My Relationship To My Brethren

Lesson 11

It is essential that every member of the congregation appreciate the relationship he has in God’s family. He has many brothers and sisters with whom he has many things in common, including some common responsibilities.  How we treat our brothers and sisters has a great bearing on our relationship to God, Consider these scriptures: Matthew 523-24; 6:14-15; 25:31-46.

I.    HOW AM I RELATED TO OTHER CHRISTIANS?

A.  We Are All Members Of One Family.

1.   Christians have a common Father, Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 8:16.

2.   Jesus considered spiritual relationships to be more significant than physical relationships, Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21.

B.  We Are All Members Of One Body, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

C.  We Are Partners In A Great Fellowship, 1 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 1:5; 2:1; 1 John 1:3.

II.   WHAT DO I OWE TO MY BRETHREN?

A.  Love.

1.   Love is a mark of discipleship, John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-12, 4:19-20.

2.   How must I love my brethren? John 15:12; 1 John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:22.

B.  Proper Example.

1.   I want to be a light to my brother, as well as the world, Matthew 5:13-14;
Romans 14:13,21.

2.   To cause my brother to stumble into sin is to sin against Christ, 1 Cor 8:9-13.

C.  Forgiveness.

1.   Brethren sometimes err and need one another’s Forgiveness, Colossians 3:13;
Matthew 6:14-15.

2.   How often must I forgive my brother? Matthew 18:21-35.

D.  Help Bear His Burdens.

1.   Christians give support and encouragement one to another, Galatians 6:1,2;
Philippians 2:4.

2.   What are some things we help our brother with?

a.   Physical needs, Acts 4:32-35.

b.   Grief and sorrow, Romans 12:15.

c.   Sickness, whether physical or spiritual, James 5:14-20; Galatians 6:1

d.   Discouragement, 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 12:12-13.

E.  Fair And Impartial Treatment, James 2:1-4; Proverbs 28-21.

F.  Hospitality, Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:1,2; 1 Peter 4:9.

III.  MY OBLIGATION TO PRESERVE UNITY AMONG MY BRETHREN.

A.  Peace And Unity Are Good, Psalms 133:1; Proverbs 6:16-19; Ephesians 4:2-3; Philippians 1:27.

B.  Things That Destroy Unity.

1.   Gossip and tale-bearing, 1 Timothy 5:13; Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; 16-28.

2.   Anger and wrath, Proverbs 16:32; Ephesians 4:26; James 1:19-20.

3.   Self-will, demanding that things be done “my way,” 1 Corinthians 13:5; James 3:17.

4.   Unkind words, Ephesians 4:31; Proverbs 15:31; 21:23.

IV. GOD’S LAW FOR SETTLING DISPUTES AMONG BRETHREN.

A.  Talk To Each Other!

1.   If a brother has something against you, go to that brother, Matthew 5:23-24.

2.   If you have something against a brother, go to him, Matthew 18:15.

3.   Notice the fact that both (the one who has done wrong and the one who has been wronged) have an obligation in the matter.

a.   If they are both seeking to obey Jesus, they might meet one another on the way.

b.   Waiting, in pride, for the other to take the first step is not God’s way! In the case of Christ, did he wait for man to come to him? Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19.

B.  Appeal To Others For Assistance.

1.   This can be done only after step one has been exhausted, Matthew 18:15-17.

2.   God’s plan is to take one or two others with you, and then, if necessary, to take the matter before the congregation.

3.   It is never God’s plan to tell everybody in town about the matter while leaving out the brother under consideration.

V.  MY DUTY TOWARD THOSE WHO PERSIST IN SIN.

A.  I Cannot Have Fellowship With A Brother Who Refuses To Repent.

1.   I am to withhold common association from the brother who continues in sin, 1 Corinthians 5:11.

2.   The church is to withdraw from such a man, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5.

3.   The only company I can have with such a brother is to try to restore him,
2 Thessalonians 3:15; Galatians 6:1.

B.  Similar Action Is Required With The Brother Who Is a False Teacher.

1.   To be a false teacher is to sin, Romans 16:17-18; 2 John 9-11.

Conclusion:  Let us follow the admonition of Hebrews 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.”

Questions

1.   List at least three ways in which I can show love to my brethren.

2.   What are some examples of others in this congregation who have shown love to me?

3.   What special needs might the elderly Christians and those who are shut-ins have?

4.   What should I do if someone in the church comes to me with a juicy piece of gossip?

a.   Listen carefully, so I can pass it along.

b.   Share some gossip I have heard about someone else.

c.   Believe what I hear, and thank the person for telling me.

d.   Quit the church, because gossipers are hypocritical.

e.   None of the above.

5.   What should be done about problems of gossip and tale-bearing?

6.   What are some things I cannot do in regard to a brother who has been withdrawn from?

7.   What are some things I can do in regard to a brother who has been withdrawn from?

 

Page last revised January 19, 2008 by Bob Sarrett.