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INTRODUCTION
You might have heard me say before: “Outside of the school, we are the happening place in Colfax.” We have a lot going
on here, and managing this place has become consuming. Busy time of year. Staff transitions. Planning. While I didn’t preach
for 2 weeks, I was busy chasing this run away train.
Preaching theme Timely Truths that Transform Us
Truths - 6 months on doctrine; Transformation - 5 messages July/August personal
discipline/maturity. Now: Togetherness - Us - month of Sept. - encouraging us to improve our church body
life, our Christian community.
One of the ways that Christian community is presented in the Bible centers around the phrase “one another.”
Depending on your translation, there are from 35 to 54 “one another’s” in the NT. For us
to be transformed at this time, we need a fresh reminder of these “one another”
truths.
These many NT “one another’s” are very significant because they provide specific practical ways to
fulfill the 2nd great commandment “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39). A nice truth,
but how do we do that? What does that “love” look like? The many “one another’s”
show us the how to love your neighbor as yourself? Practical applications, real life activities.
For us to be transformed together, this week and next I want to look into Romans. This week chapt
12, next week chpts 15-16. Each of these messages will show us 4 “one another” phrases for us
to live together. TITLE. TEXT.
1. We are Members of One Another 12:3-8
- v. 5 This is not a process of membership spelled out in our constitution. But a present
reality for all believers in the body of Christ. N.T doesn’t see church membership like we do today, a owner of a
corporation. The NT shows the oneness of the believers together because they are in Christ.
- The NT describes the church was some metaphors: a body, a family, a building. The Apostle Paul here used the metaphor
of a body. vs. 3-5
ILLUS: An illustration we all understand - the human body - it is one with many parts. Stand in front of a mirror
and see some of your parts, plus there is a whole lot you don’t see. All my parts make me me. My brain
didn’t vote to accept my foot, I just am one person. 2 weeks ago my teeth went to dentist, and the rest of me
had to go along. This afternoon, my stomach will need dinner, my feet will take me there, my eyes will see, nose
will smell, my hand will get food and place it into my mouth - all of me will benefit.
- If you are here, you call this church your church, we the many 200 plus are one body of believers, and we need each
other. Christ is tie that binds.
- v. 5 notice there is diversity (“we who are many”), there is unity
(“are one body in Christ”), and interdependency (“members of one another”).
- vs. 6-8 spiritual gifts, another practical demonstration of that fact. The gifts you have are
not for selfish use, but to benefit others. No gift is self- sufficient, and none is unnecessary. We should not despise
or lightly esteem one another. We need all the body parts to be a living and healthy and growing body of Christ - a
local church.
ILLUS: Awana began on Wednesday - it takes about 50 people to make it run. Just observe a typical Sunday: Making
coffee, many teaching Sunday School, music, sound room, ushers, me preach. What if none of those did their tasks?
- We ARE members together!
- Gal. 5:13 “serve one another” Look around - we belong to each other. Meaningful relationships
don’t just happen, it takes being together and exercising our gifts. The body of Christ, the church is designed
to be a relational community. We don’t live our faith in isolation, but community.
ILLUS: Ray Vander Laan DVD The Early Church, stresses NT community. Rabbi’s job was to establish
community among his followers - Jesus did, called the church. In Apostles time the believers were radically
different from culture, they supported each other. Today we must still be distinct, together.
2. We are to be Devoted to One Another 12:10a
- “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.”
- Not just being together and doing our spiritual gifts together, but actually loving with each other.
- Greek word “philo” brotherly love - Philadelphia, city of brotherly love
- In churches a number of relational problems can develop: isolation - alone in the crowd; conflicts - that result in the
silent treatment or confrontation; impatience - complaining; Talk to somebody today.
- Devoted to one another is not a casual “Hi, how are you?” and we really don’t want to know. Or cool
indifference or routine acceptance “Good to see you today” and keep walking away.
- “Love the brethren in the faith, as though they were brothers in blood.”
ILLUS: Genuine compassion - listening, lending a hand, a timely hug, a thank you gift, a visit. Devotion shows up
in times of need; and also shows up in fellowship - enjoy being together, encouraging. Seriously -just listening
and just being there with an open heart is a big part of this.
3. We are to Honor One Another 12:10b
- “give preference to one another in honor”
- Help each other look and sound good, to prefer others before ourselves, to be glad when others are honored above you.
Respect, place ahead.
ILLUS: Piano accompanist to a soloist or group.
QUOTE: “and let neither grief nor envy affect your mind at seeing another honored and yourself neglected.
This is a hard lesson, and very few persons learn it thoroughly.” (Adam Clark)
- Philippians 2:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 12:23-26
- The Bible tells us honor God, honor your father and mother, honor widows, honor the elders of the church, husbands
honor your wife, citizens honor the king, and honor all people.
- Wisdom from Proverbs: 3:35 "The “wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.” 15:33
“...before honor comes humility.” 21:21 “He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life,
righteousness and honor.”
- Lift others up, place them before you, for your honor is in giving honor and God honors honor.
ILLUS: How is that played out in the church? “After you!” “It would be our honor if you would
serve?” “I would be honored to serve.” “You did a great job!” “Thanks.”
“Let me do that for you.” “We are honored you are here.”
4. We are to be of the Same Mind toward One Another 12:16
- “Be of the same mind toward one another...”
- unity, loving harmony because we have common faith, common hope, common love. In the body of Christ, we have the same
faith in Jesus Christ, we have the Spirit working among us, we have the same aims of glorifying God, we have the same
mission of making disciples,
- There is to be unity in our diversity - and we are a diverse body here: “so, we who are many, are one body in
Christ...”
ILLUS: We have a lot going for us: nice facilities, The House, we own half a block now, paved parking lot with 43
spaces marked with bright yellow paint, and a great location; We have several excellent programs; attractive
publications, talented musicians, God blessed financial resources, leadership. and we even put on a pretty good
Sunday show. We are a happening place in Colfax.
- BUT they are no substitutes for a loving church - a church united in Christ, a church that is devoted to one another,
a church that honors one another, and a church that is unified.
- The essential importance of church unity. This topic is so important, we will see a similar phrase next week in Romans
15, and also in two weeks from 1 Corinthians 1 - United We Stand, Divided We Fall - so come
back for more, you be glad you did.
These are the 4 “one another’s” from Romans chapter 12. But I need to read to you the rest of
verses 9-21. In these 13 verses are a total of 25 distinct but very closely related exhortations to Christians. I have
given you three “one another’s” but the other 22 clearly give more practical how to’s of
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Listen carefully:
Read: Romans 12:9-21
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