I. Introduction
John Fawcett (1740-1817) upon hearing the following statement
by his wife as they were preparing to leave Wainsgate, England
wrote the song: "We just cannot break the ties of affection
that bind us to you dear friends." With that they remained
in Wainsgate for the rest of their lives.
Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there
is nothing in him to make him stumble. (1 John 2:10)
II. Verse 1-Read
A. "Blest be the tie that binds" The tie that binds
is:
1. Our love for the Lord. Psalms 18:1, Matt 22:37
2. Our love for each other. I Thess. 3:12, II
Thess. 1:3-, John 13:34, Rom. 12:10
3. Our love for our fellow man. I Thess. 3:12, I Peter 2:17
4. The hope that is in us. Rom. 5:3-5, 12:11-12, Gal. 5:5.
5. We are fellow citizens Eph. 2:12-22
6. Our common faith. Eph. 4:4-5
7. The goal of eternal life. Matt. 25:46, Rom. 6:22, I Tim. 1:16
B. "Our hearts in Christian Love." Rom. 5:5, Col. 2:1-2.II Thess. 3:5 Being a Christian and experiencing Christian Love is not just an emotional thing, it is logical, and it is thoughtful. To grow in Christian Love we make a conscious effort to do the things that build our love for those things listed above.
C. "The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above."
Acts. 2:42, II Cor. 6:14, Eph. 5:11 Kindred means alike, identical,
similar, same. If we are to be kindred minds then we need something
on which to base our similarities. The standard that we as Christians
use to do this is the word of God. If what we each believe differs
from the Word of God-we must change. We must align our thinking
and our actions with Christ and his word; thus, we will also be
in kindred mind with others who do the same.
III. Verse 2-Read
"Before our father's throne..........." Matt. 7:7-8,
James 5:16, I Peter 3:7-8 When we unite in prayer for each other
and see that our fears, hopes and aims are one-eternal life, we
acquire a bond that goes beyond just wishing some one well-we
are united in God and Christ Jesus!
IV. Verse 3-Read
"We share our mutual woes................sympathizing
tear." Phil. 2:1-2, Col. 3:12-13, Acts 20:31, II Cor. 2:4.
Sympathizing and even empathizing with some one else seems to
bind us together. A common problem or adversity, opens a door
for help and encouragement that may never have been opened.
V. Verse 4-Read
"When we asunder part.........and hope to meet again."
I Thess. 4:17 Many times in this life we must part from each other
but we, as Christians have the comfort of knowing that no matter
how painful or how long that parting may be, there will be a time
when we all will be together again. This time there will be no
more parting. Rev. 21:4
II Cor. 1:3-7 The love that binds us together as Christians is
the tie that will unite us in eternity!