Being There for One Another

Being There for One Another

Wednesday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries

Jackson 5- I'll Be There lyrics

One of the responsibilities we as Christians have is being there for one another. Yes, the church leaders are supposed to be there for the congregation but the congregation is supposed to be there for one another and for the church leaders as well. After all, the church leaders are still human and have troubles, needs, and joys just as any other member has. Be there for one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 New International Version (NIV)

10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 King James Version (KJV)

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We are supposed to be there for one another in bad times and in good. Besides people having illnesses or great sorrows, they also have events like the birth of a new child or grandchild, a promotion at work, a new house, or any number of other things. We are to be compassionate and empathetic with our fellow members. Be there for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:26 New International Version (NIV)

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

1 Corinthians 12:26King James Version (KJV)

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Here is another verse that speaks of the same thing.

Romans 12:15 New International Version (NIV)

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15 King James Version (KJV)

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Sometimes we get too involved in ourselves, in gossip, or in pointing out things wrong in others... which we shouldn't do... to notice or care if someone else is having a problem or a happy event. We are not to be selfish but to look to the needs of others as Christ did. We are to humble ourselves before the Lord. We are not to be vain or do things out of selfish ambition. We are to do things out of love for one another. Be there for one another.

Philippians 2:1-8 New International Version (NIV)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Footnotes:

1. Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
2. Philippians 2:7 Or the form
   

Philippians 2:1-8 King James Version (KJV)

2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

We are not to be double minded, following both God and Satan. We are not to follow the world and seek material riches which will crumble but spiritual riches which will last an eternity in heaven. Be there for one another.

James 4:4-10 New International Version (NIV)

4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Footnotes:

1. James 4:4 An allusion to covenant unfaithfulness; see Hosea 3:1.
2. James 4:5 Or that the spirit he caused to dwell in us envies intensely; or that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously
3. James 4:6 Prov. 3:34
   

James 4:4-10King James Version (KJV)

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Be there for one another. Be there for your church leaders. Do what you can to help others even if it's only a kind word. Everyone will have disagreements now and then but we must do what we can to avoid letting those disagreements interfere with the love of God. Be there for one another includes your pastor, your deacons, your elders, and your fellow brethren. We are all to love one another. That is what Jesus taught his whole life.

Jesus never advocated war. He taught us to forgive and turn the other cheek. Settle your differences in as peaceful way as possible. Love one another and forgive one another. Friends do whatever they can, no matter how far away they are. Miles don't matter, understanding and communication do. Be there for one another.

I Will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman