Introduction: A bricklayer had an accident on a construction site and had to file a detailed report for his insurance company. This is what he wrote: "I'm a bricklayer by trade, and on the date of the accident I was working alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had a sizable pile of bricks left over, and rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel using a pulley that was attached to the edge of the roof on one side of the building. After securing the rope at ground level, I went back up to the roof, swung the barrel out, and loaded the bricks into the barrel. I then went to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure slow descent of the bricks. You will notice I stated in block number 2 of the accident report form that I weigh 150 pounds. The bricks, I was soon to discover, weighed slightly more than 500 pounds. My weight was not enough to keep me down. Because of my surprise at being jerked off the ground by the weight of the bricks, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded up the side of the building at a rather rapid rate of speed. In the vicinity of the third floor I met the barrel on its way up. This accounts for my broken ankle and lacerations along the left side of my body. This encounter with the barrel slowed me down enough to minimize my injuries when I landed on the pile of bricks on the ground. I'm sorry to report that as I laid on my back looking at the empty barrel six stories above me, I again lost my presence of mind and let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope, so it came zooming back down. This explains my broken right arm (Stories for Preachers. . .).

 Christians at times also lose their "presence of mind" and forget that there are not only laws that govern gravity, but God's laws that govern our behavior and the results thereof when we violate them.  In today's text, we are finishing up our one another series by looking at several one another injunctions that deal with the laws of Christian behavior that are related to one another -- that when applied they help to build a heathy growing church, but when abused act much like 500 pounds of bricks being held by a man who weighs 150 pounds -- but the result is disastrous to the whole church body. The secret to a healthy, happy church body is in our caring, forbearing, and forgiving One another.

I. To Avoid Divisions Within The Local Body.
1. The word "schism," (from the Greek "schisma") speaks of splits, divisions, discord, or divided loyalties within a local church.

Application: We are reminded again here in our passage that the church is a body that is made up of many individual members, each being dependant upon another to function properly, but when we don't it leads to problems within the whole church body.

 Warren Wiersbe makes this observation about division and the body of Christ; "When a part of your physical body declares independence from the other parts, it starts to die and you have to visit the doctor. Division in the local church brings weakness and pain (1:10–17) because no Christian can go it alone and be successful (WTWC)."

Transition: To avoid divisions within the church body, the New Testament gives us a series of negative one another injunctions that we are to follow if we are to have. . .

2. Attitudes to avoid that lead to schisms within a church.

A. Judging or condemning others in non-biblical issues.

1) Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

2) Christians are not to get caught up in judging other Christians in matters of personal convictions that are not clearly defined within God's Word.

A) An example would be such things as whether you should wear a necktie to church or not.

B) Another example would be which style of Christian music you should listen to.

C) In Paul's day many Christians came out of idolatry where they made animal sacrifices and then sold the meat.

- To some of the Christians it was a sin to buy this meat, but to others they didn’t see it as a problem because they were not worshiping idols, but only buying the meat to eat.

3) Therefore, as Christians we are to avoid judging others based only upon our own personal convictions, failure to do so will only lead to division.

B. Criticizing and contending with others.

1) Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

2) Here's another negative one another injunction, that is a warning to guard our tongues about what we say about others and to one another.

A) When Christians lose their love for the Lord, they will also lose their love for one another which can lead to being verbally abusive to one another.

- If we won't let the Holy Spirit control our lives and tongues, then don't be surprised that you struggle to the things that come out of your mouths!

B) Here's what the Apostle James says about uncontrolled tongues, James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

(1) Notice what the Bible says about an uncontrolled tongue; it is not only says things that are sinful, but it defiles the whole body (not just the mouth).

(A) It may not matter to you what you say, but it matters to God!

(B) Matthew 12:36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

(2) Many a war has been started by an uncontrolled tongue, and so has many a church splits too.

C. Challenging and envying others.

1) Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

2) Many a division came about by people in the church who are more interested in power and control than they are about obeying God's Word.

A) The lukewarm church in Laodicea had people in it like this, because we are told in Revelation 3:20 that they had pushed Christ out and shut the door --  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

B) When Christians refuse to obey God's Word and want to run their church their way, then it will lead to divisions as they fight to gain and maintain control of their church (notice that it is no longer the Lord's church, its "theirs").

C) Here's an example of this attitude found in 3 John 1:9-11 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

D. Grumbling or complaining about others.

1) James 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

2) Watch out for when you have roast Christian for lunch, because you are grumbling against another, which can lead to division within your church body!

 God doesn't want divisions in His church, and neither should we.  So guard your attitudes and your words if you want a healthy, growing church.  And when we hear other Christians causing divisions we need to apply Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1 to correct their behavior before it causes problems within the whole church body.  This is every Christian's duty within a church, and not just the pastor's or the deacons'.

Transition: Now we come to those one another injunctions that deal with caring, forbearing, and forgiving one another that are designed to prevent divisions and are designed. . .

II. To Strengthen And Encourage The Local Body.
1. Caring for one another (1Cor.12:25b).

1 Corinthians 12:25b . . .that the members should have the same care for one another.

A. We are to be concerned about one another enough that we look out for their best interest.

B. The Apostle Paul spoke of this in Philippians 4:10, where he said, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

C. When we care about other Christians, it means much more than just ringing our hands together, it involves us getting involved in the lives of others.

1) Caring enough to go them when we need to.

2) Caring enough to help them in their hour of need.

- Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

3) Caring enough to encourage them when their spirit needs uplifted.

4) Caring enough to pray for them daily.

Transition: This leads us to the next area of Christian behavior that will strengthen and encourage our church body. . .

2. Forbearing one another (Eph.4:32a).

Ephesians 4:32a And be kind to one another, tenderhearted. . .

A. We are to be compassionately patient and restrained with one another, let's look at a couple of key words;

1) The word "kind," ("chrestos" {khrase-tos'}) carries the idea of being "kind, obliging, pleasant (as opposed to harsh, hard, sharp or bitter)".

2) The second word is "tenderhearted," ("eusplagchnos" {yoo'-splangkh-nos}) which speaks of being tenderhearted or compassionate.

B. We are given other Scriptures to support this point too.

1) Colossians 3:12-13a Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another. . .

2) Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves (NIV).

3) Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love

C. As Christians, we are not all equal when it comes to our spiritual maturity.

1) The Church has many members, but all of the members are of same spiritual age.

2) It is made up of new Christians, mature Christians, and even immature Christians (1Cor.3:1-3; Heb.5:12-15).

Transition: Finally, the last area of Christian behavior that will strengthen and encourage our church body, and is often the hardest area to apply is. . .

3. Forgiving one another (Eph.4:32b).

Ephesians 4:32b . . .forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

A. The word "forgiving," ("charizomai" {khar-id'-zom-ahee}) means to give pardon or forgiveness to someone who has wronged you.

B. We are to forgive one another just as Christ forgave us (John 3:16; Col.3:13b; Matt.18:21-22).

1) Colossians 3:13b . . . and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

2) How did Christ forgive us?

A) He did so, totally and completely.

B) He did so freely, unconditionally, without any strings attached.

C) He did so purposely -- He chose to regardless of how we would respond.

D) He did so lovingly  -- He chose to love us, not because we loved Him first.

E) He did so sacrificially -- He went to the cross to die for our sin against God.

F) John 3:16 probably sums Christ’s forgiveness the best, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Invitation:
1. The lesson that we have hopefully learned in this One Another series is this, church is much more than a place you come to on Sunday Morning, where you have your name on a membership roll.

A. Your church is a family, that is dependant upon each individual to do their part.

B. If you want a healthy, growing church, then you must be willing to be involved and be willing to follow God's directions.

- To do anything less, will only weaken and tear down God family.

C. You need to decide this morning how you are going to be a part of God's family here at Eastview Baptist Church, in deed or in name only -- chose wisely, because your decision directly impact our church and your relationship with the Lord.

A. Know that God loves you, regardless of what you have ever done or said -- He's willing to forgive you completely and forever if you will come to Him with a heart of repentance and a heart of acceptance.

B. You need to put your whole-hearted trust in Jesus Christ to save you from your sins against God and we are told how to do this in;

- Romans 10:9-10, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.