“ One to Another”

1. “One to Another” There are blessings and problems in all relationships: Marriage, Family, Associations Ecclesia & Body of Christ Many Parts..One Body?

2. Relationships are more difficult with more people! Christadelphians..unique dynamics? “Earnestly Contending” for the Faith? History of division. Increasingly complex fellowship issues A man's enemies are the men of his own house.(Mic. 7:6) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (Mat 24:10) Are we fulfilling prophecy?

3. Perilous Times as the days of Noah Time of Trouble…In the World and in the Brotherhood! Intimidation, politics, boycotting, bullying, Manipulating facts, exaggeration, words taken out of context..offender for a word…..confirmation bias, etc. Shall he find Faith? (and even this has become contentious)

4. Are we still watching, praying? But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of…. (Matt 24:48-50) Is our treatment of our fellow servants “one to another” worse than for our associates in this world?

5. “House Divided” Father’s/Children (Generation Gap?) And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mar 3:25) Is this all there is? Does anyone really get it.. Where is the joy? Note: Scriptures also exhort how not to treat(one another.)

6. WRONG “ONE ANOTHER” Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? (Act 7:26) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (Gal 5:15) Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (Jas 4:11)

7. Things we ought not to do! That no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another?(1Co 4:6-7) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.(Gal 5:26) Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? (1Co 6:7) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds (Col 3:9)

8. Purpose for Controversy? For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1Co 11:18-19)

9. Wisdom Crieth Without! “It’s my belief PRIDE is the chief cause in the decline of the number of husbands and wives” Is Pridethe chief cause of the decline in oneness among brethren? Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.(Pro 13:10)

10. PRIDE before Destruction Pridegoeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:18-19)

11. Remember Leviathan? He is a king over all the children of pride. God used this creature to teach Job about pride. Job replies: Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. (Chapter 42)

12. Are we Proud? Is my knowledge of the Bible superior to the average Christian? Is it Superior to my brethren? Am I Puffed up against brethren? (1 Cor 4:6-7) Do I always have the best advice - the last word? Do I Consider myself the best example? Do I Esteem myself better? Am I not willing to suffer myself to be defrauded?

13. Wisdom Crieth Without (Is my knowledge of the Bible Superior to my brethren?) “To be proud of knowledge is to be blinded by the light” “To be proudof virtue is to be poisoned by the antidote” There is much more Wisdom in the Word Ben Franklin

14. Love of self? This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves(2Ti 3:1-2) PRIDE is the main problem… it is all about SELF… too much self esteem! If we are having relationship problems, we need to evaluate our priorities on “self”

15. It is not about me! Not About: • My feelings • What I need • Doing it my way • Me being right • Having the last word • What they need to do Suffer self to be defrauded (no matter who is right)

16. Learn the place for Self In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Examine self! (not others) Visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luk 9:23)

17. Members of One Another! It is not about any individual….the body is one, and hath many members (1Co 12:12) We depend on one another … the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

18. Us, not Me! For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.(Rom 12:3) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (Rom 12:1-4) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (Rom 12:10)

19. These things I HATE A PROUD LOOK, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Prov 6:16-19)

20. In These I Delight! Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (Jer 9:23-24)

21. How can we delight God? Exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: Ye also ought to wash one another's feet. Exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13) We need to work together to edify one another!

22. Counselis mine, and sound wisdom Where no counselis, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Pro 11:14) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.(Pro 12:15) Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. (Pro 19:20) There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.(Pro 21:30)

23. Conferences on Communication One of the positive programs in our community Brethren coming together “one to another” to discuss difficult issues with Bible in hand We need to encourage and support these “Lightstand Initiatives”

25. 2000 ConferenceBible Principles for Addressing Conflict Among Brethren Evaluate the issue: Define it clearly in Scriptural terms Pray, trust God, seek His help Examine self..your motives? The Goal..to seek reconciliation with meekness Communicate effectively, exercise control of tongue and temper Manifest Godliness in your actions and words Imitate Christ- Do all to the Glory of God.

26. Evaluate the Issue in Scriptural Terms Seeking the will of God, with balance. • With courtesy and pity • Without partiality or hypocrisy. • Obtain the facts before judging Study the issue to be sure you understand it clearly. • Is it an offense against God? A work of the flesh? • Or a matter of liberty in Christ • A foolish question? • A sin unto death? • Try the spirits whether they are of God. • Admit the testimony of all witnesses.

27. Pray, Trust God Seek His help Pray for wisdom. Pray often in all matters. Be instant in prayer. Pray for one another. Trust and acknowledge Him in all your ways.

28. Examine Self..Your Motives Are you sure you are above reproach? Are you worthy to judge ? Are you puffed up or conceited? Are you seeking promotion? Are you playing politics & seeking praise of men?

29. The Goal: Seek Reconciliation with Meekness Demonstrate a spirit of meekness Instruct with gentleness, meekness to help recover. Be willing to receive one another God does not want any to be lost. Use both longsuffering and doctrine Discipline when necessary, for the purpose of saving Never treat struggling brethren as enemies. Try always to convert erring brethren Make reconciliation a top priority

30. Communicate Effectively, Control Tongue Resist the temptation to gossip to others. Listen fast, talk slow and control anger Do not spread or listen to rumors. Avoid bitterness, anger and malice. Use no guile, do not revile again. Follow Christ. Use only sound teaching of the Word –no philosophy. Speak with grace. Help to preserve, not divide. A soft answer turns away wrath.

31. Manifest Godliness (Actions & Words) Learn and use the characteristics of God God is love. Act out of love. Apply the fruit of the Spirit. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Be willing to sacrifice for the good of all. Do not seek your own. Consider others Be merciful, forgiving Forgive repentant without limit. Be honest, true, just and pure Judge with mercy. Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly

32. Imitate Christ..do all to the glory of God Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. When he was reviled he reviled not again. Fear God and give glory to Him Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:17)