Harmony Together

I bring you greetings from our Father, the Lord God Almighty, and from His only Son our Lord Jesus the Christ, and from the Holy Spirit, our counselor and our advocate!

Who do we hang out with? Why do we choose to hang out with them? Is it because they are so different from us that to do so would somehow enrich our lives? Is it because they think and believe different things from the way we think and believe that our minds might be expanded?

Rather, do we hang out with people that are nearly clones of ourselves, that look like, act like and think the same as we do? Most of us, if we’re being honest, tend toward the latter. Why is that, do you think?

There can be many different reasons, actually. It could be that we feel most comfortable around folks like us; that we feel at ease with like-minded people, free to speak our minds; that we feel validated for our values and beliefs. It could also be that we secretly harbor resentment toward others for a multitude of reasons (closet racist, political party, ideology), maybe even delving into gossip. In extreme cases, we even engage in hearsay (things rumored and not proven) and character assassinations. None of which are fruitful in the eyes of God.

But, what if...

What if we chose to do the opposite and engage those around us who are different from us in some way, reaching out in the love of Jesus?

Oh my! I can see the hairs standing up on the back of some of ya’ll’s necks from here, and that’s on the other side of your body from me!

I know that may sound difficult to some.

But, take heart, the solution is before us and with us!

Romans 15:1–7 NIV

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Let us pray:

What’s Our Purpose?

When I spoke to you all a few weeks ago I cleared up a couple of things for you that plagues a lot of people. The answer to the question, “Why am I here?” Do you remember? The definitive answer is, “To point to and bring glory to God.”

In addition, I answered the second question that trips up most believers and that is, “What is God’s will for my life?” I told you that Jesus spelled it out plainly when He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.” In other words, with all you got! He went on to say, “There is a second like it, love your neighbors as yourself.” The parable of the Good Samaritan solved the issue of who is our neighbor…everyone!

In verse one Paul speaks “to those who are strong bearing with those who are weak. Paul is speaking to the mature Christian. One who is strong in the faith, dedicated to the reading of scripture and the study thereof, faithful in their prayer life - interceding for others. But, do you understand what he says next? We are to do this and not please ourselves; Stated another way, reach out the “least, the lost and the lonely INSTEAD OF doing what comes naturally, keeping to ourselves.

It goes on to say in verse two that “we should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” That’s looking out for the best interests of our neighbors, doing what’s right for them, lifting them up in prayer; just being their friend.

What’s the best way to introduce your non-believing associates (not calling them friends) to Christ? Is it to walk up to them and, out of the blue, ask them if they know Jesus, and then proceed to beat them over the head with the Bible? Any ever have that experience, giving or receiving? How did that work out for you?

I am part of a spiritual movement called Via de Cristo, which is the Way of Christ in Spanish. One of the things we often say is “Find a friend, Be a Friend, Bring your friend to Christ”. Simply put, once identified, we have to invest the time in that individual showing that we sincerely care for them and thereby earning the right to speak to them about Jesus.

Now I know that we all have friends, some even close friends or family members, that are difficult to talk to about Jesus. Maybe you’ve tried and they simply don’t want to hear it. That doesn’t mean you stop trying or being their friend. Maybe you just double-down and become the best kind of friend, different than the rest. Remember, we’re called to different, set apart, peculiar even than the world. You want to stand out in that respect!

You know, I can hear your inner groanings, “But, Pastor it’s so hard to talk to people around me about Jesus. They will make fun of me, they will talk about me behind my back or even turn their backs on me. If I do it at work, I may get fired. If I do it at school I may get kicked out or sent home, get kicked off the team I’m on. Yes, there are many social pressures against sharing your faith. But, take heart, in verse three it says, “even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written, ‘the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me’. Jesus hears you, He sees you, He feels you and He’s stands right beside you every step of the way bearing your burdens. He knows, because He’s been there, done that!

Why Does the World Not Hear?

So, why doesn’t your close friend want to hear about Jesus? Why isn’t the world starved for Jesus?

Did you know that there are over 200 Christian denominations in the United States? Did you know that there are over 45,000 sects worldwide that identify as Christian? If someone were to go online and search for Christianity they would be overwhelmed by the information that would bring! They wouldn’t know where to start or who to believe!

How did this happen? Human nature. We want everything our own way, or the way that we believe they should be. It is the same old thing getting in the way: “Me, Myself, and I”. We want control, not only of ourselves, but everything around us. If you really boil it down, all real Christian walks are basically the same, same theology. Where most differ is in traditions. Some adhere to 7 sacraments, some only 2, and some use ordinances, like the Church of God. Things of that nature.

Romans 15:4-6 “4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

How Does Your Church Rate?

If you consider the Drexel First Church of God family, how would you rate your level of harmony with each other?

Unity is a tricky thing you know, it can be difficult to achieve. Just as in any community, we are a mix of people with different backgrounds and experiences, ages and stages of life. It can be really hard to relate!

So often, we fail to live in harmony, yet we are called to show “family affection to one another with brotherly love”, that Philios love (Romans 12:10), even calling us to outdo one another to this end.

Also, we need to ask ourselves, “do we treat those in our church as if they were family? Do we see them as actual brothers and sisters, or do we look upon them as just people we see on Sunday? I know people who treat Christ that way, and He is our Heavenly Brother!

All of this can see daunting, because we will have arguments and spats and quibble about things and not see eye to eye. But, God has given us the ultimate help in this, His Holy Spirit!. This means that we are united together as His people no matter how we might feel about each other.

God is growing each of us, daily, to be more like His Son. He walks with us and allows us to work toward harmony together, to have a united mind and voice!

Final Thoughts!

What a wonderful opportunity you have right now! Don’t waste a minute!

Romans 15:13 NIV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.