Sunday, July 17, 2016 am
OTHERS (24)
The Blessing of Brethren (1)
This year we have been addressing the impact of our lives as Christians
on others. Last week we
began a study of what the Bible teaches us about being brethren.
We demonstrated how the church is the family God with us being
brethren and our need to act like it.
We noted that 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 calls for us to function as
a body. Paul’s point is that
EVERY part is important and needs each other.
We need to appreciate how we are the body of Christ and members
individually (1 Cor. 12:27).
However, there seemed to be a problem with that at Corinth.
Notice that Paul has to say this because they were NOT
functioning as a body.
He gives illustrations of “parts” that think they don’t need the rest of
the body (because the foot says it is not a hand – 1 Cor. 12:15-16), and
other “parts” that refuse to function because they are not the part they
wanted to be (12:21).
And he notes that is NOT how we are supposed to function.
Yet
how often do brethren fail to appreciate what it means to be part of a
brotherhood? Do we find
ourselves thinking we don’t need the church?
In this lesson we want to notice some blessings associated with
being brethren.
Paul was thankful for his brethren. Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4,
Philippians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:3 where he thanks God
for Timothy and Philemon 4, where he is thankful for Philemon, etc.
Over and over Paul is grateful that he has brethren that he cares
for and cares for him. In
this oft repeated expression, we find Paul realizes what a blessing his
brethren really are. And as
we begin our study of our relationship to one another we want to remind
ourselves of some of these blessings.
a.
Scriptures calls for us
to be likeminded – Philippians 2:1-2, Romans 12:16 – we are to be of the
same mind toward one another.
Paul’s desire was that this like-minded attitude prevail (Romans 15:5)
Philippians 2:20, as Paul sends Timothy to these brethren, he can do so
with confidence because, “I have
no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.”
b.
This can be a blessing
because we are dealing with those who we can relate to – we
should have the same worldview and mindset.
The foundation of our very existence our appeal to the same
standard.
It is imperative that we are of like mind in how we establish authority
for what we do.
WHEN these things are present, this likeminded attitude becomes the
ligaments that join us together. Colossians
2:18-19 warns us to not be cheated out of our reward by practicing error
with those who fail to hold fast to Christ the Head of the body, “nourished
and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that
is from God.”
c.
When I look at the way
this world is falling apart and how bitterly we are divided (which is a
product of ungodly attitudes and views), I need to step back and realize
that there is a place where I can find refuge from that hate – it is my
brethren. We come together
because of this. We
understand each other and can relate to one another.
That IS a blessing from God!
a.
At times we all become
discouraged. Again we look
at the times we are in and how as nation (and world) we are becoming
increasingly more ungodly.
It seems hopeless. Even in
the religious world, we see troubling times with compromise and
rejection of God’s word.
b.
The word translated
encourage in the New Testament (παρακαλέω,
parakaleō) means literally “to call to one’s side.”
The idea is to stand beside someone when they need it.
It is related to comforting, consolation, being there for them,
exhorting and cheering them up.
c.
But God has given us
brethren as a source of encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 calls for us to comfort and edify one
another. Vs. 14 calls for us
to comfort the fainthearted.
Hebrews 12:12 we strengthen the hands that hang down.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul speaks of the comfort we find in God and with
which we are to comfort one another.
d.
Paul was often
encouraged by brethren (Philippians 2:19) and he sought to encourage
them (Colossians 2:2, 1 Thess. 3:2 – Timothy sent).
Romans 1:11-12 summarizes this, “For
I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that
you may be established—that is, that I may be encouraged together with
you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”
e.
This is again a blessing
to us BECAUSE we are like-minded and because we care about each other as
we ought to (loving one another).
a.
Inspiration is often
used to describe God’s word being delivered by Him (2 Tim. 3:16).
But in our modern day it is also used to describe one who is
moved or stirred up to act in a productive way.
While the word is not used that way in scripture, the idea is
there.
b.
The very idea of being
an example to one another portrays this idea.
Paul told Timothy to be an example to the believers in all areas
of life (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
In so doing, he would save himself and those who heard him.
Matthew 5:16 – we our light shines, people see our good works and
glorify God.
Hebrews 10:24, we are to
consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
c.
Romans 10:14, at times
Paul acted to provoke to jealousy his brethren in hopes that he would
win some.
2 Corinthians 9:2, Paul used the commitment of the Corinthians to stir
up others to give.
d.
Peter wrote his letter
to stir up these brethren by reminding them (2 Peter 1:13).
Later he would say he writes to stir up their pure minds (3:1).
e.
We have all heard the
stories of someone whose example kept someone else going.
We have seen those who have “beaten the odds” in spite of their
circumstances. We see godly
men and women with maturity to deal with doctrinal and moral matters.
Those whose faith we seek to
follow (cf. Hebrews 13:7) because of what they are.
When we are actively part of the Lord’s body, our brethren can become a
great source of inspiration to us. Like
Paul in Philippians 1:12-14 whose suffering had cause most of the
brethren to become confident and “much
more bold to speak the word of God without fear”. What a blessing
that is.
a.
We sometimes don’t want
to think about this, but it is needed.
b.
The world and the
worldly (even within the Lord’s body) will let you do whatever you want
for the most part. But is
that really what is best when you are doing the wrong thing?
Is it even the RIGHT thing to do?
HONESTLY – we know better than that!
c.
In His wisdom, God has
blessed us with brethren who will help us do what is right – by guiding
us and correcting us when it is needed.
This is taught throughout the New Testament.
Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:19-20.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 calls for us to warn the unruly as well as comfort
the fainthearted.
We are told in Hebrews 12:5-12 not to despise the chastening of the
Lord. It is for our
own good.
Matthew 18:15-17 gives the process of dealing with a sinning brother.
Even the goal of withdrawing from a sinful brother has this in mind – 1
Corinthians 5:4-7.
d.
Rather than seeing
brethren who are coming to you with their concerns as a curse or
troubling, think of it as the blessing God intends for it to be.
1 Corinthians 5:5 -
notice the goal of discipline.
a.
From time to time we all
need help! Sometimes it is the spiritual struggles.
At other times, we need help physically in various ways.
Our society knows that we help with many things – addictions,
legal troubles, family problems, etc.
Sometimes the help offered (and advertised) is genuine, but at
other times it is very self-serving (I think of litigious lawyers,
unscrupulous lenders, etc.).
Even repairs at home, trying to find someone you trust is a challenge
(unless you already know them).
Sometimes the help offered only addresses symptoms rather than
the real problems. Such is
the nature of “help” in this world.
b.
Our brethren are a
genuine source of help. They care
about us and there for us – both spiritually and physically.
And we ought to care about them and be there for them.
There are many examples in scripture of brethren being there for each
other – Acts 4:32-37, 11:27-30 where brethren in Antioch determined to
help brethren in Judea.
c.
Romans 12:10-15
describes some of the things we do for each other.
In Galatians 6:1-2, we are concerned about their spiritual welfare, and
in that (and perhaps in other matters) we are to bear one another’s
burdens (a word that means a heavy load).
James 2:14-17 describes how genuine faith and love will care for others.
We have brothers, mothers, sisters and houses, etc.
Mark 10:29-30.
Galatians 6:10, as we have opportunity, we do good for all, especially
our brethren.
d.
Of course, we should not
take advantage of our brethren, as in using our liberties as an
opportunity for the flesh (Galatians 5:13), but nevertheless, we are to
be here for one another and willing to help each other.
We have brethren here who will do whatever they can for you!
That is a genuine blessing of brethren.
Next week we will continue this study by noticing some more blessings
associated with being brethren.
In reality we are introducing SOME of the “one another” concepts
we are going to be studying, but I want us to know up front that we need
each other and that needs to be central in our lives as Christians.