Being One
Below is a post from our friend Richard. Check it out and checkout Richard's blog.
There are stories about churches who have gone through hard times because of a pastor leaving the church. When I was a kid, I remember the first time I got to experience this. Growing up we went to PVBC. The pastor that was pastor of the church was asked to leave because he had become ineffective as a pastor.
So he left, and I remember a lot of people being angry and fighting in the church. One flat out cursed a blue streak saying he was going to “smack his blank all over the parking lot” to our worship leader. I remember going into the children’s areas and seeing writings from Revelation all over the wall.
For some of these people, it was a sense of entitlement. For some it was perhaps a belief of betrayal. I can remember people getting angry at one another because they couldn’t believe that they would dare take away the authority of the pastor. For some it is a sense of anger because they didn’t understand why this was happening. Why would someone ask this man to step down-after what he did for me?
It was awkward and uncomfortable to go through. I don’t know if it got to the point of the church splitting, but looking back, I know that it was close.
Some might say, we’ll that is just the ugly part of church life. That is normal. Really? The “ugly” part of church life is to be understood as a part of church. Is that what Christ expected? If you will, turn with me to John 17:20-23
John 17:20-26 (TNIV)
Jesus Prays for All Believers
(20) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— (23) I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
I. Being one with each other:
In regards to the church, what does Jesus ask for us to be, according to verse 21? Being one with each other. Now in the global type all believers in the world we are to be united. Shouldn’t matter if you’re a protestant or Catholic. Whether you are a Southern Baptist or Missionary Baptist. However, if you are a Methodist…..just kidding! What matters is not doctrine when it comes to eternity. What matters is whether or not you believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On a local church level, what that means is that we are to work together, and put aside our differences. Let’s look and see what Paul says.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (TNIV)
[12] Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
[15] Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
[21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don't need you!” [22] On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, [24] while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, [25] so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. [26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [28] And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? [31] Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
What this means is that even though we are different, we are to value those differences. We are to value that we each have unique and amazing abilities. Not that one is better than the rest, for there is no better position. That is why Scriptures teach that if one is hurting in the church, they are not the only one. If one rejoices, they are not the only one.
So many churches forget this. They divide into cliques or they outcast someone in the church who is different. They won’t take the time to know them, and the person leaves.
Jesus calls us to a life away from that. He says may we be one. What part of your body is the most important? Can you function normally without your eyes? I use to not like mine-Superman has blue eyes, I have brown. But, Chrystal likes them so I guess they are okay. Now I know that people can live “normal” lives without some body parts, but do you get the point. My body is only complete when it all works together. That is how we need to be: One with each other.
Be One with God
Not only are we to be one with each other, we are to be one with God. Look back at John 17:21. Notice what it says about us and Jesus, and God. That we may be one with them. What does this mean?
What does it mean to be one with God and Christ as they are one with each other? It means that we are to be doing the things that God wants us to do. That we are doing the will of the Father.
How do we know the will of the Father? Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) says, “[13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” When we do the things that God wants us to do, we are seeking his will and that is seeking God with our whole heart.
These are the things: helping the poor, outcast, the hurt, the oppressed, the needy, the disadvantage, anyone who does not know Christ. Bringing hope to the hopeless, Showing redemption to the unredemptive of society.
So That the World may know.
(22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— (23) I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
We are to be one with each other and one with God. Because it is the world that needs it. It is the world that depends on it.
What is the Gospel for you? May you be blessed to be one with each other. May you find joy in those differences and may you be blessed to be one in celebration with God. As you do that, you will find the direction that God has for you.