6/24/2018 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. 6/24/2018

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. 6/24/2018

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. 6/24/2018

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. 6/24/2018

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. 6/24/2018

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) 6/24/2018

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) 6/24/2018

One Another Obligations Positive Commands: Positive Commands 6/24/2018 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) 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)

One Another Obligations Negative Commands Negative Commands 6/24/2018 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) Don’t Lie (Col. 3:9-10) Don’t Speak Against (Jas. 4:11-12) Don’t Grumble Against (Jas. 5:9)

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) 6/24/2018

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. 6/24/2018

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.” 6/24/2018