Relationships In the Church

Introduction

The book of 1 Thessalonians is a deeply personal letter by the apostle Paul

Paul did not get to spend much time in Thessalonica. We know he spent 3 sabbaths there, but then he was forced to leave.

However, a church was established and Paul wrote this letter to the church to encourage them in their young, fledgling faith!

What we quickly see is the language of family love and affection to describe the relationships between brethren in the Lord’s church -

1 Thessalonians 2:7–12 NASB95

7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

While being a family (with our blood relatives) seems natural and instinctual, we do have to give consideration and work on how we are to form and fit into our spiritual family. That is the goal for our study today...

Excel in Love

The apostle Paul wrote an encouraging letter to the church at Thessalonica, a young church in the faith.

Paul praised the Thessalonians for their faith, work, and love for one another -

The spirit of love we have for fellow Christians is to be shown to all people—and we are to abound in this love -

Paul did not rebuke nor shame the Thessalonians, but he wanted to see them love the most and be the best they could be in their love for one another - ,

Through the Thessalonian example, we see what we ought to be like in our love for one another. We are to share a close-knit relationship with each other. We are to consider one another “brethren” and family!

For many people, family is a blessing and a joy.

For others, families can be a struggle and even a hardship.

We don’t often think of how do we create a family-type atmosphere. Yet, in the Lord’s church we must work at creating the family atmosphere in order to be sure that we are loving one another as we should.

Developing the Family Atmosphere

Hospitality -

Hebrews 13:1–2 NASB95

1 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hospitality is directly connected to the subject of brotherly love. It can be a form of entertainment and having fun.

Showing hospitality in ancient times often required more than inviting someone over for a meal, but also included providing shelter, food, clothing, first aid, and even some financial support!

Hospitality can be hard work, but it is rewarding work!

Jim and Tracy Bridges who let us come into their home at 4 AM on a Sunday morning. Never having met us and letting us crash in their home for a few days with a 2 day old baby.

The Hebrew writer expected brotherly love to be shown through the efforts of hospitality.

Why hospitality is such a good form of developing close relationships:

You get up-close and personal

You learn to talk about more than “small talk”

You learn about people’s daily routines, regular life, and even their struggles and weaknesses

You become more than acquaintances with people; you become friends and family

Worship -

Hebrews 10:21–25 NASB95

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 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 stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

One of the greatest joys that people have is being able to worship with their entire family beside them. There is a reason that many congregations are filled with a few large families.

Worship draws us closer together and it is when we are reflecting a more intimate occasion by opening up our faith to others

Being together for worship is a time when we are able to stimulate and encourage one another to love and good works

We sometimes begin to forsake the assembly when we are caught up in activities that are harmful for our faith.

Can you imagine your closest relatives not participating in family holidays/birthdays/traditions? Their absence would be noticed, felt, and likely due to extenuating circumstances or problems in the family.

When our fellow Christians miss opportunities for worship and spiritual growth, we should be concerned for their spiritual well-being.

Work together -

1 Corinthians 12:12–27 NASB95

12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

Coordinate and work together. Use other people’s talents and strengths!

Bible classes and teachers—find someone to partner with and teach a class

Evangelism—have a Bible study in your home and ask someone to teach it; teamwork

Visitation—go with someone to visit sick/shut-in members

Destructive Family Behaviors

Pride -

Not minding your own business -

Gossiping

Busybody—Interfering in everyone else’s business and only offering your own opinions

Interfering in everyone else’s business and only offering your own opinions

Conclusion

Our relationships in the church should be strengthened and maintained in order to keep unity and peace in the local church

If we have peace, we need to count ourself blessed and fortunate because not all churches have peace

We need to be closer with our church family; we should not be distant neighbors, but we should be close family members