21 Protecting Your Church

 

 

 

PURPOSE # 2

 

 

You Were Formed For God's Family

 

 

 I am the vine, and you are the branches.

John 15:5

 

Christ makes us one body...

Connected to each other.

Romans 12:5

 

 

21 Protecting Your Church

 

 

You are joined together with peace

through the Spirit, so make every effort

to continue 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 3:14

 

It is your job to protect the unity of your church.

God deeply desires that we experience oneness

and harmony with each other.

 

Unity is the soul of fellowship.

It is the essence, the core, of how God intends

for us to experience life together in his church.

Our supreme model for unity is the Trinity.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are completely unified as one.

 

Just like every parent,

our heavenly Father enjoys watching

his children get along with each other.

In his final moments before being arrested,

Jesus prayed passionately for our unity.

John 17:20-23

Nothing on earth is more valuable to God than his church

 

"Make every effort

to keep the unity of the Spirit

through the bond of peace."

Ephesians 4:3

How are we to do this?

The Bible gives us practical advice.

 

Focus on 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's character."

Romans 14;19

As believers we share one Lord,

one body, one purpose, one Father,

one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one love.

Romans 10:12;12:4-5;

1 Corinthians 1;10; 8:6; 12:13;

Ephesians 4:4; 5:5; Philippians 2:2

 

Conflict is usually a sign that the focus has shifted

to less important issues, things the Bible calls

"disputable matters."

Romans 14:1; 2 Timothy 2;23

"Let there be real harmony

so there won't be divisions in the church.

I plead with you to be of one mind,

united in thought and purpose."

1 Corinthians 1:10

 

Be realistic in your expectations.

We must passionately love the church

in spite of its imperfections.

"Be patient with each other,

making allowance

 for each other's faults

because of your love."

Ephesians 4:2

 

Choose to encourage rather than criticize.

God warns us over and over not to criticize,

compare, or judge each other.

Romans 14:13; James 4:11; 5:9

Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 5:9

"What right do you have to criticize

someone else's servants?

Only their Lord can decide

if they are doing right."

Romans 14:4

 

"Why, then, criticize your brother's actions,

why try to make him look small?

We shall all be judged one day,

not by each other's standards

or even our own,

but by the standard of Christ."

Romans 14:10

The Bible calls Satan

"the accuser of our brothers."

Revelation 12:10

"Let's agree to use all our energy

in getting along with each other.

Help others with encouraging words;

don't drag them down by finding fault."

Romans 14:19

 

Refuse to listen to gossip.

If you listen to gossip, God says you are a troublemaker.

Proverbs 17:4; 16:28; 26:20; 25:9; 20:19

"Troublemakers listen to troublemakers."

Proverbs 17:4

"There are the ones who split churches,

 thinking only of themselves."

Jude 1:19

 

Paul warned about "cannibal Christians"

who "devour one another" and destroy the fellowship.

Galatians 5:15

"A gossip reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with a babbler."

Proverbs 20:19

"Fire goes out for lack of fuel,

and tensions disappear when gossip stops."

Proverbs 26:20

 

Practice God's method for conflict resolution.

"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and thell him—

work it out between the two of you.

If he listens, you've made a friend.

If he won't listen, take one or two others along

so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest,

and try again.

If he still won't listen, tell the church."

Matthew 18:15-17a

 

What should you do if the person is still stuck in stubbornness?

Jesus says to take it to the church.

If the person still refuses to listen after that,

you should treat that person like an unbeliever.

Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:5

 

Support your pastor and leaders.

"Be responsive to your pastoral leaders.

Listen to their counsel.

They are alert to the condition of your lives

and work under the strict supervision of God.

Contribute to the joy of their leadership,

not its drudgery.

Why would you want to make things harder for them?"

Hebrews 13:17

"They keep watch over you

as men who must give an account."

Hebrews 13:17

 

The Bible gives pastors very specific instructions

on how to deal with divisive people in the fellowship.

They are to avoid arguing, gently teach the opposition

while praying they'll change,

warn those who are argumentative,

plead for harmony and unity,

rebuke those who are disrespectful of leadership,

and remove divisive people from the chruch if they ignore two warnings.

2 Timothy 2:14, 23-26;

Philippians 4:2; Titus 2:15-3:2, 10-11

We protect the fellowship

when we honor those who serve us by leading.

 

"Honor those leaders who work so hard for you,

who have been given the responsibility of urging

and guiding you along in your obedience.

Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!"

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a

 

In community we learn to say "we" instead of "I,"

and "our" instead of "mine."

"Don't think only of your own good.

Think of other Christians

and what is best for them."

1 Corinthians 10:24

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY TWENTY-ONE

Thinking About My Purpose

 

 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?

 

 

p 160~167

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.purposedrivenlife.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

천주교 정의구현 전국사제단의 시국미사 (2008/06/30)