Church Relationships That Are Caring And Christlike
Series: Relationships That Rock
INTRO: Three weeks ago I started a series I call, “Relationships that Rock.” We can have good relationships if we put the effort into them. Relationships with God, family, friends and our business contacts are important. They can be great. We must put forth the effort. We need to have a desire for better relationships in our lives.
I think relationships are covered in…
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: {8} For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
If we desire better relationships, one of the first steps is for us to call out to the Lord for them. We must then pursue them by right actions and reach out for them when we have the opportunity.
Today, I want to look at our church relationships. Relations inside the church should be some of the most satisfying, rewarding, and desirable that we have in this life. Ideally they should be the envy of the lost world.
Having said that, we know that they are not trouble-free, and they do require just as much maintenance as any relationship in life.
Really the question that I want to examine is…
What helps bring a better church family relationship to our lives?
Philippians 1:1-7 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: {2} Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. {3} I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, {4} Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, {5} For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; {6} Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: {7} Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
The first area I want to examine that builds a better relationship within our church is…
For His cause
Serving each other (for the Lord)
Mark 10:43-44 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: {44} And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Galatians 6:2,10 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. {10} As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Glad for each other
Rejoicing in His service
Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Life of learning (and teaching)
Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Colossians 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: {13} Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: {14} In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Prayer of blessing
Prayer of greatness (through Him)
We also find a place for…
How can we truly function as a group, church, assemble of believers, brothers and sisters if we do not spend time TOGETHER WORSHIPING GOD?
There is
Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, {47} Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
It is today that we gather together to worship together and lift up His name. It is today that we gather together and partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance. It is today that we gather together in the hope and confidence of His return.
Praising together (in the example of the disciples)
Luke 24:50-53 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. {51} And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. {52} And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: {53} And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Philippians 2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, {2} Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. {3} Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. {4} Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. {5} Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Fellowship – vs. 1
Unity – vs. 2
Humility – vs. 3
Unselfishness – vs. 4
Christlikeness – vs. 5
Pleasantness – vs. 14
Burning bright – vs. 15
Example of Christ to the world – vs. 14-15
Caring for each other – vs. 19-22
Helpful whenever we can – vs. 25-27
Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: {15} That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians 2:19-22 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. {20} For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. {21} For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. {22} But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Philippians 2:25-27 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. {26} For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. {27} For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Common servitude
Corporate worship
Companions of unity
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 041308am