Introduction: West Virginia folklore has a tale about a couple who called for a doctor late one night as the wife was ready to deliver a baby. The country physician turned the rustic farmhouse into a makeshift delivery room. The husband was handed a lantern and instructed to hold it up so the doctor could see. After a healthy boy was born, the man lowered the lantern. The doctor shouted for this new father to get the lantern up as he delivered another baby, this time a girl. The father was thrown into shock when the doctor once again insisted that the light be held up. He said, "We can't stop now, it looks like there's another one." The shaky father then asked the doctor, "Do you think it's the light that's attracting them?" (Stories for Preachers).

 Last week we began a series of sermons on the "One Another" phrases in the New Testament which describe Christians" interactions or relationship between each other and to the Lord"s church.   As Christians we too are attracted to God"s family, first by the light of the world, Jesus Christ " but as we saw last week, there"s more to being a Christian than just having your ticket to heaven. Last week we saw that each Christian in a local church, are like a physical body, made up of many individual members, but every part is needed to make a whole, healthy body.   This week we are given another word picture of what we are to be as individual Christians, and as the Lord"s church.

I. Devoted As A Family.
1. In devotion towards one another.

A. "kindly affectionate," or "devoted to," from the Greek word "philostorgos," which speaks of the natural family love, which is not based on personal attraction or desirability but is one of devotion.

- It is from this Greek word that we find that as we enter into God"s family, the church, we are called to be devoted to one another just as we are in our earthly example of families.

B. Likewise, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus Christ is born into God"s family (John 3:3; 1 John 3:1; 5:1; 1Pet.1:23) and should display this same type of devotion towards one another.

1) John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

2) 1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. (NASB)

3) 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Charles E. Jefferson, writing for Leadership Magazine, makes this observation, "A sharp distinction ought to be made between a church and an audience.   An audience is a group of unrelated people drawn together by a short-lived attraction.   An audience is a crowd.   A church is a family.   An audience is a gathering.   A church is a fellowship.   An audience is a heap of stones.   A church is a temple. . .(Charles E. Jefferson.   Leadership, Vol. 11, no. 4).

How devoted are you to your church family?

Transition: Another aspect that effects our devotion to one another is. . .

2. In affection towards one another.

A. "brotherly love," from the Greek word "philadelphia," which speaks of brotherly love, kindness or affection for fellow believers.

1) The term Philadelphia, translated "brotherly love," refers to family relationships (BUOA).

- Applied to the church, Paul was referring to the love brothers and sisters in Christ should have for one another.

2) The term "brother" or "brothers" (adelphos), which in essence is part of the word Philadelphia, is used by New Testament writers to refer to the "Christian family"   approximately 220 times throughout the New Testament beginning with the Book of Acts (BUOA).

A) The word literally means "from the same womb"-and in its generic form, includes both "brothers" and "sisters."

B) It is distinctly a "family term."

C) When it is applied to Christians, it means "fellow believers," "members of God's family," "brothers and sisters in Christ," and "members of God's household" (Eph.2:19).

- We are vitally related to each other through a common heritage of God"s "adoption" of us "as [sons and daughters] through Jesus Christ" (Eph. 1:5).

B. Love for others believers is a mark of true faith (John 13:34-35; 1Thes.4:9; Heb.13:1; 2Pet.1:7; 1 John 4:11; 5:1).

1) In fact the phrase "brotherly love" reflects the nature of Christians.

- John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (NASB)

2) This type of love is not optional for believers it is a requirement!

Application: You all have heard the saying, "you don"t have to like me, but you do have to love me!"   This is what God"s Word commands!   Why?   Because if God could love you or me enough to save us, who are we to not show the same type of care and concern for someone that Christ gave His life for; 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

 In fact, the Bible gives us even a sterner warning about our love for one another in 1 John 3:10, 17-19 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. . .But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?   My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.   And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

 We are reminded here that Christian fellowship is much more than a pat on the back and a handshake. It means sharing the burdens and the blessings of others so that we all grow together and glorify the Lord (BC).

Illustration: Jack R. Van Ens, makes this observation in Leadership Magazine, "People join churches more because they want warmth than light.   We like to think it's our stunning proclamation of the truth that keeps them in the pews.   Sermons may get them into church the first time, but what keeps them coming are friendships that foster inward awareness and support.   (Jack R. Van Ens, Leadership, Vol. 8, no. 3.)

 In our relations with those who are in the household of faith, we should demonstrate our love by tender affection, not by cool indifference or routine acceptance (BBC).

Transition: We now come to the "How" of being devoted to one another. . .

II. Devoted By Means Of.
1. Honoring one another.

A. By putting others first (Phil.2:3).

- "honor," ("time" {tee-may'}); honor which belongs or is shown to one, deference, reverence.

B. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

 John MacArthur says that to "honor is to show genuine appreciation and admiration for one another in the family of God. We are to be quick to show respect, quick to acknowledge the accomplishments of others, quick to demonstrate genuine love by not being jealous or envious, which have no part in love. . ."

 As Christians, we should prefer to see others honored rather than ourselves (BBC), and rejoice with them when they receive it " because their our family, and this reflects upon our devotion to one another.

2. Giving preference to one another.

A. By exhibiting humility, by not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (Rom.12:3; Phil.2:6-8).

- "giving preference," ("proegeomai" {pro-ay-geh'-om-ahee: v, part (imper), pres, mid/pass, dep, nom, m, 2per, pl}); prefer, consider better, esteem more highly.

B. According to the Apostle Paul, Jesus himself demonstrated this in His treatment of others.

- Philippians 2:6-8 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Invitation:
We have all sang the song, "The Family Of God"

 The words go, "You will notice we say brother and sister 'round here- It's because we're a family and these folks are so dear. When one has a heartache we all share the tears And rejoice in each vict'ry in this family so dear.

 From the door of an orph'nage to the house of the king, No longer an outcast, a new song I sing.

 From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong, I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God, I belong.

 CHORUS:
  I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God;
  I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by the blood;
  Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
  For I'm part of the family, the family of God. ("The Family of God" © Copyright 1970 by William J. Gaither)

 David Jeremah, in his devotional "Sanctuary" says   ...There are two families in this world. There is the family of God, and there is the family of the devil. Until you are spiritually born again, you are not part of God"s personal family-you cannot call him "Father." There are many people who have gone all of their lives without knowing God personally. They have prayed the Lord"s Prayer, but to no avail, because you cannot pray "My Father" if He isn"t really your Father. The way He becomes your Father is by your putting your trust in the gift He provided of His Son, Jesus Christ. When you accept Christ as Lord and Savior of your life, you become a child of God-you are born into His family, and He becomes your Father.

What family do you belong to?   And how devoted are you to your heavenly family?