My Brother's Keeper

INTRODUCTION

1. Perhaps one of the more thought-provoking questions in the Bible is

that one asked by Cain:

a. Cain had killed his brother because God had accepted Abel's

offering, but not his own - Gen 4:3-8

b. When the Lord inquired concerning Abel, Cain's response was:

"Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen 4:9 )

2. This is a question we would do well to ask ourselves today...

a. Are we our brother's keeper?

b. Do we have a responsibility to watch out for and care for one

another?

[When one turns to the New Testament, it becomes clear that the answer

is in the affirmative. In fact, there are many passages which

emphasize...]

Not in some senses-

Morally- personal accountability

Financially- support our own - 2 Thes 2:10

I. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO ONE ANOTHER

A. WE ARE TO "LOVE ONE ANOTHER"...

1. As commanded by Jesus - Jn 13:34-35 ; 15:12,17

2. As taught by Paul - Ro 13:8 ; 1 Th 4:9

3. As instructed by Peter - 1 Pe 1:22

4. As stressed by John - 1 Jn 3:11 (note v.12), 23; 4:7,11-12;

2 Jn 5

-- But how are we to express such love? Other passages can

provide the answer...

B. HOW WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER...

1. We are to "receive one another" - Ro 15:7

2. We are to "edify another" - Ro 14:19

3. We are to "serve one another" - Ga 5:13

4. We are to "bear one another's burdens" - Ga 6:1-2

5. We are to be "forgiving one another" - Ep 4:32

6. We are to be "submitting to one another" - Ep 5:21

7. We are to "exhort one another" - He 3:12-13

8. We are to "consider one another" - He 10:24-25

9. We are to be "hospitable to one another" - 1 Pe 4:8-10

But how well are we doing? To stimulate our thinking and help us re-examine how well we are fulfilling our obligations to one another,

consider the following questions...]

II. EVALUATING OUR ROLE AS OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER

A. WHEN ONE BECOMES A BROTHER...

1. Do we receive them into the family of God, or ignore them?

- Ro 15:7

a. Are they properly assimilated in the family life of the

congregation?

b. Do they remain on the fringe?

-- If we do not even know their names, we can be sure that we

are failing as our brother's keeper!

2. Do we edify them, or put stumbling blocks in their way?

- Ro 14:19

a. As individuals, are we "body-builders", encouraging the

members of the body?

b. Or are we like a cancer, weakening the members of the body

of Christ?

1) By our own example

2) By our words, attitudes, etc.

-- It was said of Philemon that he refreshed the hearts of the

brethren; do people say the same of us?

3. Do we submit to them, or arrogantly rule over them? - Ep 5:21

4. Do we serve them in love, or expect them to serve us?

- Ga 5:13

5. Do we demonstrate hospitality to them? - 1 Pe 4:8-10

a. By visiting them in their need?

b. By inviting them into your home (or accepting invitations

to their home)?

B. WHEN A BROTHER IS OVERTAKEN IN A FAULT...

1. Do we even consider them? - He 10:24-25

a. Are we even aware of who they are?

b. Are we ignorant of their problems? If so, why?

1) Maybe it is because we don't assemble enough ourselves

2) We may "wonder about them", but that is not sufficient!

c. Do they drift away, with no one making an effort to reach

them?

2. Do we exhort them, lest they become hardened by sin? - He 3:

12-14

a. Or are we afraid to confront them, for fear of running them

away?

1) If we truly love them and approach them with humility,

they are not likely to run away

2) If they do, they are running away from God, not you!

b. Remember, such exhortation is to be daily! Perhaps we wait

too long...

3. Are we willing to bear their burdens? - Ga 6:1-2

a. So as to help them overcome and become stronger

b. Or do we rather not be bothered?

4. Are we quick to forgive them when they repent? - Ep 4:32

a. Fear of not being forgiven and accepted back into the

family may keep some from repenting and returning to the

fold

b. Do we communicate a willingness to accept with open arms

and offer complete forgiveness?

CONCLUSION

1. How we answer such questions may reveal how well or poorly we are...

a. Fulfilling our responsibility to be our brother's keeper

b. Living up to the one responsibility we have that includes all

others: to love one another as Christ loved us - Jn 13:34-35

2. If we have failed to be our brother's keeper, we need to...

a. Repent of our lack of concern, our inactivity, or whatever has

hindered us

b. Confess our shortcomings in this area to God

c. Resolve to apply with zeal these "one another" passages!

Are you your brother's keeper? Are you even identified with a

congregation whereby you can be a working member who both cares for

those in the family, and is cared for by them?

I hope this study has stimulated your thinking about responsibilities

you have toward your brethren in Christ...