Welcome! www.SunsetChurchofChrist.net Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM www.SunsetChurchofChrist.net

Acts 17

Athens

Athens: Market

Athens: Market

Athens: Mars Hill

Welcome! www.SunsetChurchofChrist.net Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM www.SunsetChurchofChrist.net

Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. Psalm 119:54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. Hymns Invitation Red Songbook - Supplemental

“The least of these My brethren” Matthew 25:31-46 Mt 25:40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.‘ Mt 25:45 "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me

Who are “the least” of my brethren? The weakest members? Those I have the least in common? Those I like the least? Identification: to whom could “least of my brethren” refer?

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Breaking Bad Habits James 2:1-4 The church family is NOT a social club - Its purpose is not social Therefore association is not (just) pleasure - It is obligation Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Jas 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Esteeming the Weak Romans 14:1-10 Weak brethren can be: - Spiritually immature Selfish: Philippians 3:15-16 Doctrinally weak: Hebrews 5:13-14 Php 3:15 ¶ Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Spiritually selfish people do not assemble or participate with other brethren Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Esteeming the Weak Romans 14:1-10 Weak brethren can be: - Spiritually immature - Struggling in difficulty - Needing encouragement: Galatians 6:1-2 - Needing admonishment: James 5:19-20 Ga 6:1 ¶ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Jas 5:19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,

Finding Common Ground Ephesians 2:14-22 Jews & Gentiles Had over a millennia of separation Expectation: to join together Danger: establishing two churches Where did this manifest? Galatians 2:12 – in social settings Ga 2:12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Finding Common Ground Ephesians 2:14-22 Jews & Gentiles Paul’s answer: 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 Becoming all things to all men Willing to redefine yourself for your brethren 1Co 9:19 ¶ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Unpleasant Brethren 2 Timothy 2:22-26 Brethren can be unpleasant - In their speech: 2 Corinthians 10:10 - In their behavior: Acts 11:2 - Fault finding: Jude 16, 2 Cor. 1:17 2Co 10:10 For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible." Ac 11:2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 2Co 1:17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?

Unpleasant Brethren 2 Timothy 2:22-26 Brethren can be unpleasant In return we ought to be: Patient – 2 Timothy 2:24 Kind / gentle – 2 Timothy 2:25 Sympathetic / empathetic – James 3:13 Consider the patience of the Lord with our sins Consider the compassion of Jesus to the sheep without a shepherd When we think about why people act the way they do, patience becomes infinitely easier

Don’t Be a “Least” Brother Spiritual weakness is NOT permitted to continue Hebrews 5:12, Mark 4:16-19 Refusing to change is contrary to Christ 2 Corinthians 6:19-20 Being “unpleasant” is SINFUL Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17 WEAK - Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. DIFFERENT - 1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. MEAN or UNKIND - Ro 16:17 ¶ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them

It Is Not A Sin When: Our attitude towards strong brethren is different Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 6:5 We spend time with those we share commonalities 1 Corinthians 10:27 We reject divisive brethren & ideas Titus 3:10, 2 Timothy 2:23 Women with women their age, young people, car interests, etc 1Co 10:27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. 2Ti 2:23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

Avoiding Favoritism Acknowledging some brethren are “the least” Esteeming weak brethren Changing to have things in common Patience with difficult brethren Rejecting being “the least” brethren Leading to being cut off from the inheritance Churches that fail

Who is my brother? Matthew 12:50 "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." Heb 12:1 ¶ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Joining the Brethren Hear the word and believe – Romans 10:17 Confess Jesus as Lord – Matthew 10:32 Repent of your sins – Acts 2:38 Be baptized – 1 Peter 3:21 Remain faithful until the end – Hebrews 12:1 Heb 12:1 ¶ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,