Love One Another- Version 2

Bill Woody

Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

John 13:1–7

Love

Brotherly Love

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Love One Another

Text: John 13:1-17 (KJV)

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put 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 was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Introduction:

* By way of introduction to my sermon this morning, I would like to give you a few observations about our text:

1). Jesus knew this would be his last sermon.

(TEXT) 1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2) Jesus illustrated his love for his brethren by humbling himself before them.

* The dusty and dirty conditions of the region necessitated the need for foot washing.

* Although the disciples most likely would have been happy to wash Jesus’ feet, they could not conceive of washing one another’s feet.

* When Jesus lowered Himself to the lowly task of washing his disciples’ feet, it embarrassed them greatly that He would do such a thing.

* This was because in the society of the time foot washing was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants.

* Why is it that the people of Jesus day were so vehemently opposed to washing someone’s feet? The answer is that they were filled with pride.

* People of equal social status did not wash one another’s feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love. When Jesus moved to wash their feet, they were shocked.

(TEXT) 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

* Pride in our hearts is the enemy of true love. Pride is the first and original sin. In the Bible the sin of a prideful heart is mother of all sin, the sin that God hates the most.

Proverbs 8:13 (KJV 1900)

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate.

Proverbs 11:2 (KJV 1900)

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10 (KJV 1900)

10 Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 14:3 (KJV 1900)

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Proverbs 16:17–18 (KJV 1900)

18 Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:22–23 (KJV 1900)

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, And a furious man aboundeth in transgression. 23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Proverbs 6:15–19 (KJV 1900)

16 These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

* Pride is the source of all marital and family problems- Humility is the antidote for all marital and family problems.

* The same principles that Jesus set forth concerning how believers should love one another in the church, are also the same principles that we are to use to guide love in marriage and family.

* If we love our mates and our children the way that the Bible tells all Christians to love one another, our marriages and families would be strong the way God intended them to be.

* If a couple having problems in their marriage come to me for help as their pastor, I don’t have some special passages of Scripture to deal with their marital problems- I could only take them to the same passages that I will share with you in this sermon this morning.

3). This act of humility was done as an example of how we should humble ourselves before our brothers and sisters in the church.

(TEXT) (14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

4). There is a twofold aspect to this symbolic act that Jesus performed.

1). Through this action Jesus taught the lesson that believers must love on another in the same manner that Jesus loved us.

2). Jesus taught that this Devine object lesson was symbolic of the spiritual cleansing that Jesus does after that we are saved.

(TEXT) John 13:6–8 (KJV 1900)

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

* Peter, perhaps on behalf of others, spoke up in indignation that Jesus would stoop so low as to wash his feet. He failed to see beyond the humble service itself to the symbolism of spiritual cleansing involved.

* Jesus’ response to Peter made the real point of His actions clear: Unless the Lamb of God cleanses a person’s sin (as portrayed in this symbolism of washing), no one can have no part with Him.

1 John 1:7 (KJV 1900)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

* Here tucked in this passage of Scripture we find a precious nugget of Bible truth! The cleansing that Christ does at salvation never needs to be repeated— Listen closely to the words of Jesus.

(TEXT) John 13:10 (KJV 1900)

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

* At the moment of salvation atonement is complete. Jesus told Peter there was not need to wash him all over again!

* Believers are cleansed and granted the righteousness of Jesus. His righteousness is given to us, and by his blood we were total cleansed from sin.

(TEXT) John 13:9 (KJV 1900)

9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Hebrews 6:4–6 (KJV 1900)

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance…

* We see here in our text this morning something new in Christ’s teaching- even though we have all been cleansed by the blood of Christ we need constant washing, not of our soul, but of our fleshly mind, as we battle sin in the flesh.

* Day by day we must cleanse our fleshly minds to keep close fellowship with God the father because God is a Holy and pure God and He require that we also be holy and pure.

Romans 12:1–3 (KJV 1900)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

* This Bible calls this daily confession of sin after salvation Sanctification. Sanctification is the process in which after applying Jesus’ righteousness for total forgiveness of Sin, He daily cleanses our hearts and minds from those sins that we do in the body.

* These sins that we commit after we are saved hinder our daily fellowship with the God and must be cleansed from our fleshly mind and body.

* This is the true meaning of those familiar words that we quote so many times in I John 5:

1 John 1:5–2:6 (KJV 1900)

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

* Let me ask you a question right here- When you accepted Christ did He at that moment cleanse you from ALL sin?

* So if all your sins have been forgiven, then why are we commanded to continue to confess our sins after salvation?

* The answer to this perceived dilemma is that even though our souls have been saved from sin and sealed unto the day of redemption by the power of the Holy spirit, kept by the power of God to be raised up in the last day, our bodies, which includes this fleshly mind, remain under the influence of sin.

* The Apostle Paul illustrated this very well in Romans 7:

Romans 7:14–25 (KJV 1900)

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

* For this reason, our mind and body must continually be cleansed of the influence of this world we live in.

* There were to lessons that Jesus taught by washing His disciples feet in our text:

1). We must love and forgive one another in the same manner Christ loves and forgives us.

2). Even though we have been justified by Faith and we have been cleansed from the GUILT and Penalty of sin, (that is what we call the doctrine of JUSTIFICATION),

as long as we continue to live in these corrupt bodies, we are continuously being cleansed from the INFLUENCE of sin.

5). There is a promise associated with our text this morning.

John 13:16–17 (KJV 1900)

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

* I want to take a few moments this morning to bring out the greatest truth of our text this morning- “By our love one for another, we bear witness that we are God’s people and our message is truth.”

John 13:35 (KJV 1900)

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I. Jesus had given us a new commandment in addition to the 10.

John 13:31-35 (KJV)

31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another,

II. How far should we go in obedience to this new commandment?

* We see now that we have been given a new commandment by Christ to love each other, but how far should we go in obedience to this new commandment?

* Well the answer is that we should be willing to die for each other.

John 15:7-17 (KJV)

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

III. This is our greatest witness of the love of God to the world.

* We have learned that we have been given a new commandment to love one another, and that love should be so great that we would be willing to die for one another, but I want you to realize this morning that it is this love that authenticates our message of Christ’s love to the world.

John 13:35-35 (KJV)

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

VI. A God given love for the brethren is evidence that you have been truly been saved.

* We have learned that we have been given a new commandment to love one another, and that love should be so great that we would be willing to die for one another, and we know that it is this love that authenticates our message of Christ’s love to the world.

* Not only is our love for one another evidence to the world that our message is true, but this love is also evidence to us that we have truly been saved.

* Listen to the words of I John 3:14:-16:

1 John 3:14–16 (KJV 1900)

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

V. What does this brotherly love look like?

* Not only is our love for one another evidence to the world that our message is true, but this love is also evidence to us that we have truly been saved.

* But what does true and genuine love for each other look like?

* The Bible tells us that our love for one another should be genuine.

I John 3:18-19 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

* I don’t believe that God is pleased with the trend within our churches today.

* We see our fellow believers at church and without thinking we say “Love you brother” out of some sense of Christian duty to say the words.

* Most of the time we haven’t given one fleeting about that person since the last time we saw them!

* How can you say that you love someone when you have no relationship with them?

* How can you say you love someone when you have never prayed for them? I find it difficult to say that you love someone and you don’t even know where they live.

* There was a time in our past when the churches would meet at members houses for mid-week prayer meeting.

The church ate meals together, prayed together in one another’s homes. Christians suffered together, they helped one another build their houses, gather their crops, care for the sick, comfort one another in death and prepare the body for burial.

* In these days the church had a strong and powerful witness in the community. The Devine love of God was clearly demonstrated to those outside the church by our love one for another.

* Could it be that our churches have lost their influence on our communities because Christians no longer show forth the love of God by loving one another?

* What are the characteristics of love unfeigned- (not fake)?

* This love that Jesus commanded is a divine love, a love given by the Holy Spirit!

* This is a Godly kind of love, not a worldly kind of love.

* God is not pleased with this fake “lip service” we do when we tell someone “we love you”, and it means nothing.

* If you don’t mean it, you would be better off not to say “I love you.”

* If you utter the words I love you to someone you have entered into a Devine commitment with that person.

* What the world calls love is nothing more than an emotion. Our emotions are part of this sinful, fallen body that we live in. Or emotions are totally corrupt and fickle.

* This kind of worldly love comes and goes and lasts only until the heart sees something it loves even better. This corrupt, fickle, worldly, view of love is why over half of all marriages fail in our society. When it comes to love the world says “follow your heart.” The Bible says don’t’ follow your heart:

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV 1900)

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

* Worldly love comes from the emotions. Emotions come and go. The worldly kind of love is a mere mirage.

* We fool ourselves and fall in love with what we want someone to be, instead of who they really are. This kind of love never lasts.

* Real love is a decision that is controlled by the mind, not the emotions.

* True love is a decision based on the truth, not emotion.

* Sometimes the illusion of worldly love is over the very next morning after the honeymoon when you wake up and see what you really married!

* At some point in marriage, or any other relationship for that matter, all the warm fuzzy feelings of worldly love are gone and you are left with only the mental decision “Will I continue to love this person or should I strangle them!?

* We love our husbands, or our wives, or our children, because we know with our mind that this is the right thing to do, even when it is not convenient.

* We love our brothers and sisters in the church because Jesus has commanded that we love the brethren- even when it is not convenient. It is a mental decision, based on a Biblical truth.

* The Apostle Paul shows us what a Godly kind of love looks like:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

* While we are on this note of love endureth all things, listen also to what the World of God says in the Song of Solomon 8:6-7…

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (KJV)

6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Proverbs 10:12 (KJV)

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

1 Peter 4:7-9 (KJV)

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

John 3:16-17 (KJV) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* (Now back to I cor. 13)

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

* So in theory, this is all well and good. But the old saying applies here “easier said than done!”

* If you have been married for any amount of time, you will recognize that loving one another is not easy! We must strive and work to love one another! Really, really hard!

*let’s go now and see what the practical side of this love really looks like down where the rubber meets the road.

A. Love is not a respecter of persons.

James 2:1-13 (KJV)

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

B. We have compassions on our brothers and sisters when they are in need.

* Not only is this love of the breather not a respecter of persons, but this love is marked by compassion:

I John 3:17- 24

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

James 2:15-17 (KJV)

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 4:17 (KJV)

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Acts 2:42-47 (KJV)

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 4:32-35 (KJV)

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

C. We speak to our brethren with kindness.

* Not only is this love for the brethren not a respecter of persons, marked by compassion, but this love is also identified by its kind speech and conduct:

* In the book of wise sayings, Proverbs, we read about how a wise, or virtuous woman uses her words:

Proverbs 31:26 (KJV)

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

* We would do well to apply this “law of speaking with kindness” to all of our relationships. With our mates, our children, our friends, our fellow church members, and even our enemies.

* Turn with me to Ephesians 4:29 and lets look at verses 29-31 togeather:

Ephesians 4:29-32 (KJV)

* Did you know that it greaves the heart of God and the Holy Spirit when you are angry with another believer?

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

* The New Testament writers had much to say about how we speak to each other as believers. Turn with me to James chapter 3 and let’s take a look at what James had to say about how we speak to each other:

James 3:1-18 (KJV)

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

* We have available to us a great weapon, a power so strong no man can tame, a weapon that is evil beyond belief, a weapon that is as James said “full of deadly poison!

* This great weapon of a sharp tongue cuts and slashes it’s enemy causes it’s wounds to sting with a burning poison that burns like it is set on fire from the very pits of Hell!

* Think of how the words of a parent wound the heart of a child when they and told they are stupid or worthless!

* The problem is that this great and powerful weapon wounds the enemy, but at the same time defiles the user. James said:

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body

* Yes this great and powerful weapon has the potential to destroy anyone you point it at! But it also destroys the person who pulls the trigger!

* We are told by James to by our conversation, show our works with Meekness and Wisdom. What does this mean “meekness and wisdom?”

* Meekness is “strength, or power, under restraint.” As in the case of Moses-

By way of example, Let me read you a story that illustrates what meekness looks like:

12 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?

* Moses sister and his brother are running their mouths and talking about Moses because he married someone they didn’t approve of.

And the Lord heard it.

* Oh brothers and sisters beware- when you run and wag your tongue about others God is listening!

3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

4 And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5 And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle;

and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.

* Aaron gets God’s message- He and his sister had angered God and sinned against God by running their mouth against Moses!

12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.

13 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.

*Here is where our example of meekness comes in- Moses, as the leader of the entire nation, had the power to destroy Aaran and his sister, but Moses’ power was restrained by his love for his brother and sister.

14 And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. 16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

* And now let me return to our verse in James 3:1-18 (KJV):

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not,

and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom ( the wisdom of lashing out with our tounge in defence) descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

* so what does this mean that the wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits and is sown in peace?

* It means that that we should be meek like Moses and restrain the power of our wicked tongues and let the Lord fight our battles when others condemn us and slander us.

* The book of wise sayings in the Bible, Proverbs, teaches this very same principle: that a wise man will ignore insults and personal attacks against himself:

Proverbs 12:15–16 (KJV 1900)

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: But a prudent man covereth shame.

* There is an old saying that goes like this: “When angry people sling mud at one another, both people will lose ground.” Both people will show their ignorant, evil nature.

* Both the person who attacks with the tongue, and the one who angrily defends himself against a verbal attack, sin against God.

* James says that this kind of wisdom is evil.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not,

and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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Ephesians 4:29-32 (KJV)

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

* Malice is “deliberate injury” and in the context of which we are speaking this morning it means “deliberate injury caused by our tongue.”

* Many times, when we are caught up in anger, we hurl verbal insults at one another. Let me tell you what Jesus thinks of this behavior:

Matthew 5:22 (KJV 1900)

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

* Raca- Derogatory expression used by Jews of the 1st century to show open contempt for another. Raca is derived from an Aramaic and Hebrew term meaning empty or worthless. Literally meaning “empty headed,” raca insinuates an intellectual stupidity or inferiority.

* An example of the use of this word Raca is found in the account of Michal, David’s wife when she accused David of acting like “one of the vulgar fellows [raca]” who “shamelessly uncovers himself!” (2 Sm 6:20)

* If you will remember, as a result God caused Michal to not be able to have children the rest of her life for this.

Ephesians 4:26–27 (KJV 1900)

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:29–32 (KJV 1900)

Colossians 3:8 (KJV 1900)

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

James 1:19-26 (KJV)

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 (KJV)

1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

* Not only is this love for the brethren not a respecter of persons, marked by compassion, identified by its kind speech and conduct, truthful and not deceptive in its nature, forgiving and patient, but it does not allow for bitterness and anger toward one another.

E. Love for the brethren is marked by integrity.

* Not only is this love for the breather not a respecter of persons, marked by compassion, identified by its kind speech and conduct, but it is truthful and not deceptive in nature.

* As we examine what the love for the brethren looks like in the Bible, we see that genuine love for one another is marked by integrity.

* Have you ever been victimized by high interest rates hidden by fine print?

- Do you use fine print with your life? - Do you make promises with your fingers crossed? - Do you call in to work sick when you’re only sick of working? - Do you see nothing wrong with the occasional “white lie.” - Do you make excuses based on half-truths? * Last time I saw your dog he was headed over the fence!

* Most of us have no problem with the “big things.” We would never tell a direct lie, steal money from someone, or be guilty of extortion, but where the Devil seeks to destroy is in the small things.

Luke 16:10 (KJV 1900)

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

*This may be normal in our society, but Scripture calls us to a life of integrity honesty and truthfulness with one another.

Colossians 3:8-9 (KJV)

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Ephesians 4:25 (KJV 1900)

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Our culture doesn’t place much value on integrity

The top ten lies told in America: 10) Your table will be ready in a minute. 9) One size fits all. 8) This will hurt me more than it hurts you. 7) I’m sorry I’m late; I got stuck in traffic. 6) The check is in the mail. 5) This offer is limited to the first 50 callers. 4) It’s not the money; it’s the principle of the thing. 3) I need just five minutes of your time. 2) I’ll start my diet tomorrow. 1) I’m from the IRS and I’m here to help you.

* When the Bible forbids believers to lie to each other, it is not just talking about telling lies, but this infers that we are to live honestly with each other.

* We are to have a love for one another that is marked with integrity.

What is integrity?

1. The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

"he is known to be a man of integrity"

synonyms: honesty, probity, rectitude, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness More

"I never doubted his integrity"

antonyms: dishonesty

* This first definition applies to how we love one another because we are told to be genuine in our lover for one another, not fake.

1 Peter 1:–22 (KJV 1900)

. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

2. the state of being whole and undivided.

synonyms: unity, unification, coherence, cohesion, togetherness, solidarity More

* This second definition also applies to our love for each other because our love for each other is meant to unify us as one body, and one mind, and a single unified purpose.

Philippians 2:1–5 (KJV 1900)

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Acts 2:44–47 (KJV 1900)

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

God loves and honors people of Integrity:

Psalm 15:title–5 (KJV 1900)

1 Lord, Who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh the truth in his heart.3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his neighbour, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; But he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 24:2–5 (KJV 1900)

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Proverbs 11:2–3 (KJV 1900)

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Proverbs 20:5–7 (KJV 1900)

7 The just man walketh in his integrity:His children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 19:1 (KJV 1900)

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Proverbs 28:19–20 (KJV 1900)

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings:

Proverbs 14:30 (KJV 1900)

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh:

Abraham was a man of Integrity.

Genesis 18:19 (KJV 1900)

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Job was a man of Integrity.

Job 2:3 (KJV 1900)

3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Job 27:3–6 (KJV 1900)

3 All the while my breath is in me, And the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit. 5 God forbid that I should justify you: Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

Joseph was a man of Integrity.

Genesis 39:3–9 (KJV 1900)

3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Daniel was a man of Integrity.

Daniel 6:1–4 (KJV 1900)

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

David was a man of Integrity.

What does integrity toward our brothers and sisters look like?

* Although Jesus did not use the word “integrity,” he described integrity as:

1). Purity of heart (Matt. 5:8) Honesty

Matthew 5:8 (KJV 1900)

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Romans 12:17 (KJV 1900)

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

2 Corinthians 8:21 (KJV 1900)

21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

2 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV 1900)

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

1 Peter 2:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Hebrews 13:17–18 (KJV 1900)

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Honesty- Being honest with each other

* In all our dealings we are to be honest with one another.

* We should always keep our word to each other.

* We should always pay our debts to each other.

Romans 13:7–10 (KJV 1900)

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

* We should be loyal to each other.

* We should not deceive one another.

The Trap of Deception

A woman once entered a butcher’s shop and asked for a chicken. The butcher only had one left, so he brought it out and placed it on the scale; it weighed two pounds. The woman said, “I was hoping for one a little bigger.” The butcher returned to the freezer, pretending to get another, but brought the same chicken back and placed it on the scale, pushing down a little with his thumb so that it weighed three pounds. The woman said, “Perfect, I’ll take them both!”

* We should be frank with one another.

Proverbs 27:5–6 (KJV 1900)

5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

2). Purity of Motive (Matt. 6:1-6) Sincerity

Matthew 6:1–6 (KJV 1900)

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Sincerity- Being sincere with each other

* Our love should be genuine, not fake, not skin deep.

* Our love for each other should not just be on the surface, but from the heart. Genuine.

* We should not have ulterior motives for loving one another.

* We should not use each other for what we can gain.

* In Acts chapter 5 we see a very sobering example of what God thinks of those who would fake a lover for the brethren.

* Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, thought they could use a fake gesture of love to gain recognition in the early church. They used their brethern with an ulterior motive and were met with the swift and sever judgment of God.

3). Singleness of Purpose (Matt. 6.22)

Matthew 6:22–23 (KJV 1900)

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:24 (KJV 1900)

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

* Singleness of Purpose- or in other words- (we have purposed to be single), means that we as believers have “purposed” in our minds to be single minded, like minded, in agreement, in harmony, and not at odds with one another.

Ephesians 4:23–28 (KJV 1900)

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

* Singleness of mind speaks of loyalty. Jesus spoke these words to a crowd about loyalties. Jesus said to them that they could not be loyal to God and money at the same time.

* Singleness of mind, or singleness of purpose, when it comes to loving each other, infers a resolute attitude to live in agreement and harmony with each other.

* We should be determined to put our loyalty to our Savior, and harmony with other believers first before our own needs and goals.

1 Corinthians 6:1–7 (KJV 1900)

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another.

Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

In conclusion:

* Listen to the words James 5:12

James 5:12 (KJV 1900)

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

* Apply the Practice of Plain Speaking!

* James is exhorting us to be so truthful in our speech that we don’t need an oath.

* We should be people who “say what we mean and mean what we say,” because deception is dangerous: James concludes this verse to say, “(Speak truthfully) lest you fall into judgment.”

* The word of a Christian should be so trustworthy, so beyond question, that his “yes” always means “yes,” and his “no” means “no.”

* Imagine the testimony Christians would hold if they were known for their honesty in the midst of such a fine print, deceptive culture!

G. We pray for one another.

* Not only is this love for the brethren not a respecter of persons, marked by compassion, identified by its kind speech and conduct, truthful and not deceptive in its nature, forgiving and patient, does not allow for bitterness and anger, but is causes us to pray for one another.

James 5:13–16 (KJV 1900)

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;

and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

D. We don’t go around angry with one another, but instead we forgive one another.

* Not only is this love for the brethren not a respecter of persons, marked by compassion, identified by its kind speech and conduct, truthful and not deceptive in its nature, but it is marked by forgiveness and patience.

* “Forgiveness is the fragrance that a flower breathes when it is trampled on.”

* What kind of fragrance do you give off when you are attacked? I am afraid that for many Christians it is not a fragrance of a sweet smell, but a stink!

* I would ask you to evaluate yourself- Do you stink?

* Forgiveness is God bringing forth good out of evil.

* The measure of our becoming like Jesus, is revealed in our ability to forgive others. You cannot be like Jesus and refuse to be patient with others.

* According to the Bible, at one time we were all the enemies of God:

Romans 5:10 (KJV 1900)

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…

* In His great wisdom God conquered His enemies by making them His friends:

John 15:15 (KJV 1900)

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends…

* How did Jesus teach us to conquer our own enemies?- by making them our friends also:

Romans 12:18–21 (KJV 1900)

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil

but overcome evil with good.

Illustration:

A woman brought suit against her husband for divorce. She told the judge she had nagged and nagged the man but he just wouldn’t do right.

Referring to Paul’s words in Romans 12:20, the judge asked the woman if she had tried to “heap coals of fire on his head.”

The woman answered, “No, but I don’t think it will work. I’ve already tried scalding water, and that didn’t do any good.”

* Did it ever occur to you that God has put rhythm in everything that He created?

* We see it in stars and atoms, in seasons and harvests, in the beauty of a flower and in the song of a bird. The surf of the sea, the majesty of a mountain, and the beat of the human heart say that God has put all nature in tune. When they get out of tune, trouble results.

* If we find rhythm in natural things, why not in human relationships? They also are the Creator’s design.

* Only when persons get out of tune does strife erupt.

* Before every concert the orchestra tunes itself to one basic tone. Otherwise, the result would a catastrophe and not symphony.

* This is what the Apostle Paul was dealing with in the church a Corinth as he dealt with those who were “puffed up” and fighting among themselves.

* When we as believers truly have our heart in tuned and matched up with God’s heart, then we will be patient and forgiving with others.

Colossians 3:12-14

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Ephesians 4:1–3 (KJV 1900)

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Galatians 5:13–26 (KJV 1900)

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,

but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

How D. L. Moody Dealt with Anger

Evangelist D. L. Moody, the “Billy Graham” of the 19th century, had a sharp temper which he learned to control—usually. One evening Moody was conducting two evangelistic services back-to-back. After the first one, as Mr. Moody was standing near the door, welcoming the new crowd, a man approached him and delivered a highly offensive insult of some sort. Moody never later repeated it, but it must have been contemptible for in a sudden fit of anger, Moody shoved the man and sent him tumbling down a short flight of steps.

The man was not badly harmed, but Moody’s friends wondered how he could now possibly preach the second service. “When I saw Mr. Moody give way to his temper,” said an observer, “I said to myself, ‘The meeting is killed.’ The large number who have seen the whole thing will hardly be in a condition to be influenced by anything more Mr. Moody can say tonight.”

But Moody called the meeting to order, stood, and with trembling voice spoke these words: Friends, before beginning tonight I want to confess that I yielded just now to my temper, out in the hall, and have done wrong. Just as I was coming in here tonight, I lost my temper with a man, and I want to confess my wrong before you all, and if that man is present here whom I thrust away from me in anger, I want to ask his forgiveness and God’s. Let us pray.

Instead of a lost cause, the meeting seemed unusually touched that night, with many people deeply and eternally impressed with the Gospel.

Conclusion:

* We, by the example and commandment of Christ, are love one another as Christ loved us. So what does this love for each other look like:

* This love for the brethren is not a respecter of persons, it is marked by compassion, it is identified by its kind speech and conduct, it is always truthful and not deceptive in its nature, it is forgiving and patient, it does does not allow for bitterness and anger, this love causes us to pray for one another.

* If we obey the command of Christ to love one another as Christ loved us we would be protected at all times from the tools that the Devil uses to destroy our Churches, our marriages, and our families-

the evil tools of pride, hardness of heart, un-forgiveness, impatience, bitterness, anger, and prayerlessness.

* In my studies recently I read that it has been estimated that 44% of the letters of the New Testament are about how we should get along with one another.

* The words "one another" occur, particularly in Paul's letters. The Greek word “allelon” occurs 59 times as a specific command. We are commanded to:

* love one another (John 13:35 - this command comes 16 times) * be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10) * honour one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10) * live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16) * build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11) * be likeminded towards one another (Romans 15:5) * accept one another (Romans 15:7) * admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16) * care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25) * serve one another (Galatians 5:13) * bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) * forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13) * be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13) * be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32) * speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19) * submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5) * consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3) * look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4) * bear with one another (Colossians 3:13) * teach one another (Colossians 3:16) * comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18) * encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13) * stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24) * show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9) * employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another (1 Peter 4:10) * clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5) * pray for one another (James 5:16) * confess our faults to one another (James 5:16) * We are to do these things because we belong to one another (Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25).

* All these commands do not take into account the things we are told not to do to one another!