1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,700 Why are we here? Why are each one of us here 2 00:00:03,700 --> 00:00:05,400 assembled in this building tonight? 3 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,300 And I asked us this to hopefully give us pause because certainly, 4 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:12,200 there are many right answers. You know, we're here because 5 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,700 Christ died for us and he instituted his church that we 6 00:00:14,700 --> 00:00:16,600 can read about Matthew 16 and 18. 7 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:21,000 We're here because we're members of that church and that we want 8 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,400 to continued steadfastly in doctor and just as we see in 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:27,800 Acts chapter 2, we're also here because God has commanded very 10 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:30,600 expressways that we are to worship him which we can read 11 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,600 about in verses such as Corinthians chapter 11. 12 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:39,500 But well, does some of the things that we didn't look at in 13 00:00:39,500 --> 00:00:42,100 that list? You know, there's lots of people 14 00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:44,900 throughout this world today who are assembled in churches, 15 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:48,100 similar to ours. But there for there for entirely 16 00:00:48,100 --> 00:00:51,400 different reasons, unlike those men and women, we're not here 17 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:53,500 because of what the church physically offers us. 18 00:00:53,900 --> 00:00:56,800 We're not here because this building has, you know, a great 19 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:00,000 band behind me. We're not here because we have a 20 00:01:00,008 --> 00:01:02,900 great day care program, because we have a giant gymnasium back 21 00:01:02,900 --> 00:01:04,700 behind us, and on a more personal. 22 00:01:04,900 --> 00:01:08,300 So now, getting back to our actual topic, we're not here 23 00:01:08,300 --> 00:01:11,700 because we necessarily like the other members of this building 24 00:01:12,100 --> 00:01:13,600 now certainly, we hope that's the case. 25 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,900 And that's something we want to grow and Foster, but I think as 26 00:01:16,900 --> 00:01:19,500 we can see our work, here is the church. 27 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,400 It's not at all contingent upon our personal feelings. 28 00:01:23,300 --> 00:01:25,900 It doesn't matter if we love the person sitting next to us or in 29 00:01:25,900 --> 00:01:28,300 front of us, and it doesn't matter if there's a person 30 00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:30,900 across the aisle, that we may not be able to stand be around. 31 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:35,000 We still have the same obligation to that person, 32 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:38,300 regardless of our feelings because they're a fellow member 33 00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:41,100 of the, body of Christ. But what exactly is our 34 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:44,400 responsibility to one another? What does the Bible have to say 35 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,900 about those relationships and fortunately, for us gods, made 36 00:01:47,900 --> 00:01:51,200 it pretty simple. The phrase one another, that 37 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,300 we've mentioned as it pertains to our relationships with those 38 00:01:53,300 --> 00:01:55,900 around us. And Christ, it's used almost 100 39 00:01:55,900 --> 00:01:56,600 times throughout the New Testament. 40 00:01:56,607 --> 00:01:59,700 And obviously, we're not going to go through every one of those 41 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:03,300 settings tonight, but I think there's a couple overall 42 00:02:03,300 --> 00:02:07,000 overarching themes that we can apply in our relationships with 43 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,199 one another. If we want the church to be what 44 00:02:09,199 --> 00:02:12,000 it needs to be. And before I even list those 45 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:15,500 three categories, I do want to interject our relationships with 46 00:02:15,500 --> 00:02:18,400 our fellow Christians are never going to be what they need to be 47 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,000 unless our Should ship with God as correct, first of all. 48 00:02:22,900 --> 00:02:26,300 But be that as it may, I think the easiest place to start like 49 00:02:26,300 --> 00:02:28,200 I said is with three overall categories. 50 00:02:28,700 --> 00:02:33,200 The first and second are pretty simple, what not to do, what to 51 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:37,700 do for our brothers and sisters and the third is more of, how 52 00:02:37,700 --> 00:02:40,500 can we help each other get to heaven what spiritual 53 00:02:40,500 --> 00:02:42,500 responsibilities do? I have to my brothers and 54 00:02:42,500 --> 00:02:45,300 sisters in Christ but let's start with the first. 55 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:47,000 Like I said, it's probably the simplest. 56 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,000 I mean, I'll all it is really is avoiding certain In things. 57 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,100 But it's still very, very important. 58 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:55,800 We can't expect any of our relationships to be what they 59 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,300 ought to be tonight by divine intervention or some form of 60 00:02:59,300 --> 00:03:01,700 magic. It's going to take work, it's 61 00:03:01,700 --> 00:03:04,000 going to take effort. Look at Galatians, five and 62 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,100 twenty six and we'll start here. Let us not become conceited. 63 00:03:08,100 --> 00:03:10,200 Provoking one, another envying, one. 64 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,700 Another. Now, if you were to go back and 65 00:03:12,700 --> 00:03:15,600 read the first few sections of this chapter, you'll see the 66 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:17,900 Paul's really been discussing the fruits of the spirit. 67 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:22,900 He's been discussing what it means to walk in the spirit, how 68 00:03:22,900 --> 00:03:25,700 our Christian lives are supposed to be spent the way God wants 69 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:28,700 them to be spent. So really, as a base Foundation 70 00:03:28,700 --> 00:03:30,000 of everything we discussed today. 71 00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:34,700 It's our hearts, everything starts here, Proverbs 23, and 72 00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:38,200 verse 7. As a man thinks in his heart, so 73 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:42,500 is he And our hearts need to view fellow Christians the same 74 00:03:42,500 --> 00:03:46,100 way Christ does read Ephesians 5 and 25. 75 00:03:46,300 --> 00:03:49,700 Husbands love your wives. Even as Christ also loved the 76 00:03:49,700 --> 00:03:54,800 church and gave himself for her Christ, gave himself for his 77 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,400 Organization for his church. He gave everything. 78 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,200 He had to sanctify and to establish it. 79 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,300 So who do we think we are to treat its members with contempt 80 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:08,800 with disrespect? And Romans, 5:8 says, not only 81 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:12,400 did Christ do this, but he did it for us while we were still 82 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:15,600 Sinners, he died for those who hated him. 83 00:04:16,500 --> 00:04:19,800 So our attitude towards our brothers and sisters, it 84 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:21,399 honestly should be irrelevant to anything. 85 00:04:21,399 --> 00:04:24,800 They say anything they think or even anything that they do. 86 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:28,000 It doesn't matter who they are, it doesn't matter what their 87 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:31,100 attitude is towards us. We still are commanded to 88 00:04:31,100 --> 00:04:33,900 practice that same love toward them that Christ has for us. 89 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:38,400 And thinking for me, you know, maybe it'd be easier to have 90 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:42,000 this attitude if I stopped and actually thought about who those 91 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,700 members are. If I stop thinking of them in 92 00:04:44,700 --> 00:04:48,300 negative ways, but in still, maybe instead may be remembered 93 00:04:48,300 --> 00:04:51,600 that they are fellow Christians that their souls, their people 94 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,500 who are trying, just the way I am. 95 00:04:53,900 --> 00:04:56,300 And there's someone that Christ died for just as he did me. 96 00:04:57,300 --> 00:05:00,100 I'm not anything special. I'm not better than they are. 97 00:05:00,100 --> 00:05:01,200 We're not better than each other. 98 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:05,300 We're just different And we need God's love and grace just as 99 00:05:05,300 --> 00:05:06,900 much as the person sitting next to us. 100 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:13,200 No exceptions. So again, do we think of other 101 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,400 people as souls or people that Christ died for? 102 00:05:16,100 --> 00:05:18,200 And I want to interject that this lesson really isn't for you 103 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,200 all tonight. It's another refresher for 104 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:23,800 myself because these are the kinds of things that it's it's 105 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,300 difficult for me. I like to check a box and be 106 00:05:26,300 --> 00:05:29,800 done with it, but it's hard to view people the way Christ does. 107 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,000 Now, of course, it matters of error, we don't accept people as 108 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:37,500 they are, we don't brush sin under the rug but we still have 109 00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:40,100 an obligation to always, always always speak. 110 00:05:40,100 --> 00:05:44,500 The truth in love Ephesians 4 and 15 and if we can't address 111 00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:48,500 are in love, then I want to submit to you that you might 112 00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:52,200 want to get someone else to address that are Or you sin as 113 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,900 well and you may run the risk of doing more damage than good to 114 00:05:54,900 --> 00:05:58,200 the Lord's body pushing people away, rather than bringing them 115 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,700 back to Christ. So, back to Galatians, 5 and 26, 116 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:05,500 don't provoke one, another meaning, don't look for ways to 117 00:06:05,500 --> 00:06:08,500 stir up anger. Don't look for ways to point out 118 00:06:08,500 --> 00:06:12,100 negative emotions and our fellow Christians and Paul addresses 119 00:06:12,100 --> 00:06:15,200 where, so many of those things started with Envy. 120 00:06:16,500 --> 00:06:19,200 Maybe we feel that there's someone who were jealous of, 121 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,300 maybe they're getting more attention than we think they 122 00:06:21,300 --> 00:06:24,700 ought to get. Or maybe we want, whatever it is 123 00:06:24,700 --> 00:06:28,600 that we perceive they have, we have to squelch that emotion 124 00:06:29,100 --> 00:06:34,500 right away, because if we don't, it's going to continue to build 125 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:36,500 until the next few verses that we talked about. 126 00:06:36,500 --> 00:06:39,200 We'll see. It has no place in our 127 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,400 relationships. We don't envy one another. 128 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:45,000 But instead we Rejoice with one, another Romans 12, and 15 129 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:49,700 Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, we 130 00:06:49,700 --> 00:06:52,200 need to be so connected to our fellow brothers and sisters. 131 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:54,900 That when one thing happens to them, we feel that emotion ride 132 00:06:54,900 --> 00:06:58,100 along with them. You know, do you ever think of 133 00:06:58,100 --> 00:07:01,200 us as a body, the Bible describes it that way multiple 134 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:05,800 multiple times. So when you go in the gym or 135 00:07:06,100 --> 00:07:08,100 maybe out in the yard, whatever it is, you're doing, if you go 136 00:07:08,100 --> 00:07:11,500 to lift a heavy weight with your left hand, if it's too much for 137 00:07:11,500 --> 00:07:13,700 that left hand to handle what happens. 138 00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:17,100 Well, immediately I'm going to bring my right hand in to try 139 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:20,200 and help support that weight. My right hand doesn't sit back 140 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:22,100 and think. Wow, I'm so glad I'm not the 141 00:07:22,100 --> 00:07:24,300 left hand right now. There's no way I could handle 142 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:27,800 that. No, it's an immediate response 143 00:07:28,100 --> 00:07:30,600 and in fact not only is my other hand going to come into play. 144 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:32,800 I'm probably going to start straightening and bending my 145 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:36,100 entire Body to support that weight and help that left hand 146 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:38,600 out. That should be the same that we 147 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:41,300 do for our fellow members in the body of Christ and it's a 148 00:07:41,300 --> 00:07:43,300 reflex. It's not something that we need 149 00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:44,600 to be thinking about and wondering. 150 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:46,200 OK, do I do this? Do I not? 151 00:07:46,500 --> 00:07:49,700 It needs to be instantaneous if we're going to be as connected 152 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:53,300 as Christ commands us to be First Corinthians 12, 26, and 153 00:07:53,308 --> 00:07:55,700 27. And if one member suffers all 154 00:07:55,700 --> 00:07:59,300 the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored all the 155 00:07:59,300 --> 00:08:02,500 members Rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ 156 00:08:02,500 --> 00:08:05,800 and members individually. So, now is the time for us to 157 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:09,100 start reaching out. And if you are the person who 158 00:08:09,700 --> 00:08:12,700 maybe you're the left-hand, who's hurting, don't think that 159 00:08:12,700 --> 00:08:15,100 you can't also be reaching out to other members who might also 160 00:08:15,100 --> 00:08:18,200 be hurting ever been working out in the yard and you cut both of 161 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:21,200 your hands. Well if you do, I'm still going 162 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:23,800 to be needing. Both my hands to bandage. 163 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,400 The other one. Ever tried to put a bandaid on 164 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:31,400 with the same hand doesn't work. Same thing goes for the body of 165 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:33,700 Christ, doesn't matter who's hurting or doesn't matter. 166 00:08:33,700 --> 00:08:35,799 If you're the one hurting, you can still reach out, you can 167 00:08:35,799 --> 00:08:38,600 still have an impact on your fellow members in Christ. 168 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:42,700 But again, what are we doing for one another? 169 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,900 It's up to us to answer that question. 170 00:08:45,900 --> 00:08:47,900 I'm moving back to Galatians back up. 171 00:08:47,900 --> 00:08:50,600 A few verses, to verse 15 of that. 172 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:53,700 Fifth chapter that we were already reading in the Apostle 173 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:57,400 Paul says, but if you bite and devour one, another beware lest 174 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:00,300 you be consumed by one. Another remember I mentioned 175 00:09:00,300 --> 00:09:03,400 there was a bigger consequence. Well, this is where Paul starts 176 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:06,100 to get into it. It starts in our heart but it's 177 00:09:06,100 --> 00:09:08,400 going to very quickly manifest itself in each one of our 178 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:11,200 actions. So Paul tells the Brethren here 179 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,800 and us, keep your actions in check. 180 00:09:14,100 --> 00:09:16,600 Pay attention, if you're going to be envious of one another, 181 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,800 the natural response is going to be bitterness. 182 00:09:19,900 --> 00:09:24,100 And that manifests itself in several ways biting or stinging, 183 00:09:24,100 --> 00:09:27,900 is this Greek word can also report refer to basically any 184 00:09:27,900 --> 00:09:30,700 sharp and deliberate pain. We go about inflicting on our 185 00:09:30,700 --> 00:09:33,800 brothers and sisters. And we might feel totally 186 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,900 justified and what we're doing they may very well have 187 00:09:36,900 --> 00:09:39,100 something that needs correction and something that needs to be 188 00:09:39,100 --> 00:09:41,800 addressed. But regardless of the reason 189 00:09:41,900 --> 00:09:46,000 again we're only authorized to speak to one another in love. 190 00:09:47,500 --> 00:09:50,100 We may be direct, we may admonish. 191 00:09:50,100 --> 00:09:54,000 When fact, we're commanded to a montage and rebuke but only out 192 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:57,900 of love, never with the intent to harm or to lash out. 193 00:09:58,900 --> 00:10:01,000 Now, the next thing Paul mentions here is devouring 194 00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:03,600 eating each other alive is what the connotation is. 195 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,200 So the bite and sting might start small but before long it's 196 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:09,700 going to escalate and it seems to me that Paul is really 197 00:10:09,700 --> 00:10:13,900 addressing both our words and our Deeds here by saying word 198 00:10:13,900 --> 00:10:17,800 and deed by saying B and devoured, both our speech, and 199 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:21,700 our actions have to be aligned and have to be Godly towards our 200 00:10:21,700 --> 00:10:25,700 fellow Christians or what. So what if they aren't Paul, 201 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:27,000 what's the big deal? You know, we're all going to 202 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,000 show up here building once a Regardless, what's the big deal? 203 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:33,200 Well, Paul answers that too, he says, beware lest you be 204 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:37,600 consumed by one another As cliche as this may sound, 205 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:41,100 there's no winner when it comes to bitterness and slandering. 206 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:45,900 There truly are only two losers in that fight and both will end 207 00:10:45,900 --> 00:10:50,100 up being destroyed by it. And what's more, so is God's 208 00:10:50,100 --> 00:10:52,200 body. So it's God's house that were 209 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:55,000 commanded to build up. So we need to always keep our 210 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,900 hearts in our actions in check and is Ephesians 4:31 commands 211 00:10:58,900 --> 00:11:01,700 us. Let all bitterness and wrath and 212 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:05,400 anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with 213 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:06,400 all. Malice. 214 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:09,800 Now, there are other excellent verses that we could go to. 215 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:13,900 That gives us plenty of don'ts. Such as Romans, 14 and 13, do 216 00:11:13,908 --> 00:11:16,800 not judge one, another, don't put a stumbling block in one 217 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:20,500 another's, way, or maybe John 6, + 43, don't Grumble against one 218 00:11:20,500 --> 00:11:23,100 another, but I think the underlying principle we've 219 00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:24,500 already touched on in these things. 220 00:11:25,300 --> 00:11:27,300 And I think there's summed up by the themes that we've already 221 00:11:27,300 --> 00:11:30,700 read from Galatians. So I want us to move on to the 222 00:11:30,700 --> 00:11:34,300 vowel shallots and this is where things really get convicting at 223 00:11:34,300 --> 00:11:37,400 least for me because like I said, it's really easy for me to 224 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:40,500 Check that box and think, you know, I haven't done that. 225 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:41,900 Haven't done that, haven't done that. 226 00:11:42,100 --> 00:11:45,100 I'm pretty good with everybody. So I just kind of wash my hands 227 00:11:45,100 --> 00:11:48,200 and that's all I need to do. Well, that's wrong. 228 00:11:48,900 --> 00:11:51,500 We still have a great, great obligation. 229 00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:54,400 You mean, even though we're in good, standings, with other 230 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,300 people, we still have more that needs to be done. 231 00:11:57,500 --> 00:11:59,600 Yeah, that's exactly what this means. 232 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:03,100 And that's why I struggle with it because in addition to 233 00:12:03,100 --> 00:12:06,000 checking a box, I also, I like my personal time. 234 00:12:06,300 --> 00:12:08,300 I like to leave church at church think. 235 00:12:08,300 --> 00:12:10,700 Okay, I've associated with the members now, it's time to go 236 00:12:10,700 --> 00:12:14,500 back and do what I want to do. But that's not pleasing to God. 237 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:17,200 That's not what he's after in his body. 238 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,400 And think of the implications here, not only can we not treat 239 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,200 each other in certain ways, but we have certain ways that we 240 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,500 must treat. Arch, other treat each other 241 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:29,200 with skew. Meaning, we have actions that 242 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:32,100 have to be taken and we have to work. 243 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:35,800 We have to go out of our way to do some of these things. 244 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,800 We can't be passive in our relationships towards our 245 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:42,300 brethren. At least not if we expect the 246 00:12:42,308 --> 00:12:43,700 church to be what it needs to be. 247 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,600 Why else would Paul liken it to a race in second? 248 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:50,900 Timothy 4 & 7. So what all does that entail? 249 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,500 What are all those actions that were talking about? 250 00:12:54,100 --> 00:12:56,400 Well, first of all, I do find it interesting that while I was 251 00:12:56,400 --> 00:13:00,300 putting this lesson together, it was a lot easier to find do's 252 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:03,000 and don'ts throughout the scripture for our relationships. 253 00:13:03,300 --> 00:13:06,200 And I don't think that's any coincidence because if we're 254 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:10,100 busy doing the work of the Lord, doing what we need to be doing 255 00:13:10,100 --> 00:13:12,600 for our brothers and sisters, we don't have to worry about the 256 00:13:12,608 --> 00:13:14,700 don'ts. They're already taken care of. 257 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:17,400 Of. But be that as it may first off, 258 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:19,700 I want to notice a broad command that we have in the scriptures 259 00:13:19,900 --> 00:13:24,700 Mark 9 + 50 salt is good but if the salt loses its flavor, how 260 00:13:24,700 --> 00:13:28,000 will you season? It have salt in yourselves and 261 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:31,300 have peace with one another. There's that word again, one 262 00:13:31,300 --> 00:13:35,500 another God has always intended as people to be a peaceful 263 00:13:35,500 --> 00:13:38,500 people, but this is especially true in the church. 264 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,500 We can't expect to accomplish God's will tonight if we're 265 00:13:41,500 --> 00:13:45,600 constantly fighting or aren't at peace in our own congregation 266 00:13:46,500 --> 00:13:49,600 Jesus himself said that A House Divided is not going to stand in 267 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:52,800 Matthew chapter, asking me, Matthew chapter 12 and also 268 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,100 think back to versus such as Matthew 5. 269 00:13:55,100 --> 00:14:00,100 And 9 blessed are the peace makers takes work takes effort 270 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:03,200 or how about James 3 and 18. Now, the fruit of righteousness, 271 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:08,900 is sown in Peace by those who make peace again, making peace. 272 00:14:08,900 --> 00:14:11,000 Actively sewing the fruits of righteousness. 273 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:15,200 That's our responsibility But how do we go about doing this? 274 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:19,400 How do we achieve that peace that God is intended for all of 275 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:21,500 us to have? Well not surprising. 276 00:14:21,500 --> 00:14:25,300 Yet again, it starts in our hearts John 13:34. 277 00:14:25,300 --> 00:14:27,400 A new commandment. I give to you that you love one. 278 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:31,500 Another as I have loved you that you also love one another. 279 00:14:31,700 --> 00:14:35,100 By this all will know that you are my disciples. 280 00:14:35,100 --> 00:14:38,800 If you have love for one another, that's how we're even 281 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:41,300 identified as Christians by the world. 282 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:45,400 Is that blood brotherly love. So can we honestly say we're 283 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,200 loving one? Another, if we're practicing 284 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:50,600 some of those don'ts that we already talked about if we're 285 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:54,300 gossiping backbiting, treating each other negatively, perhaps 286 00:14:54,300 --> 00:14:56,300 it would do all of us. Well, to remember that, every 287 00:14:56,300 --> 00:14:59,400 time we do these things, we weaken the church. 288 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:02,600 And what's more than that, we're not even showing ourselves to be 289 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:05,400 Christians. We're not even demonstrating 290 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:07,500 ourselves to be the very people in the very things. 291 00:15:07,500 --> 00:15:13,700 God put us on this Earth to be And how do we love as Christ? 292 00:15:13,700 --> 00:15:18,200 Did giving every bit of himself for a world that absolutely 293 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,100 hated him? No. 294 00:15:20,100 --> 00:15:22,900 Thought of anything in return. No thought for self at all. 295 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:26,100 That's our job, especially with members of the church. 296 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,700 And I really want all of us to consider this right now. 297 00:15:31,300 --> 00:15:33,400 Remember how we're supposed to treat our fellow Christians 298 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,200 because we only get one shot at this down here? 299 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:39,700 That's it. And we may not get any kind of a 300 00:15:39,708 --> 00:15:42,500 second chance. Once the damage is done now 301 00:15:42,500 --> 00:15:45,900 certainly that love can take a lot of forms and the Bible gives 302 00:15:45,900 --> 00:15:48,800 us a few. So I want us to look back and 303 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:52,200 look at what it means to love each other as Christ, did term 304 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:54,900 with me yet again, to Galatians the fifth chapter and I think 305 00:15:54,900 --> 00:16:00,100 verse 33 verse 13 summarizes. The issue quite well For you 306 00:16:00,100 --> 00:16:01,700 Brethren have been called. The Liberty. 307 00:16:02,100 --> 00:16:05,400 Only do not use Liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but 308 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:09,700 through love serve one another Now, the context here is pretty 309 00:16:09,700 --> 00:16:13,300 interesting, Paul has just been discussing Christian Liberties. 310 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,500 In other words, these are things that these Christians may very 311 00:16:16,500 --> 00:16:20,200 well have the right to do. They may very well have the 312 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:22,500 right to do the things that they want to do. 313 00:16:23,100 --> 00:16:24,800 But so often we get wrapped up in. 314 00:16:24,900 --> 00:16:27,000 Do I have the right to do something that we miss? 315 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:29,700 The bigger picture. Paul isn't addressing these 316 00:16:29,700 --> 00:16:32,400 Liberties saying, okay, you have the right, you're good to go. 317 00:16:32,900 --> 00:16:34,500 He's addressing these things saying. 318 00:16:34,500 --> 00:16:37,300 Okay you have the right awesome. Give it up. 319 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:40,600 Let go of That thing, if it benefits, someone else in the 320 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:43,500 church. That's what Paul's getting at 321 00:16:43,900 --> 00:16:46,200 give up what you may be allowed to do. 322 00:16:46,300 --> 00:16:49,400 If it benefits another member of the body of Christ and no 323 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:51,900 person, better exemplified this than Christ himself. 324 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:54,600 Go back again to John the 13th chapter. 325 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:56,500 Now we already read a section of this but I want to read a few 326 00:16:56,500 --> 00:16:59,600 more verses. So when he had washed their feet 327 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:03,300 taken his garments and sat down again, he said to them, do you 328 00:17:03,308 --> 00:17:07,000 know what I have done to you? You call me teacher and Lord and 329 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,500 you say well for so I am if I then your lord and teacher have 330 00:17:10,500 --> 00:17:13,400 washed your feet. You also ought to wash. 331 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,800 One another's feet for. I have given you an example that 332 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:19,700 you should do. As I have done to you, verses 12 333 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:22,099 through 15. Frank even talked about this 334 00:17:22,099 --> 00:17:26,200 this morning and remember where we are also in Jesus life. 335 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:29,900 He's at the end of it, this is at the end of his ministry. 336 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:33,400 He's already done so much to serve them and what's more? 337 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:37,100 He's about to die for them. And not only that, but the 338 00:17:37,108 --> 00:17:40,100 disciples have just been arguing and bickering among themselves 339 00:17:40,100 --> 00:17:43,800 as to, which one's the greatest. So in my mind I can't help but 340 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:46,500 think Christ has got to be sitting back thinking seriously 341 00:17:46,500 --> 00:17:49,300 guys. I'm the one who's about to die 342 00:17:49,300 --> 00:17:50,900 for you so you guys need to hush. 343 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:54,500 I'm obviously the greatest, but he doesn't do that. 344 00:17:54,900 --> 00:17:58,900 Instead he Stoops even lower and performs a slaves job for these 345 00:17:58,900 --> 00:18:03,100 ungrateful disciples touching their dirty and disgusting feet. 346 00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:07,200 He gives us this as an example and then what's more an explicit 347 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:10,500 command that we need to be doing these same kinds of things for 348 00:18:10,500 --> 00:18:14,200 our fellow brothers and sisters. We have to find a way to put 349 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:18,200 those things into practice or how about Romans 12 and 10 be 350 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:21,700 devoted to one another in love and devotion. 351 00:18:21,700 --> 00:18:24,800 That's a pretty strong. That's a pretty strong sentiment 352 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:27,900 willing to set everything else aside and then there's 353 00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:30,500 Philippians 2 & 3. Let nothing be done through 354 00:18:30,500 --> 00:18:34,800 selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind, And let 355 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:38,100 each esteem one. Another better than himself. 356 00:18:38,900 --> 00:18:41,300 Think of each other as more important than you are. 357 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,000 Then the actions really follow naturally. 358 00:18:45,100 --> 00:18:47,700 And the same chapter again says, this is what Christ did. 359 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:52,500 He didn't cling to equality with God, but instead he made himself 360 00:18:52,500 --> 00:18:56,300 of no reputation and became a servant submitting himself to 361 00:18:56,300 --> 00:18:59,300 God's will. And I think that humility is the 362 00:18:59,300 --> 00:19:02,700 key here. That's really what it takes in 363 00:19:02,700 --> 00:19:05,200 order for us to have the right attitude serving one another 364 00:19:06,300 --> 00:19:08,900 Now, there's again, countless more versus we could discuss, 365 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:12,100 but I want us to move on and wrap up with our last section. 366 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:15,300 We know how to treat each other. We know how not to treat each 367 00:19:15,300 --> 00:19:18,500 other, but there's one more incredibly important concept 368 00:19:18,500 --> 00:19:21,200 tonight. If we want the church to be what 369 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:23,900 it needs to be, then we have spiritual obligations to one 370 00:19:23,900 --> 00:19:26,300 another. We have to watch out for each 371 00:19:26,300 --> 00:19:28,300 other's souls. And really, if you think about 372 00:19:28,300 --> 00:19:31,000 it, this is the Capstone of our love for each other. 373 00:19:31,900 --> 00:19:34,800 How better could we show love to our fellow brothers and making 374 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:37,300 sure that they're in good standing with God and we all get 375 00:19:37,300 --> 00:19:40,500 to heaven. I want to start with Colossians 376 00:19:40,500 --> 00:19:42,900 chapter 3 in verses 12 through 13. 377 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:47,400 Therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved put on Tender 378 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:52,800 Mercies kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering bearing 379 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:54,800 with one another and forgiving one. 380 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,600 Another, if anyone has a complaint against one another 381 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:02,700 even as Christ forgave you. So you also must do Now, think 382 00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:04,500 about what Paul is really saying here. 383 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:08,300 First of all, he reminds each of us who we are, the elect, he 384 00:20:08,300 --> 00:20:11,400 says those chosen by God to come out of the world, to be 385 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:15,700 different from the world to do, his will to obey him and his 386 00:20:15,700 --> 00:20:18,800 kingdom. So are we not to keep this in 387 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:21,500 mind when our with our interactions with our Brethren? 388 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:26,100 Remember who you're addressing with the phrase, one another, a 389 00:20:26,100 --> 00:20:32,000 Christian and I remember who you are, you're a Christian Not only 390 00:20:32,300 --> 00:20:34,600 are we the elect. But Paul also says that we're 391 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:38,300 beloved, we're Sanctified and loved by God. 392 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:41,400 And as such again, we've been given an important role to play 393 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:43,500 in. One another's lives, we can't 394 00:20:43,500 --> 00:20:47,100 downplay that. Being merciful just as Christ 395 00:20:47,100 --> 00:20:49,600 had mercy. Upon us, being kind to one 396 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:53,900 another being humble and meek, just, as Jesus was Meek every 397 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:55,900 action throughout Jesus entire life. 398 00:20:55,900 --> 00:20:58,800 Even when he was upset, exhibited, perfect self-control 399 00:20:59,300 --> 00:21:00,900 that's our responsibility to our fellow. 400 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:04,600 Christians and then the last few things once again stress the 401 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:08,300 terms one, another long-suffering and bearing with 402 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:12,400 one another be patient with your brothers and sisters, don't be 403 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:14,100 angry. Don't get frustrated with them. 404 00:21:15,500 --> 00:21:20,100 But bear with them and I want to insert Galatians 6, and verse 2 405 00:21:20,100 --> 00:21:23,400 right here at this point. Not only do we bear with our 406 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:28,200 Brethren but we bear for our Brethren bear. 407 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:32,300 One another's burdens that verse says, We help them with their 408 00:21:32,300 --> 00:21:37,800 loads and we again, always do it out of love, not obligation, not 409 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:41,900 forcibly, but out of love. But above all these things put 410 00:21:41,900 --> 00:21:45,100 on love which is the bond of perfection, Colossians 3 and 14. 411 00:21:45,500 --> 00:21:48,400 That love is what's going to bind us together when hard times 412 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:52,600 come along, we can't lose that as the body of Christ, but 413 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:55,300 there's one last thing in verse 13 that gets touched on here. 414 00:21:55,300 --> 00:21:58,100 And I think it would be a mistake not to dwell on it for 415 00:21:58,100 --> 00:22:03,400 just a little bit forgiveness. And that's a hard concept, you 416 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:04,500 know. It's one thing to be patient 417 00:22:04,500 --> 00:22:07,600 with someone, it's one thing to help them bear up their burdens. 418 00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:11,100 It's one thing to be long-suffering with them, but 419 00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:14,500 when you're the target of that person, that's a whole nother 420 00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:17,700 ball game. But it is what we're commanded 421 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:21,600 even when we're the target, we forgive and we bear with one 422 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:25,100 another, and it doesn't matter what they've done and it doesn't 423 00:22:25,100 --> 00:22:28,300 matter how many times they've done it, Matthew, 18, and 21. 424 00:22:28,300 --> 00:22:31,500 Then Peter came and said to him. Lord, how oft shall my brother 425 00:22:31,500 --> 00:22:34,100 sin against me? And I forgive him up to seven 426 00:22:34,100 --> 00:22:37,000 times. Jesus said, to him, I do not say 427 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:42,000 up to you, seven times, but up, to Seventy Times Seven, as often 428 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,000 as we're in a situation that needs forgiveness. 429 00:22:44,700 --> 00:22:50,000 We forgive it's that simple. But why pile? 430 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:51,900 Excuse me, Paul? Really drives it home, with this 431 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:57,600 next Point, even as Christ, forgave you again. 432 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:00,200 God, himself is our example, the night. 433 00:23:00,700 --> 00:23:03,700 God himself, is who we hold ourselves up against a see if 434 00:23:03,700 --> 00:23:07,100 we're meeting the criteria. And if you can count the amount 435 00:23:07,100 --> 00:23:08,900 of times God has forgiven you tonight. 436 00:23:09,700 --> 00:23:11,800 Maybe you've got a number that you can apply to your fellow 437 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:14,900 Christians, but I doubt any of us can count that high. 438 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:17,500 So what other spiritual obligations? 439 00:23:17,500 --> 00:23:20,900 Do we have tonight flip over to 1st Thessalonians? 440 00:23:20,900 --> 00:23:24,600 5 and 11. Therefore comfort each other and 441 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:27,700 edify, one another just as you are also doing well. 442 00:23:27,700 --> 00:23:30,700 First of all he says Comfort, one another and again that plays 443 00:23:30,700 --> 00:23:32,600 perfectly into what we've already been discussing. 444 00:23:32,900 --> 00:23:36,300 It builds perfectly on the back of bearing burdens forgiving. 445 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,000 We can be there to lift our brothers and sisters when 446 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:41,600 they're down. And I think here, this may be an 447 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:44,900 odd example, but I think here of the Apostle Peter that even he 448 00:23:44,900 --> 00:23:49,700 was able to lift up Jesus in a low point, Flip with me to John 449 00:23:49,700 --> 00:23:52,800 chapter 6 and will read verse 66 through 69. 450 00:23:53,700 --> 00:23:56,300 From that time many of his disciples went back and walked 451 00:23:56,300 --> 00:23:59,400 with him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 452 00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:04,400 do you also want to go away? Jesus is genuinely hurt here. 453 00:24:05,100 --> 00:24:08,200 He knows the hearts of men and he's incredibly saddened by 454 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:11,500 their carnal mind set. You know, he's just performed a 455 00:24:11,500 --> 00:24:14,700 pretty awesome Miracle. He's fed thousands of people, 456 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:18,500 but once it comes time for the spiritual food, once it comes 457 00:24:18,500 --> 00:24:22,000 time for the hard lessons about obedience. 458 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:25,900 Those same people, hop off the bandwagon, they're nowhere to be 459 00:24:25,900 --> 00:24:28,900 found. So Jesus and discouragement 460 00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:32,000 turns to his disciples and says, you know, you guys going to 461 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:34,600 leave me. But look at Peter's response, 462 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,900 but Simon Peter answered him. Lord to whom, shall we go? 463 00:24:38,100 --> 00:24:39,900 You have the words of eternal life. 464 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:42,700 Also, we have come to believe and know that you are the 465 00:24:42,700 --> 00:24:46,600 Christ, the son of the Living. God, he Comforts Jesus. 466 00:24:47,300 --> 00:24:49,500 He lets him know that his preaching hasn't fallen on deaf 467 00:24:49,500 --> 00:24:51,800 ears. His ministry isn't in vain, and 468 00:24:51,800 --> 00:24:54,100 it's up for us to look for ways to emulate that when it comes to 469 00:24:54,100 --> 00:24:57,400 our fellow brothers and sisters. But there's one last Point 470 00:24:57,400 --> 00:24:59,500 inverse that verse in Thessalonians that we need to 471 00:24:59,500 --> 00:25:04,500 address edification edifying. Strengthening one another in 472 00:25:04,500 --> 00:25:06,900 Christ is one of the biggest roles we can play in each 473 00:25:06,900 --> 00:25:09,100 other's lives and we have to be doing that. 474 00:25:09,100 --> 00:25:12,000 As members of his body constantly feeding each other 475 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:14,200 constantly helping each other grow spiritually. 476 00:25:14,900 --> 00:25:17,300 And you know I think about it's real easy to complain about 477 00:25:17,300 --> 00:25:19,000 people who we think are weak in the faith. 478 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:20,800 I can't believe what so-and-so did. 479 00:25:21,100 --> 00:25:23,000 Can't believe that they even call themselves a Christian. 480 00:25:23,300 --> 00:25:24,800 I think even showing up to services. 481 00:25:25,900 --> 00:25:29,200 But what are we doing about it? How are we going about edifying 482 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:30,600 that person? How are we going about 483 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:33,900 strengthening that person? And along the same thought, 484 00:25:33,900 --> 00:25:37,100 Hebrews 10 and 24 says, we need to be stirring up one another to 485 00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:41,800 love and good works. So let me ask us this after we 486 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:44,500 interact with our fellow Christians after we leave here. 487 00:25:45,500 --> 00:25:49,100 Will we have felt edified? Will we have felt stirred on to 488 00:25:49,100 --> 00:25:52,200 be even better Christians in this up and coming week, because 489 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:56,100 we should that's our goal with any interaction, we have with 490 00:25:56,100 --> 00:26:00,700 our fellow brothers and sisters. That's our goal. and in order to 491 00:26:00,700 --> 00:26:03,600 do some of these things, we also need to be willing to be 492 00:26:03,600 --> 00:26:06,400 vulnerable with our brothers and sisters and I mean this in a 493 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:11,900 very specific way James 5 and 16 confess your trespasses one to 494 00:26:11,900 --> 00:26:16,100 another and pray for one another that you may be healed the 495 00:26:16,100 --> 00:26:20,900 effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much Are we 496 00:26:20,900 --> 00:26:23,700 willing to admit our faults and our sins to our fellow 497 00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:27,300 Christians because that's the only way we can truly help one 498 00:26:27,300 --> 00:26:29,300 another if we know what they're up against. 499 00:26:30,700 --> 00:26:33,700 If we know each other struggles, and that also means on the 500 00:26:33,700 --> 00:26:37,600 receiving end that when someone is opening up to us, we can't 501 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:42,500 react harshly and judgmentally. We have to be willing to react 502 00:26:42,500 --> 00:26:45,100 as Christ. Did not judging them but willing 503 00:26:45,100 --> 00:26:46,500 to help them through these things. 504 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:48,900 We looked at this first a little bit but I'll actually read it in 505 00:26:48,900 --> 00:26:53,100 its entirety, Romans 14 and 13, therefore, let us not judge one 506 00:26:53,100 --> 00:26:56,500 another anymore, but rather resolve this not to put a 507 00:26:56,500 --> 00:26:59,100 stumbling block or caused a fall in her brother's way. 508 00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:03,100 And how about that second part in the verse in James, pray, for 509 00:27:03,100 --> 00:27:05,800 one another, you know, that should be the simplest and 510 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:08,300 easiest thing, if nothing else that we're doing for our fellow 511 00:27:08,300 --> 00:27:11,500 Christians constantly going before God on their behalf. 512 00:27:11,500 --> 00:27:15,700 And what's more James tells us, it's effective, it's worthwhile, 513 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:19,600 it's powerful. Well again there's countless 514 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:21,800 more lessons that I think we could apply here to our study 515 00:27:22,700 --> 00:27:25,900 like being hospitable to one another first, Peter 4 & 9 or 516 00:27:25,900 --> 00:27:29,000 maybe speaking the truth in love to one another if he's ins for 517 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,300 25. But again, I think the few 518 00:27:31,300 --> 00:27:34,500 things that we have touched on this evening, really Encompass 519 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:38,800 the glove, the broad majority of our responsibilities there, 520 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:41,500 really a good place to start when we're looking for how to 521 00:27:41,500 --> 00:27:43,200 treat our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. 522 00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:47,200 You know, we have a huge blessing with a people sitting 523 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:51,000 around us tonight. We have a huge blessing and a 524 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:52,500 huge asset that God has given us. 525 00:27:53,300 --> 00:27:55,300 So let us always strive to remember our spot 526 00:27:55,300 --> 00:27:57,400 responsibilities toward one another, and not take those 527 00:27:57,400 --> 00:28:01,400 things for granted. We thank you for listening to 528 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:06,200 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 529 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,700 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 530 00:28:09,700 --> 00:28:13,000 information, or you would like to receive a free Bible 531 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:18,500 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at her 532 00:28:18,500 --> 00:28:20,900 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 533 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:26,800 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 534 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:31,200 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 535 00:28:31,700 --> 00:28:33,900 We would love for you to be our honored guest.