Introduction:

A. Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

1. I have often given this analogy: If you take one twig in your hand and you bend it that twig will snap rather easily.  However, if you take 35 twigs and you try to bend them they will be much stronger and unable to be broken, as one lends support to the other.  The same is true of Christians.  When you have a group of Christians offering strength to one another it makes it that much more difficult for Satan to influence those Christians.
2. The point of strength in numbers is made in the same context in which our lesson is taken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). 

B. Notice some passages revealing the relationship Christians are to have towards one another:

1. Love (John 13:34-35 and Hebrews 13:1).
2. Unity in doctrine (Philippians 3:16-18).
3. Partnership and fellow soldiers (Philippians 2:25)

C. In the beginning God realized that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18).

A. Christians are supposed to help each other if one is overtaken in a fault (Galatians 6:1).

1. In Galatians 6:1 when talking of a brother or sister overtaken in a fault [trespass] we find the word overtaken “prolambano?” defined by Thayer means [Strong’s # 4301]: “to take one by forestalling (him i.e. before he can flee or conceal his crime), i.e. surprise, detect.”  So, this would apply to a Christian who has caught his brother in a sin and is now held accountable to try and restore that brother or sister to the faith.

a. The spiritually minded person would go to that brother or sister with the mindset of fulfilling the Biblical pattern for handling such things (Matthew 18:15-17).
b. Rebuking someone is an act of love (Revelation 3:19).

2. Such examples to follow would be:

a. Peter correcting Simon (Acts 8:13-24).
b. Aquila and Priscilla correcting Apollos (Acts 18:24-28).
c. Paul correcting Peter (Galatians 2:9-17).

B. To have the attitude that we do not need anyone because we are strong is dangerous (I Corinthians 10:12).

1. The members of the body of Christ are to work together like members of our physical bodies (I Corinthians 12:12-27).

A. One goal that is to be met when the saints assemble is to provoke each other to good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).

1. The word provoke is from the Greek word “paroxusmos” which means: “an inciting, incitement”.  We are to operate on the mind or will of our brethren in attempt to get each other to do good works.
2. The Hebrew writer said that this is to consider one another.
3. We cannot do this if we do not assemble together!
4. First Century Christians obviously realized the need they had for one another and their need to be together based upon what we read in the New Testament (Acts 2:42-46).

B. We are to comfort ourselves together and edify each other (I Thessalonians 5:11). 

1. The body is to edify itself in love (Ephesians 4:16). 
2. We are to use to word of God in our edifying of each other (Acts 20:32). 
3. Christians should look to each other when in need (Acts 4:32). 
4. Bearing one another’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

III. Why Would Christians Not Want To Be Together?

A. Maybe because some would not want their sins to be known (I Timothy 5:24).

1. They do not want their fruits examined (Matthew 7:15-20).
2. They will be known for being good or bad (Matthew 12:33).

B. Maybe because there is no agreement (Amos 3:3).

1. Philippians 2:2-5 
2. I Corinthians 1:10 

C. Maybe because one or the other is not walking in the light (I John 1:7).

1. Maybe because their light is hid or out (Matthew 5:14-16).
2. Maybe because they profess to be of the Lord but do not do the things he says (Luke 6:46 and Titus 1:16).

A. The Bible is clear that we are stronger when together.
B. The Bible is clear that we have responsibilities towards one another, but we must know each other enough to know when one is in need.
C. If you do not want to be around your brethren it is either:

1. You who are not spiritual right.
2. They are not spiritually right.
3. Either way the problem needs fixed by:

a. You repenting.
b. You helping your brethren to repent.