045: Tim Badger - Exhortation: Love One Another with a Pure Heart Fervently

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:13

   Welcome to the good Christian talks podcast. I’m Levi and I’m Chris. Thank you so much for joining us this week on this podcast. We select one taco week to help each one of us get the Bible in our daily news feed. We post at the start of each week for you to listen with a short intro before hand to kind of set the stage for the talk.

2. 0:32

   You’re about to hear and now let’s hear more about this week’s talk. For a talk this week. We’re listening to an excitation that was given by brother Tim Badger earlier this year at the southern fraternal and South Australia. We got this as a recommendation from a couple different listeners who had heard this live and were able to get the download link and sent it to us and really really enjoyed how encouraging it was and after listening to it. I can see why they were super excited to share it and to have as many people listen to it as possible. It’s a fantastic excitation really looking at the concept of loving Each other brother Tim’s title for this class is love one another with a pure heart fervently and he spending most of the time in 1st Peter jumping around the different chapters looking at the concept of showing love and how we go about doing that and how we’re commanded to love each other and kind of segueing off the class that brother Ben Brinckerhoff did just a couple weeks ago that we published as our bonus episode that just in the same way that God has shown us love in the same way.

3. 1:43

   We need to show show our love to each other not just in word only but in action and in the beginning as he’s going through his excitation, he’s laying the groundwork for the type of love that were called to show and without spoiling anything on his specific details because he goes through it in great detail and offers a lot of really good points and just good bible study on it near the end. You can really hear Tim get really really passionate about it.

4. 2:08

   You can tell it’s a topic that is close to home for him as he’s experienced being shown and In the love that he’s talking about both when he was younger. And now as he’s gotten older and his married through his different stages of life and offers some really really practical advice that I found useful that no matter the stage of life that you’re in there is a way and something that you can do to show love to each other and kind of breaks it down through the different stages whether you’re a teen newly baptized newly married family with young kids family with older kids older brothers and sisters or anywhere in between those stages some really good practical calls to action. of ways that we can demonstrate our love to each other and he focuses a lot on the concept of love is not just having a good conversation with somebody but making sure that we show it through doing things right making sure that people feel the affection and the care that we have for each other by inviting people over to do things meeting with people having conversations with them reaching up to them making sure that we’re not just passively sitting by and kind of doing the the fly by love but showing truly that For each other and in the end that if that is the ultimate focus of what we’re trying to do in our walk that we should show that same compassion and love that we would hope that other people would give to us to each other. So it was an awesome class enlisted to I really really enjoyed it.

5. 3:29

   I can see like I said why multiple recommended it to us and I was really excited to share it with everyone as soon as I finish it. I was like Yep. This is the next one that’s going up as soon as it’s my turn. If you have any other suggestions feel free to send them in we’ve gotten a handful more which have allowed us to kind of build up a new cue that we’re working. Working through to find new classes excited to share some new ones with you.

6. 3:48

   Feel free to keep sending those are way or if you have any feedback or comments on these classes, we’d love to hear about them with that. I’m going to turn it over to brother Tim Badger for as excitation love each other with a pure heart fervently brothers and sisters. I feel that the theme that we have for this morning that these emblems speak to us of in a weighty and Powerful way is actually at the very core. Of our entire Brotherhood worldwide in a sense for this disused we want to with the emblems before us in the word of God in our laps.

7. 4:24

   Go back to the Grassroots of why we’re here what we’re on about and where we’re going. I just want you to think before we do of one particular thing in particular and that is just reflect back over the last little while maybe the last week or the last couple weeks and I want you just to think of when you were last really provoked by someone.

8. 4:51

   I mean stirred up and we use those words and I think we know what we mean. But when was the sounds like a funny way to start off a memorial meeting, but just think back at last time someone really stirred you up really provoked you when was that? It might have been might have been an action or A word it might have been something that you saw that you witnessed between a brother or sister or that was done to you. When were you last provoked?

9. 5:20

   Well, I’ll I’ll tell you I’ve been provoked already this morning, which doesn’t sound great, but I can I can tell you that there was a moment not too long ago that I was really provoked. I mean really stirred up it was in Lounge room of brothers and sisters house. There was a number of us in the lounge room, and there was a number of young people. People there and the conversation started going towards a number of young people in our group Crystal from young people that had either never really grasped hold of the truth or who were wandering away.

10. 5:58

    And one of the persons one of the people in that group suggested that we pray and we had a list of 15 young people and that brother provoked me and all of us there and stirred us up the pray for all those young people. And so we did we prayed for all 15 young people that we’ve been chatting about in the last 45 minutes.

11. 6:22

    This President sisters is exactly what Hebrews chapter 10 is talking about come to Hebrews chapter 10 verse 23 Let us hold fast the confession of Our Hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful and let us consider one another in order to stir up provoke. Love and good works not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching no interesting Lee Brothers and sisters that word provoked If used in Acts 15 of the sharp contention that was between those two brothers in Acts chapter 15, just just turn back there Acts chapter 15.

12. 7:13

    And in this case, it’s a word that we’re all too familiar with used in this context of provoking to anger or angst. But here’s here’s a provocation that existed between two brothers. Here’s a sharp dissension. Look at like the same word that Hebrews uses. This is Acts chapter 15 verse 39 then the contention.

13. 7:37

    Became so sharp that they parted from one another and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed being commended by the brother into the grace of God and he went through Syria and cilicia strengthening. The Ecclesia has so later in Hebrews chapter 10. The author of Hebrews uses that same word that described a negative stirring up and provoking that says actually we need to take that same ability that same sort of sense of stirring up. Provoking but to provoke loving each other and that’s what happened in that Lounge room of that Sunday afternoon that I was telling you about where we were in and the conversation could have quickly gone to a negative place where we’re sort of being more critical of those young people or whatever and who knows what it could have been done but that brother stirred us up to pray and and we left that conversation full of love and care for those young people rather than just being critical and leaving it at that.

14. 8:37

    Brothers and sisters this morning. We just want to go back to that. We want to look at how crucial it is. In the teaching and example of Christ to provoke each other to love to Stir It Up to incite each other not to criticism not to angst not to division but to stir each other up in love. In order to just to think about this. I want you just to listen to a short fictitional situation. Here’s how it goes.

15. 9:15

    I think We could work on raising the standards in our Ecclesia life. That’s what one brother said to another in a car park after an occlusal business meeting. What he meant when he said that and what the other brother thought he meant was quite different. What he meant was the standard of love in the interactions of the Ecclesia young and old with Christ brothers and sisters with each other. He was moved to say this from his experience in that meeting that evening from some things that he himself had said the way he had said it and wished he hadn’t he had noticed it not only in the meeting but in a recent conversation with another brother and he was part of it.

16. 10:04

    Almost like there was an acceptance as he started to realize of the need to vent and criticize others to be fine with not really being able to work with each other and saying so rather than working on it. He’d become content to criticize content with speaking rudely in sometimes harshly. Even when he felt Justified to do so can comfortable to spread around grievances against others not all the time, but sometimes and maybe he thought maybe the measuring stick of Christ himself for the standard had been waning in the Ecclesia.

17. 10:42

    Some other standards have changed in the last few years in the Ecclesia and perhaps on a wider level in the Brotherhood. But these were on his mind. These were not the standards that Jesus had spoken of for the Paul had given ecclesial advice on he was thinking of Brotherly Love wondering if he was being this was being neglected in an own self and his Brotherhood music Leisure susceptible to slipping perhaps not being placed at the center at the core the Grassroots as it should he wanted to call attention to it in his own life and to help others. To Endeavor to raise it the standard love as Christ did he felt he could see the effects of himself and others maybe it was the impact of a selfish society around him. Maybe it was a result of some other some other imbalance. Maybe it was just human nature taking a little upper hand in the Ecclesia and in conversations between members of the body at times to be sure there were many examples of brothers and sisters he could think of Who were wonderful and consistent at practicing love but he thought it’s time for me to raise the bar.

18. 11:49

    He determined not to let the standard slip for himself and not brothers and sisters is the standard of love and that standard is what these emblems that we shared this morning as a Brotherhood remind us of in our calling. You know this standard of Love brothers and sisters and I feel it’s those times where you tremble before the word of God.

19. 12:13

    And as you survey what the what the Bible says about the standard of love in the Brotherhood it can make us tremble when we think deeply about it because sometimes we realize how high that bar is and how far I need to go as a brother as a family as an Ecclesia to work towards that let’s just take a little survey of some of those this Morning, are we to come to Romans chapter 12.

20. 12:38

    We’re just going to read a number of these absolutely challenging passages that are all the way through from Genesis to Revelation. It come to Romans chapter 12, and let’s be impressed this morning brothers and sisters by the strength of these words the calling that cuts right to the root of our Ecclesia life and our Brotherhood.

21. 13:02

    Look what it says. For example in Romans chapter 12 verse 10 and I’m reading from the new King James. Be kindly affectionate. to one another With Brotherly Love now, we would we would call that a commandment of Christ. A commandment of Christ spoken through the Apostle Paul in honor giving preference to one another not lagging in diligence fervent in spirit. Serving the lord rejoicing in Hope patient in Tribulation continuing steadfastly Distributing to the needs of the Saints Eve given to hospitality bless those who persecute you bless and do not curse.

22. 13:52

    That’s an amazing little section. If you’re writing them down, the next one that we’re looking at is in Romans 13, and I suggest maybe you do write them down button sisters because they’re worth meditating on during the week. Look at Romans chapter 13. This one is just absolutely staggering on this theme. Look what it says in verse 8. Oh, no one anything except to love one another. For he who loves another has fulfilled the law now. That’s an incredible statement.

23. 14:32

    Love is the only debt we should build up to each other. Love is the only debt brothers and sisters what Paul is saying that we should have that we can certain of may be certain of never paying back love is always owing in the Brotherhood other debts are eventually paid back or payable.

24. 14:53

    But not love you can never pay it off you keep working on it and you keep building up a greater debt to each other. He says owe no man anything but to love because he says that’s fulfillment of the entire law the entire Old Testament. What a challenging verse. We know if we just flip over to the next epistle that right at the heart of that epistle is First Corinthians 13, and we know that passage really well we think about The call that’s in that passage a more.

25. 15:26

    Excellent way is love you see in first confused 13 brothers sisters. He’s dealing with ecclesial divisions and strife. All these brothers and sisters have the Holy Spirit gifts and we would think of all times in history in the first century. At least with the Holy Spirit Guidance the gift of healing the gift of Prophecy the gift of teaching the gift of faith of any place in scriptural Brotherhood history. There should be Unity here. and there wasn’t And Paul makes the point in First Corinthians brothers and sisters that you can have every spiritual gift that you would want and speak in tongues.

26. 16:05

    And prophesy but he says there’s nothing more spiritual Than Love. And that’s as simple and as practical as just not being rude to each other. Not giving cold shoulders. Not sharing the news when someone falters in slips. That is far more powerful far more excellent far more spiritual than any gift that anyone in the Corinthian Ecclesia could have had and it will last forever is what that chapter says.

27. 16:38

    It’s the core of a collegial life it is what Christ stood for its what Christ came to teach It’s the very nature of God himself, of course showing love presents sisters is going to be more powerful than any of those other temporary gifts that they had and that was at the heart of palm self.

28. 16:59

    You think about Paul presents sisters. He had he had people in Corinth that didn’t like him that would spit on him if they saw him and he says to them in 2nd Corinthians the more I love you the less. I’m loved in return and he says to his Ecclesia Corinth in the Brotherhood. He says, I’m willing to spend and be spent for your souls. That’s the love of the Brotherhood that the Apostle Paul was showing.

29. 17:24

    That’s the leadership that we need. That’s the brotherly and sisterly interactions that we need so much come over to Galatians chapter 5. Here’s another amazing little reference. Galatians chapter 5 and we’re just taking a little survey of how consistent is messages. This presidency is uses the standard of Love. Look what it says in chapter 5 verse 13 for you. Brethren of Galatians 4 You Brethren have been called to Liberty only do not lose use your Liberty as an opportunity for the flesh but through love serve one another you see Paul saying, whoa, you do have Liberty. You’re not bound by these rules and regulations under Christ. But he says even when you’re not you have the Billy to use your Liberty in a way that’s divisive in the Ecclesia. That’s actually breaking an entire other standard of love and when you do that you’re not of Christ. And he says for all the law is fulfilled in one word and that’s the word logos interestingly.

30. 18:35

    Even in this you shall love your neighbor as yourself and look at the warning. He says in verse 15. I wonder if you do this I certainly have but if you bite and devour one another beware lest you be consumed by one another that is a powerful thing to think about was in sisters.

31. 19:03

    through love serve one another and yet the opposite that I have found myself doing before. And you probably have to when you bite and devour other brothers and sisters when you take a chunk out of their character Paul says beware because you’ll Doom your Ecclesia and the Brotherhood to destruction by doing that. That’s the result of that type of action. It’s why John says in Chapter 13. It’s actually Jesus he says and we know this well by this all people will know that you’re my disciples. If you have love one for another no other standard nothing else buzzin sisters.

32. 19:48

    He says if you want people to know that you’re my true disciples you need to have love for one another. So if you come to a fission, there’s a number of passages in here that are just really challenging. Look at Ephesians. Welcome to chapter 4. there’s lots in this chapter but have a look at verse 1 that all sorry verse 31 Ephesians 4:31, let all bitterness wrath anger clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice and be kind to one another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you that’s a pretty high standard for the Brotherhood isn’t it a high standard of Love brothers and sisters, you know, if we ever discuss in our conversation The things that we stand for as a Suburban youth group the things that we stand for as a Brotherhood.

33. 20:48

    This needs to be right at the core nothing else matters. Truth and love and how we’re treating each other and how we go about it. This is what we stand for. This is what the Brotherhood stands for, you know brothers sisters. We read from First Peter chapter 3. And the reason is I want to show you that first Peter brings out this whole thread of love.

34. 21:15

    And I want to show you that it’s a thread all the way through his epistle and it’s a curious thread that I didn’t expect to find in Peters epistle. Let me just show you where it is, and we’re going to let Peter speak to us as particularly a couple of his references. Come to these First Peter chapter 1 1st Peter gives us more insight into this standard of love that we need to aim for in our Brotherhood.

35. 21:44

    He challenges us to do so if you have a pen or something to Mark these in or something to scratch these down on we won’t be able to look at all of them in detail, but brothers and sisters. It is a great line of personal reflection. Come to First Peter chapter 1. Here’s the first reference. There’s one in every single chapter. First Peter chapter 1 verse 22, here’s the first one since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit in sincere love of the Brethren love one another fervently with a pure heart.

36. 22:21

    That’s the first reference to love the Brotherhood in First Peter brothers and sisters. And in this sense the focus that he’s using for love in the Brotherhood is that love is sincere. It must be Sincere your motivation and my motivation brothers and sisters must be of sincerity for our brothers and sisters. Before love ever gets off the ground.

37. 22:43

    It’s motives must be pure and that’s what Peter says now he comes back to the same theme in chapter two. With a different slant on the focus of unloved. It’s worth noting these down First Peter chapter 2. Look what he says verse 17 Here’s his second reference honor all people. Love the Brotherhood.

38. 23:11

    Fear God honor the king now if you look in the context, but Institute this is actually striking because what Peter is saying here in this context is that love submits to each other? This is all in the context of submission submission to governments to employers husband’s two wives and wives two husbands and all to each other and he says actually that needs to be a preeminent characteristic of the Brotherhood that love true love the standard of love shows us.

39. 23:41

    mission to each other willing to serve the next references in chapter 3 that we read it begins a new section verse 8 of chapter 3 finally wonder if it’s almost like he’s trying to wrap up the letter but he gets a little carried away. Didn’t quite get there, but look at what he says in verse 8, finally all of you be of one mind having compassion for one another love as brothers. I think the King James says be pitiful which is I get it with possibly an unfortunate translation, but love is brothers be tender-hearted.

40. 24:21

    Be courteous not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling but on the contrary blessing knowing that you were called to this that you may inherit a blessing so that the focus on love here brothers and sisters is this is loves blessing. So he’s taking us through already that love is submissive. In Chapter 2 love is sincere in chapter 1 and now he’s saying that love blesses.

41. 24:45

    He says when evil is done to you in the Brotherhood as a brother or sister as a young person in Christ when evil is done to you, it could be an evil word and evil thought a snubbing or whatever it is. He says never return like for like you always repay a blessing for evil.

42. 25:02

    That’s what love does love Rapace blessing for evil. Chapter 4 is his next reference to love of the Brotherhood. And again, this has a different Focus look at verse 7, but the end of all things is at hand therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers and above all things. Don’t miss that brother and sisters above all things have fervent love for one another for quote.

43. 25:37

    Love will cover a multitude of sins from Proverbs chapter 10, which is what he quoted. So in this context the Apostle is saying love forgives and that’s a characteristic of love in our Brotherhood love is sincere love submits to each other love returns blessing love forgives. And the last one is the very last verse of the epistle in chapter five. Look what he says in verse 14.

44. 26:11

    greet one another with a kiss of love Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen? now that’s not necessarily our Middle Eastern or European way of doing things and I don’t think he’s actually mandating that we do handout kisses to everyone. There’ll be lots of cases where that’s probably not appropriate but what he is saying, is that love and braces in Fellowship.

45. 26:40

    That’s what that is. This is this is the embracing the fellowship. Of love and that’s his final note now province is why is Peter talking about this? Why why of all things as he had this little thread that runs right from chapter 1 to chapter 5 about love of the Brotherhood love the Brotherhood fervently with a pure heart love submits.

46. 27:01

    You need to submit to each other forgive each other for Christ’s sake you need to embrace each other in Fellowship. And you need to be sincere and what you’re doing. Why and why is this presence sisters? You think about it? He says the end of all things is at hand. That’s exactly what Hebrews 10 said. Do you remember it said that the in so much the more as you see the day approaching he says if there’s anything for the Brotherhood in 2019 to really get their their mind around their actions around above everything else in the Brotherhood in a collegial life brothers and sisters. It’s love one another fervently do Let that go. Why is Peter saying that?

47. 27:46

    Well, these brothers and sisters are going through persecution and they’re scattered abroad as we read in chapter 1 verse 1. They’re scattered all over Asia and these people are facing persecution from the likes of Nero. He’s the devil roar like a roaring lion as we see in Peters epistle in chapter 5 verse 8. This is what they’re up against and for the Brotherhood brothers and sisters to remain United.

48. 28:10

    In the face of persecution it all boils down to practical love for each other. If we lose that the very fabric of our Brotherhood comes apart disunity Creeps in And it may be marched and promoted in the name of upholding certain standards. But if that standard of love is not present through all of that brothers and sisters, then we do violence to the Brotherhood and we have so much in Peter to be strengthened around on that theme. You know, I don’t know if you noticed but when we read chapter 3 of First Peter, and we’re just going to focus just briefly this morning on on his little references in chapter three and four.

49. 28:56

    Did you notice that he quoted Psalm 34? There it is in verse 10 11 and 12. In the context of him saying be of one mind have compassion verse eight have love as brothers and be tender hearted don’t return evil for evil. He quotes Psalm 34 and he first 10 for quote he who would love life and see good days.

50. 29:20

    Let him refrain his tongue from evil. So the evil that he was talking about in verse 19 is not something like if someone punches you you don’t punch him back the evil. He’s talking about is actually through Word of Mouth through the lips and he says, Refrain your tongue from that evil and your lips from speaking deceit Turn Away From Evil and do good and seek peace and pursue it.

51. 29:44

    So he’s quoting Psalm 34 and saying that this applies to the Brotherhood our love of the Brotherhood if we don’t want to return evil for evil then we must return blessing for that evil. And that means locking our lips and not speaking unkind and evil things. Why some 34 come Psalm 34 this is absolutely beautiful.

52. 30:07

    Look what it says. He’s lifted it straight out of this song and it’s entirely relevant to him the Ecclesia and what he’s saying. Remember when I was just turning this up a little while ago. I almost fell off my chair thinking. Wow. The message is so powerful what he’s saying. So he’s quoted some 34 verses 11 12 13 and 14 when you read the song they actually don’t seem to really fit like why are they what why the verses here notice that this song is in the context of what it says a Psalm of David when he pretended Madness memory when he was scratching at the door, and he’s there’s foam coming out of his mouth. And he was in this little this world large. He was in a pickle a really tricky situation and he had to fake Madness before been lack when he went down to death who drove him away and he departed that’s the context of Psalm 34 now, I’ll say this brothers and sisters that this song is written in the in the midst of a Brother’s mistake. Weakness poor choice, maybe lack of faith. This was at a low point in David’s life. He even in the in the context of 1st Samuel 21 where this record is is put forth.

53. 31:23

    He even goes and grabs the sword of Goliath and he says I need that UPS the best one around and he goes down to gas and it’s like he’s he’s acting and making mistakes out of disbelief in God and he’s clearly in a state of desperation brother and sisters, but that’s the context of Psalm 34.

54. 31:42

    David prays in verse 4 and says this I sought Yahweh and he heard me. He delivered me from all my fears. They look to him and were radiant and their faces were not ashamed speaking of himself. He says this poor man cried and Yahweh heard him and saved him out of all his troubles and the troubles that David’s talking about brother and sisters are not just the troubles from the enemy those troubles are some of the ones that he got himself into by taking glass sword and running down to gath.

55. 32:13

    This was part of partly his own mistakes and misgivings and he said, I cried to God and he helped me through my troubles. Look what it says in verse 17. The righteous cry out in Yahweh. Here’s and delivers them out of all their troubles and not all those troubles are just because other people have done unjust things to them. Sometimes our troubles come brothers and sisters because of our own mistakes.

56. 32:42

    And right in the middle of that he says in verse 7 what he believed to be the case. The angel of Yahweh encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them. So back to our question brothers sisters, why did Paul quote Psalm 34 and this little bit about speaking kindly and refraining your tongue from evil and verses 11 to 14.

57. 33:10

    And the reason is but and sisters I believe. That if it’s true that someone like David when he makes a mistake maybe a little period in her life. That’s a low maybe lacking faith for period like we all go through if it’s true that Yahweh listens to people who are praying in their trouble and delivers them and he even sends his angels to encamp around them.

58. 33:41

    How dare we brothers and sisters in our Brotherhood speak evil of each other in our failings? How dare we because that brother could be on his knees at home praying desperately to his God to help him out of that trouble and that trouble might have been brought on by him by his own self.

59. 34:01

    It might have been brought on by whatever the circumstances but he’s on his knees and we don’t know if he is or not, but he could be and he’s praying to God. Please be with me and gods. Angels are surrounding that brother or that sister that young person and trying to help Hebrews chapter 1 says the angels are deliberately sent to minister to those who will inherit salvation now brothers and sisters. If it’s true that we spread evil reports about each other if when we see a young person stuff up or a brother or sister mess up and we talked about their sins even confidentially. Without A View to help or to pray for them if we are speaking evil of our brother and condemning them and taking chunks out of their character.

60. 34:46

    How dare we go against the angels of God who might be in that person’s life doing everything they can to help them out and we as a Brotherhood or brother and sister young person is going against the very work of God trying to deliver brothers and sisters the righteous out of their troubles that’s powerful brothers and sisters.

61. 35:08

    Are we going against the work of the angels and our brothers and sisters life? Are we there and here this morning and in our Brotherhood to deliver our brothers and sisters out of trouble that’s a massive difference. It’s one thing to notice something’s wrong. It’s one thing brothers and sisters for us to identify when someone has done something wrong and there’s a need for that and the Apostle Paul sometimes does that but it’s entirely different to speak evil of that brother. It’s entirely different to spread that when we catch up with our friends.

62. 35:39

    Unless of course we get down on our knees and pray to God that the angels will work in that brother’s life that sister’s life that young person’s life to deliver them as Psalm 34. So refrain brothers and sisters our lips from speaking evil.

63. 35:59

    knowing that God with his angels are working to deliver. Do you know it’s interesting to that in First Peter chapter 4 we just come back there. First Peter chapter 4 business sisters Is that other reference another one of the references that Peter makes? But he adds. A level of intensity to this message of the love for the Brotherhood. It’s in our theme for this morning First Peter chapter 4 verse 7, but the end of all things is at hand therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers and above all things have not just love look.

64. 36:47

    He says fervent love fervent that’s worth reflecting on this morning business sisters how fervently do we love our brothers and sisters? It’s easy in a sense. It’s not to to be acquaintances rather than loving the Brotherhood. He says fervently loved you know, what’s amazing about that word. This is is beautiful how the word of God is written in the messages. It contains that word fervent uses a really similar one chapter 1 verse 22 love one another fervently Peter. It’s Peters little word.

65. 37:19

    He loves it. Do. You know where else has used? The only other time is in Acts chapter 12 verse 5 And this is staggering. This is what Acts chapter 12 verse 5 says.

66. 37:36

    Peter Was there for kept in prison? But fervent prayer was offered to God for him by the Ecclesia that little word that Peters using his Epistles present sisters come straight out of his own experience and having the Brotherhood all around him praying for him while he’s in prison and he says when the sisters that he felt the love of the Brotherhood when he was in prison, they were all meeting member Rota when he comes to the door road is like that can’t be you and she almost closed the door in his face.

67. 38:10

    They’re all they’re praying together. The love of the Brotherhood and so when he writes his epistle, he says do it. I’ve I’ve experienced when people pray for me fervently. That was when I was in prison and you know, it’s interesting here all all of Psalm 34 is that acts chapter 12 and you can look into that yourself, but here here it is verse 7 Now Behold an angel of the Lord stood by him and a light Shone in the prison and he struck Peter on the side and says quick Get Up and the chains fell off his hands and so Peter was was confessing at that time in verse 11.

68. 38:47

    He says now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his Angel and has delivered me from the hand of Herod. It’s a beautiful beautiful representation of the truth of Psalm 34, and although Peter was not in prison. His own mistakes wasn’t sisters. The same was true. God was working to deliver him from prison and the Brotherhood was right behind that angel the same thing.

69. 39:11

    But the angel was doing was what the Brotherhood was doing for that individual for Peter and he loved it. It meant everything to him. No brothers and sisters we depend on each other maybe more than we think. I know there was times, especially when I first arrived in Australia from Canada that the love of the Brotherhood that I experienced here in Adelaide at Brighton and many people in other classes. Made all the difference for me.

70. 39:48

    The kindness the fervency of it the generosity in the hospitality of that love. We need that brothers and sisters. It’s the lifeblood of the Ecclesia and it’s the standard to which we live. That’s how we treat each other. That was when I was I was single this isn’t just a message use it for families in the Ecclesia or older brothers and sisters. It’s message for young people in singles and the love of the Brotherhood is to love all of those. And to encourage and strengthen each of them, but if brothers and sisters if we find ourselves in the position of not being tender-hearted if we’re dropping our ecclesial standards, and we’re slack with care and pursuit of peace. Then that does damage to our Brotherhood. Instead of feeling the warmth and the kindness that is so often amongst us.

71. 40:42

    We may experience the cold shoulder and the harshness and Peter is saying no above all things. Do not do that. The end of all things is at hand Christ is at the door. His angels are working to protect and be with the righteous even when they fail so let us do the same brothers and sisters we cannot and we do not have time to criticize The Lord is near you know, first Peter says that love is forgiving as well.

72. 41:13

    You see that? This is in the context of forgiveness verse 8 and above all things in 1st Peter 4 verse a have fervent love for one another for love will cover a multitude of sins. You see he quoted Proverbs chapter 10 verse 12 and the other side of that verse it says in Proverbs chapter 10 verse 12 hatred stirs up Strife, but love covers a multitude of sins. We have a responsibility brothers and sisters not to stir up Strife not in our own minds not in our spouses. Mine’s not in our family’s Minds around the dinner table. We have an obligation in Christ to stir up and provoke love in each other.

73. 42:02

    Proverbs 16 verse 9 says one of the things that the Lord hates is sowing Discord among brethren. And that can be as simple brothers and sisters as mentioning to your best friend the sin of someone else that you learned about. But didn’t need to be shared that would bring no fruit of repentance by you sharing that information criticizing. You know, I think it’s true but ancestors of all my all my time in the Brotherhood Canada and here I can’t I cannot think and I’ve done it many times, but I cannot think of one time. We’re I demeaned or spoke.

74. 42:46

    unkindly Of a brother and sister or sister a young person and it brought about useful results never once can I can I remember that my criticism of another person in my Ecclesia has ever brought anything good never that’s not to say that you don’t talk about things that are wrong and and things that have that need help that’s done hopefully in a spirit of prayer and care but never has any criticism that I’ve ever waged against another brother or sister brought any good.

75. 43:18

    Paul says no, and actually I’ve missed all those opportunities to show love to build up. To be fervent in kindness, you know brother Robert says in the Second Diary of a voyage on page 69. He said I have made it a rule of my life to be silent on the faults of other men.

76. 43:41

    And from this rule. I will not depart now. That is a very high calling. You know, brother sister is those who don’t highlight The Faults of other people who have that fervent love of the Brotherhood always at their side make an impression on all of us. I know one person in Adelaide that has never in all my time around them.

77. 44:08

    Never never once have I ever heard them say anything. negative about any other brother or sister or young person and that’s not because they’re they’re they’re spineless. It’s not because they’re wofully and they don’t really no way that brother to me is so firm and so solid, but he will not he will never stoop to that level. I’ve never heard him say it.

78. 44:36

    And when I compare myself to that I full far short, but it’s something to Aspire to. You know, it says in First Peter to of First Peter for right after that forgiveness, he says and be hospitable to one another without grumbling grumbling do that weird hospital just means fond of having guests. And you know, maybe brothers and sisters.

79. 45:01

    That’s how the warmth of our Brotherhood spreads and builds and deepens by having people back to our houses. Our houses, I believe are extensions of the Ecclesia where this is possible and I’m convinced that we can use our houses in our Hospitality to deepen the love of the Brotherhood doesn’t mean every waking moment does it it doesn’t mean that our house is necessarily an open Hotel.

80. 45:25

    Not everyone can cope with that. And nor is that even healthy but it does mean that our home is welcoming and warm. It’s not judgmental. It’s not full of corals. There’s just warmth and generosity. And in that house is willing Spirit to forgive and have that brother or sister young person by who needs that encouragement who is currently experiencing the angels of God working in their life to support and deliver them and so we can join hands with those angels and it work of Christ himself in that person’s life. It’s not about extravagance hospitality. It’s about the atmosphere of hospitality and warmth and if your circumstances I and I had this when I was single If your circumstances prevent you from Hospitality, I remember being single have people over.

81. 46:14

    You’re not really a good cook. So it doesn’t really always turn out too well, but who cares I didn’t matter and so when I was really appreciative of when I had some friends over from various Ecclesia has I remember one. I was living up in Bridgewater. Remember this time where I said, I’m just going to You had I don’t you know, I don’t have a wife to help me in the kitchen. I have no idea.

82. 46:35

    Yeah, like a little bit of cooking spray and I invite these people on the really cool thing was they came and they brought all their kids and I remember this awesome feeling of all these kids just sleeping in their sleeping bags in the corridor and like by the front door because there wasn’t much space and we were just playing board games after the readings the rest of the evening and it was so good.

83. 46:56

    It was so good and that’s been repeated lots and times. But we need that residence sisters and not just I want to stress this morning because I need to hear it too. Not just with your friends. with your brothers and sisters and young people I needed that as a single person and there are families here and families. I dearly love in this city.

84. 47:22

    Who included me even when I was single and man that made a difference? That’s the love of the Brotherhood. Do you know where the sisters first John three verse 14 says this we know We have passed from Death to life the think about the weight of this. We know that we have passed from Death To Life.

85. 47:50

    Because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother? Is dead that is a staggering statement. We know we’ve passed from Life. Sorry from Death to life because we love the Brethren and if we take First Corinthians 13 at its word brothers and sisters, that means simple practical things like not being rude by stop talking about other people’s frailties and weaknesses.

86. 48:20

    That’s how we know. We’ve passed from Death to life. It’s that simple When we stop being critical of another Ecclesia down the road because they have slightly different standards in us and and by doing so we compromised the very standard that Jesus did teach about that’s love brothers and sisters and that standard will see us through to the kingdom to injure perilous times in the Brotherhood.

87. 48:48

    There will be differences in the Brotherhood. We cannot expect uniformity on every jot and Tittle and every standard And that may come from Century to Century. No, but what do you think should be sure and consistent young and old alike? And that is tenderheartedness an active pursuit of Peace in the Brotherhood that doesn’t mean we ignore wrong Doctrine. It course not Northern Paul.

88. 49:18

    It doesn’t mean we don’t stand for things, but they need to be stood for but it does mean when we do we do it in the spirit of love and we don’t character assassinate other people in the process. 1st John says to us We know that we’ve passed from Death to life because we love the Brethren.

89. 49:44

    You know, it’s really sad, but the first the first brotherly interaction in all of scripture ended murder, that’s why first John uses that at right at the center of his whole message uses Cain and Abel is the center of that and the fact that this Brotherhood relationship was broken right at the very start and he says no we need to aim for higher.

90. 50:09

    Brotherhood needs this standard we all do we love to see it. We feel the warmth of those around us here in an arc. Lygia. We have so much to be thankful for and to build on we have much provoking to do brothers and sisters. The bar can always be raised our standards if they are slipping need to come to life again to live what we all believe what binds us together the Life of Christ first. John also says In verse five and six that Jesus was manifested you think about this.

91. 50:46

    Jesus was manifested to take away our sins. And in him, there is no sin. So again brothers and sisters if we take John’s message. How can we? Talk about brothers X or sister, why drag up their sins at our dinner table or in our car or with our friends? How can we go through and and and actively criticize each other organically? Shh.

92. 51:19

    When Christ came to take away our sins he was manifested to destroy them. How can we how can we bring them back up and spread them around we’re going right against the very mission that these emblems speak to us of that’s a powerful thought so brothers and sisters. Let’s raise the bar as a Brotherhood next time. You post rethink your standard of love and kindness next time you caught catch up as a group of moms for coffee. I challenge you this morning and scripture does to talk about the standard of your conversations and do it explicitly chat about how you as a group are going to set the standard of love to be kind tender hearted pursuing.

93. 52:06

    Peace not returning evil for evil. That’s the Standard of Christ on a practical level we all struggle with that but let’s do that. Let’s set it and let’s actively talk as friends in the truth and say right how could we leave the standard of love? Next time you have a business meeting.

94. 52:27

    And I’m just putting this out there. And I become accountable to this. What about starting by talking this about the standards? We set put it on the agenda. What’s our standards in the Ecclesia for love how we comment to each other how we talk to each other and try to understand each other?

95. 52:49

    We all need that. Next time you have an A B meeting. Talking about how things are going in your cliche put love on your agenda how you’re going is an Ecclesia. How you can promote it and Foster it? It was on the top of Paul’s list of a collegial standards young people next time you catch up with your bestie and have a DM. Talk about things in your family or other young people or Suburban or particular group in Suburban. Talk about how you can show love before you enter that conversation set that as a priority determined to do it. Husbands and wives do the same go home this week. An explicitly talk about the standard of love the tenderheartedness in your house and around your dinner table and how you talk about brothers and sisters and our older brothers and sisters.

96. 53:55

    We need your constant love this Brotherhood is fueled by that and powered on by your example. We love your energy and consistency your shepherding love. We asked you not to be pessimistic about the younger generation coming up. They have the Brotherhood to care for. And when you were in the grave if Christ has not returned, we need to go on by your faithful example of support and commitment to the Brotherhood.

97. 54:23

    We need to transparently see that your love is not motivated by personal preferences. But as motivated by Paul’s powerful messages on love what really matters. We’ll listen. This was a note written of a beloved brother in our community in the Christian magazine in 2001. This brother is says he loved the Brotherhood but was fully aware that it was not an impersonal entity but was made up of a multitude of real people while he was loving cheerful encouraging to all there were probably four groups that benefit especially from his love and care the elderly and the sick they knew him.

98. 55:05

    Well lost sheep also saw a lot of him, especially though this brother had a tremendous affinity for the young he knew the uncertainty and self death doubt with which youth is. And plague and he met plaque then he met this with a deep genuine and very patient love and understanding he offered a friendship. There was an inspiring call to service. He was always encouraging us to give the first fruits of our minds and hearts our talents time and energy to the Lord’s service.

99. 55:34

    It wasn’t about his talks was it or the books that he wrote and you wrote many? It was about his care for the Brotherhood and young people this morning as you reflect on all that Christ does and has called us to remember that first Peter spoke of a love that submits. Add fire to the Ecclesia not division.

100. 55:59

     Before you ever show your Ecclesia, the things that you think should be changed show them how much you love them and love the Brotherhood and commit to that. This is your mission and occlusal life. If you have a difference in view. Pass it through the standard of provoking love and nothing else. be caring and considerate tender-hearted respectful to the older generation who has gone before listen to them you as well as the older people in all of us together cannot be presumed to be friends of the master and yet unkind in impatient towards his body Harrington wrote this in will finish on these thoughts but as and sisters, This is taken from The Man David page 182. And I want us to think about these words a man’s response to the needs of the community of the body to which he is supposedly given his Allegiance is often a measure of the true character of the man himself self-seeking and disregard for the lasting well-being of the community weakens the bonds which are intended to be channels of strength rather than Strife our attitude to the body.

101. 57:20

     Is our attitude to Christ the Ecclesia is his body if we are superior to it, we lack humility. If we are divisive within it, we deny the atonement by which we have and were reconciled and made one if we neglect it the body we diminish our affection for him. If we serve it we do him service if we edify it.

102. 57:42

     We continue his work if we bind up its wounds and take care of the week. We Fellowship his sufferings. Brother and sisters if we love the Brotherhood, we are of Christ and we love him our Endeavor this morning brothers and sisters. is to be Disciples of Christ love not in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth not on paper, but in practice not merely in confession, but in conduct this morning we come before these emblems and we feel the weight of Love behind them the sheer imperative that they confront us with and encourages to in his life changing. These emblems stirs up to love and good works and when Christ comes and he examines us and he asks Timothy George Do You Love Me?

103. 58:33

     And I say yes, Lord, you know that. I love you and he says to me love the Brotherhood. Thank you for listening to the good Kristoff and talks podcast Please Subscribe for new episodes and leave a review and apple podcast or whatever service you are listening from to help people find the show when they search for it.

104. 59:03

     If you enjoyed this talk share it on social media. So other people can find it to for show notes and links to the talk that you just listen to visit our show page at anchor dot f m / G CT We want to encourage everyone to share their thoughts from the talk this week on Facebook or Instagram where we are at Food christadelphians talks or on Twitter where we are at GCT underscore podcast.

105. 59:26

     If you know of a great talk, we want to know about it to send a suggestion to good christadelphians talks at gmail.com or message us on any of our social media platforms. Thank you for listening. God bless and talk to you next week.