One Another

Text: Romans 12:9-13

 

I.         We are an individualistic society, but we recognize the need to work together to achieve goals.

            A.        We form companies to manufacture goods

            B.        We have governments to coordinate society

            C.        There are aspects of Christianity that I am responsible for as an individual, but it is also a joint effort

                        1.         Jesus built his church - Matthew 16:18

                        2.         The church isn’t an individual but a group working together - Ephesians 4:1-3

                        3.         Notice the phrase “forebear” or “tolerate” in Ephesians 4:3 and in Colossians 3:13

                                    a.         “The apostle Paul admonished the believers to tolerate and love each other and to have a forgiving attitude toward each other. If believers cannot endure the small drawbacks and irritations of everyday life, how shall they endure the great trials (sickness, persecution, death) when they come?” [The Complete Biblical Library].

                                    b.         Christianity is about our relationships with each other.

                        4.         We are working together to cause each of us to grow - Ephesians 4:16

II.        The key is love

            A.        Without love, the things we do are worthless - I Corinthians 13:1-3

            B.        Jesus commands that we love one another - John 13:34-35

                        1.         This is our distinguishing mark that we are following Christ

                        2.         Our relationship is critical

            C.        Through our love, we serve one another - Galatians 5:13-15

                        1.         Without it, we turn on each other. Looking for and find faults.

III.       We live in harmony

            A.        Be devoted to one another, give preference to each other - Romans 12:10

                        1.         I like how the ESV renders the last phrase as “Outdo one another in showing honor.”

                        2.         The verb proegeomai means to outdo or lead the way

                        3.         This is not a passive attitude

            B.        We have an equal attitude toward all our brethren - Romans 12:16

            C.        We accept each other - Romans 15:7

            D.        We greet each other when we meet - Romans 16:16

            E.        No relationship is perfect, because we are not perfect. However, we are kind, sympathetic, and forgiving to each other - Ephesians 4:32

IV.      We worship together

            A.        We sing together - Ephesians 5:19

            B.        We put each other’s preferences before our own - Ephesians 5:21

            C.        We pray for each other - James 5:15

            D.        We remember together - I Corinthians 10:16-17

V.        We encourage each other

            A.        We strengthen and lift each other up in the face of potential discouragement

            B.        We need such to grow - I Thessalonians 5:11

            C.        Without it, we might become hardened to sin. We might drift away - Hebrews 3:12-14

            D.        We stir each other up - Hebrews 10:23-25

VI.      How can we think that the church is not needed or that coming together is optional?

            A.        Pride might cause you to think you don’t need help, but that doesn’t make it true

            B.        God designed Christianity around communities of believers who work together and help each other. God knows what He is doing.

            C.        If you love God, you must also love your brethren - I John 4:21

VII.     Let us take care of one another and don’t neglect the gift God has given us in the church

Based on an article by Doy Moyer, “The Importance of One Another.”