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Introduction:

  1. It is essential every new member appreciate the relationship they have in God's family with their brothers and sisters in Christ.
  2. The relationship we sustain with our brothers and sisters carries a great responsibility. How we treat our brethren can affect the acceptability of our worship. Read these Scriptures carefully: Mt 5:23-24; 6:14-15; 25:31-46.

A.    How I am related to other Christians:

  1. All members of one family. (Gal 3:26-27; Rom 8:16-17)
  2. Jesus considered this spiritual relationship as important as physical relationships. (Lk 8:19-21)
  3. We are members of ONE body. (1 Cor 12:12-27)
  4. We are partners in a great fellowship. (Acts 2:42; 2 Cor 6:1; Phil 1:5)

B.     What do I owe my brethren?

  1. LOVE (Jn 13:34-35; 1 Jn 4:7-12, 19, 20) How much love? (Jn 15:12; 1 Jn 3:16; 1 Pet 1:22)
  2. Proper EXAMPLE and INFLUENCE. (Mt 5:13-14; Rom 14:13, 21; 1 Cor 8:9, 12, 13). To cause my brother to stumble is a sin against my brother and a sin against Christ.
  3. FORGIVENESS. (Col 3; 13; Mt 6:14-15) How often must I forgive? (Mt 18:21 -3 5)
  4. I must help bear their burdens. (Gal 6:1-2; Phil 2:4). What are some of those things we can help our brother or sister with?
    1. Physical needs - Acts 4:32-35
    2. Grief- Rom 12:15
    3. Sickness (whether physical or spiritual) - Jam 5; 14-20; Gal 6:1
    4. Discouragement - 1 Thes 5:14; Heb 12:12-13
  5. IMPARTIAL and FAIR TREATMENT. (Jam 2; 1-4; Prov 28:21)
  6. HOSPITALITY. (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:1-2; 1 Pet 4:9)

C.    My obligation to Preserve Unity among the brethren.

  1. Peace and Unity are good! (Ps 133:1; Pro 6:16-19; Eph 4:2-3; Phil 1:27)
  2. Things that destroy unity:
    1. Gossip -1 Tim 5:13; Lev 19:16fProv 11:13; 16:28
    2. Anger - Prov 16:3 2; Eph 4:26; Jam 1:19-20
    3. Self-Willed - "My way" - 1 Cor 13:5; Jam 3:17
    4. Unkind words-(Eph 4:3; Prov 15:1; 21:2

D.    God's law for settling disputes.

  1. If you hear that someone has something against you, go to that person. (Mt 5:23-24)
  2. If you have something against a brother, go to him. Note: If both brothers are seeking to do right, they will meet one another on the way! (Mt 18:15)
  3. If this fails, the matter should be taken before the church. (Mt 18:16-17)
  4. Waiting, in false pride for the other to take the first step is not God's way. (Rom 5:8; 2 Cor 5:19)

E.     Disciplinary Action Against Those Who Persist in Sin. My DUTY toward those who persist in Sin:

  1. I cannot continue to have common association with the brother or sister who refuse to repent of sin. (1 Cor 5:11)
  2. The church has a responsibility to withdraw from such a person. (2 Thes 3:6,14,15; 1 Cor 5:4-5)
  3. The only company I can have with such a man is to try to restore him to the faith. (Gal 6:1; 2 Thes 3:15)
  4. The same action is necessary in the case of the brother who persists in teaching false doctrine (which is another sin). (Rom 16:17; 2 Jn 9-11)
  5. Discipline is essential for the welfare of the individual (Method God has authorized for restoring an erring Christian) and to maintain the purity of His church. (Heb 3:11; 1 Cor 5:13)

Conclusion:

Let us follow the admonition of Heb 13:1