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        | THE CHRISTIAN GRACES - BROTHERLY KINDNESSText: 2 Peter 1:5-11.
I. Brotherly kindness is the sixth quality that is to be
supplied in our faith.
II. The Greek word for brotherly kindness is familiar to
all - "Philadelphia" - actually means "Love of the
brethren" - same word in 1 Peter 1:22 and Romans
12:10.
III. Love of the brethren, then, is the subject of our
thoughts in this lesson.Body:
I. Our passage implies that love of the brethren is not
an automatic response.
A. "Giving all diligence"; "He that lacketh these
things…"; "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give
diligence."
B. Might seem strange to us - seems like if I become a
Christian, I would automatically love everybody
else who is a Christian.
C. But obviously not the case: This is one of those
qualities that must be supplied in our faith with
diligence.
D. Which raises the question, "But why would love of
the brethren not be an automatic response? What
are the difficulties to be overcome?" II. Love of the brethren is severely tested by the major
differences that exist among Christians.
A. Different ages - Major difference in thinking
between those under 30 and those over 30; between
those who have no remembrance of the depression and
those who suffered hardship - These differences may
lead to major resentment.
B. Different economic status.
C. Different educational background.
D. Different religious background. Some brought up in
denominations; others by Christian parents. Some
brought up in the strictest manner; others allowed
to do almost anything.
E. Different personalities. One talkative; another
reserved. One impetuous; another very deliberate
and slow to act. One person witty, loves a good
laugh; another serious, rarely sees the humorous
side of life.
F. Different levels of spiritual attainment - In
knowledge, in conviction, in conduct. In every
church there is the weak and there are the strong.
It's difficult to love a person whom you consider
to be a threat or hindrance to the very thing you
are trying to accomplish. Only way I know to
eliminate that possibility is to remove all weak
people from the congregation, and I'm not sure how
we would determine who to keep and whom to remove,
and besides, the Bible condemns that kind of
attitude in Romans 14, 15 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
(Obviously not referring to those who are willfully
immoral or trouble makers.).
G. Different weakness. And if you don't think you
have a weakness, you have a major one, self-
righteousness - frequently these weaknesses bring
us to major conflicts with our brethren.
1. Two men tend toward selfish ambition. They may
recognize the problem and be working on it - but
while both have that tendency, it's going to be
hard to love one another as they ought.
2. One man has problem with jealousy; another
naturally draws people to himself and everything
he attempts seems to be successful.
3. One person is blunt, mercilessly straightforward
in everything he says; another is sensitive.III. But while we have major differences, we also have
major things in common.
A. We share a common faith. 2 Peter 1:1. We might
have certain differences in our convictions built
upon different levels of spiritual attainment but
for the most part we believe the same things.
B. We share common blessings in Christ. 2 Peter 1:3.
Same God who made Jesus alive, raised Him from the
dead, set Him at His own right hand…
C. We share a common hope. 2 Peter 1:4. Description
of heaven.
D. We share a love of God and that of His Son, Jesus
Christ. We may at times feel left out in some of
the activities that go on; might feel that we don't
get attention we should - but one thing everyone of
us knows - "God loves me." Hebrews 13:5-6
E. We share a love for the Lord. 1 Peter 1:8
F. We share a concern for lost people. We work for a
Common cause.
G. We share common problems. 1 Peter 5:8 He is
really behind all our problems, discouragements,
heartaches, and we share these - "When we asunder
part, it gives us inward pain; But we shall still
be joined in heart, And hope to meet again." Blest
Be the Tie - 3rd stanza IV. How, then, is love of the brethren brought about?
A. Be patient and longsuffering toward one another in
the differences that exist. Ephesians 4:1-3, 32;
Romans 14:1-5; 15:1-2
B. Keep your eye on the similarities, rather than the
differences.
1. Person who can only see the differences is not
likely to remain faithful very long.
2. He certainly will have a difficult time loving
his brethren.
C. Do things together.
D. Recognize the necessity of it.
1. Somehow we do what we have to do - and when I
recognize that I have no choice but to love my
brethren, somehow I will find a way.
2. The necessity seen in this passage (text).
3. 1 John 4:7, 8, 10, 11, 20, 21.
4. John 13:34-35. V. Warning: Love of the brethren and patience toward one
another in our differences as we struggle together in
service to the Lord does not mean that we are to
ignore sin, division, and doctrinal error. 2 Timothy
4:2; Romans 16:17; 2 John 10; 1 Corinthians 5:11.
A. This teaching is not contradictory to the principle
of love of the brethren; it is in keeping with it.
B. Love demands that we take necessary steps to warn
the sinner as well as to keep the church pure.
Galatians 6:1-2Conclusion: We will conclude with these suggestions concerning our love for one another.
I. Love must be manifested. (Demonstrated) 1 John 3:18
II. Love must be communicated. Are there people in this
church that feel no one cares for him or her, who need
re-assurance.
III. Love must be perpetuated. 1 Corinthians 13:8; Hebrews
13:1
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