Caring for One Another
Central Thought: Caring for church member promotes growth and unity.
Text: Galatians 6:1-10; Acts 4:32-33
Christ’s followers were nicknamed Christians in Antioch in the early apostolic days as a result of the activities they were involved in. The major deeds of the believers then was sharing and caring for one another such that no one lacked. Believers today are happy to be called Christians and should be ready to do things worthy of the name.
The church of the early apostles had majorly, the need for the basic necessities of life, food, shelter and clothing. The needs of the church today are far wider in scope than that.
The devil is fighting his last battle before the rapture of the saints; he is using deceit, suffering, denials of rights, frustration and delay of believer’s miracles, false teachings and lack of good things of this life, etc., to do this. The church of today should be conscious of these facts and come up with a program of activities that are capable of building members wholesomely to withstand the strategies of the devil.
The care of Church members should be all-embracing. Thus, delayed marriages, child bearing, joblessness, illnesses suffered by church members should not only be prayed about but should attract a lot of empathy from the leaders and members of the church.
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What does it mean to bear on another’s burden? Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 13:1-3; Joel 2:16-17; Matthew 25:35-40
Burden simply means load, weight or trouble. It could also mean anything that makes one uncomfortable or disturbed. This could cut across all aspects of human endeavors, i.e. physical, psychological or spiritual. Anything that makes one to lack rest of mind or body is termed weight and would be very disturbing.
All persons on earth irrespective of status, sex, religion, position, faith, tribe or tongue do suffer burdens some times. If certain problems are not attended to on time, its’ possible consequences could be very grievous and unbearable to the individual and the Christian race would be adversely affected. To bear one another’s burden therefore, refers to assisting someone to bear or carry part of the weight of their problems. It enables the person to ease off a bit and get going in the Lord with more assurance of getting into the kingdom when the trumpet sounds. Some clubs attract new members due to the perceived assistance they were assured of before enrolling as members.
There is no doubt also that many got converted into the Christian faith as a result of some good reports of caring and sharing done by brethren.
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Discuss the differences between bearing one another’s burden in verse 2 and bearing your own burden in verse 5 of Galatians 6.
While the burden bearing in verse 2 refers to giving help to others, bearing of one’s burden in verse 5 refers to a call to everyone to live up to expectation and do his own assigned routine, duties or obligations expected of him from his master or as endowed not only by nature, but especially as a believer, for which he must give account of on the last day. This includes all necessary activities or functions one needs to carry out to make one responsible.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary however, saw verse 2 burdens as “directing believers to sympathize with one another under the various trials and troubles that we may meet with and to be ready to afford each other the comfort and counsel, the help and assistance, which our circumstances may require”.
Likewise, burdens in verse 5 according to Matthew Henry’s Commentary means, “at the great day everyone shall be reckoned with according as his behavior (works) here has been. He supposes that there is a day coming when we must all give an account of ourselves to God: and he declares that then the judgment will proceed, and the sentence pass, not according to the sentiments of the world concerning us, or any ungrounded opinion we may have had of ourselves, or upon our having been better or worse than others, but according as our state and behavior have really been in the sight of God.” The end result of this process is either blessing or cursing, rewards or punishments, whichever one’s deeds earns for him.
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What should be our attitude towards an erring member?
The totality of the wrong deeds of a child of God is the outcome or product of the manipulations of the devil. Satan tries to plan the downfall of believers of all categories.
No Christian would want to backslide. Backsliding comes when an individual yields to the wiles (schemes /manipulations) of the devil.
With the above background, it will be realized that the fall of any child of God could be a minus to the kingdom of God. Hence all believers should join hands to ensure that the erring one is restored to faith in Christ Jesus.
The word restore was interpreted from katartizete and signifies to set in joint, as a dislocated bone; accordingly we should endeavor to set them in joint again.
In summary therefore, the erring believer should be persuaded, convinced of his error, encouraged to return to faith and also given all possible assistance in love. Also, all necessary machinery should be put in place to forestall a repeat of the error and ensure a progressive and continual successful Christian living.
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What are our responsibilities towards our spiritual leaders? Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 6:5-9
God has given different functions to different believers on earth. It is necessary to find out from the giver to enable one fit in adequately and carry out his or her duties effectively.
When this is done we understand where we belong at any particular time and will enable to carry out our functions unto the Lord. As subjects therefore, it is mandatory on us to obey those God has placed ahead of us with all humility and simplicity of heart, as unto the Lord. This enables them lead easily and happily relate as well as account for us before the Lord God. We should not only obey but submit willingly to them and be rendering all possible cooperation to them. We must ensure that we reach out to them by way of true sacrificial care for them. We must always give enough to the church purse and care for them sincerely to ensure that they have enough to provide for the needs of their household and enable them preach the gospel filled with joy and love for us.
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With practical example, how real is the principle of sowing and reaping? Galatians 6:7-8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Luke 6:38
God’s words are yea and amen. He is not a man that He should lie neither the son of man that He should repent (change or deny) of what He said earlier. If He says anything, He makes it good always (that is, He fulfills all that He says). He has given enough promises in His word about giving and receiving.
The widow who fed Elijah with her last meal, ate severally even during famine in the land, 1 Kings 17:9-20. Numerous testimonies abound of such blessings in both Bible days and now. We should however, only encourage and not force people to give, else, they lose their reward.
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What are the effects of neglecting the needy in the church and the benefits from caring? Matthew 25:31-46; Galatians 6:9-10: Proverbs 11:25; Luke 6:38
The uncared for, needy members would leave that church group and seek for help elsewhere. Some of them may backslide. Such people would gossip the brethren and discourage others from giving to the church. God would be annoyed with such offenders and if they do not repent eventually, they will miss His kingdom. The opposite is the result however, when the members are cared for, testimonies will follow. Members would not lack and all would be happy. The group will continue to increase, grow in grace, expand and be united in the work of God.
Daily Living Application:
What are you doing as a person to help save, restore and or keep a church member to continue in faith?
From your activities in the church on a daily basis, are you truly convinced that God will surely put you on His right hand and tell you welcome my faithful servant: come and take your rest because you have served Him well in all areas of Christian living, Matthew 25:34-36?
Please be sure. It is not enough to just be a Christians or only a member of a congregation. All need care. Let us be our brother’s keeper and please God in all we do daily, anywhere and everywhere, irrespective of what man would say or do to us.
Memory Verse:
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”