John
13:34,35
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John
13:34,35 |
|
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Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
June 26, 2016 AM BBC
Ballincollig
I.
Introduction
(Matthew 7:21)
A.
Some people
are so fed up with Christianity
1.
They’ve been
hurt, disappointed, let down by people claiming to be Christian
2.
They’ve gone
from church to church and seen no consistency, or similar focus amongst
them
3.
Not everyone
that claims to be Christian, really is
B.
Bible
believing Churches that once were growing and thriving, are drying up
C.
What used to
be a force in the world for morality to be reckoned with, is rare and
becoming even rarer
D.
What is
happening to Christianity is three fold:
1.
It has
become DIY theology everywhere – people and entire churches are not
Bible only, but base what they believe upon people’s feelings and dreams
and supposed miracles, and visions – they believe what is popular at the
moment
2.
It promotes
entertainments and fun, over Biblical worship
3.
AND,
amazingly, it has very little real love amongst themselves
E.
This has
been our focus this month… What To Do With The Brethren
1.
We know we
are supposed to love one
another
2.
But we don’t
do it very well – if we would be honest
3.
We don’t
show up for church very often
4.
And when we
do, we come in late, and leave as fat as possible when it’s over
5.
We don’t
pray together like we should
6.
We don’t
care about what each other is going through
7.
We are more
worried about the kingdoms of this world, and about economies, and about
footballs, instead of the kingdom of God, and the family of God
F.
Let’s focus
our attention one more time on, What We All Should Be Doing With ‘The
Brethren’
II.
Background
A.
‘The Brethren’ is a Description
of Christians (Matthew 12:46-50)
1.
Jesus
describes His followers (us) as Family
2.
A Special
Kind of Family
a.
We share
more than physical genes and characteristics
b.
We share the
same Heavenly Father
c.
The same
faith – in Jesus only
d.
The same
experience – of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus
Christ
e.
That saving
faith brought into the family of God!
f.
A new birth
g.
A family
filled with neither Jew, nor Gentile – but just sinners, forgiven by the
loving grace of God
h.
Disciples of
Jesus
i.
Who do the
will of God from the heart
3.
This phrase,
was a very common description throughout the New Testament (Acts 11:29;
15:40; 21:17; 1Cor 16:20; 2Cor 11:9; Col 4:15)
4.
Not fancy
title, but a simple, and powerful way to describe Christians –
‘brethren’!
B.
A
Description We Take Very Seriously (Matthew 23:8)
1.
Do you
realise how many religions there are out there? And how many religious
LEADERS to try and follow?
2.
Well, Jesus
offers us Himself
a.
One Perfect
Leader – God come down into flesh – not a man trying to reach Godhood
b.
One
Authority
c.
One Example
to Follow
d.
One way to
God – through Him
e.
That’s who
HE is
3.
But what
does that make us?
4.
And we are
all simply, BRETHREN!
a.
No
hierarchy, 33 degree masons, no bishops, canons, arch-bishops, gurus…
b.
Jesus looked
out at thousands and millions of people who would follow Him and believe
on Him, and He called us ALL… brethren!
c.
Just
brethren!
d.
That means,
Peter was not higher up in God’s kingdom than Thomas – just closer to
Jesus
e.
As a matter
of fact, the apostle JOHN was the closest!
5.
Yes there
are some Christians that are more mature and some NOT so mature
6.
There are
some who are pastors, and some teachers, and some evangelists and church
starters
7.
But we are
ALL what? BRETHREN! We are all family.
8.
We are all
at the same level in the sight of God
9.
And THAT
keeps us humble!
III.
Message -
Our Responsibilities Towards The Brethren
A.
What Most
People Imagine, and Think About ‘the Brethren’…
1.
Many
religious leaders fleece the brethren – religion is usually big money
for the higher ups
2.
Most
church-goers ignore the brethren – come only for themselves, what they
can get from God
3.
Others judge
and find fault, and fight with each other
a.
See all the
warts, flaws in others
b.
See the
immaturity and the failures
c.
It IS very
important that we all take our lives and the way we live seriously
d.
But is it
MORE important to have grace with one another’s faults
e.
The WORLD
outside can slander, and mock, and persecute us – expect it!
f.
But out of
our same mouths SHOULD NOT come both blessing and cursing (James 3:8-12)
B.
But what
does GOD say are our Responsibilities towards the Brethren?
1.
To Love One
Another - Obviously
a.
Not passive,
words only! Quite actively (1Peter 1:22)!
b.
We are
supposed to love our families, our neighbours, and even our enemies
c.
But Jesus
said that we must go out of our ways to show love towards each other!
1)
It is easy
to show love towards someone you don’t have to sit next to all the time,
someone you can be nice to briefly and then walk away!
2)
Jesus told
Peter to love Thomas. And told Thomas to love Peter!
3)
So, Go out
of your way to control your tongue
(Ephesians 4:29) Use your WORDS to build up other believers, never
tear down
4)
To make time
for each other and for church
5)
To shut your
mouth and just listen to someone else talk
6)
To learn
about people’s lives and what they think
7)
And adapt
yourself to the culture of Christ
8)
EXAMPLE:
a)
I was
preaching in a church in West Texas, years ago, and I was running their
week-long Bible Club, and about 75 children were gathered, and we were
singing “I’m In the Lord’s Army!”
b)
The first
verse goes…
i.
I may never
March in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
ii.
I may never
Zoom over the enemy
iii.
But I’m in
the Lord’s Army! Yes Sir!
c)
But the next
verse (what we called the Texan Version) said, “I may never Step on a
Rattle Snake, OW! Shoot at the Indians, POW! Ride on a Jersey COW! But
I’m in the Lord’s Army, YEE HAW!”
d)
The problem
was, half of those children and their parents were American Indians!
e)
I needed a
good dose of humble pie, to learn to adapt!
f)
They were
brethren, that had feelings and
d.
Whether we
like it or not. It is a command.
1)
Just as
important as “Be ye holy…”
2)
Just as
important as “Have no other gods before me…”
3)
Just as
important as “Thou shalt not commit adultery…”
4)
Love one
another
5)
John
13:34,35 A new commandment I
give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye
also love one another. By
this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another.
6)
John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved
you.
7)
John 15:17
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
e.
The rest of
these points show HOW to love one another!
2.
Assemble
with One Another (Hebrews 10:25)
a.
Gather
together, and sit together, all in one room, getting along, working
together, loving being together
b.
A Bible
believing Church is THE ORIGINAL United nations (Col 3:11)
1)
Filled with
men, women, Irish, French, Nigerian, Texan, German, Peruvian, British,
South African, Polish, Russian, and Filipino!
2)
All
gathering every Sunday, with one purpose – the worship of Jesus Christ
as Lord!
3)
Dropping
anything that aggravates another - careful
c.
In the first
century, the believers, the
brethren met together EVERY DAY, in homes throughout every city
(Acts 5:42)
d.
They
couldn’t be together enough!
1)
Sunday was a
chance for ‘family’ reunion!
2)
Sundays were
‘family’ time – every family together with the whole family of God in
that area or town!
3)
Ever since I
got born again, I love being with other believers!
a)
I miss week
long meetings!
b)
The greatest
changes in my heart and life occur after extended times away from the
world, and spent amongst God’s people, listening to preaching getting
convicted by God’s word!
4)
A historian
named Pliny the Younger describes Christian meetings when it was illegal
to be a Christian and meet during work hours, in this way: They meet way
before dawn in each other’s homes, singing, reading whatever portion of
Scripture they happened to own, and encourage each another to live for
their living Lord! Finishing all before sunrise.
5)
That’s how
Christians worshipped for the first 300 years of Christianity!
6)
Nothing
seemed to keep them from gathering together!
e.
What keeps
YOU away?
3.
To Know Each
Other (Philp 2:19)
a.
To NOTICE
each other – learn about each other
1)
Some are
single, some have problems at home, with their health
2)
Some have
endured divorce, and abandonment
3)
Some have
been looking for jobs for years, and struggle to stay encouraged
b.
So, Take
time for each other
1)
Listen to
each other – take the time to listen!
2)
Get to know
each other
3)
I don’t know
if you notice, but TEA TIME is ME forcing everyone to be together just
long enough to meet each other and maybe get to know each other a little
better!
c.
Love each
other with the goal of (1Peter 3:8,9)
1)
Being of one
mind
2)
Having
compassion one of another
3)
LOVING as
brethren
4)
Showing pity
towards each other
5)
Being
courteous
6)
Not
rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing
7)
But
contrariwise blessing
8)
Because
loving each other brings about great blessing into a church!
4.
To Worry
About Each Other (Hebrews 13:1-3)
a.
Not worry in
a bad way – panicking, but being concerned about each other
b.
Every mother
worries about their children
c.
Well, As
Christians, we need to take time and worry about each other
1)
Is there any
in need?
2)
Lonely?
3)
Struggling
with sin?
4)
Missing from
church?
5)
Most of us
are so busy we don’t notice!
6)
Put your
feet in other people’s shoes! In their life!
d.
Take Care of
Each Other (Acts 4:34,35)
1)
That means,
go out of your way to give towards each other’s needs
2)
Quit
expecting the government to take care of everybody!
3)
Each of us
needs to be carrying part of the load
4)
Making sure
widows are well cared for – not just by the State
5)
Making sure
this church pays its bills
6)
Pick up and
restore broken people – not dumping them (Galatians 6:1,2)
e.
Am “I” the
only one that worries about the people in this room? Shouldn’t be that
way
f.
Do you worry
about ANYBODY besides yourself?
g.
At least
Job’s friends took time to go to his home and check on him! They worried
about him after all he went through!
5.
Honour and
Prefer One Another (Romans 12:10)
a.
Why is it so
hard to get some Christians out Sunday evening and Wednesday evening?
1)
Are you late
for work?
2)
Late for
school?
3)
Then, Why
are you late for church?
b.
Could it be
some of you PREFER…
1)
The
Simpsons?
2)
Rachel,
Monica, Joey, Phoebe etc from Friends?
3)
Judge Judy?
4)
Uefa 2016?
5)
Or some
“special” movie?
6)
You KNOW you
have the capability to RECORD that if you are so desperate?
c.
Jesus
commands us to prefer each other
1)
Many prefer
their X-Box, or their smartphone, or they TV, or “their” select friends,
or their children, or their favourite sport, or their hobby
2)
As a
Christian, I prefer all of ye ON PURPOSE
3)
Not that I
don’t have hobbies, and other things that I like to do, but I prefer
your company, and your opinions and your ideas, and hearing all about
what God is doing in YOUR lives!
6.
Pray for
Each Other (James 5:16)
a.
If you care
about someone, you should NATURALLY instantly pray for them about that
worry
b.
Keep a
prayer list, with NAMES and NEEDS
1)
Pray for
each other’s spiritual protection – like going into a war-zone!
2)
Pray for
their encouragement
3)
Pray for
their faithfulness
4)
Pray for
their needs
5)
Pray for
their family
c.
AS IF IT
WERE YOU and YOUR needs and YOUR unsaved family being prayed for!
7.
Minister to
Each Other (Matthew 20:25-27; Hebrews 6:10)
a.
Find out
what needs to be done for this church to grow and thrive, and then DO
IT!
b.
Use your
time and talents to
1)
Go out
Soul-winning on Saturdays
2)
Help teach
in Children’s Church
3)
Help in
Twelve Weeks to Freedom
4)
Help drive
the bus to pick people up
5)
Help out
with Bible Clubs and Target the Heart this Summer
6)
Minister to
each other, and to this lost world we live in
7)
Helping set
up before church and take down everything after church
c.
That’s one
of the big reasons we all GIVE at church
1)
Tithing and
giving enables us to
a)
Meet in a
nice building like this
b)
Own and
maintain a bus to carry people and store church things
c)
Pay staff
costs
d)
Hold Bible
Clubs and Youth Camps
e)
Organise and
run Men’s Camps
f)
Run an
amazing Children’s Church, and Teen’s Church ministry
2)
Giving
specifically to Missions for our 9 missionary families. WE, our small
church MINISTERS to those 9 families so that THEY can MINISTER to the
believers in their area all over the world!
d.
What could
you start doing right away that would help carry the load?
8.
Lay Down Our
Lives for One Another (1John 3:16)
a.
I don’t know
when that time will come…
b.
But for the
majority of history, Christians have been the focus of this world’s
entertainment, by persecuting and destroying them
c.
And it has
been brave, selfless believers who risked their lives to protect other
believers – especially women and children – during times of intense
persecution
1)
Corrie ten
Boom and Betsy risked their lives and went to prison protecting Jews
from the Nazi’s during WWII
2)
Paul’s life
was one time spared by the sacrifices of a couple named Aquila and
Priscilla (Romans 16:3,4)
d.
To say that
these people around you are
your friends and family that you love dearly will be tested one day. I
pray that “I” am ready to lay down my life that others may go on!
9.
To Do It
All… Faithfully (3John 1:5)
a.
Not start
and stop, on and off, up and down
b.
But steady
as a heartbeat
c.
Day in, and
day out!
d.
You and I
have a load to work on
IV.
Reflection
A.
How are YOU
treating other Christians? What are YOU doing to the Brethren?
1.
Ignoring
them? Barely acknowledging that they even exist?
Isn’t that what the world is doing?
2.
Judging
them? Seeing only their faults and flaws?
3.
Or loving
them like we have been reminded all month?
B.
Do YOU care
to actually START loving the brethren?
1.
Not passive,
with words only! But quite actively (1Peter 1:22)!
2.
Assembling
with Christians, WHENEVER we are gathering?
3.
Know Each
Other
4.
Worry About
Each Other
5.
Honour and
Prefer One Another
6.
Pray for
Each Other
7.
Minister to
Each Other
8.
Protect Each
Other
9.
Lay Down Our
Lives for One Another
10.
Do It All…
Faithfully
C.
Does your
love for the brethren show? Can others tell you love and prefer to be
around a bunch of hypocrites called Christians?
V.
Invitation
(Ephesians 2:19)
A.
Will YOU
start to love other believers, like Jesus loved YOU?
B.
Who in this
room will CHOOSE to obey Christ’s command to love a whole lot of
unworthy, sinful, selfish, imperfect people? Wherever they may be
meeting? Whenever they may be gathering together?
C.
Some of you
are NOT in the family of God.
1.
Some of you
are NOT born again – born from above.
2.
Jesus said,
You MUST be born again to be made ready for eternal life
3.
It is called
a new birth because
a.
It saves
your soul from the wrath to come
b.
It washes
away all sin and forgives you everything
c.
It makes you
a child of God, and now put into the family of God, all by your faith in
Jesus the Saviour of your soul
4.
Ephesians
2:19 Now therefore ye are no
more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and
of the household of God
5.
That is, IF
you have been born again like Jesus said everyone needs to be!
D.
Let Him save
you today! |