{"id":3342,"date":"2021-11-13T22:04:42","date_gmt":"2021-11-14T03:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=3342"},"modified":"2021-11-13T22:04:43","modified_gmt":"2021-11-14T03:04:43","slug":"relationship-in-the-churchwalking-in-love-november-14th-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=3342","title":{"rendered":"RELATIONSHIP IN THE CHURCH:\tWALKING IN LOVE, November 14th, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CENTRAL THOUGHT<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The believer\u2019s love for the lord determines the expression of his\/her love for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HYMN: OH WHAT FELLOWSHIP, O WHAT JOY IS MINE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEXT<\/strong>: Luke 6:20-37, Rom.12:10-21<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The church (Ekklesia in Greek language) is the company of people called out of the world by Christ unto Himself and this call is primarily that of love. (Rom.5:6-8). Therefore, the church is the assembly of believers who can trace their spiritual origin to the common love root of the Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of their calling and response. These people are a new race found in the different local Churches of different denominations. One thing is common with them-they are born of Christ and easily relate or connect with each other wherever they meet because they possess the same spirit of Christ. If we belong to Christ, we will embrace one another. It is therefore wrong to trace Christian relationship from the human end. It must be sourced from the God-end. When the relationship with God is deep, lovely and healthy, a believer effortlessly relates well with those of the house-hold of God and those outside it. He\/she is merely reflecting the love light of Christ in him\/her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LESSON OBJECTIVES<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The<\/em> <\/em>objectives<\/em> <\/em>of this study are:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Understand what relationship in the Christian fold means.<\/em><\/li>
  2. Appreciate the demonstrations of love in relationships.<\/em><\/li>
  3. Appreciate the benefits of demonstrating love relationship.<\/em><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    BIBLE TRUTH<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

    Q1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY LOVE RELATIONSHIP IN THE CHRISTIAN FOLD?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Each believer as we have seen, received the call of love from Jesus Christ. As such, the members of the Christian fold are connected by the same cord of love. All their interactions with each other are propelled by love which comes from Christ. We are admonished in scriptures to love one another even as the Lord Jesus loved us. (1 John 4:10-12); and by this love people will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35). It is that love relationship exhibited among the members that attracts non-believers to Christ for salvation (John 13:34- 35; 1Cor. 13).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    People, who are not connected with this love cord from Christ, cannot blend for too long in the fold. Such are the sources of confusion, rancor, and bitterness in the local churches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Q2.\u00a0 \u00a0HOW IS\u00a0THIS LOVE RELATIONSHIP DEMONSTRATED?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    It is only those who are in the love root of Jesus Christ that can live out the love relationship towards God and man, by the indwelling Holy Spirit; because they possess the love seed in them. (Rom.5:5). Hence the exhortation which says \u201clet this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus\u201d. (Phil.2:5; 1Cor.2:16). The mind of Christ as expressed throughout the scriptures, encourages believers to demonstrate this agape love relationship towards the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    a.) The Almighty God: <\/strong>\u201cBe imitators of God, therefore, as dearly beloved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.\u201d (Eph.5:1-2 NIV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    b.) The home: <\/strong>\u201cLet brotherly love continue\u201d (Heb.13:1) in the home (as well as in the church). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWives, submit yourselves as unto the Lord\u201d (Eph.5:22), while \u201cHusbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it\u201d. (Eph 5:25). \u201cChildren obey your parents in the lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother\u2026..\u201d (Eph.6:1-2). \u201cFathers, provoke not your children to wrath\u201d (Eph.6:4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Towards masters, servants are admonished to \u201cBe obedient to them\u2026. as unto Christ\u201d; and masters towards servants, it is \u201cye masters do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening\u201d (Eph.6:5-9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    c.) The Church: <\/strong>To Member’s towards the Bishops and Pastors, \u201cobey them that have rule over you.\u201d While the Bishops (Overseers) are admonished \u201cto feed the church of God.\u201d (Acts 20:28). Believers are enjoined to \u201c\u2026.love thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d (Gal.5:14). Towards fellow ministers of God, give them \u201cthe right hand of fellowship\u201d not pulling down syndrome. The relationship in the household of faith is lubricated with the language of love, such as \u201cdearly beloved brethren\u201d when addressing or exhorting them. In serving one another, humility is enjoined. The Christian fold ought to be a place where wholesome business, laughter, peace and goodwill prevail, where there is abundant consolation even in occasional periods of grief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    d.) The Society: <\/strong>To the widows and fatherless, \u201cvisit them and plead their cause\u201d (James 1:27); to the stranger, \u201cBe not forgetful to entertain strangers\u201d (Heb.13:2) while toward the weak, the exhortation is \u201clet the strong bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With respect to the creditor, the debtor is encouraged to \u201cowe no man anything\u201d, while the creditor is to \u201c\u2026lend hoping for nothing again\u2026\u201d (Luke 6:35). Towards enemies \u201clove your enemies, do good to them which hate you\u201d \u201cBless and curse not\u201d, feed them and not avenge not yourselves\u201d, to perpetrators \u201cpray for them\u201d and to opposers\/scoffers, \u201cBe gentle, patient and ready to teach them\u201d (2 Tim.2:24). Towards those weeping \u201cweep with them\u201d and towards those rejoicing \u201crejoice with them\u201d while \u201ctaking heed unto thyself\u201d. The governed is enjoined to \u201cobey the governor and pay your dues\u201d while the government should \u201cexact no more than that which is appointed you\u201d. \u201cDo violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By this, sinners are attracted to Christ because people are attracted to where genuine love is- not by eloquence of speech, skin color or by wealth. (John 13:34-35).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Q3. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS\u00a0OF DEMONSTRATING THIS LOVE RELATIONSHIP?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Moreover, this love life is a foretaste of the unending life in the ultimate kingdom of God where there will be no tears, sorrow, enmity, sin, death or any such thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to that, the love relationship on earth here attracts the peace, rest, prosperity and continual presence and power of God in a man\u2019s life. It enhances unity and removes schisms. Also, by the show of love, brethren\u2019s welfare can be enhanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DAILY LIVING APPLICATION<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    God is love, if we are truly His brethren, His character ought to be seen in us. Loving is not done in abstract. Its expressions should be seen for these are the evidences that set us apart as God\u2019s children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The love relationship in and outside the Christian fold is summarized by these exhortations which say \u201cfollow peace with all men\u201d (Heb.12:14) \u201cIf it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peacefully with all men\u201d (Rom.12:18), \u201c\u2026.. And as you would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise\u201d (Luke 6:31). Only the love born children can live out these aspects of Christ\u2019s mind- as it is Christ that is really living His life through them. (Gal 2:20).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    MEMORY VERSE <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Rom.12:18<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cIf it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peacefully with all men.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Monday: <\/strong>How to walk in love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Acts 2:44-46, 1 John.3:16-18<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tuesday: <\/strong>The necessity of walking in love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7, 13, 16-21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Wednesday: <\/strong>Demonstration of love to: The bereaved, those who newly gave birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rom.12:9-17<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thursday: <\/strong>Demonstration of love to: The age\/widow\/orphans, The handicapped\/sick, Those passing through difficult times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rom 12:9-17<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Friday<\/strong>: Relationships between walking in love and faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    James 2:14-17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Saturday<\/strong>: Benefits of showing love. Gal 6:7; 1 John 3:22.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    CENTRAL THOUGHT The believer\u2019s love for the lord determines the expression of his\/her love for others. HYMN: OH WHAT FELLOWSHIP, O WHAT JOY IS MINE TEXT: Luke 6:20-37, Rom.12:10-21 INTRODUCTION: The church (Ekklesia in Greek language) is the company of people called out of the world by Christ unto Himself and this call is primarily […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3343,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/6f1871ce1543a01ddb94ffd2b89056aa-betrayal-help-support.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3342"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3344,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3342\/revisions\/3344"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}