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"BLEST BE THE TIE"
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. A wonderful blessing we enjoy in Christ is fellowship with other
 Christians...
 a. We are members of one another - Ro 12:5
 b. Thus we have a special bond or tie that binds us together
 
2. A simple yet beautiful song that describes this bond is "Blest Be The
 Tie"...
 a. Words written by John Fawcett in 1782
 b. Melody by Johann Georg Nageli
arranged by Lowell Mason in 1845
 -- In "Hymns For Worship"
it is song #302
 
[From the words of this song
let's take this opportunity to reflect
upon the special bond we enjoy as Christians...]
 
I. FIRST VERSE
 
 A. "BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS OUR HEARTS IN CHRISTIAN LOVE"...
 1. Consider first what the tie that binds is not
 a. It is not an earthly tie
such as:
 1) Friendship
 2) Marriage
 3) Family
 -- All of which are either social or physical ties
 b. It is not broken like earthly ties
such as through:
 1) Separation
 2) Incompatibility (e.g.
the apostles were a diverse group)
 3) Death
 2. Consider then what the tie that binds is
 a. Love
not easily broken - cf. Co 3:14
 b. Love
that comes from the God of love - 1 Jn 4:7-11
 c. Love
learned from the example of Christ - 1 Jn 3:16
 d. Love
serving as a mark of true discipleship - Jn 13:34-35
 -- The tie involves love that is uniquely Christian; patterned
 after Christ's love
 
 B. "THE FELLOWSHIP OF KINDRED MINDS IS LIKE TO THAT ABOVE"...
 1. This tie involves a unity for which Jesus prayed - Jn 17:20-23
 2. It involves a unity of mind for which Paul prayed - Ph 2:2
 3. Therefore any threat to this unity is strongly condemned
 - e.g.
1 Co 1:10
 -- The tie seeks to emulate the unity between the Father and the
 Son
 
[The tie that binds is based upon the love and unity which Christ makes
possible; how it is manifested is illustrated in the remaining verses of
the song...]
 
II. SECOND VERSE
 
 A. "BEFORE OUR FATHER'S THRONE WE POUR OUR ARDENT PRAYERS"...
 1. We are blessed to be able to approach God in prayer
 a. A privilege enjoyed in Christ - He 4:14-16a
 b. A privilege with great blessings - He 4:16b; Ph 4:6-7
 2. This song depicts frequent and fervent prayer
 a. Praying for one another - e.g.
Ja 5:16; Ac 12:5
 b. Praying with another - e.g.
Ac 1:14; 2:42; 12:12; 21:5
 -- Such prayer is a benefit of the tie that binds
and also
  strengthens that tie
 
 B. "OUR FEARS
OUR HOPES
OUR AIMS ARE ONE
OUR COMFORTS AND OUR
 CARES"...
 1. We have similar concerns and desires
 a. Some because we are simply fellow humans in this world
 1) We desire to be healthy
we fear sickness and dying
 2) We enjoy comforts of life
we fear joblessness and
 poverty
 b. Others because we are fellow citizens of the kingdom
 1) We share the hope of the resurrection and eternal life
 - cf. 1 Pe 1:3
 2) We share in the struggles against temptation and
 persecution - 1 Pe 5:8-9
 2. As Christians
therefore
we can have more in common
 a. Not just because of our human nature
  b. But also because we are partakers of divine nature
 1) Grace and peace are multiplied - cf. 2 Pe 1:2-3
 2) We have exceedingly great and precious promises - cf.
 2 Pe 1:4
 -- Our shared experiences
enhanced by our spiritual blessings

 strengthen our tie
 
[The next verse focuses on mutual problems we sometimes face...]
 
III. THIRD VERSE
 
 A. "WE SHARE OUR MUTUAL WOES
OUR MUTUAL BURDENS BEAR"...
 1. As Christians
we are to bear one another's burdens - Ga 6:1-2
 2. In times of spiritual weakness
we are to pray for one another
 - Ja 5:16
 3. In times of persecution
we are to remember one another - He
 13:3
 4. In times of physical need
we are to provide for one another
 - Ja 1:27
 -- Manifested in such ways
the tie we have in Christ is truly a
 blessing
 
 B. "AND OFTEN FOR EACH OTHER FLOWS THE SYMPATHIZING TEAR"...
 1. Because that is how God composed the body of Christ! - 1 Co 12:
  24b-26
 2. That we might weep with those who weep - Ro 12:15
 -- An emotional but effective demonstration of the bond we share
 
[The final verse describes the impact of the tie that binds
when it
comes time to separate
even temporarily...]
 
IV. FOURTH VERSE
 
 A. "WHEN WE ASUNDER PART
IT GIVE US INWARD PAIN"...
 1. The tie is such that departure can be painful
 2. Note the example of Paul and the Ephesian elders - Ac 20:36-38
 -- Never experience such pain? Perhaps one might need to examine
 their tie
 
 B. "BUT WE SHALL BE JOINED IN HEART
AND HOPE TO MEET AGAIN"...
 1. We might be separated in the flesh
but can remain together in
 spirit - Co 2:5
 2. We are comforted by a wonderful hope
  a. The hope of the resurrection - 1 Th 4:13-18
 b. Made possible by the resurrection of Christ
and our faith
 in Him - 1 Pe 1:3-5
 -- It is this hope which keeps our hearts joined together
when
 all other bonds fail
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. "Blest Be The Tie" is a beautiful song...
 a. That describes the blessings of our oneness in Christ
 b. That expresses how many Christians truly feel for one another
 
2. But it describes blessings known only by those...
 a. Who have been added by Christ to His church - cf. Ac 2:41
47
 b. Who are diligent in preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond
 of peace - cf. Ep 4:1-3
 
Have you been added to the Lord's church through obedience to the gospel
(cf. Ac 2:38)? Are you doing your part to strengthen the tie that binds
those in Christ?
 
 "Beyond all these things put on love
which is the perfect bond
 of unity." (Co 3:14
NASB)

－－《Executable Outlines》