Devoted To One Another - (One Another Series#3)
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honour preferring one another; (NIV Be devoted to one another in brotherly
love...)
Preferring one another -
Philippians 2: 2-4 ...then make my joy complete by being like-
minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Luke 22: 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the
greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules
like the one who serves.
I. 'Other' minded:
The church is no place for "every man for himself".We are called to
"esteem others as better" - to "serve one another" - to "bear one
another's burdens" - to "wash one another's feet" - to "honor one
another".
If we really care about others, it will show, and the world will take
notice. This principle would revolutionize every marriage and every
church in the world if people would just follow it consistently and
sincerely.If husbands and wives would look out for each other's good
instead of protecting their own; if every church member would promote
others rather than promoting self, what a change it would make.Just as
marriage is not place for competition, neither is the church.
If we are devoted to one another, we will be devoted to one another's
good, other's success, other's blessing, other's benefit. When one is
blessed, all should rejoice - when one is down,all should feel it and
help.
Being of the same body says, "I am devoted to your good. I want you
to excel, to shine, to come out on top. I don't want anything bad
for you. I will not rejoice when you get what's coming to you, but I
will be there to help you pick up the pieces."
This is part of loving one another - we are devoted to one another.
II. We see this quality in the early church -
Acts 2
42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were
done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the
Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Do you see the unity? They were devoted - dedicated - committed to
one another.
When you are devoted to on another, you will pray for one another -
Paul was devoted to the churches and the believers.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some
spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of
you in my prayers;
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making
request with joy,
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it],
do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be
filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
When you are devoted to on another, you will encourage and build up
one another and not tear down -
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make
for peace, nd things wherewith one may edify another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and
edify one another, Even as also ye do.
When you are devoted to on another, you will provide for one another -
2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for
you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints,
as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by
him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no
gatherings when I come.
When you are devoted to on another, you will serve one another -
that is, you will help one another -
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love
serve one another.
III. Taking care of one another
Whenever infection or sickness comes into a body, the antibodies come
and fight the illness. That's what a vaccination or flu shot does -
it puts just enough bacteria in to get your body fighting.
God does that sometimes to his body - allows a little trouble to come
in somewhere so the body (church) can get in shape and prepare for
battle and win the battle.
The devoted church goes to bat for one another - come to the defense
of one another - protects one another.
IV. Preferring one another
The prevalent attitude in the church devoted to one another is that
found in the second half of our text - "in honor preferring one
another".
It suggests that we push others ahead of ourselves. We show each
other honor, not disgust or any such attitude. We are glad when others
are promoted. We are thrilled when others are blessed.
We push others out front, not behind us.
To be devoted means to be permanently linked to one another. It is a
fervent commitment.
A popular song or the 70's said it best:
Darlin' you can count on me
Till the sun dries up the sea.
Until then I'll always be
Devoted to you.
Maybe the saints should start singing that one to one another.
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