WE NEED ONE ANOTHER!

INTRODUCTION

Timely Truths that Transform Us. Talking about Us. Developing a Biblical Community, improving our relationships with other.

In the NT a key phrase found 35-54 times is “one another.” Specific practical ways we can fulfill 2^nd Great Commandment “You shall love your neighbor yourself.” (Matt 22:39)

To begin - John 13:34-35. The many “one another’s” are specifically rooted in what has been called the 11^th Commandment given by Jesus found in John 13:34-35. This new commandment Jesus gave His disciples on the last night before His suffering. This motley crew that Jesus appointed to change the world and begin the church, He charged them to be defined by and demonstrate love for “one another.” His new command says:

1. “Love one another” The Declaration. A command. A new paradigm. Not about law but love, not lists of rules but love.
2. “Even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” The Design. Example is Jesus Himself - serving, sacrificial love
3. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The Distinction. Jesus’ people are distinct in the world because of their love for one another. Jesus gives permission to the world to judge His followers on the sole basis of their love for one another. (Don McMinn, “The 11^th Commandment Project”)

A common remark made about the early Christians was “Behold, how these Christians love one another.” Do people around us say that about us?

Last week from Romans 12 - 4 one another’s: “members of one another, be devoted to one another, honor one another, and be of the same mind toward one another.” This week another 4, the first one today overlaps.

1. We are to be of the Same mind with One Another 15:5-6

• Difference is “toward” to “with” Unity in Christ, the tie that binds.



• Not an ecumenical unity, put aside our vast differences and be inclusive.
ILLUS: I saw this in the 1980’s, when in Illinois. Mostly dead now, partly because liberalism and conservatism are more polarized. Pastors just don’t meet together as they used too - busy, didn’t accomplish much anyway.



• Instead this unity is not brought by outward organization, but inward faith in Christ. We have the same belief in Christ, share the same convictions of the truth of who Jesus is: The Son of the living God. The Only Savior. The mediator between God and man. Thus we together follow the teaching and example of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:6,7. More next week: United We Stand, Divided We Fall. 1 Cor. 1:10-11



• Do we have our unity because we share similar stories of Jesus Christ?

2. We are to Accept One Another 15:7

• We accept those who Christ has accepted - He accepts sinners, He accepts imperfect people, He accepts needy people. Unconditional, forgiving, gracious, a never ending relationship.
ILLUS: Biblical examples: Jesus accepts the woman at the well, crossed cultures, gender. Peter and the Jewish disciples learned to accept Gentiles. James tells the rich to accept the poor. Paul learned to accept young Mark after rejecting him for missionary work.



• Accept our differences in personalities and prejudicies, cultures and customs, and find the common bond of Christ. As Christ accepts us sinners and transforms us to be saints, we become His friends & followers



• Present imperative “Keep on accepting one another” This is continual, we always find ways to be divisive and critical, it takes an active effort to keep going back to the reality that we are united in Christ.
ILLUS: This is tested in church conflicts - Satan knows that the best way to ruin our testimony is to divide us = divide and conquer strategy.

3. We are to Admonish One Another 15:14

• Tough love, love enough to tell what is wrong so to correct and do right - Most of us don’t like to be rejected so we don’t admonish, or some of us have this as an overly used spiritual gift. Both extremes, not the balance.



• With knowledge we do this, knowledge of the Word of God, not out of viciousness or violence, ignorance or intimidation, arrogance or anger, But graciously and gently, humbly and helpfully, to strength people.
ILLUS: We are going some form of a church evaluation - see our strengths and weakness, we will find some things that may need admonishing.

4. We are to Greet One Another 16:16

• You know me, that holy kiss thing, cautious on a holy hug.



• “In our culture, the kiss is generally replaced by the handshake” (Believers, 557) I can do that no problem.



• Idea is meaningful conservation, being together, listen and compassion.



• Early church liturgy included a time for this, today “The sign of peace”
ILLUS: We have “Howdy Time.” We have church Gate Keepers: Keith, Mac Henderson. Remember Dick Wilcox?



• Practical - come early and visit, drink some coffee; after church hang around and visit. Spend time with one another. Connect with one another

CONCLUSION

Some other “one another” in NT:

Bear one another’s burdens Gal. 6:2

Serve one another Gal. 5:13

Forgive one another Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13

Build up one another Romans 14

Submit to one another Eph. 5:21

Encourage one another Heb. 10:24-25

Do not judge one another Rom. 14:13

Be Kind to one another Eph. 4:32

Be hospitable to one another 1 Peter 4:9

Be humble towards one another 1 Peter 5:5

Care for one another 1 Cor. 12:25

Comfort one another 2 Cor. 1:4

Do not speak against one another James 4:11

Do not complain against one another James 5:9

Confess your sins to one another James 5:16

Pray for one another James 5:16

Fellowship with one another 1 John 1:7

A couple of things to work on:

“Bear one another’s burdens, Serve one another, Care for one another”

Helping - meeting needs - The Biblical Deacon.
ILLUS: Dawn Hall moving MAC Group. Men’s groups work if they work

“Do not complain, Do not speak against one another”
ILLUS: We go through cycles, not bad now. Evaluation. Agree to disagree.

“Be hospitable”
ILLUS: Open your homes, new people. Go out to eat together. Problem for most of us - we aren’t home too much, then tired.

A common remark made about the early Christians was “Behold, how these Christians love one another.” Comments made by the outside world, surprised by their relationships, pure relationships the world was not providing. How are we doing today?