Interests of Our Church, Part 1

Transcript

We DO Need Each Other Nov. 7, 2017
LaVon Sperling

God is most concerned about our heart attitude. I Peter 2: 5

So how do we determine our own motive:
Did I seek to serve privately, when possible not seeking praise from others.
Public service is also acceptable to God because we want to stimulate others to good deeds. Hebrews 10: 24
Am I doing it for a reward? This also is a proper motive. Christ said to store up treasures in heaven.

What’s next? I am to “put on” godly characteristics and then ACT ….. Col. 3: 12, 13

How can we show our interest in others in the body?
Admonish the unruly
Encourage the fainthearted 1 Thess. 5: 14
Help the weak
Be patient with everyone
Live in harmony with others – Phil 4: 2
Help others to live in harmony – Phil. 4: 3
Show tolerance by being humble, gentle and patient – Eph. 4: 2
Preserve the unity of the spirit with the bond of peace – Eph. 4: 3
Rejoice and weep with them – Rom 12: 15, 1 Cor. 13: 6
Show mercy with cheerfulness – Rom. 12: 8

We are to show mercy with cheerfulness:
Romans 12: 8 Love must be the dominating characteristic of our action.
Now as we operate in mercy toward another person we radiate:
1. Love ……..this is agape love which is self-sacrificing.
2. Action that contributes to the needs of other saints. Prov. 14: 21
3. With a heart of joy

When do we weep with others?
1. In death
2. Over sin James 4: 9 and 5:1
3. When we will not see someone for a time. Acts 20: 37,38
4. When we admonish others. Acts 20:31

We are to rejoice with those who rejoice: there should be no envy when another is honored or is given something special from the Lord. 1 Cor. 12: 26 We are rejoicing at what God has done.

How are we to encourage the fainthearted:
l. Strengthen the hands that are hanging limp. Hebrews 12: 12
2. Strengthen the knees that are beginning to buckle.
3. Keep your eye on the goal. Is. 35: 3, 4
4. Stimulate by being PRESENT in the body. Heb. 10: 24, 25
5. Stay on the road and make straight paths for your feet! Prov. 4: 25
6. Walk alongside – Ecc. 4: 9-10
7. Be an example of walking in faith and hope. Romans 4: 19, 20

We ARE to be able to admonish one another.
Romans 15: 14, 15. We are in this together.
Proverbs 16: 23 and 21 sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Ephesians 4: 15 “speak the truth……….in love.”

We must be able to accept admonishment as well.
Proverbs, 9: 9. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
Proverbs 4: 10 “hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many.
Proverbs 5: parts of 7-14 “How I hated instruction and my heart spurned reproof, I was almost in utter ruin in the midst of the congregation.”

Don’t disregard the message because the messenger is flawed!

How do we encourage/admonish:
Through the scripture - Romans 15: 4
Labor earnestly in prayer – Col. 4: 12
With hope in God’s promise – Heb. 6: 18, 19

Does it really matter if we are involved in the interest of others in the church body?

To help them search out whether they heard the word without profit……..they are not approaching scripture with faith. Hebrews 4: 1, 2

To help the other person recognize a “false peace” that is a poison in the body of Christ.
Deut. 29: 18b, 19

To watch out for the immoral or godless person. Esau was to be the recipient of the blessings but he had no respect for the responsibility of the blessing. Gen 25. Later he wanted the blessing and couldn’t have it (the blessing) Heb. 12: 15-17

So no one will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 3: 6, 7, 13

Because we are members of each other. Eph. 4: 25

So there will be no division in the body. 1 Cor. 12: 25

So we will be good stewards of God’s grace – 1 Peter 4: 10

Because love and our spiritual gifts are ONLY made known by our actions. 1 Cor. 13