Unity and Mission--thoughts from our pastor

Our pastor often has interesting and valid points which he shares with us in the bulletin. The following is from him:

I enjoy visiting other churches on vacation. It also gives me opportunity to think about our church. In my recent time away, two things came most to mind: Unity and Mission. 

Unity, I think Satan's greatest attack against smaller churches is in the area of unity. In the New Testament, there are two examples of the attack on unity. In 1 Corinthians 3, we find broad division in the church over teachers; and, in Philippians 4, we find division in the church between individuals. We could say divisions come over teaching (substance, emphasis, style) and over personality. Whatever the reason, division will quench the work of the Holy Spirit and be a stain on the church's testimony in the community. 

Many times both types of division find their source in pride and desire to control. It is a failure to be obedient to our Savior. John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Romans 14:10, "But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought  (despise, count as nothing) thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ."

Philippians 2: 3-5, "Let nothing be strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

There is also failure to recognize the church as a body with members who widely vary in personality, background, gifts, ect. Romans 12:4-5, "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of another."

See 1 Corinthians 12:13-27, In this passage note verse 25, "That there should be no schism (split or division between strongly opposed sides or parties over beliefs or opinions) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another." *my own note: When a body fights within itself, not only is it running less than optimal function, but it is more vulnerable to attacks as well. Hence--autoimmune disease.*

This unity being commanded is founded on humility and service. We are called upon to recognize that every person is valuable in God's sight and has something to contribute to the Lor's body and work. Our personal goal should be to see others encouraged and strengthened spiritually. This calls for patience, endurance, forgiveness, forbearance, and love--all things that the Holy Spirit is seeking to develop in us! theses characteristics are learned and developed in the context of a group of imperfect people pursing a common goal. In the conflicts that emerge, the purpose is not to see and correct others' flaws, but to see and correct our OWN! Jesus pictured it in Matthew 7:1-5 with the mote (a speck) versus a beam (a plank) in our eye.

Finally, each of us will either promote unity or disunity. Many times the disunity comes through thoughtless words or actions. Let us be obedient as Philippians 2:4 urges us: "Look on the things of others." Another key to unity is "Mission". I've run out of room, so I will plan to touch on "Mission" next month. --Pastor