"Not Easily Broken" is a proverbial saying that many have affixed to friendships and the power of groups over the individual. Relationships are crucial in the narrative of God and his people. As we read through the New Testament, there is admonition after admonition regarding the relational quality of those who live with one another in the body of Christ. It could be said that much of the writing in the New Testament was geared toward helping Christ followers get along with each other. By some counts, there are at least 59 passages in the New Testament that use "one another". Over the course of the next several weeks, we will explore some of the "One Another" passages. This series is aimed at the body of Christ in the effort to steer our hearts and minds toward a richer and deeper relational ethic within the church.
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT
by Justin Kuhn
Youth and Worship Minister
This is a repeated directive throughout the New Testament. We are prone to compete and tear each other down, but a body that is not easily broken is one that places a premium on encouragement and building one another up. What greater things can the church accomplish by cultivating a culture of encouragement?
by Dion Frasier
Preaching
Most of the one another passages are positive directives. (i.e., Do this...). There are some that encourage the body not to do things (e.g., don't lie to each other, do grumble against each other). We will explore the "do not" list and connect how the "do nots" promote loving relationships in the body.
by Dion Frasier
Preaching
Everyone in the body has his/her own struggles and issues. As we live in community with each other, it is incumbent upon the members of the body to share in each other's suffering. This can be a messy proposition, but it is the call of God for his people.
by Dion Frasier
Preaching
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "He who is alone with his sin is utterly alone." That quote captures the tragedy of a community who lives together with unconfessed sin. Some argue that confession is heartbreakingly missing from our community. Yet, freedom from sin and a vigorous life together may be stimulated when we confess our sins and pray for one another.
by Dion Frasier
Preaching
In Paul's letter to the Romans, he lays out some heavy agenda items that have been the source of theological query for centuries. But underneath the heavy theological mysteries are simple urges to this growing Christian community to get along with each. We will explore what it means to be devoted to one another as well as explore some of the other "one another" pleas in Romans
by Dion Frasier
Preaching
In the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, we are prompted to ask for God’s forgiveness, while we are actively forgiving others. Forgiveness is wired into the DNA of a follower of Jesus. Forgiveness in the body of Christ is crucial in maintaining a healthy movement of God. How does God’s forgiveness inform the way we forgive one another?
Video courtesy of CBS News.
by Dion Frasier
Preaching
This oft repeated phrase was one of the concluding directives given by Jesus to his apostles. It is no wonder that this phrase is repeated throughout the New Testament and stands at the core of relational health in the body of Christ. How can love reinforce the bond between brothers and sisters in Christ?