How important are my brethren to me? Spiritual Indicators How important are my brethren to me?

We ARE the Church! Church – Universal – all who are saved (in heaven) Local – a community of believers in a specific location who join together in an ordered, arranged and organized fashion, to do the work God has given us to do collectively.

We ARE the Church! The church is NOT the building, but people! The bride of Christ – Ephesians 5:22-23 A kingdom – Colossians 1:13, Philippians3:20 A temple - Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-9 A building – 1 Corinthians 3:9-11

We ARE the Church! We are the household of God 1 Timothy 3:15, Galatians 6:10 Mark 10:29-30 – those willing to follow Him will receive a spiritual family that will be there God is our Father – John 1:12, 1 John 3:1

We ARE the Church! We are the household of God We are brethren! 1 Corinthians 1:10 – be united! 1 Timothy 5:1-2 – treat each like they are your family (with honor)

We ARE the Church! We are the household of God God, in His wisdom knew surrendering to Him would come with a cost, (cf. Matthew 10:34-38) so He created this spiritual family We need to realize we are this family and act like it! To reach perfection, nurture this bond! How well do I understand what it means to be part of my spiritual family? How important is this family to me?

We need each other In the first century there was great hostility against Christians and the church. They sought to stamp out Christianity But they failed. Why? One reason for success and survival was how brethren cared for each other.

We need each other Brethren genuinely cared They sacrificed for each other – Acts 4:32-37 They had all things in common – Acts 2:44-46 Godly attitudes and conduct that developed that bond

We need each other Brethren genuinely cared They had examples – Paul 2 Corinthians 2:4, 7:12, 11:28. Philippians 1:12-14, 27-28 Even Jesus set the example of caring – John 15:13-15

We need each other Today, we live in a dangerous world! We must be alert, lest we drift away – Hebrews 2:1-3 Where does drifting usually begin? With neglecting brethren, both in our assembling and our preferring each other.

We need each other We have to be there for each other! The call for unity – 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:1-4, Ephesians 4:1-3, John 17:20-21 “Brotherly love” – affection for one another - Romans 12:10, Hebrews 13:1, 2 Peter 1:7, etc. Caring in action – James 2:15-16, 1 John 3:17-18

We need each other “One another” Some 64 times, the New Testament uses the expression “one another” in reference to how we are to, and not to, treat each other…

We need each other “One another” Love one another – some 20 verses, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 4:7, 20. John 13:34-35, NOTE: According to this text, the world has the right to judge us on how we love one another! Receive one another – Romans 15:7

We need each other “One another” Through love serve one another – Galatians 5:13 Bearing with one another – Ephesians 4:2 Forgiving one another – Ephesians 4:32 Submitting to one another – Ephesians 5:21

We need each other “One another” Comfort each other and edify one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Consider one another and exhort one another – Hebrews 10:24-25 Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another – James 5:16 Hospitable to one another – 1 Peter 4:9

We need each other Do I appreciate the blessing of my brethren? 1) A source of encouragement 2) An inspiration 3) Source of correction 4) Strength in times of trouble 5) Source of prayer 6) Source of help in time of need 7) Source of understanding & knowledge 8) Source of fellowship

We are to function as a body! We need each other We are to function as a body! Paul dealing with a church with problems – division, corruption, strife, improper attitudes, doctrinal error. WE ARE BRETHREN! We need to function as a body!

We need each other We are to function as a body! We need each other! 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 We each have a job to do We are where God wants us Don’t look down on others Every part is needed When we don’t do our part, the body suffers and other parts have to compensate (25-26) We need each other!

How important are my brethren to me? Do I care about my brethren as I ought to? Do I love my brethren? How well do I know my brethren? How much do I need my brethren? How much do they need me? Would I choose my brethren over my worldly friends or pursuits? Why? How much will I sacrifice for my brethren?

How important are my brethren to me? Will I stand up for my brethren in truth? Do I look forward to being with my spiritual family? Do I notice when they are not here? What is my attitude toward my brethren? Am I careful with my words and demeanor toward them? What do I tell the world about my brethren?

How important are my brethren to me? Am I approachable? NOTE: I CAN control this!!! Can I go to my brethren with concerns for them? Am I willing to forgive my brother? (1 John 4:20-21, Ephesians 4:32) Do I give the benefit of the doubt to them? (1 Corinthians 13:5)

How important are my brethren to me? Am I a better Christian because of my relationship with my brethren? Am I trying to make my physical family part of my spiritual family (e.g. parents, other relatives, etc.)

You cannot objectively read the Bible and miss how important your brethren are!

How important are your brethren to you?