ABF Teacher Lesson
Sunday August 31st, 2008
Week #13
Review
James 1:22
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
Introduction:
Over the past several weeks we have studied several passages containing the “one anothers” of Scripture.
?Why would you suggest it is beneficial to study the one anothers of the Bible?
AAsk class for input.
Three keys questions that are key to the basic function of the church reveal the answer to the above question.
What is a healthy church?
What does God expect from all believers?
What makes church a dynamic witness in the world?
The answers to all to the above questions can be found in the NT. And as you look, you’ll see a major reoccurring theme. This theme is what believers are to do for oneanother.
What do the “one anothers” of scripture have to do with me?
Paul teaches a process in Ephesians for the “body of Christ” to reflect the love of Christ.
- This process will not be realized unless each member of the body does it’s part.
- God reveals His plan in Ephesians 4:16.
Ephesians 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Total body function is absolutely essential if a local church is to become all that God intends it to be.
- In the verse above each person has a special part and as that part functions it helps the other parts of the body grow; my growth depends on you! Your growth depends on me, at least in part. That means both you and I have do participate or the body suffers.
- When the “one anothers” of the Bible are implemented as a way of life in the local church the church begins to grow & thrive.
- Body function or personal participation begins and grows at an astonishing rate, spiritual growth runs rampant.
- When the church functions according to the Biblical admonition to practice “one-anothering” the dynamic of the church changes in a most marvelous way.
Review of the One Anothers
For each of the following have different class members
- Read the key verse
- Communicate what the major idea of the one another is. You will find some of the key steps from each lesson to help you.
- Testify how this Biblical concept has been lived out.
- Members of One Another
Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
INTERDEPENDENCE: No individual Christian can function effectively in isolation and alone.
HUMILITY: No member of Christ’s body should feel more important than any other member of Christ’s body.
UNITY: Every Christian should work hard at creating unity in the body of Christ.
- Devoted to One Another
Romans 12:10a Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;
Our first step must be to TAKE SERIOUSLY, what the Bible says about brotherly love.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. However, we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
Evaluate your ATTITUDES and ACTIONS toward other member of our “Christian family.”
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
- Honor One Another
Romans 12:10b give preference to one another in honor;
Take a careful look at your "honoring others" quotient!
The following questions will help you:
?How many situations can you recall where you purposely attempted to honor someone above yourself.
?In what ways did you reflect sincere appreciation for the other person?
Don't forget to honor those who have helped you become what you are.
If it is difficult for you to compliment others and to enjoy their successes, take a close look at your walk with Christ.
- Be of the samemind with One Another
Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
Jesus Christ's primary concern for His church stands out boldly in this prayer.
- It is a visible unity, a oneness, that reveals the very essence of the Christian Gospel.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message [believers of all time], that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:20-23).
- Accept One Another
Romans 15:7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
Hindrances to Unity
- Judging One Another
- Showing Partiality
Paul introduced that showing partiality is a barrier to unity and acceptance of others in his letter to the Romans even before dealing with legalism.
- SHOWING HONOR VS. SHOWING FAVORITISM
It's not wrong to honor others who are faithful to God with their material possessions-just as it is not wrong to honor Christians for being hospitable, sharing Christ with others, and serving the Lord in other ways.
Prejudice, favoritism, and discrimination in the body of Christ rejects and alienates some Christians and accepts others.
- Encourage One Another
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
- Encouraging One Another through the Another Comforter
Following Christ's return to heaven, God's plan for continuing what His Son had done focused on the Holy Spirit.
Four times in John's Gospel, Jesus identified the Holy Spirit as a "counselor" (John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7).
- Encouraging One Another through the Inspired Word of God
When the Holy spirit came, He fulfilled Jesus' promise. one of His greatest gifts to us is the inspired scriptures.
- The authors of the inspired Word "spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21)
- Paul told Timothy that “all scripture is God-breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16).
- He was definitely referring to the ministry of the Holy Spirit as He inspired those who penned the Word of God.
The primary means then for "encouraging one another, is God’s truth ! This is why Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians, encouraging them to continue "speaking the truth in love."
- Encouraging One Another Through the Power of Words
The focus of Paul's exhortations to "encourage one another” in the Thessalonian epistle is on "words of truth" that come directly from the Bible regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ.
But in addition to correct doctrine, there are many other "word" messages we can use to encourage one another. When we use them appropriately, they have a profound impact on those who hear them.
For example, consider the following proverb.
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up (Prov. I2:25).
- Greeting One Another
Romans 16:3-6 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
- Serve One Another
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Two Greeks words in the NT teach us about serving one another
Douleo = To be a slave, to serve, to obey to submit. Used in both a good and bad sense. ON the positive side the word means to serve. Go and serve others in a context of Christian love. On the negative side, douleo means to become a slave to some base power.
Diakoneo = To minister to someone. This word describes someone who cares for others material needs.
- Carry One AnothersBurdens
Galatians 6:2 Bear one anothers burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
A True Test of Love
For other Christians
- Am I willing to love others by confronting them, even at the risk of losing them?
For God
- Am I willing to obey God’s Word and Commands in this area, in spite of how uncomfortable it makes me feel?
- Bear with One Another
Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
To "bear with one another," then means being patient with each other's weaknesses.
When it comes to dealing with each other's weaknesses, Paul made our responsibility to one another even clearer in his Letter to the Colossians:
Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
- Submit to One Another
Ephesians 5:21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
The following steps are designed to help all Christians submit to one another.
Step 1 Mutual submission must begin with the leadership of the church.
Step 2 All believers must clearly understand the teaching of scripture regarding the subject of submission.
Step 3 Meditate on the following Scriptures that teach submission and obedience to others.
- Elders to Other Members of Christ's Body 1 Peter 5:2-3
- Christians in General to Elders 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17,
- Younger Men to Older Men 1 Peter 5:5-6
- Husbands to wivesEphesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:28, Colossians 3:19, 1 Peter 3:7, 1 Corinthians 7:3-4,
- Wives to Their HusbandsEphesians 5:22-24, Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:3-5, 1 Peter 3:1-4
- Parents to ChildrenEphesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21,
- Children to ParentsEphesians 6:1-3, Colossians 3:20,
- Christians to Government OfficialsRomans 13:1, Romans 13:5, Romans 13:7 1 Peter 2:13-17,
Step 4 Evaluate and prioritize the areas where you need to improve.
Step 5 Set some specific goals.
Practical Application
The New Testament describes two kinds of churches.
The first is a church that can be called a “Corinthian church" (1 Cor. 3:1-4).
- To quote Paul, the believers in Corinth were acting more like non-Christians than Christians.
- This is what Paul meant when he asked the question-"Are you not acting like mere men?" (1 Cor 3:3)
The second is a mature church
How can your church-and mine-become a mature body of believers, reflecting "the fruit of the Spirit"?
- The answer is clear in scripture. All believers must "live by the spirit" and "keep in step with the spirit" (Gal.5:25).
- To do this, we must practice the "one another" exhortations that buildup the body of Christ (Eph. 4:16) rather than destroying and dismantling it (Gal 5:15)
Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
We must obey God's Word.
- In no instance are these exhortations qualified,
- if you feel like it
- if it's convenient
- if it fits your personality," etc.
- These exhortations form a profile for doing the will of God.
- All Christians are to be involved.
- We must be committed to "looking for opportunities to carry out these positive "one another” injunctions in our personal lives.
- At the same time we must avoid practicing the negative "one anothers." This is the essence of love!
How about you? Are you a Corinthian or Mature believer?
James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
Deuteronomy 26:16 “This day the Lord your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.
Summer 2008 at Faith