Christians Caring and Sharing

Day 21

Purpose Driven Life

Protecting Your church

"you are joined together with peace through the spirit, so make every effort to come together in this way" Ephesians 4:3

"Most of all let love guide your life for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony" Colossians 3:4

it is your job to protect the unity of your church - unity in the church is so important that the NT gives more attention to it then to either heaven or hell God deeply desires that we experience oneness and harmony with each other - unity is the soul of fellowship destroys it and you rip the heart out of Christ body it is the essence the core of how God insist for us to experience life together in his church

***Focus what we have in common not our differences

"let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and on the growth of one another character" Romans 14:19
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As believers we share : one Lord

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One body

One purpose

One Father

One Spirit

One Hope

One Faith

One Baptism

One Love

Romans 10:12, 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 8:6 12:13, Ephesians 4:4, Phillipians 2:2, 5:5

Far more important than differences

We must remember that it was God who chose to give us different personalities backgrounds races and preferences so we should value and enjoy those differences not merely tolerate them ... God wants unity not uniformity

Conflict is usually a sign that the focus has shifted to a less important issue

***Be realistic in your expectations

longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity on the other hand settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacent - maturity is living with tension

Divorcing a church at the first sign of disappointment or disillusionment is a mark of immaturity God has things he wants to teach you and others to be sides there is no perfect church to escape to every church has its own set of weakness and problems you’s soon be disappointed again -

Every church could put out a sign - "No perfect people need apply this is a place only for those who admit they are sinners, need grace, and want to grow!"

***Choose to encourage rather than criticize - it is always easier to stand on the sidelines and take "shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make contributions. God warned us not to criticize, compare, or judge each other" Matt 5:9 Ephesian 4:29, Romans 14:13, James 4:11 5:9

"What right do you have to criticize some else’s servant only the Lord can decide if they are doing right" Romans 14:4

Whenever I judge another believer, 4 things instantly happen

I lose fellowship with God

I expose my own pride and insecurity

I set myself up to be judged

I harm the fellowship of the church

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Refuse to listen to Gossip

Listening to Gossip is like accepting stolen property, and is making you just as guilty of the crime - when someone begins to gossip to you- you have to have the courage to say "please stop I don’t need to know this have you talked directly to that person?" - people who gossip to you gossip about you

"Troublemakers listen to troublemakers" proverbs 17:4

"these are the ones wh split churches, their kings only of themselves" Jude 1:19

greatest wounds usually come from other sheep not wolves

" a gossip reveals a secret therefore do not associate with a babbler" Proverbs 20:19

*** Practice God’s method for conflict resolutions

Jesus gave the church three simple process steps ...

"If a fellow believer hurts you "

(1) go and tell him - work it out between the two of you

if he listens you’ve hade a friend

if he won’t listen

(2) take one or two others along so that the presence of witness will lay things honest and try again

if he will not listen

(3) tell the church

Matt 18:5-17

During conflict it is tempting to conflict to complain to a third party rather than courageously speak the truth in love to the person you’re upset with this makes matters worse instead you should go directly to the person involved - private confrontation is always the first step. Then two witnesses then the church and if still no reconciliation treat as an unbeliever

Support your Pastor and Leader - there are no perfect leaders but God gives leaders the responsibility and authority to maintain the unity of the church - I challenge you to accept your responsibility to protect and promote the unity of your church put your full heart into it and God will be blessed

Day 21

Point to Ponder It is my responsibility to protect the Unity of my church

Verse to Remember: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together " Romans 14: 19

Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect Unity in my church family right now?

continuing 40 day challenge

Day 21.. Protecting Your Church

Unity is the soul of fellowship. Destroy it, and you rip the heart out of Christ's Body. It is the essence, the core, of how God intends for us to experience life together in his church.

In his final moments before being arrested, Jesus prayed passionately for our unity. It was our unity that was uppermost in his mind during those agonizing hours. That shows how significant this subject is. Nothing on earth is more valuable to God than his church. He paid the highest price for it, and he wants it protected, especially from the devastating damage that is caused by division, conflict, and disharmony. You are commissioned by Jesus Christ to do everything possible to preserve the unity, protect the fellowship, and promote harmony in your church family and among all believers. The Bible says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." How are we to do this? The Bible gives us practical advice. Focus on what we have in common, not our differences. Be realistic in your expectations. Choose to encourage rather than criticize. Refuse to listen to gossip. Practice God's method for conflict resolution. And most importantly, support your pastor and leaders.

What are you doing personally to make your church family more warm and loving? There are many people in your community who are looking for love and a place to belong. The truth is, everyone needs and wants to be loved, and when people find a church where members genuinely love and care for each other, you would have to lock the doors to keep them away.

From the Journal

God loves unity. God desires us to experience oneness and harmony with each other. The trinity is unified and God wants us to be unified, to Our heavenly Father, like every paren, enjoys watching his children get along with each other, Jesus, in his final moments before being arrested, prayed passionately for our unity. And the Holy Spirit is the one who unites us in Love

Nothing is more valuable to God than his church. He paid the highest price of it, and it is worth protecting. Part of your responsibility as a believer is to protect the unity where you fellowship, You need to think of yourself as an agent of unity, commissioned by Jesus Christ to promote and persevere the fellowship among believers.

Here are some ways you can be an agent of unity: -

Focus on what we share in common, not our differences,

Be realistic in your expectations.

Choose to encourage rather than criticize

Refuse to listen to gossip

Support your Pastor and leader

Practice God’s method for conflict resolution:

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Father, I need your wisdom to act in ways that protect the unity of your church. Help one to squelch gossip and instead be an encourager. I want to be a unifier, not a divider.