"The goal is for them to become one heart and mind - just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me." (John 17:21-22, The Message)
Yesterday I shared some of my passion through my message, my mission. I do what I do because God gave me a mission just like God gave all of us a mission. Mine is to help churches discover unity, God's vision, and develop the structure to make it happen. Over the past 4 years, this is what I've been working for and in the next however many years I'll keep doing it. Like St. Paul, not everyone will be satisfied with the results, but that's not my goal. My goal is to satisfy Christ. So all I do, every decision I make is toward that end. Pleasing people never works for God, but pleasing God always results in drawing people! And one of the things that pleases God the most is when his people come together in unity.
In fact, here in Jesus' prayer (John 17) for the church he even makes it clear that the church's mission cannot be completed without unity. But that doesn't mean simply doing what's most popular or that gets the biggest vote. It means that we stop, pray, listen, discern what's right to do and all agree to do it, even if it means sacrifice (or especially if it means sacrifice!). In other words, unity as Jesus described it, or even how Paul described it later, was not about what we liked the most, but always about what was right. For example, if Jesus had polled the disciples I am sure that none of them would have chosen the cross for Jesus. They would have looked for any other means to complete his mission...but nothing else would have.
What's the most popular isn't always what's right.
So what does that mean for a Monday morning and for COFS?
It means that our mission will require our unity.
It means our unity will require some sacrifice.
It means our sacrifice will bring us closer to the mind and heart of God.
And that brings about a fulfilled mission.
Oneness is the key - unity. It's what Jesus prayed for us and our mission...
"...The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they'll be unified and together as we are - I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved them." (John 17:22b-23, The Message)
Peace ><>
pc
4 comments:
Unity in purpose. Unity in mission. Unity in Christ. That is what is meant by being a member of the body of Christ. Each one of us has a corporate purpose and a function that works only in conjunction with all of the parts of the body of Christ.
Thank the Lord for bringing our congregation together at this place and at this time. Together, we can fulfill the mission that God has chosen for us.
I believe unity is important and only God along with the rest of the body of Christ can bring this about. Yes we must continue to pray.
Many of us resist unity, hanging on to "our way" When we develop the love and respect for each other that Christ shows for us, unity becomes possible.
Unity is like a smile, it takes less muscles to smile than to frown, so try unity and direct that extra energy in to doing the work God gave us to do. Yes, it is a sacrifice and we must pray, but it is worth it.
Can you come to our church, PC? LOL. Great message of encouragement and hope. Thank you.
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