Sunday, October 30, 2016 am
OTHERS 2016
More “One Another”
We
have noted numerous “one another” passages as we have emphasized the
proper attitude and actions toward one another as brethren.
We have emphasized in each of these the reciprocal nature
intended. It is my hope that
we will honestly consider these things for ourselves and where we see
the need for improvement that we will do that.
The church depends on it.
As
mentioned throughout this study, there are more than 50 “one another”
passages in the New Testament.
We have addressed most of them in one form or another.
In today’s lesson, we want to briefly notice a few more of them.
Next week we are going to examine how we are NOT to treat “one
another”.
a.
The word receive means
to accept or welcome into your midst.
Paul used this term as he wrote to Philemon to accept Onesimus
back (Philemon 12, 17). This
gives us the flavor of this word.
b.
In our text, this word
is used as Paul begins to conclude a discussion of brethren and the way
we treat each other in matters of personal conscience (issues about
which God is indifferent).
The actual text begins with Romans 14:1 where we read, “Receive one who is weak in
the faith.”
Bear in mind, one of the major purposes of Romans is to bring together
Jew and Gentile, even with their different cultural backgrounds.
As in many other places, Paul emphasizes we are all one in Christ
Jesus (Ephesians 2:14, Galatians 3:27-29, etc.)
In Romans 14-15:7 Paul is calling for us to be tolerant with these
differences. He calls for us
to “pursue things that make for peace…” and edification (Rom. 14:19).
NOTE: With this text we must
be careful not to abuse it to teach unity-in-diversity, or tolerance of
immorality or false doctrines, but it does emphasize there are
non-binding matters that we can differ on (i.e. certain foods, observing
certain days, etc.).
In 15:1, Paul concludes by saying, “We then who are strong ought to bear
with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
He then emphasizes how you need to be thinking about your
brethren, culminating with a call to receive one another.
c.
When it comes to our
brethren, we need to strive to make them feel welcomed, even though they
may be different than us in some ways.
In these matters of differences, don’t look down upon one another
– but accept each other (i.e. think of political differences).
d.
One other observation.
Romans 14:3, speaks of not despising one who eats or doesn’t eat
something, “for God has received him.” (Let us be careful to not try and
draw lines FOR God).
And Romans 15:7b, we receive one another, “just
as Christ has also received us, to the glory of God.”
When it comes to receiving our brethren, how does that equate to
Christ receiving us in spite of our sinfulness, our weaknesses, our
lower wisdom (than Him), etc.
It is also “to the glory of God” – are we seeing to bring glory to Him
in our treatment of one another?
Think of John 13:34-35.
a.
Peace is defined as the
absence of strife.
b.
Related to our previous
point. In our lives we need
peace. In this world filled
with struggle, we understand that all too well.
We seek national peace and world peace.
We desire that we resolve our national and social problems.
c.
But we also seek an
inner peace – where we are at peace with God – having resolve the
conflict through the blood of Jesus and at peace with ourselves because
our conscience knows we are doing our best (don’t ignore blindly
following your conscience!)
d.
But in our text, Jesus
calls for us to have peace with one another.
It is in a context where Jesus is addressing our influence with
others. He talks about being
“salt” (49-50, cf. Matthew 5:13).
I am again reminded in this, that salt is a seasoning that only
requires a little. Too much
salt can make food inedible.
That is why we are to guard our tongues (cf. Colossians 4:6).
e.
Romans 14:19 – it is
something we must pursue.
Rarely does peace come for strife without work.
f.
For peace, I must
exercise self-control. You
cannot control someone else, but you can control yourself.
Anger and wrath often leads to sin (Ephesians 4:6, James 5:19-20
– the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God).
g.
So seek peace and
thereby be able to receive one another.
III.
Be hospitable to one
another – 1 Peter 4:9
a.
Realizing these brethren
were facing difficult times, Peter encourages them with a number of
general admonitions. Among
them we find a call to be hospitable to one another.
b.
The actual Greek word
(φιλόξενος, philoxenos)
means, “love of strangers” but was used to describe how brethren help
each other with their needs. It
is similar to the way we use the word today, though the times are
different.
The premise of the original word is based upon how people helped each
other back then when traveling, because there were not many hotels, etc.
Travelers would be extended kindness – lodging, food, and perhaps
other refreshments (and some do so today, among brethren).
It is the idea of being willing
to share with others. Kittel
observes that when you discuss Greek words for love in this text, you
cannot separate them being hospitable.[1]
(cf. 1 Peter 4:8)
About 50 years, Peter Wilson in article about hospitality quoted a
dictionary, “giving or affording a generous welcome…”[2]
c.
Christians are to be
hospitable – Romans 12:13 – we are “given to hospitality” (see all
Hebrews 13:2 – entertain strangers).
In both 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8 – it is mentioned as a
qualification for elders.
And it must be done with pure motives –
NOTICE our text qualifies this by saying, “without grumbling.”
This shouldn’t be something we only do because we have to.
Do it joyfully and with purity.
Jesus in Luke 14:12-14 gave instructions about giving a dinner
to those who cannot repay you…
d.
We can extend this to
strangers as well. A good
way to introduce yourself to those visiting with us or those you have
opportunity to help is by being hospitable.
e.
We are reminded by our
text, that we need to be ready to help each other, not just spiritually
but physically as well. When
we as brethren have a proper concept of stuff, we are willing to share
with each other (cf. 1 Timothy 6:18).
a.
In the next verse, Peter
appeals for us minister to one another.
This word is a form of the verb from which we get the word
deacon. As such, it
represents one who serves, or to attend to the wants and needs of
others. To give assistance
or help (L&N 35.19)
b.
Christians are to serve
– something we have addressed in detail earlier this year.
Galatians 5:13 – through love serve one another (a different Greek word)
c.
Our text uses another
word – stewards – we are to use our gifts as good stewards.
d.
1 Peter 4:11 emphasizes
as we minister, do it with the ability which God supplies that He may be
glorified.
e.
Hebrews 6:10 reminds us
that God is not unjust to forget our work and labor.
He knows that have ministered and do minister to the saints.
f.
This is just another
reminder of how much we are to be the family of God.
We need to be genuinely connected to each other, in all aspects
of our lives.
a.
From time to time we
have alluded to this. Let us
take a few moments to focus on this.
b.
Χαρίζομαι, (charizomai)
– the word forgive in these
texts means to show oneself gracious in pardoning wrongdoing.
The root of the word is associated with the word for grace.
In fact, the actual definition to give freely or be gracious to.
BDAG defines the word as to show oneself gracious by forgiving
wrongdoing, pardon.
The word means what we think it means as it is used in our texts.
But understanding the background of the word can help us
appreciate the need for forgiveness.
NOTE: There is also another word for forgive also used often – (ἀφίημι,
aphiēmi) – the word means to pardon.
Vine’s defines the word as, “to send forth, to send away”
c.
Colossians 2:13 tells us
that Christ made us alive together with Him, having forgiven you all
trespasses
In both texts where we are told to forgive one another we are reminded
it is AS we have been forgiven.
d.
Multitudes of passages
warn us about the importance of forgiving one another.
Matthew 6:12-15, as we forgive we will be forgiven.
Matthew 18:21 – Peter asks how often he should forgive a brother – up to
7 times. Jesus says, up to
70x7 and then adds a parable about forgiveness (18:22-35).
He reminds us of how much we have been forgiven of and how that
ought to move us to forgive each other.
In fact, again Jesus notes that how we forgive is how God will
forgive us.
e.
We have talked many
things in this study. A
willingness to appreciate forgiveness can only help us mature in all the
attitudes and actions we have addressed.
In
these lessons, we have been reminded of what it means to be the body of
Christ. You cannot study
these things truthfully without realizing how important we are to be to
one another and how imperative it is that we nurture this relationship.
This is the relationship that we begin now and will follow us
into eternity. Let us never
take that lightly. Next
week, one more lesson – on how we are NOT to treat “one another”.