Blessing of Brethren

GROWING IN CHRIST

The Blessing of Brethren

We are in the midst of a study concerning how to grow in Christ. We have noted numerous things that will promote this growth including developing a proper attitude, “spiritual indicators” and the need to confront our enemy. Today, we want to focus on a major source of strength in this growth – our brethren.

When it comes to spiritual growth, the world doesn’t care about you. In fact there are many who are counting on you to fail for their well being and they will not hesitate to put obstacles in your way. Yet, what is somewhat baffling is how we will ALLOW them to become such a strong influence in our lives. Paul told us to not “give place to the devil”, yet we regularly find ourselves giving place to his servants. If you are truly interested in growing in Christ as you ought to, you will seek opportunities to be with those who want you to grow also – and that is the church you are a part of.

I. The Lord’s Church

A. What is the church?

a. Defined – in the New Testament, the Greek word translated church (ekklesia) is a compound word which means, “a calling out” (Strong’s).
Thayer defines the word as “a gathering of citizens called out of their homes into some public place, an assembly”
In this definition we glean some idea of what is intended in the word church – it is NOT a building, but those who comprise the group. While the word was commonly used and had reference to various types of assemblies (i.e. Acts 19:39, 41) whenever the word “church” is used in the New Testament it almost universally has reference to Christians. Those called out of the world and into a relationship with Christ.
Louw and Nida’s Greek-English Lexicon, in describing this word note that it “may readily be described as a ‘gathering of believers’ or ‘group of those who trust in Christ’”.
We could spend an entire lesson developing what the church is, but what I want us to understand in this lesson is that the church is those who make up the body of Christ, whether universally or locally in a specific congregation such as this one. In other words, WE are the church – and what we are determines what the church will be.

b.          It is the body of Christ
Ephesians 1:22-23 – God gave Him to be head over all things to the church which is His body.
Matthew 16:18 – Jesus referred to it as, “My church”
As you study the New Testament you will find that you cannot separate your relationship with Christ from His church.   If you are in Him, you are in His church.
1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…”. It is baptism that puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:27) and consequently into His church.   In this sense, IF you are saved you are in His church – we often refer to this as the universal church.
But the word “church” is also used in another sense – a local congregation. This is a group of brethren who meet in a specified location to work together and to worship God according to His pattern. Much time could be spent describing what is involved in its organization, work, identity and worship, all of which are defined in the New Testament. But what we want to notice is how the local church can help us to grow in Christ.

B. The church and edification

a. The work of a local church can be summarized in four categories – worshipping God, evangelism, limited benevolence and edification. We want to address edification.

b. Edification is defined as, “the act of building, building up… In the N.T. metaphorically… the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, happiness.” (Thayer). It is actually a construction term. Basically edification is growing in Him.

c. The New Testament often speaks of the church being edified. What that means is that the church is built up. Remember that the church is brethren – US who are in Christ. So as the church is built up, WE are built up.
Ephesians 4:11-12, God established various leaders (some in its infancy, and others still today) in the church “for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” Actually, Paul is saying the saints are equipped to serve so that the body of Christ will be built up.
1 Corinthians 14:12, 26 – let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. In this text, Paul speaks of spiritual gifts that were being abused. He admonishes them that when they came together it ought to be to build up one another.

C. I believe that God provided the church primarily for this purpose – to help us grow. In other words, we NEED the church and she needs us.
NOTE: A strong church will strengthen its members. But the church is only as strong as its members. So your involvement in the church will have a direct bearing on its growth and consequently your growth within it.
Ephesians 4:15-16 – as every part of the body does its share, the body grows “for the edifying of itself in love”
My point is this – the church is our brethren and we NEED each other to grow

II. The Blessing of Brethren

A. Paul was thankful to God for his brethren -
As you read his letters you find one who cherished his brethren above anything else. Think about it – from a worldly standpoint he had it all, but he walked away from it – and you find no regret. Instead he looks as what he has now and he thanks God daily – Consider Philippians 1:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4.
Speaking to His disciples who had sacrificed so much for Him, Jesus promised in Mark 10:29-30 that while we might have to give up many things in this life, we will receive “a hundred fold” what we give up. I believe this is fulfilled in our brethren.
Do we really appreciate our brethren as we ought to?

B. Brethren are likeminded –
This is what makes them such a blessing. While the world wallows in its own misery and sorrows, progressing in its own selfish motives, our brethren think like we do, on a different plane. While those of the world “think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation speaking evil of you”, (1 Peter 4:4), our brethren stand behind us and with us. They relate to each one another in a way that the world does not understand. Why?

a. We know this world is not our home (1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13-16).

b. We have similar goals – we want to go to heaven when this life is over –
Romans 8:18 – the sufferings of this life are nothing to be compared with the glory that awaits
1 Peter 1:3-4 speaks of our inheritance incorruptible and undefiled reserved in heaven for us

AND we want to take as many with us as we possibly can (2 Corinthians 5:11; Acts 26:29; Romans 10:1)

c. We have similar values – knowing what is right and what is wrong. We don’t approve of those living their lives filled with sin (Romans 1:32), we strive to do the right thing always, we don’t live immoral lives, etc.

d. We share the same struggles, etc. We all have to deal with temptation and sin. Together we endure hardships and persecutions that come because of our faith.

e. We understand each other. From time to time we have differences, but we always keep in mind that we are brethren, A FAMILY, and we act with kindness (Ephesians 4:1-3; Philippians 2:1-4)

f. Brethren, we OUGHT to cherish time with each other – in attendance, on other occasions and look for opportunities to share with one another.

C. Brethren are a source of encouragement –at times we all become discouraged, especially in a hostile world. But true brethren are there for us.

a. We can turn to them in troubling times –
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – we comfort the fainthearted and uphold the weak
Romans 12:15 – we rejoice with them and weep with them

b. James 5:16 – even in sin we can confess our sins to one another and request prayers on our behalf.

c. They also encourage us when we are wrong to do the right thing – Galatians 6:1

D. Brethren are a source of strength

a. Advice – The world is full of advisors. Some of them are good (maybe most) but much of the advice we hear is worldly and contrary to what God would have us to do.
When we have questions we can turn to our brethren – and hopefully receive advice that is both good and godly.
God appointed the office of elder to lead a congregation – 1 Timothy 3:2-7 describe him as one who is mature, able to teach and not a novice. He is an experienced leader able to “convict those who contradict” Titus 1:9.
There are many within a church that have experienced troubles, often the very problems you are dealing with and they can give you advice.

b. Knowledge & wisdom - We have men and women who have faithfully served God for years and we can learn from them –
Titus 2:2-3 speaks of older men being examples and older women teaching younger women
Proverbs 1:8-9 – Just as a son should heed the instruction of his parents
Preachers and teachers guide you in the way you should go
When we have questions about where to find something in the Bible or what the Bible says about a specific topic, we can turn to our brethren who have studied and learned for years. Men and women who know how to rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

c. They pray for us and we pray for them – James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers”
2 Thessalonians 3:1 – Paul requests, “Brethren pray for us…”
Acts 12:5,12 – While Peter was in prison and in trouble, the church (brethren) were praying for him.

d. There for us when everyone else in the world leaves us – 2 Timothy 4:11 – Paul alone except for Luke.

E. Brethren are examples that inspire us
In most congregations you will find those who have “beaten the odds”. Those who have been in worse situations than you are in and they came through faithfully
There are brethren who have “been around” and they don’t just tell you what you ought to do, THEY SHOW YOU by the way they live.
The good example is expected of every Christian – Matthew 5:16 applies to Christians as well
1 Timothy 4:12 – Paul admonished Timothy to be a proper example to “the believers”

F. We care about each other – this is what it all boils down to.
We love each other with a love that goes beyond that commanded (agape) love.
Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love…”
Hebrews 13:1 – we are to let this love continue in our lives.

G. These are some of the examples of the blessings of brethren. I am certain that others could be added to these. And I realize that at times, just like the world our brethren let us down.
Sometimes brethren can be the source of our problems.
But in such cases, we still have God’s word. And we have the responsibility to “step up to the plate” and be the brethren THEY NEED! One of the remarkable things about Paul was his resolve to be like that – spend and be spent – 2 Corinthians 12:15
And I have been around look enough to realize that these are usually the exception rather than the rule.

It is my hope that in this lesson the importance of the church in our lives has been stressed. Because when you think of brethren, you think of the church. Often I hear someone ask, “Do I have to go to church every time the doors are open?” It truly bothers me that one who claims to put God first would even THINK along those lines. When we assemble together to worship God we are WITH OUR BRETHREN! If we truly desire to grow in Him, such questions wouldn’t even enter your mind.