1. BENEFITS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN CONTINUED Brothers and Sisters in Christ

2. Intoroduction  We have seen from creation that humans are social beings  After each of day of creation God saw that it was good!  We see a change in thought for the first time in Gen 2:18-22 where God states, It in not good for man to be alone  This morning I want to look at the benefit of gaining brothers and sisters in Christ when we are buried in the waters of baptism and rise anew

3. Our relationship with God allows true fellowship with others (Jn 17:20-23; 1 Jn 1:1-4)  Definitions used for our relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ  God’s own special people (1 Pet 2:9-10)  The elect of God (Col 3:12)  The family of God (Gal 3:26-29; Heb 3:5-6)  The body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23; Rom 12:4-5)

4. Our relationship with God allows true fellowship with others (Jn 17:20-23; 1 Jn 1:1-4)  This relationship removes all barriers or differences no matter our status or background and brings us together as one and the same (Col 3:9-11; Eph 2:11-22)  This relationship produces joy (1 Jn 3:1-4)

5. The basis of our lives together here on Earth is our relationship with God (Acts 2:42-47)  Our spiritual relationships transcend our physical ones (Mt 10:37; Mk 3 :31-35, 10:28-31)  The mutual benefits of the relationship are important (Rom 1:12)  Friendship/companionship (Prov 17:17; Eccl 4:9-12)  Help/encouragement (Rom 12:15; Gal 6:1-2)  Knowledge (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 2:3)  Correction (Mt 18:15-17; Jam 5:19-20)  Comfort (1 Thes 4:17-18, 5:11)  Prayer (Jam 5:16)

6. The basis of our lives together here on Earth is our relationship with God (Acts 2:42-47)  We must not forget the “family” aspect of Christianity (Phil 1:3-8)  We should have the same fear/dread of being cut off from the brethren as the Hebrews did in the OT (Gen 17:14; Ex 12:15)  In order to discipline one, there has to be a fellowship to be withdrawn from (Rom 16:17; 2 Thes 3:6)

7. Our relationship as brothers and sisters comes with responsibilities  Jn 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”  Rom 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”  Rom 15:5-7 “…Be like minded toward one another…”  1 Cor 1:10 “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

8. Our relationship as brothers and sisters comes with responsibilities  2 Cor 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”  Eph 4:1-3 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Phil 2:1-2 “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

9. Our relationship as brothers and sisters comes with responsibilities  Col 2:2 “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,”  1 Pet 1:22 “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,”  1 Pet 2:17 “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

10. Our relationship as brothers and sisters comes with responsibilities  1 Pet 3:8-9 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”  1 Jn 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”

11. Conclusion  Those of “like precious faith” are our “glory and joy”  2 Pet 1:1 “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:”  1 Thes 2:19-20 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.”