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My Brother’s Keeper
When Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4:8-9) and God asked him where his brother was, he replied “Am I my brother’s keeper?” In his guilt he felt the answer was no. But the answer is actually YES I am my brother’s keeper.
We are called to look after one another!
The world and to an extent the church has adopted Cain’s attitude – each to his own personal fulfilment and personal destiny. These are important, but only when aligned to God’s purposes for your life.
It is good to have ambition, but make sure it is in step with God’s plan for our lives.
In my Christian walk I have a responsibility to watch out for others and also to open to others as they watch out for me it’s a two way street.
Yes hearing from God one on one is important, but I believe that primarily it is the people God puts into your life that have the most influence.
The sermons, DVD’s, CD’s, and books you couldn’t put down – BECAUSE GOD WAS SPEAKING TO YOU THROUGH THEM
Luke 17:1-3 Foundation Scripture
Jesus speaking to his disciples therefore important
V1 SIN will happen. While we are on earth, sin is going to be an issue. If the Apostle Paul wrestled with it from time to time, so will we.
No one exempt unless they are badly deceived.
BUT if we are the cause of another’s sin, then we are in serious trouble with Jesus.
V2 Very strong. This tells us much about the love Jesus has for us, but it also gives us an example to follow – in loving others
Little ones – doesn’t just mean children, it means adults too
So if my behaviour causes someone to draw away from God, Jesus said I might as well dive into the ocean with a heavy weight around my neck.
I think He is very serious about this don’t you?
If I cause someone to compromise on God’s word – did God really say…?
V3 FIRSTLY watch yourself. Be diligent in your own walk with the Lord. In your time alone with Him, time in the Word, time in prayer, time in worship.
THEN watch out for others. You are your brother’s keeper.
If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
If you see your friend going wrong, correct him.
So I have a responsibility to keep a look out for my brother.
Not always easy because we tend to avoid causing a stir.
But who is the better friend? – The one who watches you go off course or the one who says I love you too much to see you do this
Big ministries have fallen because the leader is surrounded by people who just tell them what they want to hear.
And without knowing it we can do this too.
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend
Do you have friends that you trust to speak into your life?
Are you such a friend?
Over the years, I have cultivated friendships where this happens.
It is so important.
I need people in my life to say Paul I love you but you’re being a pratt.
Just my inner circle!
More like Paul was that a wise thing to do?
It is a risky business at time, but love takes risks. Love goes the extra mile for a friend.
We do not have a licence to criticize.
Galatians 6:1 …Keep your critical comments to yourself. YOU might be needing forgiveness before the days out. Instead it says live creatively and lovingly restore your brother.
DON’T GET ISOLATED – it is one of Satan’s biggest tools – draw you away from good friends.
God says in Genesis 2:18 It is not good for man to be alone.
We are designed to interact with others where there is mutual respect and accountability.
Not big brother, but a big God who loves us and cares for our future, and happens to use others at times to speak to us.
BE OPEN
Jesus (Philippians 2) Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.
And before that it says …in humility consider others better than yourselves.
BE TEACHABLE – it will enhance your life.
He who walks with the wise will be wiser still
Hebrews 13:17 Be persuaded by your leaders and submit to their authority. They watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Leaders are not perfect but you God will use them to love on His people and help them in life.
LET GOD SPEAK TO YOU. Privately, in Sunday services, Bible School, Life Groups, Discovery, Costa Coffee with a friend.
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN Proverbs 5:11-14
At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.
You will say “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. I have come to the brink of utter ruin …”
Better to experience some pain that is character building, than live below God’s best.
· Develop a healthy fear of the Lord, wanting to please Him.
· As you do, you will experience above all else PEACE in your life.
· Then you can honestly say I am running my race well
· One day you will be able to look back and say I HAVE RUN MY RACE WELL
Apostle Paul said 2 Corinthians 7:2 “…We have wronged no man”
How could he say that except by grace?
V4 and 5
Forgiveness expresses the love which is at the heart of Christianity. God’s plan of redemption for Man, and why Jesus died on the Cross, is all because we needed to be forgiven.
So it follows that our dealings with others will also be centred on forgiveness
1 Peter 4: 8 Above all love each other deeply for love covers over a multitude of sins
It takes faith to love like this – to be your brother’s keeper – to forgive and to be forgiven without letting your pride get in the way.
Mustard seed – two fold meaning:
1. Just a decision to walk by faith is enough
2. It grows into something big in you life
BE A FRIEND
BE OPEN TO A FRIEND
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Paul Addison, 24/02/2008 |
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