November 11th, 2018

The Psalmist wrote:

“Behold how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.”
(Psalm 133)

 
Rick Warren said, “Unity in the church is so important that the New Testament gives more attention to it than to either heaven or hell. God deeply desires that we experience oneness and harmony with each other. 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. Our supreme model for unity is the Trinity. The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are completely unified as one. God Himself is the highest example of sacrificial love, humble other-centeredness, and perfect harmony.”  
 
Unity within the Body of Christ is the supreme desire of our Lord Jesus. Jesus prayed for His disciples,
 
“…that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21)
 
The love we display for each other offers the most powerful antidote to the contention and hard-hearted divisions of our day. Our love for each other proves the love which God displayed in Jesus. We love because He first loved us.
 
I have noticed recently that some of our church family is returning to participate again in the worship and ministry of our church. Sometimes life challenges our devotion. Sometimes situations hinder our loyalties and interfere in our relationships with each other. I rejoiced in my spirit this past Sunday to see beloved members that I have not seen in some time return to the congregation. I did my best to get to them and greet each one of them. I wanted them to know that I missed them and that I was filled with joy at their return. When even one person is lost, outside the circle of our fellowship, the unity of our church suffers. It was the Good Shepherd that left the 99 to find the one lost sheep in order to return it to the fold (Luke 15:1-6). Jesus said of the one lost sheep that was returned,
 
“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents that over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
 
Will you join me this morning and recommit yourself to the unity and fellowship of our church family here at Grace? Will you rekindle within your soul the love of Christ that binds us together as the people of God? Will you care about your fellowship believers, Sunday School Class Members, Team Leaders and Co-Laborers together with Christ. I am praying that it will be exponentially more difficult for one of our beloved members to stay away or leave the fellowship of God’s people in this church than it is to join it.

MAY THE LOVE OF CHRIST AND
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
HOLD US TOGETHER AND
KEEP US IN UNITY
TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOR,
Amen!