So much of church time is spent on "acts of worship", particularly preaching. But the New Testament spends a lot more time on "one another" than on "church activities":
... you also should wash one another's feet.
John 13:14
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Romans 12:10
Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10
Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 12:16
...stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Romans 14:13
...make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 14:19
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:7
(Notice how bringing praise to God is not via song-leading or preaching, etc, but rather via acceptance of one another?)
...wait for each other.
1 Corinthians 11:33
...have equal concern for each other.
1 Corinthians 12:25
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
2 Corinthians 13:12
(Oh, wow. I am so bad at greeting others .... (Not that I'm good at the other items on this list, but this one I know I'm bad at.))
...serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
(Note how the law of Christ
is fulfilled? Not by going to church three times a week, or
worshiping in a certain prescribed way, or teaching some specific
doctrine, but by bearing the burdens of each other.)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
(Notice how we show
reverence for Christ?)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4
Do not lie to each other ....
Colossians 3:9
Bear with each other.
Colossians 3:13
Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Colossians 3:13
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
Live in peace with each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24
Offer hospitality to one another....
1 Peter 4:9
...do not slander one another.
James 4:11
Confess your sins to each other.
James 5:16
Pray for each other....
James 5:16
These things build up the Kingdom.
1 comment:
Hey Brother!
This is good! I think we get so wrapped up in other things (like "acts of worship") that we forget about what we need to do for each other. Some of these really hit home like the one from Romans 14:13 that says....."make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." We sure need to read these verses over and think about them with all the things that are going on at church. If everyone at church read these verses every day for a month I just wonder what kind of effect it would have on us all. This would make a good sermon and I like the title. Thanks for sharing. Your Lil' Sis
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