One-Another-ing is not a Spectator Sport

Please turn to John 13:34-35.

and I would really encourage—to be a part of a group here at FMC? We have groups that meet on Sunday morning, traditionally called Sunday School classes. we have some Wednesday night groups—FPU, Michael and Kim Baer are doing on emotional and mental health and trauma, and I am leading one on Biblical health...

Famous passage.

While you are turning there, think with me—what are the most popular sports to watch in the world—think globally?

What are the most popular sports for fans to watch?

What’s #1: and we all said ___________ soccer.

an estimated 3.5 - 4 billion fans.

What’s #2: and we all said ____________ cricket. (think of India, South Africa, England, Australia)

What’s #3: this is where some lists diverged—some said _______ basketball, especially with China really growing in loving basketball—other sites said hockey (that includes both ice hockey and field hockey in one).

followed by tennis, volleyball, table tennis...

American football was like #9 or 10 on most lists at bests.

These are sports that people love to play, and especially watch.

You might have heard the term before-spectator sport—is simply a sport that we find entertaining to watch. (so usually sports like chess or poker doesn’t make the list)

but there’s also another way to define it—a spectator sport is watching other people do something without becoming involved in it. (aka politics is a spectator sport)

we will watch but not actually play the sport (which we probably need to get in shape or stay fit) but won’t do anything about it—and that 2nd one—especially as we apply it to our series today is dangerous.

Today we begin a new, brief short series called One Another-ing. If you have been around long enough I have used this term before--

it’s based on John 13:34-35 which Jesus famously said.

John 13:34–35 NIV

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

people will know that we are disciples or followers of Jesus by what… ____________if we love one another.

That is specifically referring to us, loving one another as the body of Christ—the outside world watches the family of God, the church family—and how we love one another testifies as if we are believers or not.

most of us if we didn’t know this verse would probably answer that differently.

“by this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you..... _______________ (know a lot of good doctrine; do a lot of evangelism; dig wells for the needy in Africa; do lots of mission work, serve the poor;) if you love each other as a church family

on the one hand it is not new—the OT says love your neighbor as yourself.

but it is new in that it is based on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It’s based on Jesus and what He did.

this kind of command is not a spectator sport.

One anothering is not just something we watch others do—unless we are first learning how to do it — but we are all called to get in the game of one-anothering.

so over the next few weeks—we will look at a few “one another” passages.

B/c Scripture is filled with them.

BTW—can you think of any places in the Bible where it says we are to do something to one another?

and today’s is 1 Peter 4:7-11.

let’s stand.

The Apostle Peter wrote these words to Christians who are suffering:

1 Peter 4:7–11 (NIV)

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

Look at verse 7—again. . It says the end of all things is near.

meaning that the next big item on God’s timetable is the return. God has already accomplished so much in his plan—Jesus has come; Jesus has lived; Jesus has died, risen, and ascended. The Holy Spirit given at Pentecost—now the next big agenda item is the return of Christ.

Therefore, what are we to do in light of the end? “Be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”

That sound weird.

If we knew the end was coming, or even if this was your last week or month on earth—what would you do?

maybe try to check off some items off your bucket list

maybe live it up for some

maybe that would make you bolder

Peter says—be clear, focused, understanding the times—so that you can pray!

so that you can have the right mindset—why?

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

so how do we love one another:

4 points:

We love one another:

#1 We love one another from the heart — deeply (vs. 8)

vs. 8 Above all, love each other deeply…there’s the word deeply

earlier in 1:22—Peter gets at this: 1 Peter 1:22

1 Peter 1:22 NIV

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

the heart is the core of your being—the command center for all you do

there are many aspects of love—love is certainly an action. To quote an old school Christian rap group called DC Talk—love is a verb, and many of us agree that don’t just tell me you love me; show me.

but Peter is getting at this idea that if we are going to really love one another as Jesus loved us—it involves our internal being. It involves our heart. It involves some deep emotions, some deep affections, deep thought—that I just don’t serve you but in my heart hate you through clenched teeth—but I have a certain feeling and emotion towards you.

b/c if you don’t have a certain internal love for someone you won’t be able to sustain the external love of serving, doing, helping someone.

you may say “well—how do I have that kind of love for so and so in my church family” b/c let’s face it, I just can’t stand them or maybe they are just annoying or they don’t deserve it—Pastor Rick—you don’t know what they have done to me. This may be the reason why some of you won’t get too involved at church or are burned out by church b/c a fellow brother or sister hurt you.

this is not quick fix—but think of Jesus. When you dwell on what Jesus did for you—when you dwell on how Jesus loves you—despite the fact that you and I have turned our backs on Him, taken advantage of His love, done the opposite of what He says, and yet…He was willing to give His life for us b/c He loves us. we don’t deserve that.

we sang reckless love—Jesus’ love is incredibly powerful that He would pour out his love for us in such a way—that’s what some consider it reckless (from an outsider). but if Jesus did that for us—we will do that for others who don’t deserve it.

so do you have a heart-felt deep love for your brothers and sisters in Christ?

do we as a FMC family have this?

#2 We love one another by overlooking offenses. (vs. 8)

look at vs. 8 again 1 Peter 4:8

1 Peter 4:8 NIV

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

that last part —

this doesn’t mean that somehow by loving others we earn our salvation and our sins are forgiven; no, Peter says earlier in his book that it’s Jesus’ blood—His work that earns it.

no—when we love each other deeply—we overlook minor offenses.

when there is a deep love that shows itself and is genuine and true from the heart—that we will overlook minor things that come up. We assume the best about people. We don’t have to confront every little hiccup in every relationship—but we know that we love one another. The best marriages have this; the best friendships have this; the best co-workers have this; and especially the best church families have this.

when there is not this deep love, every little thing is weight, evaluated, judged—it can drive you nuts.

so we love one another deeply and to overlook offenses.

if you are going to get in the game—these are things you can do right now—on your own before God—from the heart, overlooking offenses...

let’s take a moment?

#3 may be my favorite point and one of my favorite one another...

#3 We love one another through hospitality (vs. 9)

1 Peter 4:9 NIV

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

what does hospitality mean—if someone is very hospitable —what are we saying?

we are saying things like they are very welcoming, they are very inviting

the word in the original language is a compound word here which literally means love of the stranger. It’s taking a stranger in to become part of the family. It’s showing familial love.

one of our staff members mentioned that when we see the word hospitality—we see the word hospital. We are providing a place of safety, refuge, so people can come in and experience healing. in a hospital, people can let their guard down, become vulnerable. “Help me!”

meals and coffee and dessert are not just shared—but lives are shared. real connection happens. real support happens. strangers become family. Lives are healed by God pouring out his grace through people.

this is different than entertaining someone.

Rosaria Butterfield - I mentioned her before in my series on Holy Sexuality. She has a book in the book nook called “The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert - an English professor’s journey into the Christian faith. she writes—entertainment is about impressing people and keeping them at arm’s length. hospitality is about opening up your heart and your home, just as you are, and being willing to invite Jesus into the conversation.

she writes in her book honestly about her conversion story. She was living a lesbian lifestyle, very active in that community. She was an English professor at a prestigious university and very against Christianity. She wrote an article for the local paper to critique something at the time known as Promise Keepers—which was a Christian conference moving men to mature in Christ. Well, in response she got lots of fan mail and hate mail, and then she got a letter from a local Christian pastor at Presbyterian church named Ken in his 70’s. Ken’s letter was different—it was warm, inviting and asked lots of critical questions that haunted her that she had never considered.

After a week she called this pastor to see if she could meet. and Pastor Ken and his wife said “I think the questions should be considered in front of our fireplace following one of my wife’s good dinners.”

so she went over and listen to what she says (Page 10-11_

“The most memorable part...

hospitality—a safe refuge—inviting the stranger in to become family.

hospitality is great because we get to see who we really are; how we live; what our houses look like; if you come over to our house—I still have to install a new light in our kitchen—it’s been that way forever.

you will see that we get annoyed with our kids

that my wife Jamie and I aren’t perfect by any means; we have a difficult time keeping things picked up

some of you are great at hospitality—Reynolds..RJ and Jenna…they had us over—and their house is magical--

those who are fostering - that is an incredible act of hospitality—I heard a stat that every church in Indiana had at least one foster family we would solve the foster care crisis in Indiana.

Brianna’s Hope—hospitality.

some of the greatest examples I know are my parents. Growing up—we always had people over—after church. for meals. We hosted exchange students, missionaries—aka Randy and Carolyn Fudge—many people made their stop along the Schwartz hotel.

and I never noticed my parents grumbling...

my wife Jamie and I are trying to create a place where people are welcome. almost every day I come home—there is a Lehman kid in our house or a White kid or a Provost kid playing—I love it! come use the Schwartz playground...

it builds community with one another

it allows for outreach

it is not merely confined to having people over to your house or a meal or coffee

it also involves our church—how hospitable is our church on a Sunday

how hospitable is your SS class or youth group, or small group, or ministry

hospitality can apply to all whether you are pandemic conscience or could care less. if you are very pandemic conscience there is still a way to welcome people into your life and touch base and do life with people. or maybe if you are staying home to watch to have another person or family together to do so you are not alone.

or taking a meal over..

it’s absolutely necessary.

one of the ways we get in the game of one anothering is hospitality

#4 We love one another by using the gifts God has given us

look at at this

1 Peter 4:10–11 NIV

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

this part is talking about spiritual gifts.

the word for gift is actually has the root word grace in it—it’s a gift from God given out of his grace.

it’s the same word used when the NT talks about spiritual gifts—gifts from God, that the Holy Spirit empowers us with to serve others. it’s the same word used of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12—there is a list and Romans 12.

that all of us have a God-given gift—to use.

if you look at vs. 10—it is received—so it is from God.

it’s purpose is to serve others (not to highlight oursevles)

and it is manifestation of God’s grace—his incredible favor that we don’t earn.

When we use these gifts—God’s grace is shown in its various, manifold, incredible forms.

Think about what this is saying and meaning.

God (up here)

gives us grace down here

and he often displays that grace—bestows that grace, gives us that grace—through other people like you and I using the spiritual gifts he has given us.

God mediates his grace through us! He wants us to get in the game of one-anothering (he is the coach!)

He is the ultimate coach that puts us in the game of life—to bestow his grace on others.

this is not a spectator sport!

all of us are called by God to get in the game--

he expects us to

he has given us all gifts—at least one. no one can say “Well I am not gifted...” not true. Such a statement is a slap in the face of our great God—who gave us a gift to use to bestow his grace on other people.

sometimes we can get caught up in the list of spiritual gifts—read 1 Corinthians 12 or Romans 12 for examples—gifts like showing mercy, prophecy, encouragement, or leadership, or tongues.

but really there are 2 main categories of gifts.

there are gifts of speaking

and gifts of serving

look at verse 11. 1 Peter 4:11

1 Peter 4:11 NIV

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

This means that all of our speech, all of what we do—can be a grace gift that God uses to serve others, to build them up, to give praise to God—to glorify God.

now—if you really want to one-another to the next level.

If you really want to make your life count in this one-anothering...

#1 You must do so relying on God.

vs. 11—says doing so as speaking the very words of God — they are not your words—but God’s.

vs. 11 says—if anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides.

and look at the motive—all this is for the glory of God. this is the 2nd key. the 1st key is relying on God.

2nd key we do all this and say all this for God’s glory. It’s all Him. not me.

all of this is in God’s strength; all of this is God’s Words. and for God’s glory.

It doesn’t have to be up front here like I am doing now—your words in the hallways—what if you said--”Lord, use me to speak a word of encouragement to someone today.” “Lord, help my eyes to be open for a need to meet today for your glory.” “Lord, help me mow the yard for my neighbor today.” “Lord, help me pick up groceries for someone quarantined today.” You do that dependent on God—you can display a supernatural display of God’s grace. You do this for God’s glory—you can make an eternal impact. you can say “Lord, help me have someone over, invite someone out for coffee, send a note, welcome someone in —so that I can speak and serve dependent on you and for your glory.”

this is why one-another is not a spectator sport. Everyone is called to get into the game.

any speech any service when dependent on God and for the glory of God can be holy. I can fix this machine at work to the glory of God. I can serve food to the glory of God. I can teach to the glory of God. I can be a stay at home parent—my words can bring life my actions life to the glory of God. you can literally give God’s grace through you.

why? b/c God was not just a spectator. He sent His beloved Son into the game of life. Jesus Christ entered our world. He moved into a zipcode in Nazareth. He lived a difficult life, perfect on our behalf. and He hung on a cross, naked and bleeding, taking the punishment of sin on Himself that you and I deserved so that if you and I believe in Jesus—our sins are transferred to him, and His righteousness is given to us.

as we think about offering hospitality—think one of Bethany Jenkins says--He showed hospitality to us. John 1 tells us that the Word became flesh and “moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14 MSG). He left his comfortable home in heaven, where the perfect love of the triune God danced with joy, to come to us. Jesus ate with sinners and showed hospitality. He played host and turned common things—like loaves and fish—into massive meals.

And then, in his death, he left us a family meal, the Lord’s Supper, to remember him. When we befriend others, we invite them to consider the gospel by loving them.

Jesus did not grumble.

He loved us deeply from the heart.

It’s His love that covers a multitude of sin because of the cross.

we are no longer strangers but family b/c of Jesus.

Let’s pray.

I want to give you a chance to respond.

I want to think specifically of hospitality.

I have some white poster cards and permanent markers scattered.

When I say ready set go, you will cluster in groups—find someone with white card—and I want you to briefly brainstorm as a group—about hospitality

but on one side, I want you to write down an example of a food that is easy to make if you are going to be hospitable. a food or a beverage...

—cookies

—store-bought cookies

—soup

—pancakes...

—hot dogs...

If you are online, I encourage you to participate as well. what is a food that can help.

now, on the other side, what is a creative way to show hospitality this week.

remember, hospitality is welcoming people into your life from stranger to family because Jesus did that for us. what’s way you could reach out, touch base, an activity you could do—an example of hospitality. Write those down.