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MEMBERS OF ONE ANOTHER. Romans 12:4-5--For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Members One of Another.
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Romans 12:4-5--For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Members One of Another • This will be a protracted study: THERE ARE MANY ONE ANOTHER OBLIGATIONS • This may be a periodic study: THESE LESSONS MAY NOT BE BACK TO BACK AND WEEK TO WEEK. • The men may ask me to speak on other topics. • This may be a partial study: THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE NEED TO STUDY, SO WE WILL NOT ENCOMPASS THIS MOUNTAIN INDEFINITELY.
Purpose: • A right relationship with God is absolutely necessary to our eternal salvation. • A right (or wrong) relationship with one another can very well effect our relationship with God and thus effect our eternal salvation.
Sin Separates Us from God • In the beginning Adam and Eve had a close relationship with God. (Gen. 3:8-11) • Sin changed the relationship. (Gen. 3:14-24) • Sin separates man from God. (Isa. 59:1-2) • Sin (whether due to ignorance, indifference, or rebellion) is basically committed in one of four ways: • Commission (Lev. 5:17) • Omission (Jas. 4:17) • Presumption (2 Jn. 9) • Violation (Rom. 14:23) • All accountable people have sinned. (Rom. 3:9-23) • The terrible consequence of sin is spiritual death (Rom. 6:23; Jas.1:13-15) which is separation from God.
Jesus Died to Reconcile Us to God • Jesus died to reconcile us to God. (Rom. 5:10) • The apostles taught the “word of reconciliation”. (2 Cor. 5:17-21) • Sin separates us from God, but Jesus reconciles us to God and restores our relationship with Him. • Through Him we have every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3) • Redemption (Eph. 1:7) • Eternal Life (Rom. 6:23; 1 Jn. 5:11-12) • Sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2) • Reconciliation (Eph. 2:13, 16) • Justification (Gal. 2:16) • Forgiveness (Eph. 1:7) • Grace (2 Tim. 1:9) • Salvation (2 Tim. 2:10) • Etc.
Our Relationship With God Creates a Relationship With One Another • Those who have fellowship with God have fellowship with one another. (1 John 1:3-7) • We are called a child of God, but we are brothers to one another. (Rom. 8:16; Matt. 23:8) • We are described as a member of Christ, and all members of one another. (1 Cor. 6:15; Rom. 12:4-5; Eph. 4:25) • We are described as servants of God, and all servants are fellow servants. (1 Pet. 2:16; Rev. 6:11) • We are described as worker’s in God’s house, and all workers are fellow-workers. (2 Tim. 2:15; Phil. 4:3) • We are described as citizens in God’s kingdom, and all citizens are described as fellow-citizens. (Phil. 3:20-21; Eph. 2:19) • We are described as soldiers in Christ’s army, and all soldiers are fellow-soldiers. (2 Tim. 2:3-4; Phil. 2:25) • Everyone who is reconciled to God becomes a child and has a special relationship to every other child. (Gal. 6:10)
The Special Relationship With One Another Involves Responsibilities. • Paul uses the human body to illustrate our relationships in the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12 ff.) • Christ is the Head (Eph. 1:22-23) • We are INDIVIDUALLY members. ( 1 Cor. 12:27) • The figure of the body emphasizes: • DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS (Rom. 12:4-5) • OBLIGATIONS TO WORK (Rom. 12:6-8) • EVERY MEMBER IS A PART (1 Cor. 12:12-19) • EVERY MEMBER IS NEEDED (1 Cor. 12:20-27) • EVERY MEMBER IS EXPECTED TO DO HIS SHARE (Eph. 4:14-16)
One Another Obligations Positive Commands: Positive Commands Speaking to one another (Eph. 5:19) Exhort one another (Heb. 3:13) Be hospitable to one another (1 Pet. 4:9) Care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25) Edify one another (Rom. 15:1-2) Honor one another (Rom. 12:10) • Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-2) • Consider one another (Heb. 10:24-25) • Forgive one another (Eph. 4:31-32) • Love one another (1 Jn. 3:23-24) • Serve one another (Gal. 5:13) • Be at peace with one another (1 Thess. 5:13) • Greet one another (Rom. 16:16)
One Another Obligations Negative Commands Negative Commands Don’t Lie (Col. 3:9-10) Don’t Speak Against (Jas. 4:11-12) Don’t Grumble Against (Jas. 5:9) • Don’t Judge (Rom. 14:3-4, 10, 13) • Don’t Go To Law (1 Cor. 6:1-8) • Don’t Provoke And Envy (Gal. 5:26)
Fulfilling Our One Another Obligations Is Indispensable to Our Relationship God. • Acceptable worship is dependent upon maintaining a right relationship with one another. (Mt. 5:23-24) • Receiving God’s forgiveness is contingent upon forgiving one another. (Matt. 6:14-15) • How we treat one another, as far as God is concerned is how we treat God. (Matt. 25:34-46; Acts 9:1-4) • Fellowship with God is dependent upon loving one another. (1 Jn. 3:23-24) • The men who loves God must love his brother. (1 Jn. 4:20-21)
Conclusion • Jesus died to reconcile us to God and restore our relationship with the Father. • Those who have a special relationship with God also have a special relationship with one another. • Our relationship to one another involves responsibilities to one another. • Fulfilling our one another obligations is indispensable to our relationship with God.
Evidence that We Are Not Fulfilling One Another Obligations • Small churches are springing up because brethren cannot get along. • Preachers are quitting “full time work” because they are discouraged and disenchanted by constant bickering, “fussin” and fighting. • Churches suffer from stagnation because they are not growing and they are not evangelistic because of internal problems. • Members do not have any real involvement with one another, show little interest in one another and know little about one another. • RESULT: “Church Building Religion.”