Sunday, April 17, 2016 am
OTHERS 2016
Be an Example (6)
The Christian and His Brethren
We
are in the midst of a study emphasizing how we are to be examples in
every aspect of our lives.
Thus far we have noticed how we are to be an example in the work place,
in affairs with our government, within society, including our online
influence. Today we want to
focus on our example toward our brethren.
In
this lesson, I will probably say nothing new to most of you.
But this is a crucial factor in our lives as Christians – that we
need to be reminded of continually.
So let’s talk about our example as brethren.
a.
Since you represent
Christ at all times, whether you are acting as the Lord’s church
collectively, or simply as a Christian, you must realize that your
behavior reflects on His church that you profess to be a part of.
b.
Remember that we are the
body of Christ – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and He is head (Eph. 1:22-23).
Our conduct reflects on His body at all times.
c.
Many are turned off by
hypocrisy – right or wrong, it is a fact.
And hypocrisy is condemned – for this among other reasons.
d.
Romans 2:24 (cf. 2
Samuel 12:13-14) – is His name blasphemed by our behavior?
e.
Realize that at no time
should our responsibilities as Christians conflict with our
responsibilities to the Lord’s church, including the local congregation
we are part of. The point
is that the various areas of our example are not contradictory to one
another. They can
complement each other if that is our desire.
f.
And you SHOULD be part
of a local church! You need
it and we need it.
a.
We are to function as a
body – this requires that we be working together.
Our example toward each other is crucial in this.
1 Cor. 12:12-27. When
we think about functioning as a body, we are working together – we are
seeking to build each other up (the idea of edification is about
building up the body - Ephesians
4:16). Working together
without schism (12:25) implies that we are proper examples to one
another as we function. 1
Thess. 5:11 – we are called to comfort and edify one another, as we are
doing. When you are not
seeking to be a proper example to your brethren – that task becomes
virtually impossible to accomplish.
b.
Philippians 2:3-4 – our
theme text for the year – esteem others better than yourself, AND
looking out for the interest of others, BOTH include being a proper
example.
c.
1 Timothy 4:12 – Timothy
as a preacher was to be an example to the believers in every aspect of
his life (we addressed the areas in our introductory lesson to being an
example).
d.
The apostles were
examples to the brethren – 2 Thess. 3:9, Phil. 3:17.
We are to follow their examples (even in the matter of being
examples).
e.
Elders are to be
examples – 1 Peter 5:3
f.
Rom. 12:10 – in honor
giving preference to one another (ESV, “Outdo one another in showing
honor”). Whatever the proper
rendition of this passage, it calls for us to consider our brethren and
how our conduct affects them as we act.
g.
1 Thess. 1:7 – they
became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe, not just to
unbelievers.
h.
Paul’s example caused
brethren in Philippi to be bold.
Philippians 1:12-14, most brethren became confident in his
chains.
i.
Peter played the
hypocrite – Galatians 2:11-14 – Peter was to be blamed as he carried
away others in his sinful behavior.
j.
1 Corinthians 5:6 – a
little leaven leavens the whole lump. Paul’s
emphasis is that our influence (i.e. example) can affect others.
More on the specifics of this in a moment.
a.
The importance of the
church to us
i.
We have established in
this lesson that we are the body of Christ and we ought to function as a
body. What are you doing to
be an example?
ii.
What do I contribute to her? 1 Cor. 16:1-2 – we are to give as we have prospered.
2 Cor. 9:6-7 notes that we ought to give cheerfully.
Yet this is interesting because our giving ought not to be to draw
attention to ourselves (cf. Matt. 6:1-4).
But your example WILL be evident in what the church is able to
do.
iii.
And it’s not just money – our giving involves our time, support and resources.
These matters ARE visible to others (at least as a whole and over
time).
iv.
How is my attendance in worship? – Heb. 10:24-25 – considering and exhorting one
v.
Making our participation and leading about others
– 1 Corinthians 14:12 – let it be for the edification of the church that
you seek to excel. 14:20 – do not be children in understanding, but in
malice be babes (context shows this dealing with our participating in
worship)
14:26 – use your gifts for edification.
b.
Maintaining doctrinal
purity –
Galatians 5:9 – a little leaven influences the whole lump.
Paul has been dealing with false teaching and warns about its
influence (see. 1:6-9).
We need to be examples in standing up for truth (remember again
the rebuke of Peter in Gal. 2:11-14).
We need to be examples in resisting and exposing error - In Gal. 2:4-5
dealing with false teachers, Paul noted they did not yield even for an
hour!
Rev. 2:13-16 – the church at Pergamos had those holding to false
teachings in their midst (we are not they were teaching these things,
but they believed and practiced error).
Rev. 2:19-22 – the church at Thyatria had good works, but they allowed
false teachers to teach and were called upon to repent.
Peter’s warning about false teachers – 2 Peter 3:17.
2:1-2 speaks of false teachers brining in their error and how
many will FOLLOW their destructive ways.
Eph. 5:11 – have no fellowship with their unfruitful works, rather
expose them!
c.
Moral purity – here we are emphasizing moral purity within the body itself.
Are we tolerating immorality in our midst?
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – we are reminded that the congregation is the
temple of God where the Spirit of God dwells.
We are to NOT defile it.
Paul in this epistle will note several examples of how it is
defiled.
1 Cor. 5:6 – a little leaven – your conduct affects your brethren, for
good or bad. The church was
tolerating impurity (i.e. adultery) and no one was challenging it (vs.
1-2).
d.
In dealing with
discipline
– Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus gave us a pattern to deal with a brother
overtaken in sin.
Sadly, this could involve reaching a point where we must withdraw from
one.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 14 tell us to withdraw from the brother who walks
disorderly. We are not to
keep company with such.
WHY was there the leaven if impurity in Corinth?
1 Cor. 5:6 – one of the causes was their failure to properly
discipline. This is why Paul
warns them to deal with the sin in their midst (1 Cor. 5:4-7).
1 Cor. 5:11 notes that we are to sever ties with those caught in
ungodliness.
e.
Even in dealing with
differences about which I might have the right to act, I must think of
my brother -
i.
In Romans 14:19 Paul
challenged these brethren to pursue those things that make for peace and
lead to edification. Romans
15:1-2. In this text, we are
to consider our “neighbor” which includes our brethren who are
struggling with differences (in matters of liberty -Romans 14).
It is imperative that we conduct ourselves properly in such
things. It is equally imperative
that our conduct does not provoke others toward sin.
Rom. 14:13 calls for us to resolve that we will not put a
stumbling block in our brother’s way.
Also note vs. 15 & 20 – we do not destroy our brother for
self-serving reasons.
ii.
Concerning the
Corinthians, Paul addresses the way they treated each other and how he
acted.
1) Notice how he dealt with them by being completely transparent and an
example lest they have cause to accuse him.
2 Corinthians 1:12 – they conducted themselves in simplicity and
godly sincerity, not only for the world, but more abundantly toward
them. 2 Corinthians 11:9 –
he was a burden to no one – vs. 12 He would continue to be that way to
cut off opportunity for critics.
(2 Thess. 3:7-8 – similarly, in Thessalonica they conducted themselves
so as not to be accused.)
iii.
Furthermore…Thinking
about how my conduct affects my brother – 1 Cor. 8:9-13, will I cause my
brother to stumble?
f.
“One another”
–
i.
Later this year we are
going to focus in great detail on how we are to treat each other.
The expression “one another” is used in more than 80 passages in
the NT. While some are
simply describing interaction between people, more than 50 of these
passages describe the way we are to treat (or not to treat) and think
about each other. MOST of
the usages in the epistles are
directed toward our interaction with one another.
In all of these, we find the importance of how we conduct
ourselves in the presence of our brethren.
ii.
Romans 12: 5 – we are
“members of one another”
Romans 12:10 - We are to be affectionate and prefer one another
Romans 12:16 – we are to be of the same mind toward one another
Ephesians 4:2 -bearing with one another in love
Galatians 5:13 – through love we are to be serving one another
1 Peter 3:8 – having compassion
Hebrews 10:24 – consider “one another”, etc.
(Later this year we are going to
engage in an extensive study of the phrase “one another”.
iii.
In all of these
expressions, we see the importance of being a godly example to our
brethren. They cannot be
fully executed without thinking about how our conduct affects others.