The Bible is clear that we are designed for relationship

1) The Good Creation (Genesis 1 & 2)

2) The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40)

3) The Glorious Church (Ephesians 3:1-13)

But living in Christian Community is Difficult

Love Harmony Greeting Building Up

18 references in 16 verses

19 references in 18 verses

Humility Forgiveness

GraceTruth

6 references in 6 verses

4 references to Holy KissesJ

5 references in 5 verses

Encouragement Edification

Love One Another: Part 1 (God’s Love) 1 John 4:7-21

God is Love

1) The Incarnation –sending His Son to

rescue us

2) The Atonement –sacrificing His Son to

redeem us

We Love Because

1) We are Born of God

2) We Know God

Two Results

1) God Abides in Us

2) His Love is Perfected in Us

Love One Another: Part 2 (Jesus’ Love) Luke 7:11-17“A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; just as

I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

JesusSees

JesusSympathizes

JesusSpeaks

JesusServes

Love One Another: Part 3 (3 Truths about Love)

“Love one another with brotherly

affection. Outdo one another in

showing honor.” Romans 12:10

Love is Familial

Love is Fervent

Love is Fulfillment

“Above all, keep loving one another

fervently since love covers a

multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

“…love each other, for the one who

loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Romans 13:8

Love One Another: Part 4 (The Beginning & End of Love)

The Beginning: Learning to Increase in our Love like the Thessalonians

1) They Embraced the Gospel (1 Th.1:5)

2) They Received the Word (2:13)3) They Walked in a Manner

Worthy of God (2:12)4) They Imitated Godly People &

the Lord Himself (1:6;2:14)5) Pray for it (3:12)

The Ending:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have

love for one another.”John 13:35

Living in Harmony with One Another: Part 1 (Humility)

“Live in Harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.” - Romans 12:16

Learning Humility from Philippians 2:3-4

Biblical Conviction

Daily Choice

Submission & Service

Living in Harmony with One Another: Part 2 (Forgiveness)

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness is a choice to lift off the burden

of another’s debt and a promise to

truly let that offense go.

God’s Forgiveness

DebtPayment

Grace ?Will We Forgive Others?

Living in Harmony with One Another: Part 3 (Grace)

Three Grace-Robbers

Grumbling Biting Judging

“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged.”

James 5:9

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you

are not consumed...” Galatians 5:15

“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any

longer…” Romans 14:13

Living in Harmony with One Another: Part 4 (Truth)

The Big Sense:Christians are held together by the truth

GodGod Speaks

God Speaks the GospelWe

Believe the TruthObey the Truth

Worship in Spirit & Truth

The Personal Sense:Christians must speak truthfully to each other

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off

the old self with its practices, and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

Colossians 3:9

Greeting One Another“Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you,

for the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7

Forbidden:Quarrelling Despising Judging

Demanding our Rights

Required:Bearing one

another’s failings;Pleasing your

neighbor for his good

Greeting One Another (Hospitality)“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9

Our Hospitable God A Hospitable People

Greeting One Another (Holy Kiss)“Greet one another with a holy Kiss.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12

The Importance of ALLThe Importance of ConnectionThe Importance of Holiness

Building One Another Up (Encouragement)“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,

just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

His WordHis SpiritHis People

A pervasive mindsetA bold spiritA gracious heartA Biblical perspective

Building One Another Up (3 Additional Ways to Edify)

Instructing One Another

Stirring One Another Up

Serving One Another

“I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled

with all knowledge, and able to instruct one

another.”Romans 15:14

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...”

Hebrews 10:24

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one

another, as good stewards of God’s varied

grace.”1 Peter 4:10

Final Thoughts

Behavior Modification Only

Do Better; Try Harder

Final Thoughts

Remind Yourself Often of What God Has Already Done For You Through

Jesus

Final Thoughts

Continue to Preach the Gospel to Yourself

Final Thoughts

Avail Yourself of the Right Resources

- Abiding in Jesus (John 15:1-5)- Walking by the Spirit (Gal.5:16-26)

- Praying to the Father (Heb.4:16)- Letting the Word Dwell in You (Col.3:16)

- Working for His Good Pleasure (Phil.2:12-13)