Prefer One Another - (One Another Series#3)
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Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.
Ro 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Ro 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of
low position. Do not be conceited. (NIV)
Verse 5 says that we are “one body”.
Philippians 2: 2-4 ...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one
in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others
better (more important) than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but
also to the interests of others.
Mr 10:44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
In God’s value system, it is better to serve others than to rule others. It is better to consider others than
to take care of self. It is better to put others first.
I. Be 'Other' minded:
The church is no place for a selfish attitude. We are called
- to "esteem others as better than self"
- to "serve one another"
- to "bear one another's burdens"
- to "honor one another"
- to "wash one another's feet" (explain)
This principle would revolutionize every marriage and every church in the world if people would just
follow it consistently and sincerely. If husbands and wives would look out for each other's good instead
of protecting their own; if every church member would promote others rather than promoting self, what a
change it would make. Marriage and church are two places where competition does not belong.
The attitude of the world is “I have to win.” I have to prove that I am more important than you.”
The godly attitude is, “I want to help you win.” “I want to help you feel important.”
The scripture says, “When you hurt, I hurt; When you are blessed, I rejoice with you.” (1 Cor 12.26) I do
not get jealous because you got something I didn’t. And, when you are hurting, I will help you. Not
because it makes me look good, but because I want to bless you.
II. We see this in the early church -
Acts 2
42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and
in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.
There was an uncommon unity? They were committed to one another. And it caused the church to
grow.
Illustration: Red Rover
We need to be devoted to one another. To be devoted means to be permanently linked to one another.
It is a fervent commitment to stand together.
1. People who are devoted to one another pray for each other.
Ro 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- (NIV)
What was his motivation? To help them! He constantly prayed for them.
Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Philippians 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to
desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God;
2. When you are devoted to one another, you will encourage and build up one another and not
tear down -
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, Even as also ye
do.
3. When you are devoted to on another, you will provide for one another’s needs -
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
46 … their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
4. When you are devoted to on another, you will serve one another –
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to
the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Serve one another - Not because it makes you look good or feel good. Not because it is expected.
Serve one another because you love one another.
III. Taking care of one another
Whenever infection or sickness comes into a body, the antibodies come and fight the illness. That's
what a vaccination or flu shot does - it puts just enough bacteria in to get your body fighting.
When problems arise concerning the church, we have a choice – work together to resolve the problem,
or start looking for someone to blame for the problem. Which action do you think will make things
better? Which do you think God would desire?
The devoted church fights for one another, not against one another
IV. Preferring one another
The prevalent attitude in the church should be to “…honor one another above yourselves…”
It suggests that we push others ahead of ourselves. We are glad when others are promoted. We are
thrilled when others are blessed. We push others out front, not behind us.
The most consistent complaint I hear from those who attend this church is that there is not enough
fellowship. Why is that?
I believe there are three reasons:
1. The first is that our attitudes are selfish. If you want more fellowship, then go out and fellowship
with somebody. One person thinks, “This group is unfriendly. Nobody ever invites me out for coffee.”
And so everybody is waiting for somebody else to make the first move.
I have an idea. Why don’t you invite them out for coffee? Don’t wait for someone else to be friendly.
You be friendly.
Many times, good things fail to happen because everyone is waiting for someone else to start it.
Illust. Many years ago, there was a man in the church where I was the pastor who did not like me. He
began to say unkind things about me and he caused some others to not like me, and several people
stopped coming to our church.
One day, I was walking by his home and I noticed that something needed to be repaired.
Then I heard that he had been ill and was not able to repair it himself. God spoke to me and said, “You
go fix it.” I said, “No way. Do you know how much trouble he has caused me?” God said, “Do you want
to solve this problem?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Then go repair his problem.”
The next Sunday, the man was back in church. Today, he is still my good friend. All I had to do was put
his needs above my own and make the first move.
2. The second reason for our lack of fellowship is that we have our own small group of friends and
we do not venture out beyond that. What if the 12 disciples had just kept to themselves? What would
have happened to the gospel? Where would the church be today? There would not be a church.
3. The third reason is that we are not devoted enough to God. We are too busy living our own
lives, pursuing our own interests, and taking care of our own business to devote much time to God’s
business.
We think that because we come to church we are good enough. Church attendance is important, but it
is not enough. What is your true relationship with God?
Until your relationship with Him is deep enough, your relationship with others will never be what it could
be or should be.
Let’s pray for one another.
Ro 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Ro 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of
low position. Do not be conceited. (NIV)
Verse 5 says that we are “one body”.
Philippians 2: 2-4 ...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one
in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others
better (more important) than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but
also to the interests of others.
Mr 10:44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
In God’s value system, it is better to serve others than to rule others. It is better to consider others than
to take care of self. It is better to put others first.
I. Be 'Other' minded:
The church is no place for a selfish attitude. We are called
- to "esteem others as better than self"
- to "serve one another"
- to "bear one another's burdens"
- to "honor one another"
- to "wash one another's feet" (explain)
This principle would revolutionize every marriage and every church in the world if people would just
follow it consistently and sincerely. If husbands and wives would look out for each other's good instead
of protecting their own; if every church member would promote others rather than promoting self, what a
change it would make. Marriage and church are two places where competition does not belong.
The attitude of the world is “I have to win.” I have to prove that I am more important than you.”
The godly attitude is, “I want to help you win.” “I want to help you feel important.”
The scripture says, “When you hurt, I hurt; When you are blessed, I rejoice with you.” (1 Cor 12.26) I do
not get jealous because you got something I didn’t. And, when you are hurting, I will help you. Not
because it makes me look good, but because I want to bless you.
II. We see this in the early church -
Acts 2
42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and
in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.
There was an uncommon unity? They were committed to one another. And it caused the church to
grow.
Illustration: Red Rover
We need to be devoted to one another. To be devoted means to be permanently linked to one another.
It is a fervent commitment to stand together.
1. People who are devoted to one another pray for each other.
Ro 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- (NIV)
What was his motivation? To help them! He constantly prayed for them.
Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Philippians 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to
desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God;
2. When you are devoted to one another, you will encourage and build up one another and not
tear down -
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, Even as also ye
do.
3. When you are devoted to on another, you will provide for one another’s needs -
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
46 … their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
4. When you are devoted to on another, you will serve one another –
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to
the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Serve one another - Not because it makes you look good or feel good. Not because it is expected.
Serve one another because you love one another.
III. Taking care of one another
Whenever infection or sickness comes into a body, the antibodies come and fight the illness. That's
what a vaccination or flu shot does - it puts just enough bacteria in to get your body fighting.
When problems arise concerning the church, we have a choice – work together to resolve the problem,
or start looking for someone to blame for the problem. Which action do you think will make things
better? Which do you think God would desire?
The devoted church fights for one another, not against one another
IV. Preferring one another
The prevalent attitude in the church should be to “…honor one another above yourselves…”
It suggests that we push others ahead of ourselves. We are glad when others are promoted. We are
thrilled when others are blessed. We push others out front, not behind us.
The most consistent complaint I hear from those who attend this church is that there is not enough
fellowship. Why is that?
I believe there are three reasons:
1. The first is that our attitudes are selfish. If you want more fellowship, then go out and fellowship
with somebody. One person thinks, “This group is unfriendly. Nobody ever invites me out for coffee.”
And so everybody is waiting for somebody else to make the first move.
I have an idea. Why don’t you invite them out for coffee? Don’t wait for someone else to be friendly.
You be friendly.
Many times, good things fail to happen because everyone is waiting for someone else to start it.
Illust. Many years ago, there was a man in the church where I was the pastor who did not like me. He
began to say unkind things about me and he caused some others to not like me, and several people
stopped coming to our church.
One day, I was walking by his home and I noticed that something needed to be repaired.
Then I heard that he had been ill and was not able to repair it himself. God spoke to me and said, “You
go fix it.” I said, “No way. Do you know how much trouble he has caused me?” God said, “Do you want
to solve this problem?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Then go repair his problem.”
The next Sunday, the man was back in church. Today, he is still my good friend. All I had to do was put
his needs above my own and make the first move.
2. The second reason for our lack of fellowship is that we have our own small group of friends and
we do not venture out beyond that. What if the 12 disciples had just kept to themselves? What would
have happened to the gospel? Where would the church be today? There would not be a church.
3. The third reason is that we are not devoted enough to God. We are too busy living our own
lives, pursuing our own interests, and taking care of our own business to devote much time to God’s
business.
We think that because we come to church we are good enough. Church attendance is important, but it
is not enough. What is your true relationship with God?
Until your relationship with Him is deep enough, your relationship with others will never be what it could
be or should be.
Let’s pray for one another.