Romans  94

Be kindly affectioned to one another

December 15, 2002

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

 

Let’s remain standing as we open our bibles to:  ROMANS 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;  

 

Now I want you to notice in this scripture the Apostle Paul is speaking to the brethren and he says, Be kindly affectioned (that means affectionate) one to another with brotherly love… Now the word Paul uses here when he speaks of affection is a Greek word which has to do with a nurturing and cherishing ones relatives, or natural family. He says here be tenderly affectionate towards one another in a loving way. Paul is letting us know here that our love and affection should be no less real and caring for those who are brothers and sisters in the Lord than they are with our own flesh and blood families. In fact Jesus said that the flesh and blood relationship is not the presiding factor in determining who your real family is.  

 

In so many words, Jesus said, the real family is not the flesh one by human genetics, but the one that is by God genetics. Now, I know that I could preach this year after year and Sunday after Sunday, but the results will be  the same regardless, because there is an old expression that says, “blood is still thicker than water”. And what that expression means is that when it comes right down to it, most people don’t believe the Bible. They prefer their own flesh and blood to the children of God.  But what did Jesus say about that? That is the real question. Because we have millions of people wearing T-shirts with the saying “what would Jesus do?” As though they want to do what Jesus would do in any given situation, but when it comes right down to it, all you have to do is see how they prefer their own flesh and blood over the flesh and blood of the Lord. We find our example in the book of Matthew.

 

MATTHEW 12:46 ¶ While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren (now, the word brethren here is used because it is generic, in that it means both his brothers and sisters were there to see him, and they ) stood without, desiring to speak with him.  47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

Now, that ought to settle it once and for all. He tells us right here who is our KIN, if indeed we are sons of God. . But will the people receive that? Not on your life. Therefore, I want to look closer at this great thing he is saying here because this affects everyone of us here this morning. We all have family in the flesh. I know of no orphan in the flesh here among us, so I can be pretty safe in saying that everyone of us in here this morning, needs to consider what Jesus is saying here, and what the Apostle Paul is telling us when he says we need to Love nurture and cherish each other in brotherly Love.

 

Now, in order to get the real feel for this situation, I want you to put yourself there in that place listening to this man Jesus. And I want you to carefully consider what he is telling these people. Now, notice in verse 38  Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here. Now, listen, what does he mean by that? And then he goes on with another illustration, 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon [is] here. (Who is He talking about? He’s talking about the Presence of  God Himself. He’s preaching Presence, here, and then He shows presence by preaching Healing and deliverance. 43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 46 ¶  While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

 

Now, here stands his mother, the woman Mary, Some call her the mother of God, which is ridiculous to Think that the eternal God could have a mother who was not eternal. But that’s there problem not ours, so we won’t focus on that. .N evertheless, here is the woman who gave birth to Him, and his flesh and blood bothers and sisters are outside wanting to see him and speak to him. Now, something must have been up for them to all gather together and walk over to see him.

 

she stands outside where he is preaching and so, someone interrupts the service on behalf of his brothers and mother in the flesh. And what is the reaction to them? Is it a happy reaction? Is it a reaction that seems to be desirous of seeing them?  It doesn’t appear to be that way, now does it? Let’s read it again to savor what is happening here. 

 

¶ While he yet talked to the people, (therefore we see here that Jesus was in the midst of speaking to these people. God had sent Him to speak because in the Book of John, he said, JOHN 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. So Jesus is preaching Presence to the People, and he is about His Father’s business and in the middle of His sermon, his mother in the flesh and his brethren in the flesh show up and want an immediate audience with Him.) behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. (they knew he was in there preaching, or they would not have stood outside. But notice the Scripture tells us that they desired to see him, and that word means to seek with demand, to strive in order to obtain what they are desiring, so they must have been fusing a little bit outside, trying to gain access to him.) 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring (striving, pushing themselves forward in the throng trying to get in, in order ) to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?(Now catch what He just did. He said Who is my mother and brethren. He showed right there that flesh and blood does not even count concerning the Kingdom of God. In fact we are told that flesh and blood will not inherit the kingdom of God.) 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

Now, it is pretty apparent that this was not the Father speaking because of the ay Jesus referred to His Father, but it was the Son in complete surrender to His Father God.

 

Now, there was another time that his mother showed up while he was speaking the Words of His Heavenly Father to another group of men, and we find this in the Book of Luke chapter 2.

 

LUKE 2:41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42    And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43    And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not [of it]. 44  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. (Now, notice they left and journeyed for one whole day, and then they noticed he was not among them, so they journeyed back one whole day. On the third day they looked for him the entire day until finally they find him in the temple. )46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Know ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

 

Now, Jesus never called her mother, and neither did he call Joseph father. He said, don’t you know what’s going on here? Don’t you know that I must be about MY Father’s business? And if he was doing Joseph’s business he would have been in the carpenter shop, but he was about his Father’s business, in His Father’s House, the  temple, teaching and talking his Father’s Word with the instructors of the law.

 

Another time we find Jesus in St. John,  showing us just what he thinks of Human lineage, when he disputes with the Pharisees about what really counts concerning lineage.

 

JOHN 8:28   28    Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am [he], and [that] I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; (Now, here he is preaching presence again. ) for I do always those things that please Him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31    Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him,(and who are they? They are the ones who were believing on him. He gave them the Seed test, and wasn’t satisfied that they just agreed with him, but he honed in more and more, until they parted ways with him, and said, ) We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.(You see, He just kept talking to them about the Word Long enough until the Word separated and they showed what seed they really were. Then once he knows, he really nails them to a wall.) 38    I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication (Oh, they didn’t like what he was telling them, he was calling them serpent seed, and they knew it, and so they began claiming lineage even before Abraham way back to God); we have one Father, [even] God.

       42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: (and that is what the Apostle Paul is trying to tell us here in Romans 12, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love…which means to Love one another with a pure heart, fervently.) for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. (Ands we know to hear means to understand according to what Jesus said in Matthew 13: 10-17. Then Jesus nails down their coffin) 44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not. 46    Which of you convinceth me of sin?(of unbelief?) And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.  (Now, look who needs a quote from William Branham to know that the Evidence of being Born again is to recognize your day and its message. Jesus is saying so right here. He says, if you are of God. If you have your source in God, then you will hear and you will recognize the Word of God)

      48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?(Now, notice when confronted with the truth the serpent seed will always come back to calling the Elect a devil.) 49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. (Now, notice that Jesus is saying, “Look, all I have been telling you is what My Father has told me to say, and yet why won’t you honor me as I honor my Father? Because he is not your father or you would honor Him by honoring me that is telling you what He has said for me to say. And don’t they do that today, those who are oneness in this message? Don’t they dishonor the Son by making him nonexistent in their theology? Then Jesus continues by saying, Look, I’m not in this for my own self. ) 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 51    Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? (Notice how that everytime they are given something from Jesus that they don’t understand, instead of saying, “Br. You said this and I don’t understand, what do they do? They call him a devil, and aren’t they doing the same thing today? How can you expect two opposing lineages to  get along when the One says things the other has no way of understanding? ) 54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you (who say you do know him.): but I Do know him, (And what is the evidence that Jesus knew Him? He said, ) I keep his saying (I keep His Word).

 

Isn’t that exactly what Jesus told us is the evidence that we love God, is by Keeping His Word? JOHN 14:15   If ye love me, keep my commandments. And  JOHN 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

 

Now, let’s continue with John 8: 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. Notice, Jesus was one step ahead of them, and by going right into their midst they couldn’t throw the stones at him because they might hit one of their own.

    Another time Jesus speaks of the end-time conditions in reference to flesh and blood kin relationships, he does not speak to highly at all. In MARK 13:12 he says,    Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13    And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

 

Then again in LUKE 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

 

Now, this impression Jesus made on gthe disciples must have been strong enough that others remembered it so well themselves, for we find another listing of this in the book of MATTHEW 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Now, how many times have you seen people walk out with their kids. They won’t stick up for the Word of God, they will take sides with their flesh and blood. But Jesus said, if you do that you are not mine. Depart, depart, depart from Me (The Word) for I never even knew you. Now, he did not sday this would be an easy thing. In fact in the next verse he tells us this will be a heavy cross to bear, but nevertheless, it is a cross that you must bear. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. (And what is a righteous man? Is it not one that is rightly wise. But oh, say they, “I am not against the doctrine, just the man”. Well, he that receiveth the man that is right,  receives the same reward as that man that is right. Is not that what Jesus said? You know everyone wants to quote He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; but notice what always follows that prophet is a righteous man, which is a man that is right. He said, 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.) 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Notice then it is the way you treat this righteous man. Treat him well, and you will receive a lasting reward. And how do you treat him well? Brother Branham said, you want to do something nice for me, do it for my family. Oh, I like that because it comes right down home. And who is my family? They that do the will of my Father. You see it is your attitude towards each other that counts. How do you treat each other. He said, whatsoever you have done unto the least of these my brethren, you have done so unto me. It the attitude you take, Paul said, “let this attitude be in you which was in Christ Jesus.”

 

Now, we all know the parable of the prodigal son, but what  was Jesus trying to tell us by this parable? I believe He was showing us a son who didn’t have respect for the things of His father, and so the father gave him his inheritance up front and let him leave. It was a test of his character. What is he going to do with all of his wealth. And so we find it is a story of how the son having no character and no respect for the things of his father has to learn the hard way the things which his father jholds so dear.  

       LUKE 15:11   And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to [his] father,(Notice it was not the first born, he was obedient to the Father. So this is you and me He’s talking about here, not Jesus the eldest Son.) Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (Now, notice how he finally recognized his condition and how he became broken and contrite in his spirit, then in the next verse, we see that not only had he made up his mind what he was going to do, but in verse 20 we se him set in motion his contrition.) 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion,(That is what Paul is telling us we need to have for one another, a tender affection. Why tender, because we need to learn to walk in each others shoes for a day before we judge them. We need to walk a mile in the man’s moccasins, and the old chief would say. Then we will love and be loved. And so the father) ran forth to meet his son, , and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (you see the tender affection coming forth? Not chastising him and lambasting him, but being considerate of how he must be feeling within to come home in such a miserable condition.) 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

 

Let’s just bow our heads in prayer. Father, we have come into Thy Presence once more, and you have welcomes us back into Thy fold once again to never depart from thy presence again. Lord, Help us to have the attitude of rejoicing when those who have gone astray once more come back into the fold. May we present the fatted calk, and make music that will be sweet to thy ears, and we pray Lord, that the young of heart that have grown wrestles and have departed from thy presence might once again return to live in thy presence in humbleness of mind and with a character that has been reborn through the suffering road that they have chosen to take. Grant them an end like this son that your son Jesus has shown us in this parable for we ask it in Jesus Christ’s name.