Care
— By practically getting involved in another’s life. Remember people don’t
care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Share
— By relationally getting involved in another’s life. The word picture of “sharing
our lives” continues the mothering idea and paints a picture of a mother nursing
her young. A mother cannot nurse her children without sharing a part of herself
with her child. For us to share with others in deep relationship necessitates
that we get up close and personal with another. One cannot share at a distance.
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Dear
— By emotionally getting involved in another’s life. Paul loved these people.
And when we love others we do not treat them as a means to an end, but rather
as individuals of value. To communicate our love with others we must dare to
talk about our affections. We must learn the gestures of love — a hug, a handshake,
roughhousing, as well as many acts of kindness. May we never forget that love
is something you do, not just something you say.
3.
Commit to authenticity (v. 8). It is not enough to admit we need each other
or say, “Oh, a few friends would be nice.” We must commit ourselves to getting
beneath the surface talk and become interested and accountable to each other.
Authenticity occurs when the masks come off, conversations get deep, hearts
get vulnerable, lives are shared, accountability is invited, and tenderness
flows. It is where believers in the body of Christ really do become brothers
and sisters.
Authenticity
is becoming absorbed in the lives of others as an active participant, relating
to, sharing with, and caring for others. The apostle Paul describes authenticity
in five words, “We imparted our own lives” (1 Thes. 2:8 NASB). Paul did not
erect barriers. He was not aloof. He opened his life to others. Reuben Gornitzke
said of the need for authenticity, “We can’t simply cheer people on and give
them our best wishes. We have to make room for them in our lives.”
It
is when we make room for others in our lives that the walls of indifference
and apathy come down. It is when we make room for others that we discover the
best of others and the best in ourselves. (Rick Ezell)
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Sermon
brief provided by: Rick Ezell, a pastor and writer in Naperville, IL.