3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think

soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not

have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in

Christ, and individually members of one another.

(Romans 12)

Members Of One Another

Christians have a connection that is more than friendship and more than some fleshly

families.

One Body• The church - Ephesians 1:22-23

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is

His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

(Ephesians 1)

One Body• The church - Ephesians 1:22-23• Reconciled to God - Ephesians 2:14-18

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of

commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself

one new man from the two, thus making peace,

16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through

the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and

preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

(Ephesians 2)

One Body• The church - Ephesians 1:22-23• Reconciled to God - Ephesians 2:14-18• His eternal purpose - Ephesians 3:10-11

10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made

known by the church to the principalities and powers in the

heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He

accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

(Ephesians 3)

One Body• The church - Ephesians 1:22-23• Reconciled to God - Ephesians 2:14-18• His eternal purpose - Ephesians 3:10-11• Many members - Romans 12:4

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do

not have the same function, (Romans 12)

One Body• The church• Reconciled to God in it• His eternal purpose includes it• Many members, one body

Our Family• Members of one another - Romans 12:5

5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of

one another.(Romans 12)

Our Family• Members of one another - Romans 12:5• Have the same Father - 2 Cor. 6:17-18

17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.”

(2 Corinthians 6)

Our Family• Members of one another - Romans 12:5• Have the same Father - 2 Cor. 6:17-18• Brothers & sisters - I Timothy 5:1-2

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men

as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters,

with all purity.(I Timothy 5)

Our Family• Members of one another - Romans 12:5• Have the same Father - 2 Cor. 6:17-18• Brothers & sisters - I Timothy 5:1-2• Suffer/rejoice - I Corinthians 12:20-26

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members

of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have

greater modesty,

24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body,

having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there

should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have

the same care for one another.

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

member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

I Corinthians 12)

Our Family• Members of one another - Romans 12:5• Have the same Father - 2 Cor. 6:17-18• Brothers & sisters - I Timothy 5:1-2• Suffer/rejoice - I Corinthians 12:20-26• Consider one another - Heb. 10:24

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

(Hebrews 10)

Our Family• Members of one another - Romans 12:5• Have the same Father - 2 Cor. 6:17-18• Brothers & sisters - I Timothy 5:1-2• Suffer/rejoice - I Corinthians 12:20-26• Consider one another - Heb. 10:24• Serve in love - Galatians 5:13-15

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. 14 For all the

law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as

yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you

be consumed by one another!(Galatians 5)

Our Family• Members of one another - Romans 12:5• Have the same Father - 2 Cor. 6:17-18• Brothers & sisters - I Timothy 5:1-2• Suffer/rejoice - I Corinthians 12:20-26• Consider one another - Heb. 10:24• Serve in love - Galatians 5:13-15• Love as God did - I John 4:7-8

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

(I John 4)

Our Family• Members of one another• Have the same Father• Brothers & sisters• Suffer/rejoice with each other• Consider one another• Serve one another in love• Love as God did

And Heirs Of God• If sons, then heirs - Galatians 4:6-7

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into

your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through

Christ.(Galatians 4)

And Heirs Of God• If sons, then heirs - Galatians 4:6-7• Abraham’s seed - Galatians 3:26-29

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ

have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if

you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according

to the promise.(Galatians 3)

And Heirs Of God• If sons, then heirs - Galatians 4:6-7• Abraham’s seed - Galatians 3:26-29• Joint heirs with Christ - Romans 8:16-17

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—

heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,

that we may also be glorified together.

(Romans 8)

And Heirs Of God• If sons, then heirs• Abraham’s seed• Joint heirs with Christ

As God’s children, His sons and daughters, we share in having the

same Father, and in being members of the same body, the church. In this

family we are heirs of God!

Often this relationship we have with each other is stronger than what we

have with some physical family members.

Are you regularly sharing family time with your brothers & sisters? Who

will care more for you than this family?

In Christ we have family now and an inheritance waiting above.

Won’t you begin to serve Him today?