Linked UP Church
We all were created to live a fulfilling life that brings glory to God. At Linked UP Church, our Vision is to Connect people to God, Family, Purpose, and Community.
Pastor Joel E. Gregory
Grow in Brotherly Kindness
INTRODUCTION
A. Growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ has an inward focus as evidenced by:
1. Building upon one’s personal faith.
2. Striving for excellence as an individual goal.
3. Increasing one’s own knowledge.
4. Controlling the passions and desires of the self.
5. Bearing up under trials with a positive attitude.
B. It also has an upward focus:
6. With the addition of godliness. (A pious conduct based upon a desire to be pleasing to God.
C. Then there is the outward focus:
7. With the addition of brotherly kindness. 2 Peter 1:7
8. Followed with the addition of love. 2 Peter 1:7
*In this study we will direct our attention to brotherly kindness, certainly a necessary element in developing a Christ-like character.
1. THE DEFINITION OF BROTHERLY KINDNESS
A. THE GREEK WORD IS PHILADELPHIA.
1. A compound involving two words:
a. “phileo” (love)
b. “adelphos” (brother)
2. It literally means “the love of brothers.”
B. HOW IT’S USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
1. It describes the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren (Thayer).
2. Christians were charged to display this virtue. Hebrews 13:1
3. They were to increase in it more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
4. They had been purified for this very purpose. 1 Peter 1:22
5. It’s through brotherly kindness we can have “kind affection” toward one another. Romans 12:10
2. THE DEMAND FOR BROTHERLY KINDNESS.
a. Without sincere love for brethren, any claim to know God or love Him is impossible. 1 Jn 4:7-8, 20-21
b. If we truly desire to know God (and grow in the knowledge of Jesus), then it is essential to develop brotherly kindness.
3. NECESSARY TO BE JESUS’ DISCIPLES.
a. Jesus made love for brethren an identifying mark by which the world can know we are His disciples. John 13:34-35
4. NECESSARY TO ANSWER JESUS’ PRAYER FOR UNITY.
a. Unity among brethren is also very important, as indicated in the prayer of Jesus. John 17: 20-23
b. The unity made possible through the cross of Christ is maintained as we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
c. Crucial to that endeavor is “bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2.
5. THE DEVELOPMENT OF BROTHERLY KINDNESS.
A. Requires a purity of the soul.
1. Brotherly kindness can easily be misdirected, especially in a sex-crazed society.
2. Through obedience to the gospel, our souls are purified. 1 Peter 1:22-23
B. Requires being taught by God.
1. Only God can teach you how to love others. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
2. The Father teaches the meaning of love through the giving of His Son. 1 John 4:9-11
3. The Son demonstrates true love by the example of His sacrifice. 1 John 3:16-17
CONCLUSION:
1. As we give thought to what it means to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. What it means to develop a Christ- like character, may we appreciate the importance of developing a strong love for the brethren.
We may think that we have a strong love for the brethren, but we need to always increase more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
And so may this prayer be fulfilled in all of us:
“...may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13