Embracing Selflessness: The Call to Love One Another
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we delved into Romans 12:10, which calls us to be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, honoring and preferring each other. This principle of putting others first is a reflection of the spirit of Christ, who always prioritized others over Himself. We explored how this principle is echoed throughout the New Testament, emphasizing the importance of community, unity, and mutual respect within the body of Christ.
We discussed the examples of Pastor Dale and Brother Melvin, who embody this principle by consistently praying for others before themselves. This selfless attitude is a powerful form of prayer and a lifestyle that strengthens the Kingdom of God. We also examined various scriptures that reinforce this message, such as 1 Corinthians 16:17-18, which highlights the importance of acknowledging and refreshing one another, and 1 Corinthians 10:24, which urges us to seek the good of others over our own.
The sermon also touched on the importance of forgiveness, as seen in Ephesians 4:32, and the necessity of submitting to one another in the fear of God, as stated in Ephesians 5:21. We are called to serve one another in love, recognizing the value and importance of every member of the church, regardless of their background or contribution.
We also looked at the example of Job, who experienced a turnaround in his life when he prayed for his friends, despite his own suffering. This act of selflessness led to his restoration and blessing. Similarly, we are encouraged to pray for others, support them, and be there for them in their times of need.
In conclusion, the message is clear: we are to prefer one another, honor each other, and build each other up. This is how we grow together as the body of Christ, fulfilling the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens and thus fulfilling the law of love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Selfless Prayer and Lifestyle: Emulating the spirit of Christ means prioritizing others in our prayers and daily lives. This selfless attitude not only strengthens our spiritual walk but also builds a stronger, more unified community. By putting others first, we reflect the love and sacrifice of Jesus, who always prioritized humanity over Himself. [02:15]
2. Acknowledging and Refreshing One Another: Recognizing and appreciating those who contribute to our spiritual growth is crucial. Paul urges us to acknowledge those who refresh our spirits and supply our needs, as seen in 1 Corinthians 16:17-18. This mutual respect and honor foster a supportive and loving church environment. [06:47]
3. The Power of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is essential for our spiritual freedom and growth. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us that our own forgiveness from God is contingent upon our willingness to forgive others. Holding onto bitterness and unforgiveness hinders our relationship with God and our ability to live in true freedom. [13:02]
4. Unity and Submission: Submitting to one another in the fear of God, as stated in Ephesians 5:21, is a challenging yet vital aspect of Christian life. This submission fosters unity and allows us to support and encourage each other effectively. It requires humility and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. [14:29]
5. The Blessing of Praying for Others: The story of Job illustrates the transformative power of praying for others. When Job prayed for his friends, despite his own suffering, God restored and blessed him abundantly. This teaches us that our blessings can be tied to our willingness to intercede and support others in their times of need. [30:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:33] - Introduction to Romans 12:10
[02:15] - The Spirit of Selfless Prayer
[03:05] - Examples of Selfless Prayer
[04:01] - The Principle of Preferring Others
[05:06] - Expanding Our Vision Beyond Ourselves
[06:00] - Acknowledging Those Who Refresh Us
[06:47] - Seeking the Good of Others
[08:09] - The Importance of Forgiveness
[10:05] - Serving One Another in Love
[11:32] - Everyone's Value in the Church
[13:02] - The Necessity of Forgiveness
[14:29] - Submitting to One Another
[17:31] - The Power of Unity
[19:13] - Esteeming Others Highly
[20:03] - Growing Together as the Body of Christ
[21:14] - Paul's Example of Sending Timothy
[22:53] - Encouraging and Edifying One Another
[24:59] - The Importance of Intercessory Prayer
[26:45] - Provoking to Love and Good Works
[28:44] - Using Hospitality Without Grudging
[30:34] - The Example of Job
[32:21] - The Blessing of Praying for Others
[33:17] - The Spirit of Christ
[35:17] - Examples of Moses and Abraham
[36:58] - The Importance of Standing in the Gap
[38:20] - The Power of Encouragement
[39:37] - Preferring Each Other in Prayer
[40:59] - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
[41:41] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:10 - "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another."
2. 1 Corinthians 16:17-18 - "I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such."
3. Ephesians 4:32 - "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:10, how are we instructed to treat one another? What does it mean to "prefer one another"? [01:33]
2. In 1 Corinthians 16:17-18, who are Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and what did they do for Paul? How did Paul suggest the church should respond to such individuals? [06:47]
3. What does Ephesians 4:32 say about forgiveness, and how does it relate to our own forgiveness from God? [13:02]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the principle of "preferring one another" in Romans 12:10 reflect the spirit of Christ? Why is this principle challenging in today's self-centered culture? [04:01]
2. What impact does acknowledging and refreshing one another, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:17-18, have on the church community? How can this practice strengthen the body of Christ? [06:47]
3. Why is forgiveness emphasized in Ephesians 4:32, and what are the consequences of holding onto bitterness and unforgiveness? How does this affect our relationship with God and others? [13:02]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. Do you prioritize praying for others before yourself? How can you incorporate more selfless prayers into your daily routine? [02:15]
2. Think of someone in your church or community who has been a source of spiritual refreshment for you. How can you acknowledge and show appreciation for their contributions this week? [06:47]
3. Is there someone you need to forgive? What steps can you take to extend forgiveness and let go of any bitterness you may be holding onto? [13:02]
4. How can you practice submitting to one another in the fear of God, as stated in Ephesians 5:21? What does this look like in your daily interactions with fellow believers? [14:29]
5. Consider the story of Job and how his situation changed when he prayed for his friends. Is there someone in your life who is going through a difficult time? How can you support them through prayer and encouragement? [30:34]
6. How can you actively seek the good of others over your own, as urged in 1 Corinthians 10:24? Identify one specific way you can put this into practice this week. [08:09]
7. Reflect on the importance of unity and mutual respect within the church. How can you contribute to fostering a supportive and loving environment in your church community? [17:31]
Devotional
Day 1: The Spirit of Selfless Prayer
Description: Emulating the spirit of Christ means prioritizing others in our prayers and daily lives. This selfless attitude not only strengthens our spiritual walk but also builds a stronger, more unified community. By putting others first, we reflect the love and sacrifice of Jesus, who always prioritized humanity over Himself. Pastor Dale and Brother Melvin are examples of individuals who embody this principle by consistently praying for others before themselves. This selfless attitude is a powerful form of prayer and a lifestyle that strengthens the Kingdom of God. [02:15]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs prayer. Can you commit to praying for their needs before your own today?
Day 2: Acknowledging and Refreshing One Another
Description: Recognizing and appreciating those who contribute to our spiritual growth is crucial. Paul urges us to acknowledge those who refresh our spirits and supply our needs, as seen in 1 Corinthians 16:17-18. This mutual respect and honor foster a supportive and loving church environment. By acknowledging and refreshing one another, we create a community where everyone feels valued and encouraged. This principle is essential for building a strong and united body of Christ. [06:47]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: Who in your church or community has been a source of encouragement for you? Can you take a moment to thank them and acknowledge their impact on your life today?
Day 3: The Power of Forgiveness
Description: Forgiveness is essential for our spiritual freedom and growth. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us that our own forgiveness from God is contingent upon our willingness to forgive others. Holding onto bitterness and unforgiveness hinders our relationship with God and our ability to live in true freedom. By forgiving others, we release ourselves from the bondage of resentment and open the door to healing and reconciliation. This principle is vital for maintaining healthy relationships within the body of Christ. [13:02]
Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 4: Unity and Submission
Description: Submitting to one another in the fear of God, as stated in Ephesians 5:21, is a challenging yet vital aspect of Christian life. This submission fosters unity and allows us to support and encourage each other effectively. It requires humility and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. By submitting to one another, we create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued, leading to a stronger and more united church community. [14:29]
1 Peter 5:5 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility and submission in your relationships with others today? How can this foster unity in your community?
Day 5: The Blessing of Praying for Others
Description: The story of Job illustrates the transformative power of praying for others. When Job prayed for his friends, despite his own suffering, God restored and blessed him abundantly. This teaches us that our blessings can be tied to our willingness to intercede and support others in their times of need. By praying for others, we not only help them but also open ourselves to God's blessings and restoration in our own lives. This principle encourages us to be selfless in our prayers and to trust in God's provision. [30:34]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your life is going through a difficult time? Can you commit to praying for their needs and asking God to bless and restore them today?
Quotes
1. "I heard him mention this church about God would bless this church and bless my family. And that is truly, truly, truly the spirit of Christ putting others first. And that's kind of hard. It's kind of hard to get our heads around it because, and we're going to read verses. That's, that's, that's going to prove exactly what I'm saying. It's hard to get that in our spirits because life has become so much about us. Can I have an amen?" [03:05] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I believe the Lord is trying to get us to be able to see a bigger picture more than just about our family. And we're going to pray for our families. By all means. We're going to pray. And just in our church, we're all going to, we're going to pray for the church, but I believe the Lord is wanting to open up our eyes to a whole different world. That's a larger world than what we were kind of in that we, we can expand our thinking, our prayer life, our vision, our desire, our hopes, and include other people in that." [05:06] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. Now don't mean don't read that wrong. Don't think he's trying to get you to want somebody else's money. He saying, let no man seek his own or his own good or his own value, but let every man seek another's good, or let every man seek to be a blessing to somebody else." [08:51] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. You know, our own forgiveness is held up by God if we don't forgive others. It's, we're held in bondage if you will if we don't forgive others the Lord cannot forgive us." [11:32] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Now this is a tough word for this generation submitting because our world does not like submission. They don't like to live that way. They like people to be submitted to them but they don't like to submit to anybody. It's a tough word it's a tough deal but it says submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God." [14:29] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Fulfill you my joy Paul says that you'd be like-minded having the same love being of one accord one mind he's speaking of unity there togetherness no no schisms no no divisions no big eyes no little use no we're better than you and no no we're this and everybody else is lower it's not it's not that that's the opposite you're talking about being of one accord one mind one fellowship." [17:31] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Let each value other better than themselves. And I know this deal is kind of hard to get your head around it, but I think it would be like something like this. Brother Will, you're a man of God, you're a man of faith, you're a man of the word, I value you, I esteem you. And Paul goes on to say better than ourselves." [19:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also you do. Paul says you're doing good about it, but he says keep doing it. Edify one another. Encourage one another. You know how you can do that? Here's just a real quick lesson. You can do that by saying, tell somebody you're going to make it. You're going to come through this. You're going to be stronger after you get through this." [23:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Now, I provoke some people, just not always to love and good works. That's probably what I'm doing tonight. You know, I'm a good provoker. Paul says, do it to love and good works. Let us consider. Now, look, you can't provoke somebody in the right way if you're not first considering them. And to consider them, you've got to think about them." [26:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If I could just get a prayer through, I could pray somebody else is going through maybe what I am and going through worse. And I want, I want. I want you, God, to bless them. God bless my three friends. They were not much help, but I want you to bless them. He didn't just say it from his mouth. He meant it from his heart. And when God saw that, God turned the whole thing around and God blessed him." [32:21] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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