40 Days of Community, 19 April 2009
Why We Need Each Other: Loving One Another
Scripture Text:
Ephesians 4:1–6
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Romans 12:5
5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
I. INTRODUCTION
Our church goal for 2009 is to build ourselves up in order to reach out to others. We belong to ONE BODY IN CHRIST, to reach out to others as a CommUNITY.
II. WHY ARE WE NOT PRACTISING LOVING ONE ANOTHER?
As Christians, we know love is a command. We are as Romans 12:5 says to be united as one body of God, thereby loving one another. Whilst the goal is clearly stated in this verse, there might be three reasons why we do NOT practise loving one another.
1. “I do not know how to love.”
Some of us may not have come from a loving environment, and we say, “I do not know how to love.” God is ABLE - He can enable you to love today.
2. “I do not see why we need each other.”
Some of us may say, “I do not see why we need each other.” Here are five reasons why we need each other.
a) I need others to WALK with me (Colossians 2:6)
CommUNITY is God’s answer to Loneliness.
Colossians 2:6 – Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
Christians are not meant to live in isolation. As we walk in God’s love, we walk with one another. We exist in a safer and more supportive environment.
b) I need others to WORK with me (Ephesians 2:10)
CommUNITY is God’s answer to Fatigue.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus the Lord for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Why are we often so tired? The likely reason is that we try to do everything ourselves, thereby ending up exhausted and weakened. God purposes for us to be in community so that we can serve one another, distribute our workload and share one another’s burdens.
c) I need others to WATCH OUT for me (Philippians 2:4)
CommUNITY is God’s answer to Defeat.
Philippians 2:4 – do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 says: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! As a family of God, we rally round those in trouble and support them.
d) I need others to WAIT & WEEP with me (1 Corinthians 12:26)
CommUNITY is God’s answer to Despair.
1 Corinthians 12:26 – And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
We are called to be empathetic and compassionate. Let us learn to take time to watch out for the hurting within our midst. Let us be a friend, wait upon them and share their suffering.
e) I need others to WITNESS with me (John 13:35)
CommUNITY is God’s answer to the world.
John 13:35 – By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
As we build up our community within, God will empower us to reach out to others beyond our community, into Singapore and the rest of the world.
3. “I do not see how loving others can benefit me.”
Some of us may say, “I do not see how loving others can benefit me.”
Here are some wonderful benefits of loving others and receiving their love:
4. “But I have no time…”
Another very common excuse especially for Singaporeans is: “I simply do not have the time to care for and love others”. This fallacious thinking can be addressed at three levels of Perception, Planning and Purpose.
We say we have no time, but…
a) Perception issue
…the reality is we have time for what interests us. Time is the fairest commodity - everyone has 24 hours a day.
b) Planning issue
…the reality is we do not plan to grow spiritually. In failing to plan, we are planning to fail.
c) Purpose issue
…the reality is our Christian life is not just one of salvation but also of sanctification; loving God and others.
III. A SPIRITUAL MATTER
We have listed a few possible reasons why we are not practising loving one another. We should examine if the main underlying cause is of a spiritual nature. Many a time, we struggle because we face a spiritual battle unknown to us. Let us come before the Lord and ask Him for His insight, wisdom and empowerment in overcoming our weakness to love.
IV. WHAT IS YOUR ONE ACTION STEP YOU WILL TAKE TODAY?
Without love, nothing we say, know, believe, give or accomplish matters. Love is a command, a choice, a conduct and a commitment.
Pause for a moment now and prayerfully ask God to speak to you as you commit yourself to the goal of loving one another in this Body of Christ.
Dearest Lord Jesus, by God’s grace and mercy, I will……
- By Dr Ho Boon Tiong
Reference: Rick Warren, 40 Days of Community, Purpose Driven Publishing
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