Respect and Honor Among Brethren. One of the greatest challenges we face is learning how to work together. Imagine this scene pictured in prophecy. (Isa

Respect and Honor Among Respect and Honor Among BrethrenBrethren

One of the greatest challenges we face is One of the greatest challenges we face is learning how to work together.learning how to work together.

• Imagine this scene pictured in prophecy. Imagine this scene pictured in prophecy. (Isa 11:6-9)(Isa 11:6-9)


• Isaiah 11:6-9Isaiah 11:6-9 6 " 6 " The wolf The wolf also shall also shall dwell with dwell with the lambthe lamb, The , The leopardleopard shall lie shall lie down with down with the young goatthe young goat, The , The calfcalf and and the the young lion young lion and and the fatling the fatling together; together; And a little child shall lead them. 7 The And a little child shall lead them. 7 The cowcow and the and the bearbear shall graze; Their young shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. shall eat straw like the ox.


• 8 The nursing child shall 8 The nursing child shall play by the play by the cobra's holecobra's hole, And the weaned child shall , And the weaned child shall put put his hand in the viper's denhis hand in the viper's den. 9 . 9 They They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountainmountain, For the earth shall be full of the , For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.cover the sea.


• This is a prophecy of the peaceful nature This is a prophecy of the peaceful nature of those in the kingdom.of those in the kingdom.

• From a practical standpoint this was an From a practical standpoint this was an immensely challenging test of the 1st immensely challenging test of the 1st century church. Imagine Jew and Gentile century church. Imagine Jew and Gentile in the same local church.in the same local church.

• A true spiritual barometer of our growing to A true spiritual barometer of our growing to be like Christ is our attitudes and be like Christ is our attitudes and involvement with each other.involvement with each other.


• Can we come to be close when we have Can we come to be close when we have “nothing” in common?“nothing” in common?

• We better have one thing in common! We better have one thing in common! (1 Pt 1:22-23) (1 Pt 1:22-23)


• 1 Peter 1:21-221 Peter 1:21-22 - who through Him believe - who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have hope are in God. 22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, brethren, love one another fervently with a love one another fervently with a pure heartpure heart,,


• There is a godly wisdom that we must There is a godly wisdom that we must pursue to find this.pursue to find this.

Am I “not of the body”? (1 Cor 12)Am I “not of the body”? (1 Cor 12)

• We must fight not to separate ourselves in We must fight not to separate ourselves in our heart from our brethren. our heart from our brethren. (1 Cor 12:14-21)(1 Cor 12:14-21)


• 1 Corinthians 12:14-211 Corinthians 12:14-21 - For in fact the body - For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If is not one member but many. 15 If the foot the foot should say, "Because I am not a should say, "Because I am not a handhand, , I am I am not of the bodynot of the body," is it therefore not of the ," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if body? 16 And if the ear the ear should say, should say, "Because I am not "Because I am not an eyean eye, I am not of the , I am not of the body," is it body," is it therefore not of the bodytherefore not of the body? 17 If ? 17 If the whole body the whole body were were an eye, where an eye, where would be would be the hearing? If the whole the hearing? If the whole were were hearing, where hearing, where would be would be the smelling? the smelling?


• 18 But now 18 But now God has set the members, God has set the members, each one of themeach one of them, in the , in the body just as He body just as He pleasedpleased. 19 And if they . 19 And if they were were all one all one member, where member, where would would the body the body be?be? 20 20 But now indeed But now indeed there are there are many members, many members, yet one body. 21 And yet one body. 21 And the eyethe eye cannot say cannot say to to the handthe hand, ", "I have no need of youI have no need of you"; nor "; nor again again the head the head to to the feetthe feet, ", "I have no need I have no need of youof you."."


• Imagine the figurative scenario given by Imagine the figurative scenario given by Paul where a foot concludes he is not a Paul where a foot concludes he is not a hand therefore is “not of the body”!hand therefore is “not of the body”!

• Additionally the eye may say to the hand “I Additionally the eye may say to the hand “I have no need of you” in effect saying to have no need of you” in effect saying to some that they are “not of the body.”some that they are “not of the body.”

• These illustrations should help us clearly These illustrations should help us clearly see the absurdity of these views. This kind see the absurdity of these views. This kind of thinking is a of thinking is a very commonvery common temptation. temptation.


• Ability does not equate to spirituality.Ability does not equate to spirituality.

• A spiritual person does fully develop his A spiritual person does fully develop his God-given potential over time.God-given potential over time.

• A person who does not have the more A person who does not have the more visible abilities must not become envious visible abilities must not become envious of others who receive more attention.of others who receive more attention.


• The most fruitful people I have know in the The most fruitful people I have know in the church often fall into the “less talented” church often fall into the “less talented” category. One thing they did have was love category. One thing they did have was love for others and a lifetime of consistency. for others and a lifetime of consistency. Godly mothers are a great example of this. Godly mothers are a great example of this.

• If I can be aware that “God has set the If I can be aware that “God has set the members ….. as He pleased” then I should members ….. as He pleased” then I should take what I have and do the best I can! take what I have and do the best I can! (1 (1 Cor 12:18; Rom 12:6-8)Cor 12:18; Rom 12:6-8)


• 1 Corinthians 12:181 Corinthians 12:18 - But now - But now God has God has set the membersset the members, each one of them, in the , each one of them, in the body body just as He pleasedjust as He pleased..


• Romans 12:6-8Romans 12:6-8 - Having then gifts - Having then gifts differing differing according to the grace that is given to usaccording to the grace that is given to us, , let us let us use themuse them: : if prophecy, if prophecy, let us let us prophesy prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, ministry, let us use it let us use it in in our our ministering; he ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Pride will always lead to distain and Pride will always lead to distain and division.division.

• When ability is combined with a lack of When ability is combined with a lack of spirituality then pride is a great threat. spirituality then pride is a great threat. (1 Tim 3:6)(1 Tim 3:6)


• 1 Timothy 3:61 Timothy 3:6 - not - not a novicea novice, lest being , lest being puffed up with pride puffed up with pride he fall he fall into the into the same same condemnation as the devilcondemnation as the devil..


• When I look at my ability and look down on When I look at my ability and look down on the efforts of others with “lesser ability” the efforts of others with “lesser ability” then I have a heart problem. You can look then I have a heart problem. You can look on an individual or the efforts of several on an individual or the efforts of several and label it as “boring” with distain.and label it as “boring” with distain.

• One real test is your ability to give honor to One real test is your ability to give honor to this “lesser” effort. Proud people cannot this “lesser” effort. Proud people cannot give encouragement to their “competitors” give encouragement to their “competitors” (1 Cor 12:23)(1 Cor 12:23)


• 1 Corinthians 12:231 Corinthians 12:23 - And those - And those members members of the body which we think to be of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these less honorable, on these we bestow we bestow greater honorgreater honor; and our unpresentable ; and our unpresentable parts parts have greater modesty, have greater modesty,


• There were those who distained Paul at There were those who distained Paul at Cornith. Cornith. (2 Cor 10:1-2, 10)(2 Cor 10:1-2, 10)


• 2 Corinthians 10:1-22 Corinthians 10:1-2 - Now I, Paul, myself - Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ -- who in presence gentleness of Christ -- who in presence am am lowly among you, but being absent am bold lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg toward you. 2 But I beg you you that when I that when I am present I may not be bold with that am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the fleshwalked according to the flesh..


• 2 Corinthians 10:102 Corinthians 10:10 - "For - "For his his letters," letters," they say, "they say, "are are weighty and powerful, but weighty and powerful, but his his bodily presence bodily presence is is weakweak, and , and his his speech contemptiblespeech contemptible."."


• Paul was being put under the microscope Paul was being put under the microscope based on worldly standards. It is no based on worldly standards. It is no surprise that Apollos is mentioned. surprise that Apollos is mentioned. (Acts 18:24)(Acts 18:24)


• Acts 18:24Acts 18:24 - Now a certain Jew named - Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent an eloquent manman and and mighty in the Scriptures, came to mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.Ephesus.


• Paul used what was likely a figurative Paul used what was likely a figurative example to make an important point about example to make an important point about cliques and divisions forming at Cornith. cliques and divisions forming at Cornith. (1 Cor 1:12; 3:1-7)(1 Cor 1:12; 3:1-7)


• 1 Corinthians 1:121 Corinthians 1:12 - Now I say this, that - Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."of Christ."


• 1 Corinthians 3:1-71 Corinthians 3:1-7 - And I, brethren, could - And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual not speak to you as to spiritual people people but as but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able now you were not able to receive it, to receive it, and and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where still carnal. For where there arethere are envy, strife, envy, strife, and divisions among youand divisions among you, are you not carnal , are you not carnal and behaving like and behaving like mere mere men? men?


• 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I another, "I am am of Apollos," of Apollos," are you not are you not carnalcarnal? 5 ? 5 Who then is PaulWho then is Paul, and , and who who is is ApollosApollos, but ministers through whom you , but ministers through whom you believed, believed, as the Lord gave to each oneas the Lord gave to each one? 6 ? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.God who gives the increase.


• Once we separate ourselves from other Once we separate ourselves from other Christians on this basis, we will have the Christians on this basis, we will have the fruits of the wisdom of Satan: “envy, strife fruits of the wisdom of Satan: “envy, strife and divisions.”and divisions.”

• Watch you attitude, your tongue and your Watch you attitude, your tongue and your associations. Let there be “no schism in associations. Let there be “no schism in the body.” the body.” (1 Cor 12:25)(1 Cor 12:25)


• 1 Corinthians 12:251 Corinthians 12:25 - that there should - that there should be be no schism in the bodyno schism in the body, but , but that that the the members should have the same care for members should have the same care for one another.one another.


• Schism - to, literally Schism - to, literally split, rift, divisionsplit, rift, division; in a ; in a garment garment tear, rent tear, rent (MT 9.16); figuratively, (MT 9.16); figuratively, of doctrinal differences and divided of doctrinal differences and divided loyalties within a group loyalties within a group schism, division of schism, division of opinion, discord opinion, discord (JN 7.43; 1C 12.25)(JN 7.43; 1C 12.25)

How can I help every member of this How can I help every member of this body?body?

• I must get out of myself and my personal I must get out of myself and my personal disappointments. disappointments. (Phil 2:1-5)(Phil 2:1-5)


• Philippians 2:1-5Philippians 2:1-5 - - Therefore if Therefore if there is there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercyaffection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by , 2 fulfill my joy by being being like-mindedlike-minded, having , having the same lovethe same love, , being being of one accordof one accord, of , of one mindone mind. 3 . 3 Let Let nothing nothing be done be done through selfish ambition through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let let each esteem others better than himselfeach esteem others better than himself. .


• 4 Let each of you look out not only for his 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also own interests, but also for the interests of for the interests of othersothers. 5 Let this mind be in you which . 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,was also in Christ Jesus,


• My attitude towards others will be My attitude towards others will be determined by my attitude towards determined by my attitude towards Christ Himself. Christ Himself.

• Pride creeps in when men have an Pride creeps in when men have an unstable relationship with the Lord.unstable relationship with the Lord.

• When I cannot handle disappointments When I cannot handle disappointments then I will have a life of broken then I will have a life of broken relationships and even an inability to work relationships and even an inability to work over time with a local church.over time with a local church.


• I must see each of my brethren as I would I must see each of my brethren as I would to see the cross of Christ. This is the one to see the cross of Christ. This is the one for whom Christ died. for whom Christ died. (Rom 14:15)(Rom 14:15)


• Romans 14:15Romans 14:15 - Yet if your brother is - Yet if your brother is grieved because of grieved because of your your food, you are no food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food your food the one for whom Christ diedthe one for whom Christ died..


• Jesus told Paul that his persecution of Jesus told Paul that his persecution of Christians was to Jesus personally.Christians was to Jesus personally.

• Can we keep reaching out to those who Can we keep reaching out to those who are struggling? are struggling? (Rom 12:10)(Rom 12:10)


• Romans 12:10Romans 12:10 - - Be Be kindly affectionate to kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, one another with brotherly love, in honor in honor giving preference to one anothergiving preference to one another;;


• We do have some amazing encouragers, We do have some amazing encouragers, we need more. Consider the work of we need more. Consider the work of Barnabas. Barnabas. (Acts 4:36; 9:27; 11:22)(Acts 4:36; 9:27; 11:22)


• Acts 4:36 Acts 4:36 - And Joses, who was also - And Joses, who was also named named BarnabasBarnabas by the apostles (which by the apostles (which is translated is translated Son of EncouragementSon of Encouragement), a ), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,Levite of the country of Cyprus,


• Acts 9:27Acts 9:27 - But - But BarnabasBarnabas took him and took him and brought brought him him to the apostles. And he to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.Damascus in the name of Jesus.


• Acts 11:22Acts 11:22 - Then news of these things - Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and Jerusalem, and they sent out they sent out BarnabasBarnabas to to go as far as Antioch. go as far as Antioch.


• Can I Can I alwaysalways “start over” in forbearance “start over” in forbearance and forgiveness and never give up on and forgiveness and never give up on my brothers in Christ? my brothers in Christ? (James 2:12-13)(James 2:12-13)


• James 2:12-13James 2:12-13 - So speak and so do as - So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgmentMercy triumphs over judgment..


• I may need to identify my own emotional I may need to identify my own emotional vulnerability and seek help.vulnerability and seek help.

• We all would do well to be sure our eyes We all would do well to be sure our eyes are on the Lord and not on our brethren as are on the Lord and not on our brethren as if we were the Lord! if we were the Lord! (Rom 14:4, 10) (Rom 14:4, 10)


• Romans 14:4Romans 14:4 - Who are you to judge - Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for stand, for God is able to make him standGod is able to make him stand..


• Romans 14:10Romans 14:10 - But why do you judge - But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christstand before the judgment seat of Christ..


• All my relationships must be based on All my relationships must be based on trust and honesty. If I seek a relationship trust and honesty. If I seek a relationship that rebuke and correction cannot be that rebuke and correction cannot be included then I do not want an honest included then I do not want an honest relationship. It will fail.relationship. It will fail.

• Is the love of God the foundation of my Is the love of God the foundation of my life? life? (1 Jn 4:16-21)(1 Jn 4:16-21)


• 1 John 4:16-211 John 4:16-21 - And we have known - And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. and believed the love that God has for us. God is loveGod is love, and he who abides in love , and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of we may have boldness in the day of judgmentjudgment; because as He is, so are we in ; because as He is, so are we in this world. this world.


• 18 There is 18 There is no fear in loveno fear in love; but perfect love ; but perfect love casts out fearcasts out fear, because fear involves , because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and says, "I love God," and hates his brotherhates his brother, , he is a liar; for he who he is a liar; for he who does not love his does not love his brother whom he has seenbrother whom he has seen, how can he , how can he love love God whom he has not seenGod whom he has not seen? ?


• 21 And this commandment we have from 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that Him: that he who loves God he who loves God must must love his love his brother alsobrother also..


• The love of God will give you security and The love of God will give you security and confidence.confidence.

• The love of God will free you from fear and The love of God will free you from fear and instability.instability.

• The love of God will make you be able to The love of God will make you be able to work with “unlovable” brethren!work with “unlovable” brethren!

• Are you “of the body?”Are you “of the body?”

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Respect and Honor Among Brethren. One of the greatest challenges we face is learning how to work together. Imagine this scene pictured in prophecy. (Isa