One Another

So in Christ we, though many, form one body,  and each member belongs to all the others.

-Romans 12:5

INTRODUCTION

One Another – This phrase is found close to 100 times in the New Testament. Over 50 of those occurrences involves some type of command or imperative. It highlights the relational nature of the Christian life. God has designed us for community. We are social creatures. The overall context of our lives is relational. We do not simply live for ourselves. There are grander purposes to be discovered as the People of God.

This summer will be given to the study of several of the “one anothers” in the New Testament. Each Sunday we will explore a Biblical challenge. We will then be exhorted to somehow answer that challenge during the week in our everyday lives. This will afford us the opportunity to demonstrate love through actions of service and grace.

Emergence from Shelter in Place – We already have been released from the strict “shelter in place” order from our governmental officials. There are increasing examples of experimentation throughout our society. Businesses are re-opening and the economy is slowly starting to re-boot.

Churches are responding to the changing environment with incremental gatherings and the re-engagement of in-person ministry offerings. Our church is no different than most churches across America. We began offering “online only” ministry on March 15, 2020. We adapted quickly to this new reality and have engaged in intentional efforts to meet the ministry needs of our church family as well as respond to the broader community needs during this pandemic.

We have utilized two teams to guide us into the future as we are making plans to open our campus and resume in-person ministry as a church. The FBCA:next Team is focused on the long-term and the Transition Response Team (TRT) has been addressing the short-term needs of our church. The TRT has proposed a “phased-in” approach to reopening. FBCA:next is assessing how we will need to adapt to meet the needs of a changed societal landscape.

Ministry Plans – We want this summer to be a time of celebrating the unity of our church as we gather around ministry initiatives that emerge from a commitment to live in such a way that we demonstrate how we belong to one another. Regardless of any restrictions we continue to face, we will express our unity through our community.

Here is a practical guide to how this may play out:

• Biblical Context - Each Sunday in worship we will explore a “one another” passage from the Bible.
• Ministry Application – We will offer opportunities, suggestions, practical applications as well as promote creativity from our people, so that they can express what is learned on Sunday morning in their everyday lives that week.
• Celebration – We will report each week on different examples of how these Biblical principles are being expressed in the lives of our people.

This could be a very meaningful experience for our church family as we focus on the same truths each week. It promises to be a time of renewal and blessing as we encourage our people to be engaged in meaningful ministry in the lives of others. It also will be a blessing to those in need in our church and in our community. 

(Right Now Media – Tony Evans, The One Anothers: This is a great resource!) 

June 7, 2020:  We Are All in This Together!

This sermon will “set the stage” for the summer. The call to live our lives in community with others is the foundation for the conversation about all the “one another” commands.

Sermon Text: Romans 12:3-5

Daily Bible Readings 

June 8: Romans 12:1-8

June 9: Romans 12:9-21

June 10: Romans 13:1-7

June 11: Romans 13:8-14

June 12: Psalm 6

June 13: Reflection

June 14, 2020: Love One Another!

Father’s Day: On His final night prior to His death, Jesus challenged His followers to love each other. This is at the very heart of what it means to be a Christian. We will celebrate Larry Link’s 35th Anniversary today!

Sermon Text: John 13:31-35

Daily Bible Readings 

June 15: John 13:18-38

June 16: 1 John 3:1-10

June 17: 1 John 3:11-24

June 18: 1 John 4:1-6

June 19: 1 John 4:7-21

June 20: Reflection 

June 21, 2020: Encourage One Another!

Many people have been discouraged during this pandemic. As the church, we can build each other up in the faith. Keep your head up, brothers and sisters!

Sermon Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Daily Bible Readings 

June 22: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

June 23: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

June 24: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

June 25: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

June 26: Hebrews 10:19-25

June 27: Reflection

June 28, 2020: Be Hospitable to One Another!

Sharing life with fellow believers requires us to be engaged in a personal ministry of hospitality.

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 4:9

Daily Bible Readings  

June 29: 1 Peter 1

June 30: 1 Peter 2

July 1: 1 Peter 3

July 2: 1 Peter 4

July 3: 1 Peter 5

July 4: Reflection

July 5, 2020: Be Patient with One Another!

Recovery for us as a nation and a community is going to require patience. As Christians, we should lead the way!

Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:2

Daily Bible Readings   

July 6: Philippians 2:1-11

July 7: Ephesians 4:1-16

July 8: Ephesians 4:17-28

July 9: Ephesians 4:29-5:7

July 10: Ephesians 5:8-21

July 11: Reflection

July 12, 2020:  Comfort One Another!

Our God is the God of all comfort. He comforts us so that we may comfort one another!

Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Daily Bible Readings 

July 13: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

July 14: Galatians 5:1-6

July 15: Galatians 5:13-18

July 16: Galatians 5:19-26

July 17: Galatians 6:1-10

July 18: Reflection

July 19, 2020:  Forgive One Another!

This one is easy to understand but really hard to do.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:32

Daily Bible Readings 

July 20: Colossians 1:24-2:5

July 21: Colossians 2:6-15

July 22: Colossians 2:16-23

July 23: Colossians 3:1-17

July 24: Matthew 18:21-35

July 25: Reflection

July 26, 2020:  Serve One Another!

God has uniquely gifted each one of us to serve His interests. As we live into this most fully, we will find ourselves in situations to serve others.

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 4:10

Daily Bible Readings

July 27: Matthew 5:38-42

July 28: Matthew 5:43-48

July 29: Matthew 6:1-4

July 30: Matthew 6:5-15

July 31: John 13:1-17

August 1: Reflection 

AUGUST 2020
August 2 – September 4, 2020

As Ourselves

As followers of Jesus, we have been challenged to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 12:31). We can only fully love our neighbors if we have a healthy love for ourselves. Emotional health is a worthy endeavor for all believers. In fact, becoming a fruitful believer includes the holistic application of the power of the Gospel in our lives.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is the ministry begun by Pete Scazzero at New Life Fellowship in Queens, New York. I am planning to invite a staff member from New Life to speak during this emphasis as we give consideration to ministry that promotes emotional health as one aspect of discipleship.