Empathy and Unity: Rejoicing and Weeping Together
Summary
In Romans 12:15-16, Paul instructs us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." This teaching challenges us to respond to others' emotions with genuine empathy and joy. The order of these instructions is significant; rejoicing with others is often more challenging than weeping with them. Weeping with those who weep is a natural human response, as we are generally moved by others' suffering. However, rejoicing with those who rejoice requires overcoming our innate pride and jealousy. Our self-centered nature, a result of the Fall, makes it difficult to celebrate others' successes without feeling competitive or envious.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that these reactions are only possible through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are called to a new nature, one that transcends our self-centered instincts. This transformation allows us to genuinely share in the joys and sorrows of others, as we are all members of the same body in Christ. This unity means that what affects one member affects all, and we are called to live in harmony, sharing in each other's experiences.
Furthermore, Paul advises us to "mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate." This means we should not be consumed by pride or ambition but should associate with humble people and things. True Christian humility involves being carried away by the humble, without any sense of condescension or patronage. This attitude is a profound test of our faith and cannot be imitated by the world. It is only through the Spirit of God that we can achieve this level of humility and unity.
The lack of this genuine empathy and humility within the church has contributed to its current state, with many people feeling alienated. The early Christians were known for their love for one another, and this is what should still impress the world today. Doctrine and practice must go hand in hand, and our conduct should reflect the reality of our faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Rejoicing with others is often more challenging than weeping with them due to our innate pride and jealousy. This requires a transformation that only the Holy Spirit can bring about. [06:36]
- The unity of the body of Christ means that what affects one member affects all. We are called to live in harmony, sharing in each other's joys and sorrows. [17:29]
- True Christian humility involves associating with humble people and things without any sense of condescension or patronage. This is a profound test of our faith. [38:02]
- The lack of genuine empathy and humility within the church has contributed to its current state. The early Christians were known for their love for one another, and this should still be our testimony today. [22:47]
- Doctrine and practice must go hand in hand. Our conduct should reflect the reality of our faith, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel. [23:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Romans 12:15-16
[00:34] - Reacting to Life's Challenges
[01:25] - Responding to Persecution
[02:16] - Rejoicing and Weeping with Others
[03:15] - The Challenge of Rejoicing
[05:30] - The Problem of Self and Pride
[07:35] - Positive Rejoicing
[10:11] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[14:23] - The New Birth and New Nature
[15:50] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[19:36] - Paul's Personal Testimony
[21:14] - The Test of Christian Faith
[23:52] - Being of the Same Mind
[30:05] - Mind Not High Things
[38:20] - Associating with the Humble
[43:16] - The Church's Image and Impact
[47:50] - Spiritual Assessment
[49:10] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:15-16
- 1 Corinthians 12:26
- Philippians 1:27
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 12:15-16, what are the two emotional responses Paul instructs believers to have towards others? How does the order of these instructions highlight a particular challenge? [02:57]
2. In the sermon, what reasons are given for why it might be more difficult to rejoice with those who rejoice than to weep with those who weep? [06:36]
3. How does the concept of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:26 relate to the idea of sharing in each other's joys and sorrows? [17:29]
4. What does Paul mean by "mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate" in Romans 12:16, and how does this relate to Christian humility? [30:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the transformative work of the Holy Spirit be necessary for believers to genuinely rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep? [14:07]
2. How does the unity of the body of Christ, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:26, challenge individualistic attitudes within the church? [19:36]
3. In what ways does associating with humble people and things, as advised in Romans 12:16, serve as a test of Christian faith and humility? [38:02]
4. How does the lack of genuine empathy and humility within the church contribute to its current state, according to the sermon? [22:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you found it difficult to rejoice with someone else's success. What specific feelings or thoughts made it challenging, and how can you address these in the future? [06:36]
2. Consider a time when you were able to weep with someone who was suffering. How did this experience affect your relationship with that person, and what did it teach you about empathy? [04:43]
3. Identify a person in your life who you find it challenging to associate with due to their humble circumstances. What steps can you take to genuinely connect with them without any sense of condescension? [38:20]
4. How can you actively cultivate a mindset that aligns with the unity of the body of Christ, ensuring that you share in both the joys and sorrows of your fellow believers? [19:36]
5. Reflect on your current church community. Are there ways in which you can contribute to fostering genuine empathy and humility within the group? What specific actions can you take to encourage this environment? [22:31]
6. Think about a time when you felt alienated within a church setting. What could have been done differently to make you feel more included, and how can you apply this insight to help others feel welcomed? [22:47]
7. Choose one aspect of Christian humility discussed in the sermon that you want to focus on this week. What practical steps will you take to embody this humility in your daily interactions? [38:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Overcoming Pride to Rejoice with Others
Rejoicing with others can be more challenging than weeping with them due to our innate pride and jealousy. This requires a transformation that only the Holy Spirit can bring about. Our natural inclination is to compare ourselves to others, often leading to feelings of inadequacy or envy when others succeed. However, through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, we can learn to genuinely celebrate the successes and joys of others. This transformation is a testament to the work of God in our lives, enabling us to transcend our self-centered instincts and embrace a spirit of true empathy and joy. [06:36]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent success someone close to you has experienced. How can you genuinely celebrate with them today, setting aside any feelings of envy or competition?
Day 2: Unity in the Body of Christ
The unity of the body of Christ means that what affects one member affects all. We are called to live in harmony, sharing in each other's joys and sorrows. This interconnectedness is a profound aspect of Christian community, where the well-being of one is the concern of all. As members of the same body, we are encouraged to support one another, recognizing that our lives are intertwined through our shared faith in Christ. This unity is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that calls us to be present and engaged in the lives of our fellow believers. [17:29]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Consider someone in your church community who is going through a difficult time. How can you reach out to them this week to offer support and encouragement?
Day 3: Embracing True Christian Humility
True Christian humility involves associating with humble people and things without any sense of condescension or patronage. This is a profound test of our faith, as it challenges us to set aside our pride and ambition. Humility in the Christian sense is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. It is about valuing others above ourselves and being willing to learn from those who may not hold positions of power or influence. This humility is a reflection of Christ's own character and is essential for living in harmony with others. [38:02]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a person in your life who you may have overlooked or undervalued. How can you show them genuine respect and appreciation this week?
Day 4: The Church's Call to Genuine Empathy and Humility
The lack of genuine empathy and humility within the church has contributed to its current state. The early Christians were known for their love for one another, and this should still be our testimony today. The church is called to be a community where love and humility are evident in every interaction. This love is not just a feeling but an action that demonstrates the reality of our faith. By embodying these qualities, the church can become a beacon of hope and healing in a world that is often divided and hurting. [22:47]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your interactions within your church community. How can you contribute to a culture of genuine empathy and humility in your church?
Day 5: Doctrine and Practice in Harmony
Doctrine and practice must go hand in hand. Our conduct should reflect the reality of our faith, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel. It is not enough to simply know the right doctrines; our lives must be a living testimony to the truths we profess. This means allowing the teachings of Christ to shape our actions, attitudes, and relationships. When doctrine and practice are in harmony, the church becomes a powerful witness to the world of the life-changing power of the Gospel. [23:04]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: Examine an area of your life where your actions may not align with your beliefs. What steps can you take to bring your conduct in line with your faith today?
Quotes
Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep. Yeah, again you see it is a reaction. They are either rejoicing or weeping, other people, and what he's concerned about is our reaction to that. What happens to us when we see this and experience this in our contact with other people? [00:02:39]
To weep with those who weep is something that is more or less natural. It is most exceptional person who isn't touched at all by the sight of someone else weeping. By nature, by constitution, the natural man, however bad he may be, he feels some kind of response in him when someone is to be seen weeping. [00:03:48]
The ultimate problem with all of us, without a single exception, the ultimate problem with every human being is the problem of self, the problem of pride, and involved in pride, of course, is jealousy and envy. And that is why I'm trying to show you that the first of these two injunctions is easily the more difficult of the two. [00:05:30]
The Apostle, I suggest, puts this first in order to emphasize it and to challenge us with the more difficult before he puts the less difficult. Now it is something that one takes for granted, of course, that the Apostle in both cases, in both the joy and the sorrow, he's assuming that the cause of the joy and the sorrow must be something that is legitimate. [00:07:51]
The Apostle is very positive, and he says you must take positive pleasure in the rejoicing of your fellow Christian. You must really enter into it and be pleased with his success or whatever it is that is leading to his rejoicing. The negative is not enough. [00:10:38]
There is only one way whereby this becomes possible, and that is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Nothing else can produce this at all. And how does he do it? Well, you see, this is the glory of the Christian salvation. It is the one thing that deals with the problem of self. [00:14:04]
We are not only delivered from self, we are also identified with the others. That's the marvelous thing. We become members of the same family. We belong to the same head. We belong to the same body. Now that's a vital part of this teaching. [00:15:14]
According to this teaching, nothing can happen to them without it's affecting you, both negatively and positively, both as regards the weeping and the rejoicing. You remember how Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 12, where he deals with this idea of the church as the body of Christ in greatest detail. [00:16:55]
There is no more thorough test of a profession of the Christian faith than just this. Oh, it's very much easier to be orthodox than it is to rejoice with them that do rejoice. It's very much easier for me to be right about every dot and common title of the faith to which I adhere. [00:21:15]
Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Now this is a little bit unfortunate as regards translation. The word condescend carries overtones, doesn't it? And it has become an objectionable word with us, and rightly so. So it would be better not to translate as condescend. [00:34:20]
There is a way of mixing with humble people which is sure patronage, patronizing, and it's despicable. It's thoroughly bad. That's why this word condescend must be taken right out. Your great people who deign to visit some lonely person, that's the antithesis of Christianity. [00:38:08]
The lack of this kind of thing that is accounting for the state of the church and for the fact that the masses are outside the church. You remember it was a t h at the early Christians, but it was a great compliment to see how these Christians love one another, and it is that kind of thing that still impresses the world. [00:44:47]
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