1 faith moral excellence knowledge self control perseverance godliness brotherly kindness “…...

1

Faith

Moral Excellenc

e

Knowledge

Self Control

Perseverance

Godliness

Brotherly

Kindness

“… applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, … knowledge, …

self-control, … perseverance, … godliness, …brotherly kindness, …”

2

Growing InChristian Virtues

Brotherly Kindness

1 John 4:7-21

3

1 John 4:7-21

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one

who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was

manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we

might live through Him. …”

4

1 John 4:7-21

“… 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one

another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in

us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He

in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. …”

5

1 John 4:7-21

“… 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

…”

6

1 John 4:7-21

“… 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love;

but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because

He first loved us.…”

7

1 John 4:7-21

“… 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this

commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his

brother also.”

8

Brotherly Kindness – philadelphia

•phileo – to love•adelphos – the brethren–love of the brethren

•Phileo denotes a feeling of warmth, fondness, affection.–Christians are to have genuine fondness and affection for their brothers and sisters in Christ and express it in acts of kindness.

9

Brotherly Kindness - philadelphia

•As used in the New Testament, it describes the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren (Thayer's)–Christians were charged to display this virtue•Heb. 13:1 “Let love of the brethren continue.”

10

Brotherly Kindness - philadelphia

•As used in the New Testament, it describes the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren (Thayer's)–Christians were charged to display this virtue–They were to increase in it more and more - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

11

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to

you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; …”

12


“… 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all

Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,”

13

Brotherly Kindness•It means to prefer the company of Christians above others–Rom. 12:10 "Be devoted to one

another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;"

14

Brotherly Kindness•It means to prefer the company of Christians above others–We should enjoy being with our brethren and seek out occasions when we can associate with them.•In worship – Heb. 10:24,25

15

Hebrews 10:24,25

"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the

more as you see the day drawing near."

16

Brotherly Kindness•It means to prefer the company of Christians above others–We should enjoy being with our brethren and seek out occasions when we can associate with them.•In worship – Heb. 10:24,25•On social occasions – Acts 2:46

17

Acts 2:46

"Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their

meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,"

18

Brotherly Kindness•It means to prefer the company of Christians above others

•We have fought against the social gospel as a work of the church so hard–We have lost sight of the need of individual Christians coming together as close brethren.

19

Brotherly Kindness•It means to sympathize and share feelings with other Christians.–Just as the physical body has a built in sympathetic system –So should it be in the body of Christ.–1 Corinthians 12:25,26

20

1 Corinthians 12:25,26

"so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. …"

21

1 Corinthians 12:25,26

“… 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one

member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

22

Brotherly Kindness•It means to sympathize and share feelings with other Christians.–Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with

those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

23

Brotherly Kindness•It means to share materially with other Christians, as they have need.–Example of the early Christians•Acts 4:32,34,35

24

Acts 4:32,34,35

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul;

and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to

them.”

25

Acts 4:32,34,35

“For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they

would be distributed to each as any had need.”

26

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

“Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which

has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the

wealth of their liberality. …”

27

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

“… 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability,

they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the

favor of participation in the support of the saints, …”

28

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

“… 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.”

29

Brotherly Kindness•It means to share materially with other Christians, as they have need.–Example of the early Christians•Acts 4:32,34,35•Romans 12:13 "contributing to the

needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."

30

Brotherly Kindness•It means to share materially with other Christians, as they have need.–Other Biblical examples of brotherly kindness•Abraham – Genesis 13:5-12

31

Genesis 13:5-12

“Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 And the land

could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain

together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the

herdsmen of Lot's livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling

then in the land. …”

32

Genesis 13:5-12

“… 8 So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me,

nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. 9 "Is

not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right,

then I will go to the left." …”

33

Genesis 13:5-12

“… 10 Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well

watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like

the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose

for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward….”

34

Genesis 13:5-12

“… Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities

of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.”

35

Brotherly Kindness•It means to share materially with other Christians, as they have need.–Other Biblical examples of brotherly kindness•Abraham – Gen. 13:5-12–Abraham had reared Lot and provided for him the choice of the land.–Lot chose the fertile plain.–Still later, Abraham shows kindness to Lot (Gen. 14:5-16), rescuing him from captivity.

36

Brotherly Kindness•It means to share materially with other Christians, as they have need.–Other Biblical examples of brotherly kindness•Ruth – Ruth 1:15-17; 4:14-17

37

Ruth 1:15-17

“Then she said, "Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and

her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 16 But Ruth said, "Do not urge

me to leave you or turn back from following you;…”

38

Ruth 1:15-17

“… for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your

God, my God. 17 "Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if

anything but death parts you and me."”

39

Ruth 4:14-17

“Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a

redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. 15 "May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old

age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons,

has given birth to him.” …”

40

Ruth 4:14-17

“… 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. 17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi!" So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the

father of David.”

41

Brotherly Kindness•It means to share materially with other Christians, as they have need.–Other Biblical examples of brotherly kindness•Ruth – Ruth 1:15-17; 4:14-17–She stayed with her mother-in-law after the death of her husband and showed great kindness.–Working hard, gleaning the crops after the servants had picked them to provide for her mother-in-law.

42

The Demand of Brotherly Kindness

•It is necessary to Know God–Without sincere love for brethren•Any claim to know God or love Him is impossible – 1 John 4:7-8, 20-21

43

1 John 4:7-8

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who

loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not

know God, for God is love.”

44

1 John 4:20-21

“If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the

one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this

commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his

brother also.”

45


•It is necessary to Know God–Without sincere love for brethren•Any claim to know God or love Him is impossible – 1 John 4:7-8, 20-21•If we truly desire to know God, then it is essential to develop brotherly kindness!

46


•Necessary to be Jesus' disciples–Jesus made love for brethren an identifying mark by which the world can know we are His disciples•John 13:34-35

47

John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I

have loved you, that you also love one another. …"

48

John 13:34-35

"… 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love

for one another."

49


•Necessary to be Jesus' disciples–Jesus made love for brethren an identifying mark by which the world can know we are His disciples •John 13:34-35•Right doctrine is certainly important – 2 John 9

50

2 John 9

“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father

and the Son.”

51


•Necessary to be Jesus' disciples–Jesus made love for brethren an identifying mark - John 13:34-35•Right doctrine is certainly important–2 John 9

•But the world pays little attention to what is perceived as minor doctrinal differences.•What people notice is love in a world filled with hate.

52


•Necessary to be Jesus' disciples–Jesus made love for brethren an identifying mark - John 13:34-35•Especially when such love is observed among individuals who come from various social, economic, and racial backgrounds.

53


•Necessary to be Jesus' disciples–Any attempt to proclaim New Testament Christianity ...•Will fail to appeal to those in the world ...•Unless it is accompanied by a visible demonstration of true brotherly kindness among Christians!

54


•It is Necessary to answer Jesus' prayer for Unity!–Unity among brethren is also very important, as indicated in the prayer of Jesus – John 17:20-23

55

John 17:20-23

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me

through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that

You sent Me. …”

56

John 17:20-23

“… 22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them

and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world

may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”

57


•It is Necessary to answer Jesus' prayer for Unity!–The unity made possible through the cross of Christ is maintained as we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace•Eph. 4:3 "being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

58


•It is Necessary to answer Jesus' prayer for Unity!–Crucial to that endeavor is "showing tolerance for one another in love" – Ephesians 4:2

59


•It is Necessary to answer Jesus' prayer for Unity!–“showing tolerance for one another in love”–There will be times when brethren sin against one another

–Where brotherly kindness prevails there will also be forbearance and forgiveness.

–This provides time for repentance and reconciliation necessary to remain united.

60


•Unless we develop brotherly kindness …–Churches will be prone to split at the earliest indication of conflict

61

Development of Brotherly Kindness

•It Requires being Taught BY God.–Those taught by God need little to be said - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

62


"Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to

you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed

you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But

we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,"

63


•It Requires being Taught BY God.–Those taught by God need little to be said – cf. 1 Thess. 4:9-10–The Father teaches the meaning of love through the giving of His Son – 1 John 4:9-10

64

1 John 4:9-10

"By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that

we might live through Him. …"

65

1 John 4:9-10

“… 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

66


•It Requires being Taught BY God.–The Son demonstrates true love by the example of His sacrifice – 1 John 3:16

67

1 John 3:16

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

68


•It Requires being Taught BY God.–The more we reflect upon the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the sooner we understand the true meaning of brotherly kindness – cf. John 13:34

69

John 13:34

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I

have loved you, that you also love one another."

70


•Requires spending Time with Brethren.–The more we are around people ...–The more we get to know them personally...–The more we share experiences with them...–The easier it is to have love and concern for them.

71


•Requires spending Time with Brethren.–As we experience life together, our love and appreciation for one another deepens.–The same is true with my brethren in Christ …–Spend time Together!

72


•Requires Praying for my Brethren.–We should pray fervently for our brethren, especially those with whom you may have a personality clash.

•"Therefore... pray for one another ..." (James 5:16), and there will be brotherly kindness!

73

The Display of Brotherly Kindness

•As it affects our attitude toward brethren.–Will lead one to be considerate.•A strong brother will be considerate of his weak brother•Romans 15:1 "Now we who are strong

ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves."

74


•As it affects our attitude toward brethren.–Will lead one to be considerate.•Where a brother may have liberty in Christ, he is willing to limit that freedom if it is beneficial to the spiritual well-being of his brother

75

1 Corinthians 8:13

"Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to

stumble."

76

Galatians 5:13

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom

into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

77


•As it affects our attitude toward brethren.–Brotherly kindness will lead one to be cautious – James 4:11-12•About what they say about them – James 4:11a "Do not speak against one another, brethren."

78


•As it affects our attitude toward brethren.–Brotherly kindness will lead one to be cautious – James 4:11-12•About what they say about them –11a •About judging a brother –11b-12

79

James 4:11b-12

"... He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the

law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who

are you who judge your neighbor?"

80


•As it affects our Service toward brethren.–Brotherly kindness will lead us to truly care for one another–1 Thessalonians 5:14 "We urge

you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

81


•As it affects our Service toward brethren.–Brotherly kindness will lead us to truly care for one another – 1 Thess. 5:14•To warn the unruly, to comfort the faint-hearted.•To uphold the weak, to be patient with all.

82


•As it affects our Service toward brethren.–Brotherly kindness will prompt us to pursue the right things –Rom. 14:19 "So then we pursue

the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."

83

Brotherly Kindness in practice

•Spend time reading of the Love of God–Reading passages telling of His great love for us.–Reading of His longsuffering towards mankind

84


•Spend time in prayer for your brethren.–Praying for them in time of need–Praying for them also when times are good–Praying for our relationships with each other.–Diligently praying when difficulties arise among brethren.

85


•Spending time with each other.–Taking advantage of every opportunity to spend time with each other in spiritual fellowship.•Through Bible Studies, Worship services, Singings, etc.•Using every available opportunity, or even making more opportunities.

86


•Spending time with each other.–Too many times it comes down to a discussion as to whether or not we HAVE to attend every service–It should be we WANT to!

87


•Spending time with each other.–Also spending time in social gatherings.•Our fellow Christians SHOULD be our closest friends.•We SHOULD desire to spend more time with one another.

88


•Spending time with each other.–Also spending time in social gatherings.•Having each other in to our homes, enjoying meals together, fun times together.•This, when done properly can only increase our love and kindness to one another.

89

Conclusion

•We hopefully will appreciate the importance of developing a strong love for the brethren!–We may think that we have a strong love for the brethren, and this may be true...–But we need to always increase more and more – cf. 1 Thess. 4:9-10

90


"Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to

you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed

you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But

we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,"

91

Conclusion

•And so may this prayer be fulfilled in us: "and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints." 1 Thess. 3:12-13

1 faith moral excellence knowledge self control perseverance godliness brotherly kindness “…...

Documents

love of god

perfect love

son of god

brethren phileo

brethren thayers christians

acts of kindness

begotten son

new testament