Tag Archives: One Another

It Takes “One Another” To Make a Strong Church

January 18, 2014

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Elders and deacons were prescribed and defined as an essential element in building a strong congregation of worshippers. The interesting thing about the qualifications of these positions (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5ff) is that they aren’t intended just for the leadership – all of them describe commandments and goals of Christians in general. (Obviously I am not talking about the ones related to marriage here.)

It takes everyone

Christianity involves one another more than self

Christianity involves one another more than self

Since every member of the church is required to grow and mature, (Hebrews 6:1-3) it follows that it takes every member working together to make a strong church. When I talk about a strong church, I am talking about just a few basic things:

  • The membership enjoys being together
  • Members are all inclusive and do not tend to clique
  • A high percentage of the membership meet at every opportunity
  • It is easy to find willing contributors
  • The focus is God and not the programs

There are no “perfect” congregations because the membership is made up of people. The point is that each one is doing everything they can to try to become perfect.

New Testament Examples of our Responsibility to “One Another”

Paul made extensive use of the idea that we are responsible for “one another” and depend on “one another.” In the context of strong Christianity, here are a few things he said about the people involved:

  • We should prefer one another (Romans 12:10 KJV)
  • We admonish one another (Romans 15:14 KJV)
  • We have forbearance for one another (Ephesians 4:2)
  • We are kind to one another(Ephesians 4:32)
  • We are forgiving to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
  • We are to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

The focus of Hebrews on the Membership

Since the whole point of Hebrews is to change the mind of the Christians backsliding to Judaism – or just outright falling away, the writer spoke directly to the membership to warn and remind them of the part they play in Christianity.

While leadership in the church is important, it is not the only thing required to keep a group together and motivated. It takes the involvement and example of each and every member of the body. As such, relying on one another is a recurring commandment in the New Testament, as I listed above, and as the Hebrews writer did in at least three places:

  • We are to exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13) – Christians are to rely on each other to get through our weaknesses and temptations. So many of our sins are hidden from our own eyes through their own deceitfulness.
  • We are to provoke or stir up one another to love and good work (Hebrews 10:24) – It is very difficult to attend a worship assembly of a close knit church and come away with no refreshment. The desire to know each other more and to work together grows at every meeting.
  • We are to encourage one another through our attendance (Hebrews 10:25) – It is impossible to be an influence to fellow Christians if we are not there to influence them! We should take advantage of every opportunity to meet with the saints, whether it is a scheduled formal worship or less formal opportunities to study and work together.

The church is not the preacher.

The church is not the leadership.

The church is each and every one of us. The strength of which depends on each and every one of us.

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Looking After Others

October 23, 2013

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Previously, we took a look at Paul’s caution against making unrighteous judgment against our brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 14 addresses how we are to treat each other within the church, including how we judge and whether we cause another to stumble. Romans 15:1-7 continues that reasoning addressing the responsibility of the strong for the weak.

The Apostle Paul  - Bartolomeo Montagna (1450–1523)

The Apostle Paul – Bartolomeo Montagna (1450–1523)

Here’s a summary for dealing with minor issues of disagreement as Paul laid it out:

  • Be careful how quickly you judge – Romans 14:1-12
  • Be careful not to cause one to stumble – Romans 14:13-22
  • Help others bear their failings – Romans 15:1-7

Keep in mind that there is a limit to how much a weak brother is allowed to influence our actions. We never take it to the extent that we fail to serve Christ properly. Ultimately, we cannot please men and serve Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

So how far do we go? We go as far as we can, as long as it is building up the weak brother. (Romans 15:2) The point when he is no longer growing is the same point we being damaging the body of Christ. It is a judgment call, and coincidentally, more proof that there is no prohibition against righteous judgment. (John 7:24)

God’s master plan includes a body of followers, united in the same beliefs, obeying the same gospel. This is his gift to us so that we can join him some day. (Ephesians 4:1-7) Our responsibility right now is to nurture that gift.

Daily Bible reading for October 23

Psalm 83
1 Kings 15:25-16:34
Ezekiel 46
Romans 15:1-13

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3 “One Anothers” that Make a Strong Church

July 31, 2013

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The whole point of Hebrews is to change the mind of the Christians backsliding to Judaism – or just outright falling away. While leadership in the church is important, it is not the only thing required to keep a group together and motivated. It takes the involvement and example of each and every member of the body. As such, relying on one another is a recurring commandment in the New Testament, as I listed in 10 Christian “One Anothers”

Three One Anothers for a Strong Church

In the Hebrew writer’s exhortations to examine how Christ improved the old covenant, he mentions three times that we are to help one another out along the way:

Christianity is a One Another proposition

Christianity is a One Another proposition

  • We are to exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13) – Christians are to rely on each other to get through our weaknesses and temptations. So many of our sins are hidden from our own eyes through their own deceitfulness.
  • We are to provoke or stir up one another to love and good work (Hebrews 10:24) – It is very difficult to attend a worship assembly of a close knit church and come away with no refreshment. The desire to know each other more and to work together grows at every meeting.
  • We are to encourage one another through our attendance (Hebrews 10:25) – It is impossible to be an influence to fellow Christians if we are not there to influence them! We should take advantage of every opportunity to meet with the saints, whether it is a scheduled formal worship or less formal opportunities to study and work together.

All three of these come from words of motivation – a positive action we are to take to help edify (build up) a fellow Christian.

The Christians that …

  • do not roll up their sleeves and get to the work
  • have spotty attendance
  • fail to participate in the fellowship

…are depriving the rest of us of what we crave: the faith and confidence that grows from being among one another.

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10 Christian “One Anothers”

July 27, 2013

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Christianity involves one another more than self

Christianity involves one another more than self

Love one another:
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 (John 13:34-35).

Prefer one another in honor:
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another (Romans 12:10).

Admonish one another:
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Romans 15:14).

Speak the truth in love one to another:
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

With gentleness one to another:
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

Forbear one another:
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).

Forgive one another:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).

Comfort one another:
Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Edify one another:
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Exhort one another:
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).

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A “One Another” People

May 16, 2013

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Paul had a formula for his teaching.

  1. He was always setting an example
  2. He expected Christians to follow that example
  3. He instructed us to set the example for others (2 Timothy 2:2, Philippians 4:9)

One of the common examples we see in Paul’s letters is his concern for the churches he planted. He made it clear that he loved his brethren! In 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 we read where he sent Timothy down to check on the Thessalonian church.

That concern for “one another” is a big ingredient to the success of the Lord’s church.

Paul mentions how we should treat one another a number of times in his letters. He says we are to:

  • Prefer one another in honor (Romans 12:10)
  • Admonish or Instruct one another (Romans 15:14)
  • Speak the truth in love one to another (Ephesians 4:15)
  • Forbear one another (Ephesians 4:2)
  • Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)
  • Comfort or encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
  • Edify one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
  • Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)

The next time we sense there is a conflict between “one another,” we now have a head start on how to resolve it. One of the things in this list will surely help.

The bottom line is that we are to “love one another” just like Jesus loves us. (John 13:34-35)

Daily Bible reading for May 16

Psalm 135
Numbers 16-17
Isaiah 55
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

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