Endeavor to Keep the Unity!

Such was Paul’s divine mandate to the Ephesians (4:1-6). But the original source of this idea is even above Paul’s head. Remember Christ’s unity prayer in John 17:20-23? Unity is a precious biblical commodity. Division discredits the Christian message and disqualifies Christians as credible messengers of Christ. A unified people are a strong people. A unified church is a mighty force for God. Little wonder why Paul repeatedly emphasized it (see 1 Corinthians 1:10).

The Psalmist had it right, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” (133:1)

Some points to consider about unity:

• Unity Takes Effort.  This is why Paul instructs us to “make every effort” or to “endeavor.” Developing and maintaining unity among even people who have much in common often takes an intentional effort. To do it- our hearts must be filled with humility, gentleness, patience and love (4:2) and our focus must be upon what holds us together (In the text Paul’s provides” seven ones” around which we should unite).
• There is Unity in Diversity. Actually it can’t be found any other way. Beyond the “seven ones” of the Ephesian text there was great diversity in New Testament churches. Even as Paul instructed the Corinthians to “speak the same thing” he allowed for differences on certain matters. Jewish Christians and Greek Christians came to Christ’s with vastly divergent backgrounds and expectations. In the book of Romans Paul teaches them how to find unity in this diversity.  It wasn’t easy. It takes a certain amount of  accepting each other just as we are. Remember unity takes effort- especially in diversity, but it is well worth it. We have an old saying about unity in Churches of Christ which states it well: “In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, love.”
• Unity is My Responsibility. I must do my part to maintain it. Never should I assume I have the right to tamper with it. God has clearly mandated that no division should exist within Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:25).  It is in fact unity created by his Spirit and he absolutely “hates” it when this unity is threatened (Read Proverbs 6:16-19). If this unity is disturbed I am to make every effort- “in the bond of peace”- to restore it.
• Unity Reflects Heaven. How can we be a credible witness for the unity of the Godhead and their mission to unify us to them through the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 2:14-18) if we are a divided people? Division, divisive attitudes, factions, fear, splits, continuousness, polarization do not reflect heaven. Seeking unity through peace, patience, grace, humility and the wisdom of God does.

There is nothing quite as beautiful and satisfying to the Father than to see his children working, worshipping, and living together united. By the way, there is nothing quite as threatening to Satan either.

So take up this “endeavor” and make every effort to promote unity and peace in and out of God’s church. Let’s all strive to be one as Christ and the Father are one.

“Blessed Are the Peacemakers”

So says the Prince of Peace (See Matthew 5:9). He knows whereof he speaks- having himself brought peace and reconciliation to the Creator and the creation through his blood (Ephesians 2:14-18). Now he seeks a people of peace. Disciples who will share it, honor it and promote it. Who will let this “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7) reign and overflow to others. Peacemakers are blessed. “They shall be called sons of God,” Jesus says.

This peace stems from the very person of God (1 Thessalonians 4:23). Strife, divisiveness, arguments, dissention, turmoil, factions, grudges, confusion, etc. have no place where he reigns. (God “hates” such- Proverbs 6:19). Nor should any of these define God’s people.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19

This is what peacemakers do and their ministry is just as urgently needed now- in and out of the church- as ever.

Peacemakers:

• Seek Solutions.  Like spiritual ambassadors always seeking out a way to let peace rule. Problems always exist. Peacemakers seek to peacefully solve them.
• Promote Harmony.  This is at the heart of peacemaking. Like Scripture teaches, “Finally all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8).
• Generate Goodwill.  The atmosphere created and encouraged by peacemakers is a joy. That is why it is a “beatitude.” It is spiritually healthy and conducive for growth and goodwill.

God blesses all who seek and promote his peace. All who do are lights shining a dark world. All who do are invaluable to God’s kingdom. All who do are sons and daughters of the King!

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – Romans 12:18

With this blessed attitude we can’t go wrong.  Praise God for the peacemakers!

Trying to Find Jesus

Just who is Jesus anyway?

In his book, Fearless, Max Lucado tells about a Brazilian taxi driver who had a miniature statue of Jesus on his dash. When the driver thought he needed a favor he would rub the statue and ask. Max called it a “make-a-wish” Jesus. Jesus as a genie!

I can think of some others:

• Let’s Make a Deal Jesus- Jesus as Santa. If I am good then I will get what I want.
• The American Dream Jesus- Jesus as the guarantee of good health and prosperity. The health and wealth Jesus.
• Validate Me Jesus- Or the justify-me Jesus. Jesus used as a reference to validate my life choices and justify my behavior regardless of what it might be.
• Disney Jesus- Or my-Sunday-morning-fix-Jesus making sure my worship experience and spiritual life is always full of magic and fireworks.
• Discount Jesus- Ask for much, but only willing to offer just so much in return.
• Jesus is Just Alright With Me (thanks Doobie Brothers!)- I will take just Jesus but not his church or discipleship expectations.  

Will the real Jesus please stand up! How can we find the authentic Jesus among all of this?

Here is a good place to start- Jesus in his own words. 

• “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”- John 6:35 & 48
•  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”- John 8:12 & 9:5
•  “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”- John 10:7
• “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me….”- John 10: 11-14
• “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”- John 11:25
• “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”- John 14:6
• “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”- John 15:1-5

Over the next few weeks at Gateway we will examine these “I am” statements and try to find Jesus through them.

Corny Preacher Jokes

 

Break out the can of corn and check out the preacher jokes below. They just come along with the territory and add to the adventures in preaching. It is always good to laugh at ourselves.

Maybe you have a few to add to them!

Hot Air

My preacher friend put sanitary hot air hand dryers in the rest rooms at his church and after two weeks took them out. I asked him why and he confessed that they worked fine but when he went in there he saw a sign that read,

“For a sample of this week’s sermon, push the button.”

The Lost Preacher

 A young preacher was contacted by the local funeral director to hold a grave-side service at a small cemetery for someone with no family or friends. The preacher started early but got himself lost, making several wrong turns along the way. 

He arrived a half-an-hour late. The hearse was nowhere in sight and the workman were eating lunch. The preacher went to the graveside and saw the vault already in place. Taking out his Bible he conducted the service. As he was returning to his car, he overheard one of the workmen say; “Do you think we should tell him it’s a septic tank?”

Goat for Dinner

A young couple invited their elderly preacher for Sunday dinner. While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having.

“Goat,” the little boy replied.”Goat?” replied the startled man of the cloth, “Are you sure about that?” “Yep,” said the youngster. “I heard Dad say to Mom, ‘Today is just as good as any to have the old goat for dinner.’”

Money for the Preacher

After the church service a little boy told the preacher, “When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money.”"Well, thank you,” the preacher replied, “but why?” “Because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever had.”

You Might Be a Preacher If: 

• You’d rather negotiate with terrorists than the church treasurer. 
• A church picnic is no picnic. 
• You’ve ever wanted to fire the church and form a congregation search committee.
• You’ve been tempted to take up an offering at a family reunion. 
• You’ve ever wanted to give the sound tech some feedback of your own. 
• You’ve ever wanted to lay hands on a deacon, and you weren’t thinking of praying for him. 
• You often feel like you’re herding mules rather than shepherding sheep.
• Your sermons have a happy ending; everyone’s happy when it ends!
• It’s your job to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

Effective Prayer

A preacher’s young daughter noticed that her father always bowed his head and closed his eyes for a few seconds before he went to the pulpit to preach. When she asks him why he did that, he explained,”I’m asking God to help me preach a good sermon. His daughter thought about it for a minute and said, “Well daddy, Why doesn’t he do it?”

“The Jesus Response”

Sermon planning time for me- and I invite you to participate with me by sharing your wisdom and insights.

I am working on a sermon series for later in the spring entitled “The Jesus Response.” The idea behind it is to examine how Jesus responded to his culture and what we can learn and apply from that.

My foundational claim is that his culture and our culture are very similar- pluralism abounded then and does now. The question “What is truth?” alone can describe postmodern thought.

So we start there and closely examine how Jesus engaged and impacted this kind of culture- and through this discern how we might as well. So far here are some of my thoughts:

• Jesus ministry was grass-roots. He primarily moved and worked among the common folk- the poor and oppressed. His message of relief from that poverty and oppression resonated strongly and gained followers. Maybe this is where we need to go as well- back into the byways and highways- where the needs are. Nothing new about this idea- but are we really doing it?
• Jesus was the definition of authentic. This is a postmodern buzz word but key to Jesus impact. They recognized he was different- not like the scribes and Pharisee’s in his teaching. They recognized his realness. We must reclaim this kind of authenticity.
• He presented a counter-ethic that empowered the powerless. Last will be first- lose life to save it- go the extra mile- turn the other cheek, etc. This kind of power through surrender and service scandalized those who possessed power.  Are not more and more feeling powerless now?
• He refused to get off-message. His detractors could not steer him into debate or away from his mission. He did not waste time engaging their trite theological discussions. He came to seek and save the lost. Often we spend much time focusing on things that sound spiritual and religious but in fact make no difference to the hurting and lost.
• He chose truth over tradition and people over institutions- similar to previous point but nuanced a little differently. Christ was not about propping up institutional traditions- he was about changing lives through truth. This kind of approach clearly injects Christ into contemporary dialogue in effective ways.

Okay- if you waded thru that- any suggestions  and input  would be appreciated.