WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.620 I saw that for the first time when I was at Greg Bernard's small group. 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:04.679 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.780 The Holy Spirit, who is our gift, who is here, present in each of us as believers, that 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:42.759 he would enable me in preaching and he would enable you who know the Lord Jesus in your 00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:46.000 understanding and then your application of the Word of God. 00:00:46.100 --> 00:00:46.820 Let's pray together. 00:00:50.760 --> 00:00:56.579 Our Heavenly Father, this morning my heart is reminded of the words of Zechariah the 00:00:56.579 --> 00:01:01.979 prophet where he made this statement, not by might nor by power but by word, saith the 00:01:01.979 --> 00:01:03.579 Lord, by my spirit. 00:01:05.340 --> 00:01:11.000 And so I pray this morning, Lord, that you would work in us, that the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:15.780 the Lord of glory, the one who is the Savior of the world, would be the one that is seen 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:18.319 and adored and that our affections would grow. 00:01:19.980 --> 00:01:21.359 I pray for clarity. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:27.159 I pray for simplicity in declaring the truth. 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:35.079 And I pray for passion that the Lord Jesus Christ might be lifted up and worthy of adoration. 00:01:36.260 --> 00:01:41.640 And we ask this in Jesus' name, trusting the Spirit to work. 00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:43.960 And we pray amen. 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:44.119 Amen. 00:01:45.899 --> 00:01:49.339 Now next week is going to be the start to our small group ministry. 00:01:49.559 --> 00:01:54.119 We've had a summer of break, a little bit of a hiatus, a step away. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:02:00.099 And so next week when we gather together again, we're going to begin where we left off in some ways. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:05.119 I know that some of you in small groups at different times through the summer have connected together. 00:02:05.259 --> 00:02:13.000 You've stayed in touch with some of the emails and some of the little details that have helped us stay in communion with one another. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:20.860 But this coming Sunday, this next week, we are going to begin again in the groups that God has put together in our fellowship. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:26.759 And as we begin, I think it's appropriate for us to come back and take a look at why do we do small group. 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:32.280 And our study this morning in the Scriptures is going to address the why. 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:38.680 And then next week in particular, Pastor Saul is going to add another dimension to it, 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:42.500 explaining how and what part you can play in being effective in that. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:48.000 Judith and I are going to be down in the Fort Benning, Georgia area. 00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:53.180 I have two grandsons that are graduating from basic training back to back. 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:58.780 And so we're going to be down there for that event in both of their lives, in Isaac's and in Sam's. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:01.080 And we're going to have a wonderful time. 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:02.900 We are going fishing. 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:04.219 I want you to know that. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:11.620 Somewhere out in Savannah, the we is a singular, I am being advised, from way in the back. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:13.460 That is, I am going fishing. 00:03:14.039 --> 00:03:16.939 I was going to get scopolamine patches for my wife. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:18.819 And she says, not on your life. 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:26.000 Anyway, we are going to have a week of vacation or so and enjoy the time that we will spend together. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:31.939 And I want you to be in prayer for us as we have an opportunity to kind of decompress a little bit 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:35.540 and prepare for coming back and the blessing of ministry to all of you. 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:42.219 So as we start this morning looking at the issue of small group, I trust that for some of you in our fellowship, 00:03:42.419 --> 00:03:46.340 this is kind of like review and you can kind of close your ears and kind of zone out. 00:03:46.459 --> 00:03:48.859 But I would plead with you that you not do that. 00:03:48.959 --> 00:03:49.899 Let me explain something. 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:57.099 The same passage of Scripture looked at again and again can, by the enabling of the Spirit of God, help you learn new things. 00:03:57.099 --> 00:04:02.699 And I think about the passage in Scripture in Psalm 119 where the psalmist prayed this way. 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:07.340 He said, open thou mine eyes that I might behold wondrous truths of thy law. 00:04:07.539 --> 00:04:11.120 It's a fair prayer for all of you to be praying this morning if you know Christ. 00:04:11.259 --> 00:04:13.139 Say, hey, listen, I want to see it again. 00:04:13.419 --> 00:04:16.939 I want to understand your beauty and your glory and your wisdom 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:22.439 and how you've intended for us as believers to relate to one another and grow in grace. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:28.800 And so given the biblical nature of preaching and our dependence upon the Spirit of God, 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:35.819 we are confident that our time in the Word of God is intended to make a difference in your life as believers, 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:37.680 and I trust that it does. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:42.000 So let's ask the question, so why do we do small groups here at Maranatha? 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:45.360 Why is it such an important part of our fellowship? 00:04:46.240 --> 00:04:50.339 Let me say, first of all, that small group ministry is not a fad. 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:58.100 Over the years, I've had a number of different pastors in our circles call me up and say, 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:00.839 so what do you do about small group ministry? 00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:04.019 I mean, they've heard the buzz or they've heard the Word at a seminar 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:06.120 and they've heard other churches are involved in it. 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:10.360 And so they'll call and they want to get an idea of, okay, how do you do this and what does it look like? 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:15.779 And as I've talked with pastors and talked with board members at various times, 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:19.839 one of the things that I've kind of picked up on is that sometimes people come at small group 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:22.799 simply as a means of kind of growing numerically. 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:26.099 Others want to try it, maybe just as well. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:27.599 I've heard others are doing it. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:30.859 I don't want to be the last person on the block to kind of pick up on the detail. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:33.899 And so if others are doing small group, it must be a good idea. 00:05:33.979 --> 00:05:34.919 I'll go ahead and follow. 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:40.479 And others come along and just say, well, I don't know what to do with Sunday night. 00:05:40.539 --> 00:05:42.719 I don't know what to do with Wednesday night or whatever. 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:47.980 And so they kind of throw a program in hoping that the program would kind of stick 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:50.800 and possibly even work out and make a difference. 00:05:52.140 --> 00:05:54.100 Some had the attitude as, well, why not? 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:55.700 Let's try it and see. 00:05:57.060 --> 00:06:01.660 I want you to understand that our approach to small group is not something that came about 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:04.740 because we were kind of floundering around uncertain of what to do, 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:09.020 but it came about through a matter of lengthy prayer and consideration, 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:14.359 many hours of study, actually, to not bore you with the details. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:19.779 But for about a year behind the scenes, our pastoral staff researched the matter, 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:22.839 did study on it, went to various seminars, 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:25.719 kind of getting an idea of what was happening with small group ministry. 00:06:26.339 --> 00:06:30.000 And then after we had spent the time working on it as pastoral staff, 00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:33.719 we brought it to our deacons, and they began praying and thinking with us. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:38.459 And I can tell you in that year of study, first with the pastors, 00:06:38.459 --> 00:06:41.219 and then another year with the deacons, and you could kind of think to yourself, 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:43.759 wow, you guys are slow deciders. 00:06:43.979 --> 00:06:44.399 We are. 00:06:46.299 --> 00:06:51.339 But the outcome of that is that after having spent a great deal of time thinking very carefully 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:55.279 with what we wanted to accomplish with small group, 00:06:56.899 --> 00:07:00.120 I want you to understand that it has been a significant blessing 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:03.899 and a very real part of what makes Maranatha what it is. 00:07:04.419 --> 00:07:07.099 It has made a difference in our fellowship. 00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:11.720 And so as a result of the amount of study and prayer, 00:07:11.900 --> 00:07:14.640 and now I think we're in our eighth year, I don't remember exactly. 00:07:14.760 --> 00:07:16.500 Someone who's better with numbers can tell me that. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:19.879 But I want you to know that we're not asking you to join an experiment. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:22.640 This is not kind of like a lab experiment. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:25.939 We're not sure how it's going to blow up or not, but give it a shot. 00:07:26.700 --> 00:07:30.160 We're inviting you to join us in a biblical and a truthful approach 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:32.939 to building relationships that build saints. 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:36.000 I want to say that again carefully and have it stick in your mind. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:40.139 We are committed to build relationships that build saints. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:41.860 Why do we do small group? 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:48.500 It is because we believe it is a format and a setting where you as believers, 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:50.680 those who know the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:54.939 and have come to that place where having been convicted of the sin in your heart, 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:57.279 you've cried out and asked Jesus to save you, 00:07:57.279 --> 00:08:02.079 and you have enjoyed the blessing of salvation and the enabling of the Spirit of God, 00:08:02.179 --> 00:08:07.599 whereby you can begin to develop very real relationship with Christ and with other people. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:15.139 And as a result, we say, hey, we want to set a platform or a place where that can happen intentionally. 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:16.579 Look at the way you're sitting. 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:18.479 Look at the way you're sitting. 00:08:19.059 --> 00:08:24.279 You really can't do very much at relating very well with the person in front of you, 00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:27.419 other than telling whether or not they've had their hair colored lately. 00:08:28.299 --> 00:08:30.239 I mean, there's not much going on other than that. 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:30.819 Do you follow me? 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:34.379 Some of you are beginning to think, well, I shouldn't have said that, but that's all right. 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:35.220 You can tell me afterwards. 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:38.600 The truth of the matter is, is that when we're sitting in rows, 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:42.279 it's great for hearing the exposition of the Word of God. 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.480 Do you know what exposition is? 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:45.480 That is saying, thus saith the Lord. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:52.240 But it's not where we have opportunity of getting each other's face and getting each other's place 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:55.039 and helping each other with the problems and challenges that we have. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:09:02.320 And while I cannot guarantee exactly what you are going to receive individually 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:05.799 from investing in our small group ministry, 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:11.019 I would hope that the consistent interaction with other believers 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:14.899 who are intent in growing in their walk with Christ 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:20.200 would, first of all, strengthen your love for the Lord and for His Word. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:26.160 In relationship with other people, we learn and grow in a better setting than we do on our own. 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:26.960 Do you understand that? 00:09:27.160 --> 00:09:28.200 We need each other. 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:30.300 We need each other. 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:31.680 We need relationships. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:36.379 Furthermore, not only growing in your love for the Lord and love for His Word, 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:39.980 but also improving in your personal walk and your prayer life. 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:45.740 When other people are around you and are encouraging you in your prayer life and in your walk, 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:46.800 guess what happens? 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:51.479 You've got a choice of either moving forward with them or kind of separating from them. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.779 How many of you like that little video? 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:54.399 We're into shallow groups. 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:56.099 We're not going to unpack that. 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:57.859 We're not going to deal with problems. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.319 That's not what we plan. 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:03.120 We intend for small group ministry to be an environment 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:08.599 in which over time you are going to be better known 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:14.200 and other people can then become partners in helping you grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:15.420 --> 00:10:18.420 Not only that, but you are going to come face-to-face with others 00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:20.779 who are also looking to grow in grace. 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:24.779 And I want you to understand that part of that coming face-to-face with others 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:27.159 means that we end up in community. 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:28.700 We end up in relationship. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:35.440 We end up in a mutually challenging environment where we learn together and grow together 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:38.379 and encourage and admonish one another. 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:41.640 So small group ministry is not a fad. 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:45.200 It's not something that we decided at one point, 00:10:45.300 --> 00:10:46.879 well, let's see what happens. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:50.280 Because for Maranatha, when we made a change, 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:55.980 it was not just one of those smooth little changes that kind of like shifted over to the left. 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:58.580 I remember coming home to my wife and saying, 00:10:58.680 --> 00:11:02.980 Honey, I think what we're going to do is we're going to change our music 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:04.980 and I'm going to move to small groups. 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:05.980 You know what she said to me? 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:10.420 She said, Why don't we go to another church and do that? 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:17.700 She understood that change in a church is like, guess what? 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:20.200 It's glacial at best. 00:11:20.300 --> 00:11:21.639 That's 18 inches a year. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.539 You know, it's like we kind of move, you know. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.659 We make changes and we're here together. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:32.300 We didn't make a change to small group just as a fad and as a trial. 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:38.620 Secondly, I want you to understand that small group ministry reflects our commitment to the Word of God. 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:41.820 So we didn't do it for a fad. 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:42.879 Why did we do it? 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:49.800 I want you to understand that we believe God's Word clearly points to nurturing redemptive relationships 00:11:49.800 --> 00:11:51.139 within the body of Christ. 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:53.240 Let me say that again carefully so you can catch it. 00:11:53.240 --> 00:12:00.100 We believe that God's Word clearly points to nurturing redemptive relationships within the body of Christ. 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:08.500 Part of God's plan is that in the family of God, we work together in redemptive relationships that are lasting, 00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:16.440 that are ongoing, that are enduring, in which those relationships give us an opportunity to help those who know the Lord Jesus Christ 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:19.480 grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:23.180 I want you to turn your Bible to Acts chapter 2 verse 42. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:34.060 Acts chapter 2 verse 42 is a passage that gives us in a little single statement kind of the overarching view of what did the early church engage in. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:38.580 Now, it wasn't only this, and I want you to understand that there were other pieces in it, 00:12:38.820 --> 00:12:43.060 but here are four distinct characteristics of why the early church met. 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:45.079 When they gathered together, what did they do? 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:48.139 In verse 42 it says, 00:12:48.239 --> 00:12:50.619 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. 00:12:51.579 --> 00:12:52.959 What is apostles' teaching? 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:57.059 The apostles' teaching is the preaching of the Word of God, 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:59.819 and it is at the very center of what we do. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:02.839 The reason that the pulpit is not over on the side, 00:13:02.939 --> 00:13:06.899 the reason that the pulpit is not secondary in importance on this platform, 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:14.259 is because at the end of the day, it is from the pulpit that the Word of God is preached for the sake of God's people 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:17.120 and for their edification and their growth. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:19.779 And when the Word of God is opened up, 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:22.600 the intent and the purpose of the man that God has appointed 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:28.000 is to preach and make it clear so that people can follow along and say, 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:30.139 I can see what God means there, 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:33.340 and I understand how it's to be applied in my life. 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:37.379 And so it says that the early church, when they gathered together, 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.800 they gathered together for apostles' teaching. 00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:43.820 Furthermore, it says there that they gathered for fellowship. 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.639 Now we're going to come back to that in just a minute. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:47.519 For the breaking of bread, 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:51.980 and the breaking of bread in principle refers to when we celebrate the Lord's table. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:55.560 We gather together around the elements, the bread and the cup, 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:59.519 that remind us of the fact that at the very heart of our faith 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:04.220 is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins. 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.480 I want to tell you something. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:08.139 When we celebrate communion, 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:13.419 when we take the elements in the process of doing that, 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:16.500 we're reminding ourselves of the sweetness of the gospel. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:17.500 Do you understand that? 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:20.559 When you take that cup, you are reminding yourself, 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.480 somebody else died in my place. 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:25.360 I deserve death because of my sin, 00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:27.620 and Jesus died for me. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:30.799 And when we take that bread and we take that cup, 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:34.480 we're reminding ourselves that Christ Jesus came into the world 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:36.440 to save sinners of whom I am chief. 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:40.320 The early church met for apostles' doctrine. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:42.460 They met for the breaking of bread for communion. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:45.060 It said also that they met for prayer. 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:49.940 And I want you to understand that that prayer is talking not about private, 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.799 personal prayer. 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:52.440 Should the believer pray? 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:54.560 And the answer is always. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:54.959 Always. 00:14:56.199 --> 00:15:00.579 I remember earlier in my life reading that, 00:15:00.839 --> 00:15:02.659 in fact, there are several different places in Scripture 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:06.159 that talks about praying without ceasing or praying always, 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.099 and I remember thinking, 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:09.039 how in the world can a person do that? 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:10.899 Can you talk and pray? 00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:11.739 And what's the answer? 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:12.979 I can drive and pray. 00:15:13.979 --> 00:15:17.139 In fact, there are moments when I am talking and I am praying 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:23.299 because prayer is that foundational communion with God the Father. 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:26.319 And yes, there is a personal part to prayer, 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:30.139 but what is being talked about here is corporate prayer, 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:32.899 when God's people pray together. 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:34.879 Pray together. 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:38.080 Now let's come back to that word that I skipped over for a moment there 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:39.019 when it says fellowship. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:41.559 For us, when we think about the word fellowship, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:43.360 we have a tendency of thinking about what? 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:45.159 I mean, Thanksgiving dinner is coming up? 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:46.519 Now that's fellowship, right? 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:49.079 And in the spring, we have pancake breakfast. 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:51.000 You know, it's that sort of sunrise service. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:53.059 We love to eat together. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.039 Would you agree with that? 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:57.959 I've never been in a church that didn't like to eat together. 00:15:58.079 --> 00:16:00.839 It's like, can you fellowship without eating? 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.939 I think it's possible, but I'm not sure. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:10.840 But the truth of the matter is, is that word fellowship is not talking about food. 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:17.100 The word is talking about mutual or joint participation. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:23.600 And it is talking about what people do when they gather together in community 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:26.500 and help each other in the process of growing. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:31.539 Well, we find in Acts 2, verse 42, that it tells us when the early church met, 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:33.460 that this is what they did. 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:37.559 And I remember as I was praying, and I'll tell you honestly, 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:40.960 the thing that brought me to the point of saying, we need to do something, 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:47.279 is I remember coming to the conviction that one of the characteristics of Maranatha 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:51.559 was that most of our relationships did not have a lot of depth. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.100 You know, we were great in the lobby. 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.399 What do I mean by great in the lobby? 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.820 Hey, here's the phrase in the lobby. 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:58.060 It wins every time. 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.700 How are you doing? 00:16:58.920 --> 00:17:01.040 The answer is fine. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:04.400 I've never met anybody that wasn't fine in the lobby. 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:09.140 But when they get out in the car, it's where the wheels come off, 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.799 and their lives have some messes in them. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:13.519 And I realized, we're not getting there. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:18.220 And I began praying and searching the Scriptures, and I was struck by, 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:21.120 I actually did a study on the word fellowship, and I recognized, 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:25.879 hey, you can't fellowship when you're looking at the back of other people's heads. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.599 I'm sorry. 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:30.519 In fact, if you started to fellowship, it's like kind of, you know, 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:35.179 if Justin kind of leaned forward and tapped Steve way across two rows, 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:38.459 or, you know, Connie decided to say hi to Mary Ellen, 00:17:38.679 --> 00:17:41.059 it would be a little unsettling for the rest of us. 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:43.240 And we'd say, shh, please, stop. 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:45.819 No fellowship now, you know. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.339 There has to be a setting for fellowship. 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:53.819 Let me have you look at another passage that makes it clear that God points to 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:56.240 redemptive relationships in helping us grow. 00:17:56.359 --> 00:18:01.099 Turn in your Bible, if you would, to Hebrews chapter 10, verse 24 and 25. 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:04.139 It says, 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:09.539 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and to good works, 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:13.679 not neglecting to meet together, as the habit of some is, 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:17.619 but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching. 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:19.159 Now, stop just and think for a moment. 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:23.279 How can you stir one another up to love and to good works 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:25.699 without considering what's really going on in their life? 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:30.440 Hey, you come and try to stir me up with the problems I had 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:33.860 when I told you that I was fine in the lobby, and guess what I'm going to say? 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.259 Whoa. 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:39.940 I am into that shallow lobby type of small group. 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:40.860 It's like, leave it go. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.840 I don't want to go there. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:46.920 But in smaller, closer relationships, it's like, hey, I can see what the issues are, 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.539 and I want to help. 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:52.640 Hebrews chapter 10 presupposes that the body of Christ 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:56.540 is investing energy in interpersonal relationships 00:18:56.540 --> 00:18:59.960 where some of the challenges and some of the heartaches of life 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.920 are being played out in real time, 00:19:02.040 --> 00:19:04.380 and we help each other with those things. 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:08.360 Now, I want you to understand that we need each other 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:10.560 to grow in grace and in spiritual maturity. 00:19:10.800 --> 00:19:11.600 Let me say that carefully. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.140 We do need each other. 00:19:14.060 --> 00:19:14.860 Look in your Bible. 00:19:15.060 --> 00:19:18.820 You're there in Hebrews, so turn back, if you would, to Ephesians chapter 4, 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:22.259 and I want you to pick up on what it says in verse 15 and 16. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:28.300 Ephesians chapter 4, verse 15 and 16. 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:33.420 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:35.140 into him who is the head and to Christ, 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:39.640 from whom the whole body fitly joined together and held together 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.680 by every joint with which it is equipped, 00:19:42.020 --> 00:19:44.640 when each part is working properly, 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:48.960 makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:52.640 Now, what's the underlying picture that is here? 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:59.700 It is of a body like mine or like yours that is knit together 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:04.120 and put together in such a fashion that it all works well, 00:20:04.340 --> 00:20:08.000 and in that working, it actually helps the body grow. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:12.220 I want you to understand that you're important for my growth. 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:16.000 Earlier last, well, actually it was later last week, 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:18.259 one of the members of our fellowship stopped into my office, 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:21.200 and we ended up in just a simple conversation, 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:26.500 and I stopped and reminded myself of how often that particular individual 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:30.319 had over the years come into my office and said things to me 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:34.519 that were actually part of my changing and growing in ministry. 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:37.519 I needed to hear some words of admonition. 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:40.059 I needed to hear some words of correction. 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:45.519 I needed to learn to be a little more gentle and a little less sarcastic 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.960 and a little more interested in people, 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:54.299 and this person patiently and faithfully helped me learn those lessons 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:56.099 without throwing me under the bus. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:00.639 I need you for my growth, and guess what? 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:02.200 You need me for your growth. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:10.819 And God intends that our ministry together and our relationships are enhanced 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:14.420 by the fact that we are in this lasting relationship 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:16.740 where we help one another with these things. 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:22.220 Now, stop and think with me of what plays out after it says there in verse 16 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.720 that the body is built up. 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:26.200 Now, kind of put your finger on verse 17. 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:34.000 In Ephesians chapter 4, verse 17, Paul is going to spend the remainder of that chapter 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:44.120 from 417 to 32 giving us a broad picture of how in our body relationship we are to treat each other. 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.259 Now, why would he have to do that? 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:50.680 It's because relationships are messy. 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.500 Would you agree with that? 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:57.640 At the best, relationships are fraught with challenges, 00:21:57.799 --> 00:22:02.059 and they're fraught with challenges because, as I have often said about marriage, 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:05.559 marriage puts two sinners in the same canoe. 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.880 Now, I'm glad to have Carrie and Bowman here. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.500 Hi, guys. 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.359 It's good that you've come. 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.839 Are you thinking about moving back? 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.940 Come home. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:19.360 Well, Carrie and Trevor are down here visiting, 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:24.340 and I think you announced on Facebook that you've been married for, what, five months or something like that? 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.500 Four months. 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:28.240 You know, it's good. 00:22:30.100 --> 00:22:31.620 And Carrie was announcing. 00:22:32.320 --> 00:22:33.860 Carrie is seldom on Facebook. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.779 I don't want you to know that. 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:41.700 But she was announcing how wonderful the relationship was, and I believe it. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:49.500 But I've got to tell you, I have never actually bumped into anybody that wouldn't have to admit on the sly 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:53.019 that there are some messy moments in every relationship. 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:53.759 Do you follow that? 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:57.480 And it's because of our hearts and our sinfulness. 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:59.680 And so here's the truth. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:03.700 We need each other in relationships, but relationships are challenging. 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:13.960 And so here in verse 17 on down through 32, you find that the apostle says, hey, since we need each other to grow, 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:20.299 let me kind of run through very quickly, he says, a couple of the principles that will help you stay together. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:22.880 For one, don't act like you used to. 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:25.500 That's a surprise, isn't it? 00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:27.360 Don't act like you used to. 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:31.740 Goes on and he says, hey, listen, you've got to speak the truth in love. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:34.440 He says, and he says, put away falsehood. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:36.180 He goes on to say, be honest with each other. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:39.220 He says there in verse 26, be angry and don't sin. 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:44.519 And then he goes on in verse 29, and let no corrupting communication. 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:51.400 If it's something that is unkind and unprofitable and is not going to help the other person grow in the grace of not, don't say it. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:59.519 But then to top it all off, he says there in verse 31 and 32, he says, let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor. 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.900 By the way, what does that sound like? 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:05.220 Let me read over carefully in case you're missing it and your translation doesn't have it in there. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.740 Look at it. 00:24:06.780 --> 00:24:09.060 It says, let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor. 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.820 How many of you know what those things sound like? 00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:12.220 Huh? 00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:19.800 It's the kind of conversations you have with your wife when you're driving home and you're irritated with somebody else. 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.860 I should have said. 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:26.480 You know, it's like a ball, a dog barking at itself in a mirror. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.920 Yeah. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.099 Yeah. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:37.819 The apostle, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, says, stop it. 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.980 Put that stuff away. 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:44.440 And then he goes on in verse 32, caps it off. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:44.980 Be kind. 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.759 Be tenderhearted. 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.059 Forgiving. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:50.299 Oh, and why should I forgive other people? 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.679 I mean to tell you. 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:53.639 I got the list of things they've done to me. 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:56.759 Well, you forgive them because Jesus has forgiven you. 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:57.059 Amen? 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:01.000 Where was I apart from the grace of God? 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:09.740 I was a sinner condemned to hell on my way to an eternal condemnation justly deserved because of the sin and the darkness in my heart. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:13.880 And God found me in that miserable condition and convicted me. 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:15.359 Do you know what conviction feels like? 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.700 It's messy. 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.400 It's ugly. 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.880 It's painful. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:25.960 But I'll tell you, until the doctor says you've got a horrible disease, you're not listening. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:28.559 But when you do hear, guess what he says following up? 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:30.700 The Lord Jesus says, and I have the cure. 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.440 And what is the cure? 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:37.299 God sent his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:39.899 He died in my place. 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:45.019 And he has already satisfied the judgment that is justly due to me. 00:25:45.919 --> 00:25:53.879 And God says, whosoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ shall have everlasting life and shall not come into judgment. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.859 And here's what it says. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:02.899 Ephesians chapter 4, it says, hey, stop acting like you used to. 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:06.320 And be kind. 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.019 Be tenderhearted. 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.500 Be forgiving. 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:11.900 Because God's forgiven you. 00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:19.960 Well, I want you to understand also, our small group ministry gives us a setting into which to practice the one another commands. 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:22.900 I'm not going to run through all of them. 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:31.480 But the word fellowship in Acts chapter 4, verse 52, where it talks about mutual participation or joint participation, 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:37.960 is talking about the process whereby we help each other with the issues in our lives. 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.900 Do we have issues? 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:42.579 Not in the lobby, but we do have issues. 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:48.299 And when we get close to each other, we begin finding out what those issues are. 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:57.799 And as a result of having those issues, the word of God gives us a series of commands that have a one another attached to it. 00:26:58.119 --> 00:27:06.659 It says things like, exhort one another, encourage one another, admonish one another, love one another, forgive one another, forbear with one another, welcome one another. 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:14.700 And all these one another commands are impossible to do looking at the back of other people's heads. 00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:16.180 And God's people said, I got that. 00:27:17.540 --> 00:27:18.140 Understandable. 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:23.500 So where can you do the one another commands? 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:30.060 Before you think about the where, let's think about some illustrations of the commands. 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:34.019 So turn in your Bible, if you would, over to Romans chapter 12. 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:44.940 Incidentally, Romans is a wonderful book that takes eight chapters to explain in clear language, 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:49.359 first of all, the undeniable depravity and sinfulness of mankind, 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:52.740 and then the salvation that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:56.259 Well, after 11 chapters explaining the matter of salvation, 00:27:56.720 --> 00:28:02.359 in chapter 12 on, the apostle explains how the body of Christ is to relate. 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.420 How do we get along? 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.779 Chapter 12, verse 10. 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.279 And I'm going to rattle through these. 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.139 You stay with me. 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:13.200 It says there, love one another with brotherly affection. 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:15.720 Love one another with brotherly affection. 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.420 Let me tell you something. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:27.180 Genuine love for other people in the body of Christ 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:31.620 is not something that happens by nature. 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:37.860 It is something that happens through the work of the Spirit of God. 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:43.159 And if you would prefer not growing in your love for other people, 00:28:43.159 --> 00:28:50.899 the simplest way to stay dead in the mud is, A, to just not ever connect, 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:53.279 B, to just keep on moving. 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:54.459 And you don't want to mean by moving? 00:28:55.599 --> 00:29:00.079 It's just kind of bopping from here to there and never really connecting 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:03.359 because you don't want to invest in the lives of other people. 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:07.779 Well, Romans chapter 12, love one another with brotherly affection. 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:10.339 In fact, outdo one another in showing honor. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:14.240 You look at verse 16. 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:17.619 Live in harmony with one another. 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:19.839 Do you know what it means to live in harmony? 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:27.500 It means that there is a connectedness that allows for things to work well. 00:29:28.719 --> 00:29:36.119 And by the way, given the fact that all parties in that communion are imperfect, 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:41.679 it takes a conscious and deliberate process of recurring adjustments to one another 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:47.840 and choosing not to let the frailties and the challenges that are part of relationship overwhelm you. 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:56.240 The presupposition or the underlying truth is that when you look at statements like love one another 00:29:56.240 --> 00:30:01.259 and live in harmony with one another, it is not talking about relationships that are in rows. 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:08.340 It's talking about relationships that are closer together and bring people into communion with one another. 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:12.959 Let's look forward to Romans chapter 12, 14, verse 13. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:20.179 Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another. 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:23.159 Now, by the way, is that easy to do? 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.119 It is. 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:31.480 The first time you hear of something about somebody else, do you stop and think, 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:34.899 well, that doesn't surprise me, or do you think, oh, man, that's my brother. 00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:36.079 I'm not sure. 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:37.619 That bothers me. 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:42.439 Here the apostle says, hey, we're not to go out passing judgment on one another. 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:48.000 Now, is there a place for the believer when he sees genuine real sin to respond to it 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.819 and deal with it with humility and tenderness? 00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.740 Absolutely. 00:30:50.959 --> 00:30:56.779 But this is talking about that quick judgment where when someone says something, 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:58.279 how many of you have trouble with tone of voice? 00:30:58.339 --> 00:31:00.240 Let's kind of raise our hands if we're tone of voice people. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.859 Do you know what I mean by tone of voice? 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:05.179 I love my wife. 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.719 I love my wife. 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:10.379 But what are we, 44 years into this? 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:15.299 I am Mr. Emotive. 00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:16.039 Do you know what it means? 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:19.459 I mean, kind of ooze relationship and, you know, kind of I'm out there. 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:26.100 My wife is kind of quiet and reserved, and she's just, you know, Hawaii 5-0. 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:28.860 Just some of you remember that show from many, many years ago. 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:30.559 It's just the facts, you know. 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:37.279 And so she's like, you know, I came home last week from the sermon, 00:31:37.419 --> 00:31:39.299 and she says, boy, you had a hard time getting started. 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.299 Praise God. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:41.980 You know, I said. 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:49.299 She tells me what I need to hear, but sometimes here, 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:53.679 when she tells me what I need to hear, I play the tone of voice card. 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:55.379 How many of you know what the tone of voice card is? 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:58.860 You're immediately suspicious of the other person's intentions 00:31:58.860 --> 00:32:02.220 because their tone of voice didn't match what you thought it should be. 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:05.520 Oh, honey, it was wonderful. 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.480 You know, that's what I was hoping for. 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:14.380 And so, you know, I said, stop judging each other is what the apostle says. 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:16.900 Back up and think the best. 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:23.100 Romans chapter 15, verse 5. 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:29.380 Live in harmony with one another. 00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:33.540 Live in harmony with one another. 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:37.260 And then verse 7. 00:32:38.520 --> 00:32:43.880 Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you. 00:32:45.280 --> 00:32:50.060 Now, what it is talking about there is actually receiving one another 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:56.259 with a warm and genuine affection as Christ has welcomed and received me. 00:32:57.480 --> 00:33:00.399 You know, how many of you realize that it's impossible 00:33:00.399 --> 00:33:07.339 in lasting relationships to not end up recognizing some of the idiosyncrasies 00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:12.019 and some of the failures of those people that you're in relationship with? 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.879 You follow what I'm saying? 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:18.260 I mean, the first time you go out for a date with someone, you're enamored with them. 00:33:18.340 --> 00:33:22.660 But about six years into it, you begin recognizing that they have some eating habits 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:24.460 that you wish their mother had corrected. 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.600 Chew with your mouth shut. 00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:30.840 You follow what I'm saying, right? 00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:37.639 And the scripture says, hey, listen. 00:33:39.459 --> 00:33:41.699 You ought to welcome. 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:47.079 You ought to accept one another the same way Jesus has accepted you. 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:56.220 I remember a number of years ago when actually we began here at Maranatha to change our music. 00:33:57.559 --> 00:34:02.379 And I had an individual come to me, dear, godly, wonderful saint, who said, 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:05.819 Pastor, I have heard that you prefer hymns. 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:08.440 And I said, well, that's true. 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.980 I do. 00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:14.139 And the individual said, well, then why don't we play more of them? 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:16.639 And my answer was this. 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:23.759 When we have Sunday dinner at the Kenoyer home, I very, very seldom get to eat what I prefer. 00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:31.159 If I were choosing, I would want anything with hot peppers. 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:35.179 I mean, that's just, you know, this, in fact, more is better. 00:34:35.279 --> 00:34:37.219 How many of you understand what I mean by more is better? 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:40.699 It's like, take it up. 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:47.859 And I remember explaining to the dear lady that when we had Sunday dinner as a family, 00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:51.839 what we would do at that point was I'd go around the table on the given Sunday, 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:55.559 and I would, the next person in line and kind of work through my grandchildren, 00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.779 they were the ones who picked. 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:58.779 So what would you like this Sunday? 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.819 And then the next Sunday, it was the next person. 00:35:00.879 --> 00:35:01.599 What would you like? 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:08.980 And so we had a diet that was reflective of my grandchildren's interests, not mine. 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:13.840 That's what it means to accept one another. 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.079 Do you follow that? 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:21.299 Romans chapter 15, verse 14. 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:26.159 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:29.019 filled with all knowledge, able to instruct one another. 00:35:29.279 --> 00:35:32.299 You are able to help each other with the issues of life. 00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:35.460 Now, everybody smile so you don't miss this one. 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.440 Everybody smile. 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:36.900 Look at me. 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:42.400 When it says able to instruct one another, 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:45.519 it's making a couple suppositions that I want you to understand. 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:51.400 Number one, that you have enough of the Word in you that you can help somebody who needs the Word. 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.079 Do you follow that? 00:35:55.239 --> 00:36:01.239 Number two, it is assuming that when you see the problem in another person, 00:36:01.619 --> 00:36:05.019 instead of going and talking to a stranger or a neighbor about, 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:07.340 you know, I really wish you'd pray for that, Tim. 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:10.159 I mean to tell you, his sarcasm is over the top. 00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:11.679 You know, something like that. 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:17.960 You know, instead of talking to everybody else about me, who should you talk to? 00:36:18.839 --> 00:36:23.500 You talk to the person who you have a problem with, not to everybody else. 00:36:24.899 --> 00:36:26.119 Let me listen, everybody here. 00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:27.159 You know what? 00:36:27.199 --> 00:36:31.199 We would solve 60% of the problems in Maranatha if we just practiced Matthew 18. 00:36:32.339 --> 00:36:33.719 And all God's people said what? 00:36:34.399 --> 00:36:34.759 Amen. 00:36:35.359 --> 00:36:35.619 Okay? 00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:38.139 So the next time someone comes to you and says, 00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:41.819 I can't tell you how irritated I am with so and so, did you go talk to them? 00:36:41.899 --> 00:36:42.379 How did it go? 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:45.859 Are you sharing it with me because you want me to pray for you, 00:36:45.939 --> 00:36:48.759 and then you want me to come with you? 00:36:49.759 --> 00:36:50.419 Listen to me. 00:36:50.959 --> 00:36:54.719 If you said that about two or three times, guess what that person would begin doing? 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:58.279 They'd begin finding another person to commiserate with. 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:03.359 Paul says this, 00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:07.359 The thing that I know about you is that you guys have got the word, 00:37:08.399 --> 00:37:11.659 and you know how to help each other with the problems that they have. 00:37:13.139 --> 00:37:14.439 Do we have problems? 00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:16.480 Yes, we do. 00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:22.659 And God has intended for other people who are part of the fellowship and part of the family 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:26.500 to be part of God's plan in helping us grow. 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.699 Now, let's get this clear. 00:37:30.159 --> 00:37:36.340 Spiritual growth is as essential to a genuine believer as physical growth is to a child. 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:45.340 In fact, I was talking with one family who the mom had just had some of the kids to the doctor, 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:47.120 and, you know, the doctor would say, 00:37:47.220 --> 00:37:54.240 Well, your child is in the 87th percentile for this part and the 91st percentile for that part, 00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:56.200 you know, and they're tracking the growth. 00:37:56.320 --> 00:37:57.160 You know, it's like, Whoa. 00:37:57.960 --> 00:37:59.180 You want to know how it's coming? 00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:05.340 So we as believers should be tracking how we're doing spiritually. 00:38:05.980 --> 00:38:06.519 Isn't that right? 00:38:06.720 --> 00:38:07.480 Shouldn't we be doing that? 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:09.380 Are you growing? 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:12.160 Are you more like Christ today than you were last year? 00:38:13.120 --> 00:38:14.380 It's a fair question. 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:16.140 In fact, here's the test. 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.840 I want you to lean over to your wife. 00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:18.640 Not now. 00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:21.140 She's going to give you the lobby answer. 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:24.300 But on the way home, say, Honey, honestly, be truthful with me. 00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:26.860 Do you see the evidence of spiritual growth? 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:30.480 Now, so that you don't miss it, am I gentler? 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.720 Am I more humble? 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:35.820 Am I kinder to you? 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:40.559 Am I more willing to serve and to bless? 00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:43.199 Or am I grumpier? 00:38:43.759 --> 00:38:45.820 So how's my tone with my children? 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.599 Do you follow that? 00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:53.480 Don't tell me that you're growing spiritually if you are one of these yard barkers at your kids. 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:54.779 Okay? 00:38:54.780 --> 00:39:11.660 Well, I want you to understand that spiritual growth takes place as the word of God and the spirit of God and the people of God work together in our lives. 00:39:11.659 --> 00:39:17.859 God uses his word, his spirit, and people to help us grow. 00:39:17.860 --> 00:39:33.840 And so when we moved in this fellowship to develop small group ministry, our intention was this, is to make a conscious and deliberate place where we could rub shoulders with each other. 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:47.820 Where we could get to know things that are going on in each other's lives so that we can help one another grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. 00:39:47.820 --> 00:40:04.200 So the truth of the matter is, is that a little piece that's pretty important in the puzzle of small group ministry is we assume that people who are in those groups know Christ. 00:40:04.340 --> 00:40:05.360 As a general rule. 00:40:05.760 --> 00:40:06.360 Do you follow that? 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:23.660 And if you're sitting here today and you don't know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, one of the signals that there may be something wrong in your life is kind of a sense of foreboding, a darkness, a sense of guilt and shame. 00:40:23.659 --> 00:40:40.440 That is the Holy Spirit that is the Holy Spirit that is work in your heart saying things are wrong and the judge of the whole earth is looking at the circumstances and setting of your life and he stands at this moment as the judge. 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.659 But do you know what the gospel is? 00:40:43.339 --> 00:40:51.500 The gospel is this, that he sent his son the Lord Jesus Christ to die in your place and satisfy your debt of sin. 00:40:51.500 --> 00:41:09.920 And it says in the scriptures that if you come to the Lord and say, I'm a sinner justly condemned and I believe Jesus died for me, that he is ready to give to you the gift of everlasting life, forgive you for all of your sins and to remove the guilt and the shame and the burden and give you everlasting life. 00:41:09.960 --> 00:41:11.039 And that's a blessing, isn't it? 00:41:11.719 --> 00:41:13.000 Is it something you can earn? 00:41:13.079 --> 00:41:13.300 No. 00:41:14.519 --> 00:41:20.219 And it's something that the Spirit of God brings you to that point of misery knowing my life, I need Jesus. 00:41:20.219 --> 00:41:23.279 And then he answers it by drawing you to the cross. 00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:25.519 Let's close in prayer.