Welcome to the Kerwin Baptist Church broadcast today. Our desire is for the Word of God to be spread throughout the world.
So that all may know Christ. Join us now for a portion of one of our services here at Kerwin Baptist Church, located in 1st Thessalonians, chapter 5. Our subject being Baptist brethren that are biblical. Being Baptist brethren that are biblical.
Sounds like Droopy in the cartoon, doesn't it? Being Baptist brethren that are biblical, you know, kind of a thing. I thought you'd get a kick out of that title. We're a Baptist because we believe that in baptism, so we're Baptist, but we want to talk about being brethren to each other. What does it mean to be biblical?
Brethren, notice in the passage that Brother Frank read tonight in verse 9, it says this: For God has not appointed us to wrath, verse 9, but to obtain salvation.
So we're talking about individuals that have put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice what it says: who died for us. That whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Now, notice verse 11, wherefore? Wherefore? Because we're saved, because he loved us enough. There is a responsibility that you and I have. When we are saved.
Let me put it this way, and we'll hit these verses all together in our outline, so I won't read the whole thing again. But we were not just called to Christ. You know, I believe the Holy Spirit convicts and we respond to that conviction. But we weren't just called to Christ. We're called to Christ for salvation.
But do you know, biblically, once we've come to Christ, then we're called to church. The Bible says, Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. And then, once we're called to Christ and then called to church, we're called to the community. All right, go into all the world, preach the gospel to you.
Okay, you understand the principle.
So we have a responsibility in interpersonal relationships corporately.
So as we kind of begin 2024, I want to kind of look biblically what it means to be biblical brethren to each other. Our brothers and sisters in Christ, church is not meant for us just to come sit and be fed. Church is designed for us to come and worship the Lord who has saved us. Who died for us? But then to be a blessing to each other.
Church is not meant for you to come expecting everybody to do something for you. You are asking for a rotten attitude. for the rest of your life. You'll never be able to enjoy church long before you get been out of shape about something if you're coming to church watching what somebody's going to do for you.
So, the Bible gives very clear instruction here. In verse 11, it begins as it says, wherefore? You know, we are to be together with Christ.
So, wherefore, verse 11 says, Comfort yourselves together, and here we go.
So, number one, tonight, just not very long. You've been great. We had a good crowd here this morning. You were fantastic over the holidays and faithful, and we did, as a church, give you a little bit of a break on services. You've responded wonderfully.
You're here tonight. You're faithful. And so, I want to keep that momentum going, okay? Number one. And before we do, let me explain about church, if I can.
I think it'd be good. Let's go ahead and read Acts chapter 2, John. I know you have the verses. Let me explain how we have been called to Christ, called to church, called to the community. Let's go ahead and read this before we jump into this thing.
Look at verse 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, being Baptist brethren. That are biblical. And the same day there were added unto them the church, about 3,000 souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers.
We're talking about church here. Look, if you would, at verse 43. And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things in common and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking of bread from house to house to eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people, and the Lord added to the church.
Daily, such as should be saved.
So we're called to Christ, we're called to church, we're called to the community. And may I say this: that the church is not going to reach the community if the church cannot get along. I have never seen a church that can't get along that was active reaching the community. I'm just being honest. If there's strife, and by the way, we are so blessed at this church.
You have no clue how blessed we are that there is very little contention and strife stuff going on. It's just almost been non-existent here.
Now, that can change tomorrow. I know that. But we have been very blessed. And because of that, because we have pretty good unity at this church, we have an opportunity to really go into the community, which we're trying to do this year.
So how are we supposed to treat each other here?
So that we can reach the community that we have been called to. Notice, if you would, number one, we are to edify. one another.
So it begins this in verse 11, wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another even as also ye do. To edify means to what? to build up. Not to tear down. But to build up.
You must understand that when you become a member of a church, when you join a congregation, and I think that you should, by the way, listen, I'm just glad people come, but I think that there is this level that you go to when you commit. When you say, you know what, I'm not just gonna come, I'm gonna be a part. And I'm glad we let people be a part in a lot of things here before they ever join the church. But I am saying that I believe God's called you to be somewhere, to worship together. And from the church is how Christ wants to reach the community.
We are to edify one another. The problem is, in a lot of churches, what happens? They come to church and they get torn down. Instead of build up.
So you have a responsibility at this church to edify one another. Listen to me. Do the best you can, whoever you come across here at church, to say something encouraging. Everybody's going to get enough negativity during the week. We don't need it here.
Can I have an amen? to this. Listen, be careful how you joke, how you pick. Be careful how you treat somebody. Be careful what you say.
Be careful the attitude that you have. If you're not careful, you can tear them down. May I say something? Be careful how you communicate on Facebook and social media and all those things. Listen, the.
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit came to reprove the world. That's not your job.
Okay, the Holy Spirit reproves the world. He didn't say God sent you to do it.
So let's be very careful that we build each other up. That doesn't mean that we put up with sin and don't say nothing. That doesn't mean that. It just means that you and I need to start by building each other up. Church ought to be a place where we can do that.
Okay?
Now, what does the verse say? You're going to find this theme through the rest of them, so I'm going to go ahead and tell you, and I'm going to keep hitting it on every point. What did he say? Wherefore, comfort yourselves together and edify one another. He did not say, Wherefore, comfort yourselves together and make sure that you have someone edify you when you come.
See, there's a lot of people that come to church, and as soon as I say church ought to be a place to edify, your mind's gonna say, Well, I don't think people are building me up here. You've got the wrong whole principle about this scripture. The scripture says it's your responsibility to edify others. It never says that you are to come to church and look for somebody that's going to edify you. It doesn't mean you come to church and mad because somebody didn't edify you.
The whole purpose is your personal responsibility. It's amazing how little you're going to need to be built up when you spend your time building others up.
So, all through this, he says, Here's your responsibility. Never does he say that the things he mentioned, you ought to come to church and analyze whether or not others are doing this for you. This is for you to take responsibility to do for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Notice, secondly, we are to know each other. We are to know each other.
Look at verse 12. And I beseech you, brethren, to know them. Which labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. What does it say? It says, you know what?
It's your responsibility to get to know people. But not only that, notice what it says, it's your responsibility to get to know those that are over you. and to get to know those that are in leadership over you. It means this, that all of us ought to be working hard to get to know each other. It means that, listen, in a church our size, we're not a huge church, obviously, but we're bigger than some churches.
And, you know, you get a Sunday morning crowd here, and I'm out front talking to people. I'm the last one to leave normally this property on Sunday, or one of the last if there are not some people still talking or something like that. And I'm doing my best to try to meet everybody I can, but it is well possible for a person to come to this church three, four weeks, five weeks, six weeks, and I don't even know them. If I don't get to shake your hand and you don't fill out a visitor card or don't have a call or a visit or something like that, I might not listen. I want to.
I want to, and here's the biblical principle: we're to know them that we labor with. And you know, one of the best ways to get to know people that you labor with is to start laboring. When you get involved and help, you get to know people. And may I say this, that every person here in leadership, from deacons. On down to Sunday school teachers, to ministry leaders, to Sunday school kids' class teachers, whatever the case might be.
Listen, it's our responsibility to bend over backwards to go out of our way to get to know people. You say, well, that just doesn't come naturally with me. It doesn't say anything about whether it comes natural in the Bible. It says, our responsibility is to know them which labor among you. Notice what it says, and over you in the Lord, and those that admonish you.
It's our job to get to know.
So we're to edify each other, we're to know each other. Notice, thirdly, we are to appreciate. Each other. Look at verse 13. and to esteem them very highly.
in love for their works' sake. And be at peace among yourselves, to esteem them very highly in love for their works. Sink. It means this: even if there might be some things that you don't necessarily just love about an individual, we are to appreciate them because of what they do for the Lord. Maybe they're from the north.
You're looking at an individual that I grew up everywhere. I've been out west as much as I've been up north. I've been up north as much as I've been down south.
Now, since obviously, coming to work here at Kerwin years ago, I worked here six years, then I went back to evangelism and I was everywhere again. And now I'm kind of back here. But listen, I understand culture differences and regional differences. Trust me, I know. I was talking with an evangelist this past week.
I met up in the state of Virginia and talked with him a little bit. And we were talking about evangelism. I said, you know, just as a kid, we were at a different place every week. And my dad is an evangelist that I just, it came natural to me to go to a different part of the country. And in one service, you can get a feel for what people laugh at.
You can get a feel for kind of how they are, the personality differences, you know, the different things. Used to crack me up as a kid. We're talking about church stuff. And this is Sunday night. You can handle it.
We're talking about church stuff. That if you go up north and preach, and you ever, you know, of course, what do we call it years ago? And our church is mixed bathing. That's what we called it, mixed bathing. That's a confusing term already.
Somebody that's never heard that, like they take baths with each other. What is going on? Is this a cult? Is this, you know, is this a documentary that I saw somewhere? I understand, but you know, back down south, that was big.
We don't mix bathe. It's hot weather and blah, blah, blah. We don't mix bathe, you know, kind of a thing. Of course, they go to the beach and do that during the summer, but we don't do it at church and all that stuff. If you go up north and you talk about mixed bait and they're like, what in the world are you talking about?
But if you go up north and tell them, hey, between Sunday school and church, we got guys that go out and smoke, they'd be like, you gotta be kidding.
So down south, hey, we don't mix bay, but we smoke. Up north, hey, they mix bay all the day, but they don't smoke. You got so many regional differences and things. Can I tell you something? It shouldn't matter where you're from.
It shouldn't matter that I grew up here or I grew up there or what color you are. If you're serving God, we should be able to appreciate each other. Let me say that again. If they're serving God, we should be able to appreciate each other. All through this church.
Amen. I'm glad somebody wants to serve God here. I'm thrilled when they do. We are to appreciate each other. for their works sake.
Notice number four, we already get along with each other. Notice verse 13 say, and be at peace. among yourselves. I don't know how we can make it any clearer. But God said.
B. at peace. Do you know it is entirely possible to disagree and still be at peace? Can I have an amen, Corwin Baptist Church? It is entirely possible to disagree but still be at peace.
You should be able to be married and disagree and still be at peace with each other. It's not always that way, but we should. Be able to. You can go to church, you can disagree about some things, you can have differences of opinion and still be at peace. And you say, well, you know, listen, the whole point is, it's not about us, it's about him.
This isn't our church, it's his church. And so this is how we are to be brethren. with each other. You say, Preacher, well, what if it's not always possible? And may I say this: it's not always possible.
What does the Bible say, if it be possible, as much as lieth in you live peaceably with all men? Listen, I, of all people, have realized there's some people, I don't care what you do. You can't be at peace with them. You've tried. But what you want to do is to do everything you can to be at peace with them.
If they won't allow it, then there's nothing you can do about it. But we should strive with our brethren to be at peace. Peace. And just because you have a disagreement, just because you have an argument, you ought to make sure that you can get through that to still love each other, appreciate each other for their work's sake, and be at peace. And I believe: listen, we do it as a family, we should do it as a church.
Okay, going over really like a lead balloon here tonight. I don't know what. Are y'all at peace with each other? Are y'all at peace with me? Maybe you're mad at me.
I don't know. Number five, let's get off that real quick. We are to motivate. one another.
Look at verse 14.
Now we exhort you, brethren. Warn them That are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Now we, what? Exhort you. He's getting ready to say, listen, there's some things that we need to motivate each other in. We exhort you. We plead with you.
We motivate you. May I say something that coming to church, one of the reasons you need to be at church and need to be faithful at church, is because you need to be performing. these ministries with each other. May I say this? There's times I don't need motivated.
I'm already motivated. In fact, when I am motivated, then I should be able to try to go help and motivate others. But there are sometimes I walk in this building, even as your pastor, and I am not motivated. I'm tired. I'm weary.
I'm just trying to get through another service. I'm just being honest. Physically, mentally, spiritually, drained, however you want to call it.
So, why do we need church? Because as church, we are to motivate each other. The word here is paracoleo.
Now, what does this word mean? It's the same word used many times for the Holy Spirit. It means to come alongside of, we exhort you, we come alongside of, we are to urge one another, motivate one another in the faith. We are to come alongside each other. We are to lovingly plead with them to get on board and get moving and get serving.
And we should be trying to motivate everyone in our church to take the next step in their faith. That's what we are to do with each other. We are not here to judge when we think someone hasn't taken the next step. Right.
Well, I think they should be further along than they are. They've been coming here how long all they do is still just sit there.
Well, no wonder. Why would they want to serve with you?
Okay, listen, our job is to motivate, not judge. We exhort you. He doesn't say we judge you. He doesn't say we criticize you. Says, we exhort you.
There should be that edifying, that motivating, that come on, hey, listen, I know we've missed you, but you ought to be in here. But may I say this? Don't be the kind of person that people have to constantly, and I mean constantly, pull you along. You know, please, oh, it's okay. You'll be okay.
Listen, we got to put our big boy breeches on to serve God. Can I have an amen right there? If you come to church expecting everybody to do these things for you, you're coming for the wrong reason. You ought to come to church because God's asked you to do these things for others. Amen.
And if you come with the attitude that my job is to do this for others, and they come to church feeling that their job is to do this for others, guess what? Everybody gets motivated. Everybody gets helped. Everybody gets encouraged. Everybody gets edified.
But when one person drops the ball, somebody misses out. Notice here, he says, I exhort you. Notice number six, we are to warn one another. It says, Now we exhort you, brethren, verse 14, warn them, better unruly, better unruly. He didn't say kick them out.
He says warned him.
Now the Bible gives clear. Instruction: That you know, you try to warn somebody, and all they're doing is trying to rip apart a church. They won't listen to anybody or anything, but you ought to do everything you can do to try to warn them, to help them, to stop them, to all these things. Because you don't want to have to be a church that has done that. We want to make everybody apart.
We want to win over our brother and sister in Christ. Notice what he says: as part of the community of faith, we're to warn people of danger. When you love somebody at this church and you see that, man, they're heading a wrong direction, you've got to be very careful how you do it. And you need to make sure they know that you love them before you do this. Because you're not the policeman walking around Kerwin, okay, we hire somebody to do that.
Okay, but listen, our job is to warn. Hey, listen, really, really pray about this. You know, you need to get involved. You need to be here. You need to just go all in.
Warn them. Notice this.
Sometimes We seem like we're looking in our own lives for a pothole to step in. It's just like we stumble around, every little thing gets us. And you know what? Our job is to people that go through that at church just to... to warn them, hey, listen.
Let's get a handle on this. We're here. We love you. We're to warn each other. By the way, when somebody loves you enough to warn you, don't get mad at them.
Now, I know that if they do it wrong, it can come across that they're just being judgmental jerks.
Okay, but our job is to lovingly warn somebody. To say, listen, I love you so much, I don't want to see you head. this direction. Number seven, I want you to see this. By the way, remember, warning is not judging, warning is not criticizing, warning is not gossiping about.
Warning a person is done with them. You don't warn them by telling twenty people about what they're doing wrong. You go to them. I would think you would know that, but I need to say that. Number seven, we are to encourage one another.
Look at verse 14.
Now we exhort you, come. Comfort. The feeble-minded.
Now, just because you need comfort doesn't mean that you're feeble-minded, as you would read that word and think it means weak. It means tired. We've all been there. This means to cheer up, to comfort. everyone here tonight.
has probably had something happen in the past week to discourage you. Every one of us. All of us in the last week have probably faced something that almost caused us. To just want to half give up. But what notice closely what the verse says.
It doesn't say, come expecting someone to comfort you. It doesn't say that. It says, come for you to comfort those in need. If you would be here tonight and you would say, Well, you know what? I go through stuff.
I don't think anybody here really cares and nobody ever comforts me. Can I ask you something? How many people are you comforting? How many people are you here enough to look around and to get by the way why notice the succession. Why is it our job to get to know people?
If you get to know them, now you know how you need to comfort them. As you get to know them, you know what they're going through, and now you know how you need to edify them and encourage them or warn them. You don't know those things if you don't know them. Yeah. But can I ask you something?
How many people are you comforting? How many people are you going to? Or has it just become all about you. We've got to be very, very careful about that. We are to encourage One another.
May I say we should be there? We should offer a shoulder to lean on or just listen. We should cheer up and comfort those who need it, but we must be careful not to get bitter, angry, and resentful because someone didn't do that for us. This passage is all about My responsibility. to do this for others.
Number eight. We're almost done. I only have 31 of them.
So number eight. That wouldn't be very encouraging, would it? We only have ten. But eight sadoozi. All right, so we're gonna be here for a while now.
I'm just joking. Number eight. We are to Help. One another. Look at verse 14.
Now I exhort you, brethren. Support The weak. Help. This means to hang on to, or literally to hold up spiritually, or to hold up. emotionally.
There is not one of us that does not have real problems. That affects us and drain us and discourage us spiritually and emotionally. Listen, we need to know each other.
so that we know those people that need our help. The community of faith should be a place where we. No, people love us. And we know that those people who love us because they know us. are willing to help us.
Remember. The verse makes it clear that we are to assume the role. of the one who is doing the supporting. not to assume the role of one who expects others. to support us.
We are not to come to be the recipient. We are to come to church. to be the giver. Amen. Why does the Bible say it's more blessed to give?
Than to receive. Because when you're doing the giving, you automatically receive. We need to be number nine. They're like, well, eight wasn't bad. I was lying about that.
Verse 14. We are to be patient. with one another. Look at verse 14.
Now we exhort you, brethren, be patient. Toward all men. You know, I would be honest with you as your pastor, patience is that. One thing that eludes me quite often. My wife will laugh at me.
She'll say, I. At times, she'll say, I don't know how you are so patient with people. People are not the problem. People behind the wheel of a car are. I'm half joking but half being serious.
My wife will tell you that I'm pretty patient until I get hungry. Anybody else like that here that you get hungry? Oh, thank God. I'm amongst friends. See, we are encouraging, we're edifying one another.
And the way we help one another is: bring me some food. And then it won't be a struggle. You look like a plenty emperor.
Okay, we are not even talking about that. Be patient.
Now, listen to this. Either we're going to be biblical or we're not. Yeah, you're right. What does the verse say? All men.
Now this verse basically means be calm. Keep yourself under control. Not everybody moves at the same pace. And we're not just talking about physically. We're talking mentally.
We're talking spiritually. We're talking emotionally. Do you know in the Bible, in the New Testament, it tells at the church that you are going to have some people that bring forth 20-fold fruit.
Some people will bring forth 40-fold fruit.
Some people that will be in your church, they're going to bring forth 100-fold fruit. The greatest news that anyone can receive is the news of the free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ. It is our desire for you to know him personally. Would you take a moment to hear this today? Every man is born with a sin nature.
Romans three twenty three says For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No matter how hard we try, we're not good enough to obtain God's glory. or to get to heaven. Because of that, sin carries the penalty of death. Romans 6.23 says, For the wages of sin is death.
But the gift of God is eternal life. through Jesus Christ our Lord. The wages of our sin, or the payment of our sin, only equals death and separation from God. But it's only through God's gift salvation through Jesus Christ that we can accept him as our Saviour. Jesus Christ paid for your sin debt.
The Bible says in Romans 5:8, but God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. All you have to do is receive Christ. by faith as your Saviour. Romans ten nine says That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Verse 13 continues, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
It's as simple as admitting that you're a sinner believing that Jesus is the only way. and calling upon his name. Bible says whosoever that's anyone can call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior? There is no greater day than today to take care of this.
Would you accept Christ as your Savior? If you have any questions, please give us a call at 336-993-5192 or visit our website at Kerwin Baptist Church. Dot com. or visits that person at one of our three service times. We hope you have a great rest of your day.
God bless you. Mm-hmm.
