:1–2

Bearing burdens means entering into another person’s difficulties and helping carry their weight.

Why is it sometimes difficult to let others know about our struggles or ask for help?

What are some practical ways we can help carry one another’s spiritual, emotional, or physical burdens?

6. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER — Our Words — 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11; Hebrews 3:13

Biblical encouragement strengthens others to remain faithful to Christ by directing their attention toward Him and His promises.

What is the difference between simply making someone feel better and genuinely encouraging them in Christ?

Think about your conversations over the past week. Have your words generally strengthened others or discouraged them? What might need to change?

Bringing It All Together

7. Which of these six “one anothers” comes most naturally to you? Which one presents the greatest challenge? Why?

8. The sermon emphasized that most of these commands cannot be fulfilled through Sunday morning attendance alone. What needs to change in our relationships for us to genuinely share life together as the body of Christ?

9. How can we cultivate relationships in which we are comfortable both giving and receiving ministry? What keeps us from allowing others to minister to us?

10. Think of one person within the church whom you could intentionally love, honor, care for, serve, help, or encourage this week. What specific step will you take?

Closing Reflection & Prayer

Read 1 John 4:19 together: We love because he first loved us.

Discuss: How does remembering that Christ loved us first change our motivation for obeying these commands?

Pray together:

Thank God for His love demonstrated through Jesus Christ.

Ask Him to expose selfishness, pride, indifference, and other barriers to loving one another.

Pray for greater sensitivity to the needs and burdens of others.

Ask the Holy Spirit to produce genuine, sacrificial love within the body.