Encouraging one another Developing an attitude to be of service to the Lord and our Brethren these last days. Christ-like ATTITUDES

Why are ATTITUDES important? All the teaching, study, talent and instructions cannot make up for wrong attitudes. With the right attitudes our efforts to serve the Lord are strengthened and allow the opportunity for us to live up to our full potential. Improper attitudes can lead to unrest and destruction in our Ecclesias or the Brotherhood at large. Christ-like ATTITUDES

Developing the right attitude. Our attitude towards God. Our attitude towards Jesus. Our attitude towards our family. Our attitude towards ourselves. Our attitude towards our Brethren. Our attitude towards the work we do together. (Col. 3:12-15) Christ-like ATTITUDES

Attitude toward God Love… Faith and trust… We must have the right kind of love towards God. Jesus defined that kind of love (Matt. 22:37,38). Can we…do we…love the Lord with all our heart? Faith and trust… Faith is a strong conviction in things not seen. (Heb. 11:1) Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb. 11:6) Do we have that kind of faith to please God? (Rom. 1:16-17) Christ-like ATTITUDES

Attitude toward God Thankfulness… Every Believer should have an “attitude of gratitude” Col. 3:17; Eph. 5:20 Gods righteous indignation is toward those who have become unthankful and unbelieving. Rom. 1:28; Heb. 3:12,13,19 An attitude of thankfulness for the blessings we have will help set aside the bitterness that often destroys the energy in any Ecclesia. Christ-like ATTITUDES

Attitude toward ourselves Humility… A humble estimation of ourselves is very important. Rom. 12:3,16 Humility includes a willingness to serve. John 13: 6-17; Mat. 25:21 Are we humble enough to serve our fellow Brethren? (Prov.15:33) Teachability… To be teachable is to be wise. (Prov. 15:31,32) Teachability includes: Eagerness to learn and grow. Ability to learn from correction, profit from advise and constructive criticism. (Prov. 10:17; Prov. 15:10) Your are never too old to learn something new because education is too good to be limited to the young. Christ-like ATTITUDES

Attitude toward ourselves Honesty toward our mistakes… This includes a willingness to admit to our mistakes. James 5: 16 It also includes a willingness to correct them. Everyone makes mistakes. An ecclesia that functions well and grows has Brethren that have learned from their mistakes, corrected them by applying scriptural principles and followed the admonition of living in a lifestyle in conformity to the dictates of the Truth. Christ-like ATTITUDES

Attitude towards our Brethren Love… Jesus taught us the necessity of loving our Brethren. (John 13:34-35; 1 Pet. 1:22) Cooperation… This involves willingness of working together as God intended. (1 Cor. 12:21-27) Appreciation for others and their work… We need to appreciate what others are doing. (1 Thess. 5: 12,13; 1 Tim. 5:17) True appreciation for others will eliminate criticism, jealousy, gossip or many other things detrimental to the preservation of the Truth. Appreciation is like grease on the gears of a machine…it makes others do their work much better. Christ-like ATTITUDES

Attitude towards our Brethren There are many other traits that we must model to encourage our Brethren these last days. Submissiveness…Eph. 5:21 Peaceableness…Eph. 4: 1-3; Rom. 12:18; James 3:17-18 Hospitality…Rom. 12:13 Warmth, friendliness, openness…Acts 2:44-47 Gentleness, Meekness…2 Tim. 2: 24-26 Watchfulness…Luke 21:36 Christ-like ATTITUDES

What does it take? Among groups of Brethren or within an Ecclesia: There must be an agreement upon the rules and procedures set in place by Jesus and his Apostles for the orderly functioning of all. Birmingham Unamended Statement of Faith and the Doctrines to be rejected. While these documents are essential, they are only as effective as the arranging or serving board maintaining them. Proper application of the Statement of Faith and use of the Commandments of Christ, will promote fellowship and unity within the Body. Improper application will lead to disunity and a dilution of the Truth. (Gal. 1:8) Christ-like ATTITUDES

What does it take? The fundamental principles of joy in the Lord: Calling, belief, and baptism bring a mortal man into fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. Those who have been called out are to join together as Ecclesias. Membership in these Ecclesias require that we hold in common the doctrines and the practices of the Apostles. Christ-like ATTITUDES

What does it take? Watchman, what of the night? The disruption of the doctrines proclaimed by the Apostles leads to confusion and an incorrect doctrine. In order to preserve the purity and integrity of the Truth, we must be bold, courageous, vigilant and alert to false doctrines slipping in, possibly deceiving the very elect! (Ezekiel 33:7-9) Christ-like ATTITUDES

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” For two or more to travel the same path, they must have something in common. Sharing in common the teachings of the Gospel lies at the very root of how we should treat each other on a continual basis. (Acts 2:42) Walking in fellowship one with another comprises a oneness of mind and an agreement on the vital principles of the Truth. (Colossians 3:12-15) We need to be mindful that these principles are not changed or compromised at any time. (1 John 1: 3-7) Christ-like ATTITUDES

Revelation 22:7,12 “… Behold, I am coming speedily. BLESSED (happy, to be envied) is he who observes and lays to heart and keeps the TRUTHS of the prophecy – the predictions, consolations and warnings – contained in this little book. … Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit. …YES, COME, LORD JESUS!” Christ-like ATTITUDES

One day the Father will command His Son, “Tomorrow, about this time.” Come upon us unaware? One day the Father will command His Son, “Tomorrow, about this time.” Christ-like ATTITUDES