INSIGHT
 
   When you became a Christian, you became a child of God; a member of His family. Our wise and loving Father knows how much we need close association with those who share the same faith. This fellowship is provided in the church, which is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). 
   One of the most important things a disciple can do is to develop relationships with other disciples within the church. We ought to take the initiative in getting acquainted with members of the body of Christ, for they all are our spiritual brothers and sisters. Paul said in Ephesians 2:19, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household." As we can see from this passage, the church of Christ is compared to a city, and every converted sinner is a resident of it. It is also compared to a house, and every converted sinner is one of the family, a servant and a child in God's house. Is there a greater honor or happiness than this? For this reason, we ought to get to know one another, love one another and fellowship with one another.
   As Christians, we understand the importance of having a vertical relationship, that is, a relationship with God. But God has called us not only to have a relationship with Him, but to have a relationship with all people, especially with those of His household. For Christ said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." He also said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." Love must be both "vertical" and "horizontal". See the picture--of the Cross? 
The Body of Christ
Relationships in the Body


Key Text:                         1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Theme:
When we enter into the Body of Christ (the Church), relationships are radically transformed! Instead of having ourselves as our focus, we must consider others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Church is not just something we attend, it is an opportunity to tend to the needs of others. God gave us the Church to have spiritual relationships. He knows that we need each other.

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:
1. Make it a point to call and write to other Christians in order to build relationships. Set specific goals in this area.
2. Pray for each other daily.
3. Establish a prayer covenant with a brother/sister. Brothers pray with brothers; sisters pray with sisters.
4. Introduce yourself to at least one new person in each service.
5. Write notes or cards of encouragement to your brothers and sisters. Write also to your leaders in the congregation to encourage them.
6. Invite members to your home and accept their invitations to visit them.

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline


Relationships In The Body

I. Adopted Children

  A. Through faith in Christ
    1. John 1:12
      a. Right to become children of God
        --Receiving Him as a gift from God
        --Receiving His teaching as truth
        --His grace and love as motivation for our actions
        --Adopted upon baptism (Gal. 3:26,27)
    2. 1 John 3:1
      a. How great is His love that we should be called His 
          children!!!
    3. Hebrews 2:11
      a. Jesus calls us His brothers

II. A New Commandment: John 13:34-35

  A. A fundamental law of the kingdom
    1. It is commanded
    2. Christ as example--this is our motive
    3. The distinguishing mark of Christ

  B. Action-orientated relationship
    1. "As I have loved you"
    2. Love is something you do

  C. Love through Communication
    1. 1 Cor. 14:3 
      a. laleo--to speak, utter, tell
      b. strengthen, encourage, comfort
    2. Ephesians 4:29
      a. Speak what is helpful to others needs
      b. Speak what is beneficial

III. Conclusion

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Small Group Study

Warm-up:
How do you feel about hypocrisy?

See To It                           1 Cor. 13:-1-4
1. From this passage, list the “gifts” that are in  question here.

2. What made these glorious gifts unacceptable before God? Explain your answer.

3. How does this apply to people professing to be Christians today? Explain your answer.

4. Read 1 John 4:7-12. Why is love such an important factor in a Christian’s life?

5. How do verses 9 through 10 motivate the true disciple of Christ to love? Explain how these verses help us to love unconditionally.

Seeing It Closer:
1. Do you find yourself “forced” to do good or “motivated” to do good? Explain.

2. On a scale of 1 to 5 (one being the least open and five being the most open), how open are you towards correction?

3. Does love always “feel” good? How is being corrected synonymous to being loved?

4. Read Galatians 2:11-14. Did Paul love Peter? How did you think Peter reacted to Paul’s reproof?

5. What specific things can you do to show the love of God within you?

Getting To It:

Starting from 1 Corinthians 13 verse 4 to the first part of verse 8, go around the room and have each member of the class read one quality of love, substituting the word “love” or “it” with their name.

 

 

This week's Quiet Times:

Relationships in the Body

MONDAY
Love: unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the well-being of another. The King James Version uses the word charity instead of "love" to translate the Greek word Paul used (agàpe). The word charity comes from the Latin caritas which means "dearness," "affection," or "high regard." Today, the word charity is normally used for acts of benevolence, and so the word love is to be preferred as a translation of agàpe. Nevertheless, the reader who comes to the agape of the New Testament with the idea of benevolence in mind is better off than the reader who comes with the idea of physical pleasure and satisfaction. (Holman Bible Dictionary) Carefully consider John 13:34-35. How will the world recognize you as a disciple? Make a list of all the possible ways you could carry out Jesus’ command in light of the definition of agàpe. Write 1 John 3:16 on an index card and look at it throughout the day, until you have stored it in your heart. Call a fellow Brother/Sister today.  Write his/her name here: __________________________________

TUESDAY
In order for our love to be benevolent, we need to consider what kind of attitude needs to be in us. Examine Phil. 2:5-7 and Matthew 20:28 . What was Jesus’ focus?  Do you think He was concerned with being comfortable, or was His mind focused on making Himself uncomfortable for our sake? Now examine the encouragement Paul gives us through the advice he gave the Ephesian church in Ephesians 4:29-5:2 . The first thing he addresses is what comes out of our mouths. Why? (Luke 6:45) What is the attitude Paul is attempting to instill in the Ephesians? Notice that in Ephesians 5:1-2 he speaks of Christ’s attitude again. Look at 5:1: Because you are dearly loved (agàpe), imitate God’s love! Write Hebrews 10:24-25 on an index card and store it in your heart. Send a note of encouragement to a brother or sister today.

WEDNESDAY
When the attitude of benevolent love begins to live in your soul, you can’t help it but to express that love to those around you. Check out 1 John 3:17-18 . How is the love of God (agàpe again!) expressed? Must we look out for one another? What attitude must be in us to look out after our brethren? Carefully consider the attitude present as the brethren served one another in Acts 2:42-47. What were they devoted to? What was their attitude towards material things? What was their concern? (vs. 45) What is the result of having a servant’s mindset? (vs. 46) Write John 13:14-15 on an index card and store it in your heart. Think about a brother or a sister in need.  Fill this need today!

THURSDAY
Our love expressed in service must be sincere. Carefully consider 1 Peter 1:22. Our sincere desire to love deeply comes as a result of obeying the truth.  Sincere love comes out of a pure heart. Your desire to be holy will result in agàpe love towards others.  Write down some ways you can express this deep love for the brethren that first pop into your mind. Can you love someone deeply if your heart has been hardened? Look at  Hebrews 3:12-13. What is it that hardens the heart? Do you pray to the Lord that you may not be deceived by your own sin?  When love is sincere, from the heart, our desires will be to be encouraging to each other, building each other up rather than tearing each other down. Write down Psalm 139:23-24 and treasure it in your heart. Fulfill as much as you can this week the ways you want to express deep love for your brothers/sisters.

FRIDAY
Love is the expression (works) of the grace of God received by faith. The proof that our expressed love is a sincere one comes from the respect given to those we serve. Carefully study out 1 Thess 5:11-13. What are you called to do in vs. 11? If someone is working hard at doing this very thing and is admonishing (look this word up in a good dictionary) you to do the same, what attitude must you have toward him/her? (vs. 13) How are you to view the brethren who sincerely love you? From this passage, what does showing someone respect involve? (Look up respect in a good dictionary) Why should you show someone respect? Isn’t respect an integral part of loving? Look at Ephesians 5:21. Does submission involve respect? Respect toward whom? To whom  do we submit?  Why do we submit? Brethren, it is because we revere (respect) our Lord that we respect each other. (Look up revere in a good dictionary) Hide 1 John 4:20 in your heart. Get together with a fellow Christian (same gender) and pray together.