Wednesday, November 22, 2017

THANKSGIVING ...A MIXED BAG OF EMOTIONS

Thanksgiving is upon us and what a mixed bag of emotions! As we gather together with family and friends there are not many of us who do not feel the impact of missing family. 
Family is missing for multiple reasons, but we all have old memories of those who once were who are not. 
The sadness that takes the place of those loved ones can indeed be debilitating at moments.
There are losses of every kind in families and  grief is an unwelcome intruder who must be dealt with.
The change in family structure due to divorce can be a staggering separation for many and is only minimized by the fact that though beloved family members may be absent at holidays and birthdays they are still on this earth and hopefully doing well.
Grave illness and grave handicap are yet another source of sorrow for many and a different type of suffering for loved ones. 
We as humans have all types of sorrows that can separate us from loved ones, sometimes that can even be long distance relationships. 
Then of course there is the empty nest and the broken ness brought on because of divorce and those struggles weighing on a single parent and the custody and visitation that the family suffers, however gallantly. 
There are many changes brought about in life and death is the only one that is final. Life for those bereaved by loss of all kinds brings about a whole gamut of often emotional struggles. 
What can we do? We can realize the living. The present. What we have, not what we have lost. Be active in living helping to lay groundwork for a solid foundation always for those who are in your circle of influence, the family that God has given you. The old passes away and life is always renewing in families. Honor each other in your own sorrows and losses by realizing we all suffer them at one point or another.
Most importantly in all these things it must be remembered that as written in Nehemiah http://biblehub.com/nehemiah/8-10.htm  The joy of the Lord is your strength and again in Psalms http://biblehub.com/psalms/28-7.htm The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 
By mediating on just these few verses you can find the way to joy of the Lord. Don't hesitate. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
I love you and my prayer for you is that you find comfort, peace, and joy even in the times of sorrow and live your life to the fullest walking in paths with the Good Shepard. 
https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/psalms/23.html

You need to read this

http://shoebat.com/

Saturday, July 15, 2017

ONE ANOTHER


Hebrews 3:13




“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

King James Version (KJV)

ONE ANOTHER


Hebrews 3:13 Context



10Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.


Sunday, April 30, 2017

ONE ANOTHER VERSES OF THE BIBLE


CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 1



“One Another” Verses of the Bible

INTRODUCTION:




A. The Bible is the Mind of God in Print!

1. Therein God reveals what He wants mankind to know.

2. Therein God reveals what mankind needs to know.

B. In the 27 New Testament Books . . .

1. Four relate the life of Christ

2. One relates the beginning and early history of the church.

3. 21 epistles books, Romans-Jude, pertain to guiding Christians to grow and

live a faithful Christian life after obedience to the Gospel of Christ.

a. Books: 21 of 27 – 78%
b. Chapters: 139 of 260 = 53%
c. Verses: 5,190 of 7,967 = 65%
d. Words: 121,145 of 180,506 = 67%



e. Any way one measures it, (Books, Chapters, Verses, or Words) over

half of the New Testament has to do with how to live after one becomes

a Christian.

4. Listening Friends . . . . . . The Bible, as the Mind of God in Print, tells us:

a. There are right ways and wrong ways to live.

b. There are right things and wrong things to do.

c. There are right beliefs and wrong beliefs.

d. There are right behaviors and wrong behavior.

C. God wants each one of His children to help all other of His children remain

faithful and serve Him to the very best of their abilities.

1. An examination of twelve of the “One another” verses of the New

Testament will admonish and guide us to that end.

2. A profitable study is to be had in the study and application of them.

D. Review the 12 “One Another” verses of the Bible.

PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER. (1)
A. James 5:16 – “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous




man avails much.

B. Prayer is powerful.

1. We need to pray.

2. We need to pray for others.

3. We need others to pray for us.

4. We need to pray for one another.

5. This is a duty that pertains to all Christians.

C. Prayer benefits the one doing the praying and the one being prayed for.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 2
ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER. (2)
A. Hebrews 3:12-13 – “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart
of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort (ENCOURAGE) one
another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through




the deceitfulness of sin.”

1. This supposes a state of close church fellowship, without which they could

not have had access to each other.

2. Brethren were to encourage one another.

3. Brethren were to encourage one another daily.

4. And so must we encourage and exhort our brethren regularly.

a. We each belong to the same fellowship.

b. We each belong to the same family.

c. We each have a responsibility to help one another.

B. While some may need more encouragement than others, we must be there for

each other and all others who are part of God’s family.

1. A safeguard against believers turning away from God is for them to

encourage one another daily.

2. Brethren should continually remind each other to turn away from sin and to

stay focused on Christ.

3. The Hebrew writer urged Christians to be alert themselves and to

encourage others. A person cannot encourage or be encouraged apart

from fellowship; thus, believers are urged not to give up meeting together

(10:24-25).

4. People cannot live as Christians in a vacuum.

a. They need more than individual vigilance.

b. They need encouragement and correction from their brothers and sisters

in Christ.

c. Allow fellow Christians to encourage you, and also see that you do not

refuse to listen to a fellow Christian who may see sin or a problem in

your life.

d. Don't just wait for a minister or elder to encourage someone else; each

person, you included, has the responsibility

e. Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of




Christ.

C. Unfortunately, however, many Christians end up discouraged, rather than

encouraged, by other Christians.

1. Be attentive that you take opportunity to actively encourage others.

2. Without constant self-evaluation and encouragement, a person's sin can

become a deceived mind, a hardened heart, leading to unbelief and

rejection of Christ.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 3



D. Sin is subtle, and often enjoyable, so we are easily drawn to it.

1. Christians need each other so that they don't become hardened by sin's

deceitfulness.

2. Satan, the author of sin. In fact, Satan is so intelligent that he can and

does deceive people, even intelligent and normally faithful people.

3. We protect against sin's deceitfulness by checking our private intentions

and desires against those of a group of trusted Christian friends, and by

checking our group's intentions and desires against the teachings of the

word of God.

BUILD ONE ANOTHER UP. (3)
A. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 – “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain




salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together

with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also




are doing.”

1. Romans 14:19 – “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace




and the things by which one may edify another.”

2. Strive to build one another up . . . not tear one another down.




3. As Christians are lively stones built up together a spiritual house, we should

endeavor to promote the good of the whole church by promoting good in

one another.

4. We should:

a. We should communicate our knowledge and experiences one to

another.

b. We should join in prayer and praise one with another.

c. We should set a good example one before another.

B. Christians will never stop needing encouragement or building up.

1. It seems in the school classroom that the students that are encouraged

the most by their teachers are the students that learn the most.

2. This principle should be applied to the church as well.

CONFESS OUR FAULTS TO ONE ANOTHER. (4)
A. James 5:16 – “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous




man avails much.”

1. This spiritual truth . . .

a. This spiritual truth is to be used . . . not abused.

b. This spiritual truth is to be applied . . . not misapplied.

c. This spiritual truth is to be rightly taught . . . not wrongly taught.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 4



2. This passage does not say:

a. Does not say confess your sins to a formally robed priest.

b. Does not say confess your sins to an elder . . . but one can.

c. Does not say confess your sins to a deacon . . . but one can.

d. Does not say confess your sins to a minister . . . but one can.

e. Does not say confess your sins to an evangelist . . . but one can.

f. Does not say confess your sins to a teacher. . . but one can.

3. Confess your sins to one another.

4. Illustration: 1966 – Terry Hughes (Air Force) – Bridgeport Elementary

School.

5. Confessing our sins - such as resentment, a grudge, lack of

forgiveness, etc. - can and often does lead to the healing of physical

ailments because of the stress brought about by these sins.

B. Christ has made it possible for us to go directly to God for forgiveness. But

confessing our sins to one another still has an important place in the life of the

church.

1. If we have sinned against an individual, we must ask that person to

forgive us.

2. If our sin has affected the church, we must confess it publicly.

3. If we need loving support as we struggle with a sin, we should confess

the sin to those who are able to provide that support.

4. If after confessing a private sin to God we still don't feel his forgiveness,

we may wish to confess that sin to a fellow believer and hear him or her

reassure us of God's pardon.

C. Listening friends, it is not God’s plan that His people be alone.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER. (5)
A. John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.




By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one

another."

1. The disciples of Christ were known by this love which they bore to each

other.

2. The primitive Christians were particularly known by this among the

Gentiles.

3. Tertullian, in his Apology, gives us their very words: "See, said they, how

they love one another, and are ready to lay down their lives for each other."

B. Jesus is saying, You shall not be known by special rites or habits; not by a

special form of dress or manner of speech; not by unusual customs, like the

Pharisees, the Essenes, or the scribes, but by deep, genuine, and tender

affection . . . deep, genuine, and tender love.

1. It is an excellent command.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 5



2. It is a demonstrable command

3. It is an everlasting command.

4. It is new in that before it was “You shall love your neighbor,” but now it is

You shall love one another; it is pressed in a more winning way when it is

thus pressed as mutual duty owing to one another. The newness of Jesus'

command pertains to the new kind of love that Christians have for one

another because they have each experienced the love of Christ.

C. “Of all the instances of Christ's love to his disciples, which they had already

experienced during the time he went in and out among them. He spoke kindly

to them, concerned himself heartily for them, and for their welfare, instructed,

counseled, and comforted them, prayed with them and for them, vindicated

them when they were accused, took their part when they were run down, and

publicly owned them to be dearer to him that his mother, or sister, or brother.

He reproved them for what was amiss, and yet compassionately bore with

their failings, excused them, made the best of them, and passed by many an

oversight” Matthew Henry

D. Jesus said that our Christ-like love will show that we are his disciples.

1. Do people see petty bickering, jealousy, and division among brethren?

2. Or do others know you are Jesus' followers by your love for one another?

3. Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in

action.

4. How can we love others as Jesus loves us?

a. By helping when it's not convenient.

b. By giving when it hurts . . . I am not referencing the giving of money, but

of ourselves.

b. By devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own.

c. By absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back.

5. This kind of loving is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it

and know you are empowered by a supernatural source.

E. When we love one another with pure hearts, fervently, even unto death, then

shall it fully appear that we are disciples of that person who laid down his life

for his sheep, and who became, by dying, a ransom for all.

F. Jesus would be gone, and His disciples would not be able to join him for a

while. In the meantime, they were to follow this commandment: Love one

another. A command to love one another is not a new commandment; it had

been mandated in the Old Testament).

G. The newness of Jesus' command pertains to the new kind of love that

Christians have for one another because they have each experienced the love

of Christ.

H. Jesus commanded his followers to love one another "as I have loved you."

This was revolutionary, for believers are called to love others based on Jesus'

sacrificial love for them. A love experienced by doing.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 6



1. Jesus was a living example of God's love, as we are to be living

examples of Jesus' love.

2. This love would be the mark of distinction: "By this all will know that you

are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

3. One of the major themes in 1 John is brotherly love

4. Jesus was going to die . . . he was going to be raised again . . . he was

going to return to the Father.

a. The disciples would be left in the world. Jesus gave them this one allencompassing

command -- to love one another.

b. Not only would such love bring unbelievers to Christ; it would also keep

believers strong and united in a world hostile to God.

c. And such love, enabled by Jesus' love for them and by the coming Holy

Spirit's power in them, would allow them to love all those for whom

Christ died, and unite them with Christ spiritually.

BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER, HONOR ONE ANOTHER. (6)
A. Romans 12:10 – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in
honor giving preference to one another;




1. The word used here occurs no where else in the New Testament. It

properly denotes tender affection, such as what subsists between parents

and children; and it means that Christians should have similar feelings

toward each other, as belonging to the same family, and as united in the

same principles and interests.

2. Love for the brethren is a badge of discipleship.

3. Not in seeking honor, but in preferring honor for other brethren.

a. Not to see who can receive the most honor, but rather to give honor to

others.

b. To honor means to give a person high value and respect.

1. As Christians, we honor people because:

a. Because they have been created in God's image.

b. Because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ,

c. Because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ's

church

2. In Christianity, others come before self.

B. The meaning appears to be this: Consider all your brethren as more worthy

than yourself; and let neither grief nor envy affect your mind at seeing another

honored and yourself neglected.

C. Instead of contending for superiority, let us be forward to give to others the

pre-eminence. Philippians 2:3 – “Let each esteem others better than




themselves.”

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 7
SERVE ONE ANOTHER. (7)
A. Galatians 5:13 – “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not
use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another.”




1. Faith works.

2. Faith helps.

3. Faith serves others.

B. Serving others is a proper manifestation of love.

1. Where there is love there will be servitude.

2. Duty is pleasant.

3. Kindnesses are expected of Christians.

C. It is human nature to want to be:

1. The master rather than the servant.

2. The one being served rather than the one doing the serving.

D. We are His hands to lift others up to help them. Galatians 6:10 – “




E. Jesus was a server of others . . . How can we follow in His steps without being

the same.

BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER. (8)
A. Colossians 3:12-13 – “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put




on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a




complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. “

1. “Forbearing one another” . . . Avoid all occasions of irritating or provoking

each other.

2. “Forgiving one another” If ye receive offence, be instantly ready to forgive

on the first acknowledgment of the fault.

3. “Even as Christ forgave you” Who required no satisfaction, and sought for

nothing in you but the broken, contrite heart, and freely forgave you as

soon as you returned to Him.

4. “If any man have a quarrel against any” - "or complaint." The Greek word

Used here occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.

a. It means, "fault found, blame, censure;" and here denotes occasion of

complaint.

b. The idea is, that if another one has given us just occasion of

complaint, we are to forgive him; that is, we are:

1. To harbor no malice against him;

2. We are to be ready to do him good as if he had not given us

occasion of complaint;

3. We are to be willing to declare that we forgive him when be asks it;

4. We are always afterward to treat him as kindly as if he had not

injured us-as God treats us when he forgives us.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 8
a. Freely-he did not hesitate or delay when we asked him;
b. Entirely-he pardoned all our offences;
c. Forever-he did it so as to remember our sins no more, and to treat




us ever onward as if we had not sinned. So we should forgive an

offending brother.

B. "Putting on" Christ affects how we treat others.

1. It is only in the outworking of people's relationships with one another that

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are worked out.

2. The testing ground is when people have grievances . . . against one

another.

a. Paul called for the believers to bear with and forgive one another.

b. "Bear with" means putting up with the "extra grace required" crowd.

This is only possible for those who are clothed with patience.

c. To "forgive" implies continual, mutual forgiveness of the problems,

irritations, and grievances that occur in the congregation.

d. In order to do either one of these actions, a Christian must do both.

e. It takes forbearance to forgive, and forgiveness means putting up with

offensive people.

C. From the human standpoint, there are two alternatives: FORGIVE OR HATE

1. Formerly, when people had a grievance, they could challenge one another

to a duel.

a. That settled it, except when relatives of the loser decided to carry on the

feud, sometimes for generations.

b. Each crime against one side would escalate the motives for revenge.

2. Now with duels illegal, we use courts to "make ourselves whole" when

someone has cheated or slandered us. It is a longer process, less bloody,

more public, and civilized.

3. Jesus offers an even better way: forgive and forget.

a. It's the new way of the gospel: let God worry about the wrongs you've

suffered.

b. Don't quench your life in bitter feuding; live renewed in love and joy.

4. Why did Paul call believers to do this?

a. The church had enough enemies and troubles dealing with the outside

world; they didn't need infighting or energy wasted on grievances or

grudges (either held over from pre-Christian days or arising in the

church) that could be worked out with forbearing and forgiving.

b. The key to forgiving others was for the believers to:

1. To remember how much God had forgiven them, and

2. To realize the presumption in refusing to forgive someone God had

already forgiven.

5. Remembering God's infinite love and forgiveness should help the

Colossian Christians, and us, love and forgive one another.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 9
SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER. (9)
A. Ephesians 5:19-21 – “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and




spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our

Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. “




B. There is a mutual submission that Christians owe one to another,

condescending to bear one another's burdens: not advancing themselves

above others, nor domineering over one another and giving laws to one

another.

1. Paul was an example of this truly Christian temper, for he became all things

to all men.

2. We must be of a yielding and of a submissive spirit, and ready to all the

duties of the respective places and stations that God has allotted to us in

the world.

C. Submissive roles for Christians:

1. To God

2. To government

3. To elders

4. Wives to husbands

5. Children to parents

6. To one another

D. People often misunderstand the concept of submitting to another person.

1. It does not mean becoming totally passive. Christ -- at whose name "every

knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians
2:10 ) -- submitted his will to the Father, and we honor Christ by following




his example.

2. When we submit to God, we become more willing to obey his command to

submit to others, that is, to subordinate our rights to theirs.

3. In Paul's day, women, children, and slaves were to submit to the head of

the family -- slaves would submit until they were freed, male children until

they grew up, and women and girls their whole lives.

4. Paul emphasized the equality of all believers in Christ (Galatians 3:28), but

he counseled all believers to submit to one another by choice.

5. This kind of mutual submission preserves order and harmony.

E. Submission provides evidence that we have Spirit-controlled relationships,

and it requires the Holy Spirit's guidance and restraint (4:2-3).

1. In the church, the believers should be willing to . . . learn from . . . serve,

give to . . . or be corrected by others in the fellowship.

2. Such submission can allow growth both individually and corporately as the

believers seek to follow Christ.

3. Our motives should be "reverence" (literally, "fear") for Christ.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 10



4. We should not treat one another rightly just because it is expected or

because we will be well regarded but because one day we must give

account to Christ of how we have lived.

5. The principle of submission is not to be abused.

F. Submission often has unpleasant implications for modern Christians, perhaps

because this principle has been abused in the past and has been used to

justify overbearing and self-serving behavior.

1. But Jesus was willing to submit to the will of his Father and to the agonies

of the cross.

2. "Submission" is not a bad word. How do you respond to the idea of

submitting to others?

G. The question becomes . . . “Are you willing to place the interests and desires

of others ahead of your own in Jesus' name?”

SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON. (10)
A. Hebrews 10:24 – “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and




good work”

B. Matthew Henry writes: “Christians ought to have a tender consideration and

concern for one another; they should affectionately consider what their several

wants, weaknesses, and temptations are; and they should do this, not to

reproach one another, to provoke one another not to anger, but to love and

good works, calling upon themselves and one another to love God and Christ

more, to love duty and holiness more, to love their brethren in Christ more,

and to do all the good offices of Christian affection both to the bodies and the

souls of each other. A good example given to others is the best and most

effectual provocation to love and good works.”

C We are in this Christian life together.

1. Christians need one another on a daily basis.

2. Don’t try to go at it alone . . . you have brethren who will help you.

3. You need brethren . . . and brethren need you.

4. Spur one another on!

BE HOSPITABLE TO ONE ANOTHER. (11)
A. 1 Peter 4:8-9 – “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for
"love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without




grumbling.”

B. Have warm ardent love toward one another.

C. 1. Love to another shall so cover or hide a great many imperfections in him,

that you will not notice them.

2. This passage is quoted from Proverbs 10:12: - "Love covers all sins."




a. True love to another makes us kind to his imperfections, charitable

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 11



toward his faults, and often blind even to the existence of faults (not

sins, but faults).

b. We would not see the imperfections of those whom we love; and our

attachment for what we esteem their real excellencies, makes us

insensible to their errors.

D. Here is a noble rule in Christianity.

1. Christians ought to love one another, which implies

a. An affection to their persons.

b. desire of their welfare.

c. And a hearty endeavor to promote it.

2. This mutual affection must not be cold, but fervent, that is, sincere, strong,

and lasting.

E. The words above all indicate that love would help these Christians face

suffering. The mutual love, support, and encouragement would be a great

defense. No Christian is an island . . . no one in Christ is alone . . . Never nor

ever!

F. This does not mean that love ignores, overlooks, or tries to hide sin.

1. Instead, Peter probably was thinking back to his words in 1 Peter 4:1-2 that

the believers should live the rest of their lives according to God's will and

not human desires.

2. As believers, they were "finished with sin."

a. The "covering of sins," then, is the ability that believers have to forgive

one another because Christ has forgiven them.

b. Love works as a shock absorber, cushioning and smoothing out the

bumps and irritations caused by fellow believers.

G. Love can be an antidote.

1. Life needs strong soap to wash away the buildup of hurt and grief. What's

the better soap -- love or hate -- when

a. Your friend forgets a breakfast meeting that you lost sleep to get to?

b. Your teenager has a fender bender, distracted by a song on the radio?

c. Your church passes a budget with expenditures you believe are

frivolous?

d. Your spouse is in a cantankerous mood?

e. The neighbor next door above you likes their music loud?

f. some potbellied loudmouth on the first-base side is talking about your

son's pitching?

Your mom is on the phone again?

Your boyfriend is seen with someone else?

H. As Christians, we should forgive the faults in others' lives because we have

experienced God's gracious forgiveness in our own.

I. Karen Burton Mains wrote: “If our hospitality is to minister, to impart to each

who crosses our threshold something of the presence of Christ -- if it is to

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 12



transcend the human and deal with the supernatural -- there must be an

agony of growth, a learning, a tutoring at the hand the of Holy Spirit.”

J. Being hospitable is different from social entertaining.

1. Entertaining focuses on the host -- the home must be spotless; the food

must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and

good-natured.

2. Hospitality, in contrast, focuses on the guests.

a. Their needs -- whether for a place to stay . . . nourishing food . . . a

listening ear . . . or acceptance . . . are the primary concern.

3. Hospitality can happen in a messy home.

a. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned

soup.

b. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores

together.

4. Believers should not hesitate to offer hospitality just because they are too

tired . . . too busy . . . or not wealthy enough to entertain.

5. Hospitality is a strong expression of love, which Peter already commanded

the believers to show.

GREET ONE ANOTHER. (12)
A. Romans 16:16 – “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ




greet you.”

B. In those early times the kiss on the cheek, as a token of peace, friendship,

and brotherly love, was frequent among all people; and the Christians used it

in their public assemblies, as well as in their occasional meetings. The "holy

kiss" was a common form of greeting, much like the handshake today.

1. This was at last laid aside, not because it was abused, but because, the

church becoming very numerous, the thing was impossible.

2. In some countries the kiss of friendship is still common; and in such

countries it is scarcely ever abused, nor is it an incentive to evil, because it

is customary and common.

a. Israel

b. Jamaica – Large bushy-bearded brother.

3. Shaking hands is now substituted for it in almost all Christian

congregations.

4. The use of the word "holy" here serves to denote that Paul intended it as

an expression of "Christian" affection; and to guard against all improper

familiarity and scandal.

CONCLUSION:




A. You . . . Me . . . We . . . Us-es

1. All of us . . . Excluding none of us

CHRISTIAN LIVING – “One Another Verses of the Bible” 13



2. One another . . . one of another.

3. The Pirate cry . . . “All for one and one for all.”

B. Illustration: William C. Schultz, writing in Bits and Pieces, December 1990 –




“People need people. Laurie was about three when one night she requested

my aid in getting undressed. I was downstairs and she was upstairs, and ...

well. ‘You know how to undress yourself,’ I reminded. ‘Yes,’ she explained,

'but sometimes people need people anyway, even if they do know how to do

things by themselves.”

C. Brethren need the fellowship and assistance of other brethren.

1. Let us love one another.

2. Let us help one another.

3. Let us pray for one another.

4. Let us help one another reach Heaven.
God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation
There is a decision to be made . . . Or you going to go UP to Heaven . . . Or are

you going to go DOWN to Hell? It is YOUR choice . . . YOUR CHOICE!