BELIEVERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

 

 

Text: Gal 6:1-10; 1 Peter 5:5-11

 

Introduction: Our responsibility as believer is to work uncompromisingly as the Lord has gifted us and leads us in this life. We must fully understand that until the Lord returns there are souls to reach and ministries of every kind (sort) to be performed.

            We are responsible for talents, gifts, time, energy, money, minds and spirits which God has given us. We should invest in nothing that does not someway contribute to the work of the Lord. James says, as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (Jam 2:26).

            Our responsibility lies in working in the vineyard of the Lord whether it is in looking after orphans or widows in distress, giving to the hungry, the naked, visiting those in prison, serving in our work place or doing whatever we do. Col. 3:22-23.

            When viewed in the light of these responsibilities, we come to understand in a very real and lasting way that Christian life is not about us doing what we want to do, but which way we want to live.

For the very last time we also have come to realize that our life is to be spent in consideration as related to other believers as:

1.      Love one another – Jn 13:34-35

2.      Serve one another – Gal 6:13

3.      Be kind to one another – Thess 5:15

4.      Have fellowship with one another – 1 Joh 1:7

5.      Offer hospitality to one another – 1 Pet 4:9

6.      Confess our sin to one another – Jam 5:16

7.      Carry one another’s burdens – Gal 6:2

8.      Encourage one another – Thess 4:18

 

DEALING WITH ERRING BROTHER

(a) What is the value of a soul?

(b) When a child of God is focused and consistent in the way, he stands otherwise, he falls. This Apostle Paul recognizes and expresses the possibility of a brother to be “overtaken in a fault” (6:1). Discuss the following factors capable of derailing any brother.

                                i.            Treachery of the heart (Gen. 6:5)

                              ii.            The power of corruption (II Pet. 2:14)

                            iii.            Lusting (Tit. 2:12; Jam.1:14-15; I Jn 2:15)

                             iv.            Temptation (Lk. 8:13; 22:46; I Cor. 10:13)

                               v.            Snares of the wicked (Ps. 64:5)

                             vi.            Ill examples of others (Ex. 23:2)

(c) Apostle Paul enjoined those spiritual to restore those overtaken in a fault.

1.      Who are the “spiritual” here referred to (vs1)?

2.      Consider the effects of the following mode of corrections:

                                                        i.            Hit him hard

                                                      ii.            With a haughty spirit (Prov. 18:12)

                                                    iii.            Rebuking sharply (Tit. 1:13)

                                                     iv.            In the spirit of meekness (6:1)

(d) Paul was careful to warn the spiritual to watch lest they are also tempted. Considering the credential “spiritual”, how may one falls into temptation while correcting others?

 

CARING FOR A BURDEN BROTHER

As brethren, we are on difference plane in faith, status and needs. In the early Church, things were shared in common (Acts 2:44; 4:32) so that none lacked. The injunction here is that we do not close our eyes to each other’s burden (weary, hardship or distress).

(a) Examine the following in bearing each other’s burden.

                                i.            Accommodating the weak (Isa. 35:3; I Thes. 5:14; Rom.12:16)

                              ii.            Rendering help and relief (Ps. 20:2; Acts 11:29)

                            iii.            Bearing part of a responsibility (vs 2)

                             iv.            Feeding the hungered (Matt 25:42)

                               v.            Visiting the sick and the lonely (Matt. 25:43)

                             vi.            Sympathy for those in sorrow (Matt 25:36)

 

(b) When life smiles on a man, he tends to look at others with disdain in pride and unnecessary swellings. When carried away with blessings, one may forget that he owes everything to God (salvation, preservation, achievements and all other works of grace) I Cor. 4:7. The man should not think of himself so highly as he ought to; what may be the solution to the following attitude when lifted by grace?

i.                    Popularity brought about

ii.                  I am better than others

iii.                Possess more abilities than others

iv.                 More holy than other

(c) What roles do self examination on conduct in life plays in stabilizing us when any of the above attitudes rare its head when well favoured by God?

RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TEACHERS OF THE WORD

The ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ is that they that preach the gospel should live by it, so that they may be free from cares and be freed to attend to the spiritual needs of the Church.

        i.            What is the scope of this command?

      ii.            How should we respond to this command towards our leaders?

    iii.            Examine the church of today with regards to sowing?

     iv.            What are the rewards of releasing our worldly substance for the gospel?

       v.            For us not to be weary in well doing, how do we counter weariness if is surfaces?

 

EXPECTATION FROM THE REDEEMED

As the redeemed of the Lord, whose light should shine before all men, we are encouraged to do good to all men (vs10) – strangers, our enemies and fellow believers. Discuss the practicality of this with the prevailing situation of our generation.