The Family of God

Text: Ephesians 2:19-22

 

I.         Our relationship to other Christians

            A.        Members of one family - Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 8:16-17; Luke 8:19-21

            B.        Members of one body - I Corinthians 12:12-27

            C.        A fellowship - Acts 2:42; I John 1:1-4

II.        What we owe our brethren

            A.        Treat as you want to be treated - Matthew 7:12

            B.        Love - John 13:34-35; I John 4:7-12, 19-20

                        1.         As Christ loved us - John 15:12; I John 3:16

                        2.         Sincere love - I Peter 1:22

                        3.         Love shown when challenging - I Corinthians 13:4-8

            C.        Forgiveness

                        1.         Critical to our forgiveness - Matthew 6:14-15

                        2.         As Christ forgave us - Colossians 3:13

                        3.         No limits - Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 17:4

                        4.         Given because there is a change

            D.        Help - I Thessalonians 5:14-15

                        1.         Bear each others burdens - Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:4

                        2.         Physical needs - Acts 4:32-35; Matthew 25:34-46

                        3.         Emotional needs - Romans 12:15

                        4.         Illness - James 5:14-16

                        5.         Sin - James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1

            E.        Encouragement - I Timothy 5:1-2; Hebrews 10:23-25

            F.        Impartiality - Proverbs 28:21; James 2:1-4

            G.        Hospitality - Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:1-2

III.       Preserve Unity

            A.        Pleasant, peaceful - Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-3; Romans 14:19

            B.        Discord is a sin - Proverbs 6:16-19

            C.        Peacemakers - James 3:13-18; Matthew 5:9

            D.        Working together, like minded - Philippians 1:27; 2:1-3

IV.      Causes of Discord

            A.        Gossip - Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; 16:28; 17:4

            B.        Anger - Proverbs 16:32; Ephesians 4:26; James 1:19-20

            C.        Self-willed (“me first”) - I Corinthians 13:5; James 3:17

            D.        Unkind words - Proverbs 15:1; 21:23; Ephesians 4:31

V.        Settling disputes - Matthew 18:15-17

            A.        Seek reconciliation - Matthew 5:23-24; Leviticus 19:17

                        1.         It is what God did for us - Romans 5:8; II Corinthians 5:19

            B.        If it fails, seek out help

            C.        If that fails, ask the church for help - I Corinthians 6:1-8

            D.        Goal is to get a brother out of sin with the least embarrassment to the sinner.

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