Notes from Sunday, November 9, 2003
by Deacon Roy Ray
1 John 1:4-7: 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)
joy: emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good
fellowship: a state of being together; companionship
1 John 4:7-8: 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (KJV)
Be - Love. Be: to a great or greater degree. Love: strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties; preeminent kindness or devotion to another; willingness to sacrifice for another
Love Defined: These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:11-13, KJV)
In these passages John speaks of two types of relationships:
Vertical - between God and man
Horizontal - between man and man
A visual representation of these relationships can be seen in the cross - the symbol of Christ
The vertical beam, symbolizes our relationship with God, supports the horizontal beam, our relationship with each other
Although our relationship with God is of paramount importance, it is essential that we build and maintain relationships with each other. This morning we will focus on the horizontal relationships.
Horizontal Relationships
A case for building community in the house of God - Nana's House
Nana's House - the doors were always open; a loving and nurturing environment; all were made to a part of the family
Relationships are the key to our success as a body and as individuals.
We are a family / We are a body
Obligation to one another
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (Acts 4:32)
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (James 2:15-16)
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:5)
Benefits
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)
Relationships enable healing and restoration
- We only allow physicians we trust to operate on us
- We will only allow people we know and trust to operate on our lives
How Do We Develop These Relationships?
Create opportunities to meet people in the church
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
- Talk to someone new each time you come to church
- Participate in the activities and ministries
- Open your life to others; make time for people