The Church must be sign posts along the broadway showibg the escape route offered by Christ. U turn, Crossroad, Warning, and Yield signs all come to mind. There are 4 common signs every Church must have in order to be able to claim New Testament identification and to reach the lost and to properly disciple believers. Sign post #1 identifies Jesus as Savior and Lord sent from God.
The sign is the sign of Unity with God and each other.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
When the world looks at you and your Church family do they see Unity? Work to promote Unity in your personal walk with God and your fellowship with your Church family.
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Sign post #1
Sign post #2
Sign post #2
Just as sign post #1 validates to the World that Jesus is the Christ the second sign post does the same for us his followers. The world knows we are Christians by our love one for another. This love like unity is far more than mere human love. Unity with each other in the body of Christ brings together people from all walks of life, backgrounds, ethnicities, talents, gifts, experiences and aquired skills. As in no other group can there be found such unity, likewise our love should strive to be unconditional. We are to love as we have been loved. We ought to look beyond the faults of others and see their need, potential and their status as made in His image. Jesus challenges us to love him with all our being. Further we are to love others as ourself. This love for God and man should be manifested at its heighth in the church family.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another
Now John brings this issue starkly contrasted against the love normally given by humanity.
I John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 3:17 But whoso hath this world 's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Only such selfless love can validate to the world we are true disciples. Only then will they trust us to tell them of our hope. Only then will He entrust us with the greater things of his work.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches