Sermon Tone Analysis

We are Family.

Introduction:

When you think of the church, what crosses your mind?

Maybe as we have discussed this in SS the past few weeks, our thoughts may have changed or been affirmed.

Question: Does the church or the body of believers as a whole have responsibilities just like how leaders do?

In this letter from Paul, we know that there was troubles in this Ephesian church.

False teachers were running amok with God’s word and mishandling it.

They were creating division and hardship, this led to all types of strange thinking and instead of there being a public testimony of God’s love and grace, there was a public spectacle of worldliness and bad theology that led many astray.

So Paul, through Timothy as his representative in being an under shepherd to this flock gave clear instructions for how the church was to behave.

How they were to be pillar and buttress of the truth (3:14,15).

He defined roles and qualifications for how the body was to be led.

He gave the responsibilities of what the pastor is to be and do for the flock.

Now he moves into how the body has responsibilities as a result of the gospel.

So if you answered yes to my question, you are correct.

This is the first of three sermons on Christian Ethics or how we live in light of the gospel.

My main point for this morning is that since we are Christians, we have genuine concern for one another just like Jesus.

To emphasize this I want to support this through three points.

First is how we treat one another in the body.

Secondly is how we care for widows in their great need.

Thirdly, how widows can greatly bless the body.

Point #1 - God’s Family Love Each Other.

In a world we now live in, there is a great lack of respect for humanity.

Whether it is how children disobey their parents, how brothers or sisters refuse to forgive one another and stop getting together at gatherings.

Or how people slander and deface those who are leaders in our country.

Police are often not given the respect they deserve for putting their lives at risk.

Football players and others that refuse to stand for national anthems showing disrespect to those who serve our countries in defending freedom.

Those who make racist comments are disrespecting those that are created in the image of God.

These are signs of how the world under the influence of Satan treat one another.

Those who make racist comments are disrespecting those that are created in the image of God.

But in Christ’s body, this should not be so.

Paul starts in (1) that an older man is not to be rebuked but rather to be encouraged like a father.

In the grey beard is to be honoured and respected, through this you show that you fear the Lord.

How often it is easy for us to criticize the one who maybe doesn’t hear as well as he used to.

How quickly one can be impatient in waiting behind an elderly man as he tries to get down stairs.

How often older men are pushed out of leadership in churches for a new vision as the old ways are too traditional and boring.

Perish the thought if that crosses the mind of the saints.

No, don’t treat him like you would just anyone else on the street, but as you honour and respect your own father.

Bless him and encourage him.

Come to them for wisdom and heed their counsel.

They have been through many difficult times in their day.

Through their own mistakes they can save you much folly and unnecessary hardship.

Treat the young men in the congregation like brothers.

Healthy jesting while at the same time caring for one another has its place.

Hold one another accountable to fulfill their responsibilities to their wives and families.

Yet being graceful and patient as age is not always indicative of spiritual maturity.

In (2) the older women are to be encouraged just like how you would your own mother.

Hearing them out in their kind words, listening and also caring for them.

Helping them out where you can, calling them to see how they are doing and just loving them.

For the younger women, they are to be treated as sisters with all purity.

This is to protect them and nurture them just like you would your own sister.

You don’t look at them as an object but rather as one you truly care for and love.

Hearing out their concerns and doing something about it.

Not just passing them off as though they don’t know what they are talking about.

Be careful to listen to them, because I have a sister who would put moths in the ears of my brother and they may do the same to you.

In all seriousness though, Jesus says in the gospel of John 13:34,35

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.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

How we treat one another in the body of Christ is how a family cares for one another.

I know there are those families that are broken and we would not want to copy that, but the picture God has for His children is that they treat one another as you have been treated by the Lord Jesus Christ.

With love.

Transition:

Therefore, as children of God, we are to imitate God our Father and treat one another in the church with the honour, respect and love.

Next, Paul turns to how we are to care for those in the church who have experienced great hardship in losing their husbands.

Point #2 - Christian Widows Need Care.

This part of Paul’s letter hits us pretty close to home.

Just in the past few years we have Pauline, Marj and Donna who have experienced great loss in seeing their husbands pass away.

With the health of Jake and John depreciating, Laverne and Dian also could be near to this reality.

So how is the Christian family to care for widows?

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

(James 1:27)

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

As a result of some obvious trouble in the church, Paul pays a lot of attention to this particular need.

Some widows in this church were causing division

You will notice at the start of (3) that the church is to honour widows that are truly widows.

To honour means that you support them and respect them.

In Strong’s Concordance this it to mean that you give recognition and providing aid or financial assistance to those who are widows.

Yet Paul has this disclaimer added to it.

This is for those who are truly widows.

One may question what he means for if someone loses their husband, are they not all widows?

Yes they are, but Paul is giving clarification to who qualifies for this honour and support.

He explains what a true widow is in (5).

The one who is truly a widow is one who is left alone.

There is no family to care for her.

She has set her hope fully and completely on God for her very survival.

Often times in the early church days and throughout history before, the man would carry title in the family business or farm.

A widow was often left alone without any support.

God, as a loving Father will not have any of this for His precious daughters.

He commands the people of Israel in

22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

God meant business when the widows and orphans were mistreated.

This should never be within the body of Christ for as James says:

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

So the true widow by Paul’s instruction is one who is all alone without children and grandchildren.

These are the ones to honour with support and respect in however the church can.