Working With Others

Lesson Premise:

Being a Christian involves working and worshipping with a sound local congregation of God’s people. In so doing, we must work with others of different backgrounds and personalities. For this reason it is important for us to learn how to better work with others.

Working With Others

Despite personality differences, Christians need to learn to “bear with” or put up with one another

This takes love, compassion and kindness.

Colossians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 11:19; Ephesians 4:2, 32

MUTUAL

RESPECT

Colossians 3:13

“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

2 Corinthians 11:19

“For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!

Same Greek word as translated elsewhere, “bear with”

Ephesians 4:2, 32

“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love”

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”

Working With Others

“Christian love… is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered… love seeks the welfare of all” (Vines)

1 Peter 2:17, Col. 3:14; John 13:35; Hebrews 13:1

LOVE

1 Peter 2:17

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

Colossians 3:14

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

John 13:35

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Hebrews 13:1

“Let brotherly love continue.”

Working With Others

Every Christian is a member of the body of Christ and must share in the work to be done. Servants of God must pull their own weight if the work is to be done effectively.

1 Cor. 4:2; Eph. 4:16; 1 Tim. 1:12

TRUSTWORTHINESS

1 Corinthians 4:2

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

Ephesians 4:16

“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

1 Timothy 1:12

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”

Have you proven to be trustworthy?

Working With Others

Honesty when in a relationship with others may necessitate convicting them of their sin!

Galatians 4:16

Paul’s Example: Galatians 2:14 Galatians 6:1

HONESTY

Galatians 4:16

“Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?”

Galatians 2:14

“But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?”

Galatians 6:1

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Working With Others

On the other hand, a humble man will respond well when he is the one on the end of admonition or correction.

Proverbs 18:12; 1 Peter 5:5

HUMILITY

Proverbs 18:12

“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.”

1 Peter 5:5

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’”

Working With Others

Conclusion:

As Christians we must be prepared to work with others. This takes such characteristics as…

Mutual Respect, Love, Trustworthiness, Honesty and Humility.

Do you work well with others?