Helping others begins with considering one another to stir up love and good works, expressed by assembling together so exhortation can occur. Exhortation invites a brother or sister to change direction, receive comfort in God's sovereignty and love, or gain a fresh perspective from scripture, always keeping the focus outward. It arises from the faith and hope God produces through His workmanship, and it guards against willful sin by preventing inward withdrawal. Brotherly love requires deliberate obedience, serving the body of Christ so no schism occurs. Prayer strengthens the weary, fosters humility, bears burdens, and unites the body. Love covers a multitude of sins by forgiving, and praying even for enemies mirrors the intercession Jesus Christ makes for the saints.

Playlist:

playlist Go to the Helping Others (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

Serving Others

Sermonette by

Neither the toxic worldview of evolution nor that espoused by mainstream Christendom fails to answer why we exist. We have a mandate to serve both God and man.

Each Other (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Helping others begins with considering one another in order to stir up love and good works. This consideration finds concrete expression in assembling together rather than withdrawing, so that exhortation can take place among members of the Body. Exhortation involves calling someone near through an invitation or entreaty, whether to urge a change of direction, to offer comfort by recalling God's sovereignty and love, or to present a fresh perspective drawn from scripture. Such exhortation remains an act of love because its focus stays outward on aiding a brother or sister to continue walking toward the Kingdom of God. True exhortation arises from the faith and hope that God has already produced in a person's life through His workmanship. Experiences of answered prayer, forgiveness, and spiritual understanding supply the empathy and wisdom needed to invite others to align themselves with God's ongoing spiritual creation. This same process guards against willful sin, because the act of helping others keeps the focus outward and prevents the inward withdrawal that allows the three-fold cord of faith, hope, and love to unravel. When exhortation occurs, the one who exhorts also receives benefit, as the words given through God's inspiration reinforce spiritual awareness and character. Outcomes remain in God's hands, yet the command requires only that exhortation be offered as an expression of love, trusting that His word accomplishes its purpose.

Each Other (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The epistle to the Hebrews stresses the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant over the heroes and institutions of Old Testament times while issuing strong warnings against willful sin and the recipients' precarious spiritual condition. Once essential doctrines have been mastered, attention shifts to advancing toward perfection by refining faith, hope, and love. Part of that love consists in helping others who are walking the same narrow path.

Have Mercy

Sermonette by Hunter D. Swanson

When we become fixated on past resentment, we will never find opportunities to display mercy, enabling a repentant brother to move forward.

The Widow and the Fatherless (Part Four)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

What are some more tangible ways to help the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger? These points would help anyone, but keep in mind those we are focusing on.

Privilege, Responsibility, and Judgment

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our welfare programs have scriptural principles as their general inspiration, but they have been abused, encouraging dependency which God never intended.

Go and Do Likewise

Sermon by Bill Onisick

Without the gift of God's Holy Spirit, it is impossible to understand the kind of love which Christ commanded of His disciples.

Carrying Water for Jesus Christ

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

The parable of the Good Samaritan depicts a way of life God intends all His called-out Saints to follow.

Be a Good Neighbor

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

Some have wondered, 'How far should we go in helping someone who is not in the church of God?' How does the Bible respond to this question?

The Third Tithe Blessing

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

God's people were obligated to declare before God that they had faithfully distributed the tithe. The blessing was applied nationally.

The Widow and the Fatherless

Sermon by Mike Ford

Pure religion, according to James, takes care of vulnerable people — the widows, fatherless, and strangers. This echoes the words of the prophets.

Themes of Ruth (Part Four): Kindness and Faith

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both Ruth and Naomi demonstrated covenant loyalty in this marriages long after the death of their spouses. Ruth faithfully continued to serve her mother-in-law.

A Lesson in Sportsmanship

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

The 'Pierre De Coubertin Medal' is given out for sportsmanship, honoring generous behavior toward competing athletes—much harder to win than a gold medal.

The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The meal offering represents the second Great Commandment, love toward fellow man. Our service to others requires much grinding self-sacrifice and surrender.

The Merciful

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The harsh religion of the Pharisees was unfeeling, placing more attention on rituals and man-made laws, and had turned their super-righteousness into sin.

Perfect, Gentle Courtesy (Part 3)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Parents are obligated to teach God's laws to their children. According to Emily Post, good manners are to the family what good morals are to society.

Getting to Know You: Empathy in the Feast

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Genuine relationships within the body of Christ present both profound joy and significant challenge. While most people recognize familiar faces and mannerisms, true knowledge of one another runs far deeper than surface observation. A diversity of personalities within the fellowship naturally produces misunderstanding, and carnal tendencies toward criticism often stem from ignorance rather than genuine insight. Too frequently, people judge others while possessing only a partial picture of their circumstances, motivations, and inner struggles. The concept of empathy, defined as the capacity to understand and absorb another's feelings as one's own, serves as a vital remedy. I Peter 3:8-9 instructs believers to cultivate compassion and fellow feeling within the church, treating it as a laboratory for developing unity of mind and brotherly love. Hebrews 2:17-18 reveals that Christ Himself had to be made like His brethren in order to become a merciful High Priest, demonstrating that empathy is born from shared human experience. God wired humans with the neurological capacity for empathy, including what scientists call mirror neurons, yet this capacity must be actively developed through attentive listening, open conversation, and willingness to place oneself in another's position. The Feast of Tabernacles, picturing the Millennium, provides an annual opportunity to practice this outgoing concern toward one another. During the Millennium, a royal priesthood will encounter multitudes of deeply troubled people emerging from catastrophic tribulation. Those priests must be thoroughly prepared with righteous empathy, grounded in God's truth, to shepherd scattered and weary people effectively. Balance remains essential. Empathy directed toward a spiritually sick world carries real dangers, and Revelation 18:4 warns against absorbing its corrupting influences. Therefore, the greates

A City on a Hill (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

We may never be featured in a museum, receive a Medal of Honor, or be the subject of a movie, but we can still be outstanding examples with our own lives.

A Survey of God's Gifts to Us

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The apostle Paul inventories spiritual gifts that God has given for the edification of the church, including ministry of the word and practical service.

The Widow and the Fatherless (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

God, through Jeremiah, puts the care of the widows, fatherless, and strangers near the top of the list of things people need to do to reform their ways.

Sin (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Thoughts, words, or behaviors not in alignment with the mind of God are also violations against God's law. Foolishness should never be part of our conduct.

Serving the Brethren Through Prayer

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Brotherly love requires deliberate acts of obedience to God's commandments rather than passive feelings. Such love builds relationships within the spiritual family and reflects God Himself. Loving one another serves as proof of discipleship to Jesus Christ. Serving and loving one another forms the essential heartbeat of the Christian life. Each member belongs to the body of Christ where every part contributes to the whole. Members must show the same care for one another so that no schism occurs. When one member suffers all suffer with it and when one is honored all rejoice with it. Gifts from God enable service to the church and closer unity when accompanied by love. Prayer for the brethren provides spiritual strength to those who are weary or facing temptation. Such prayer fosters humility by removing bitterness and unites the body by moving away from isolation. Prayer invites God's power because the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Praying for others bears their burdens and participates in the spiritual unity of the body. Love covers a multitude of sins by remaining forgiving and refusing to hold grudges. Job received restoration of his losses only after he prayed for his friends. Praying for enemies follows the example of Jesus Christ who asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him. This act of intercession mirrors the ongoing intercession Jesus Christ makes for the saints.

The Behavior of Onesiphorus

Sermonette by Jared M. Ellis

Onesiphorus stands out for his unwavering loyalty and selfless support of Paul during persecution. His actions, not his words, spoke volumes.

Breakfast by the Sea (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Jesus twice asks Peter if he has agape love, and both times Peter can only respond that he has tremendous personal affection — he was lacking agape love.