COMMUNION

BETTER TOGETHER.

G.I.J.N. WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL SERVICE. I TRUST WE HAVE COME WITH JOY IN OUR HEARTS TO BE HERE THIS MORNING.

AS I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS UPCOMING COMMUNION SERVICE HERE TODAY - A FEW THINGS CAME TO MY MIND ABOUT THIS SERVICE.

THIS IS THE 1ST TIME FOR SOME OF YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SERVICE

FOR SOME OF US THIS MAY BE THE 50TH COMMUNION SERVICE WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH.

SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY COMMUNION SERVICES THEY HAVE BEEN PART OF.

SO WHETHER THIS IS THE 50TH TIME OR THE FIRST TIME THERE IS ONE THING I CAN GUARANTEE = THAT YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN PART OF A COMMUNION SERVICE ALONE.

SCRIPTURE IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE COMING TOGETHER WITH THE BELIEVERS FOR COMMUNION.

I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK AT THE DEFINITION OF COMMUNION

IF WE LOOK AT THE GREEK DEFINITION OF THE WORD COMMUNION WE SEE

2842. koinwnia , (koy-nohn-ee'-ah )TAKEN FROM THE WORD

2844. koinwnov koinonos, (koy-no-nos' )

Koinonia (KOY - NOHN-EE-AH ) is a transliterated form of the Greek word (KOY-NO-NOS) , which refers to concepts such as fellowship, joint participation, partnership, the share which one has in anything, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution. In Christianity it identifies the idealized state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Christian church, the Body of Christ. \

IN THE KING JAMES VERSION THE OTHER WORDS USED FOR (KOY-NOHN-NEE-AH) ARE - FELLOWSHIP, CONTRIBUTION, DISTRIBUTION, COMMUNICATE AND COMMUNICATION

ACTS2: 41 - 42 WE SEE THE EARLY CHURCH BEING FAITHFUL IN THIS AND MANY TIMES IT TELLS US THAT THEY CAME TOGETHER TO BREAK BREAD.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship - THE WORD KOY-NOHN- EE -AH IS USED, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

AND THIS MORNING I BELIEVE WE ARE HERE AGAIN TO CONTINUE STEADFASTLY IN OBSERVING WHAT WE SEE HAPPENING IN ACTS 2 - WEDNESDAY WE HAD BAPTISM AND TODAY WE CONTINUE ON IN THE ORDINANCE OF COMMUNION AND FEET WASHING TO SHOW TO EACH OTHER THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE IDENTIFYING AND AS JOINT PARTICIPANTS UPHOLDING THE DESIRE FOR UNITY AS GOD WANTS HIS CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST TO BEAR TESTIMONY OF.

FOR A TITLE THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO USE

BETTER TOGETHER

EPHESIANS 3

FOCUS: ENCOURAGE US IN THE MYSTERY OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST.

AS WE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST - BEING THE BRIDE OF CHRIST - SEE IN THESE VERSES IT TELLS US - THAT THE INTENTION OF THE CHURCH IS TO PROVE AND TO SHOW THE HEAVENLY POWERS THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD IN HIS CREATION OF ETERNAL SOULS WHO DESIRE UNITY AND WANT TO BE PART OF HIS KINGDOM. DO WE GRASP THAT ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH IS TO BE PROOF TO THE GOOD AND EVIL HEAVENLY POWERS OF GODS WISDOM - LETS READ.

EPHESIANS 3: 7-12 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

HEADING OF THIS SECTION OF VERSES IS: THE CHURCH A MYSTERY HID IN AGES PAST BUT NOW REVEALED.

V.7 PAUL’S HUMBLE TESTIMONY THAT AS A SERVANT UNDER THE GREAT MASTER - HE HAS RECEIVED THE GIFT OF GRACE AND THE EFFECTUAL POWER OF GOD.

V8. IN HUMILITY PAUL IS ACKNOWLEDGING THE UNTRACEABLE OR UNSEARCHABLE PLAN OF GOD FOR HIS PEOPLE. WE ANOTHER MENTION OF THIS UNSEARCHABLE WISDOM AND GREATNESS OF GOD IN

ROMANS (Chapter 11) VERSES 33 -  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

WHICH LEADS UP TO THE TEXT VERSE 9 - THE MISSION OF GOD GREATNESS - TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT THIS WORD ( KOY - NOHN-NEE-AH) OR COMMUNION - PARTNERSHIP OR FELLOWSHIP AS IT IS TRANSLATED HERE - SAYS IT WAS HIDDEN IN GOD WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST. OH THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD - HOW UNSEARCHABLE - BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE - HEADING OF MY BIBLE FOR VERSES 10-12 IS : THE CHURCH A TEACHER OF THE ANGELS .

V10 - GOES ON TO EXPLAIN THERE IS MORE - WHAT THE INTENTION OF ALL THIS IS - WITH GOD MAKING JEWS AND GENTILES ONE IN A NEW BODY AS THE CHURCH IN CHRIST JESUS - THIS IS TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE HEAVENLY PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD. THAT BY THE VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION OF THE CHURCH WHICH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST - THIS IS BEARING TESTIMONY OF THE ETERNAL PURPOSE WE SEE IN VERSE 11.

V 11 - MY STUDY BIBLE EXPLAINS THAT THIS ETERNAL PURPOSE IS FOR GOD TO HAVE A CREATION OF FREE MORAL AGENTS WHICH IS MANKIND - WHO HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY TESTED AND PURGED OF ALL POSSIBILITY OF REBELLION - SO THAT GOD CAN SHOW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE TOWARD THEM IN ALL AGES TO COME - WITHOUT FEAR OF ETERNAL REBELLION! WE THE CHURCH ARE TO BE THE EXAMPLE TO THE ANGELS!

WHAT A GRACIOUS GOD WE SERVE - HIS DESIRE - V9 THAT THIS COMMUNION OF ALL MANKIND - WHETHER JEW OR GENTILE - IN FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER IS BEARING TESTIMONY OF GODS GRACE AND WE VOLUNTARILY REVERENCE AND RESPECT HIM AND IN OUR FREE WILL DESIRE TO BE HUMBLE SERVANTS AND TO SERVE OUR GREAT GOD.

V12 -WE SEE 3 GREAT BLESSING OR PROMISE IN CHRIST-

BOLDNESS OR LIBERTY OF SPEECH IN PRAYER

ACCESS WITH CONFIDENT ASSURANCE OF AN ANSWER

FAITH FROM CHRIST - HE HAS CONFIDENCE IN US TO BE VICTORIOUS. THEN FOLLOWING IN THE REST OF THE CHAPTER WE HAVE A TENFOLD PRAYER FOR THE FULL BLESSINGS OF GODS.

LETS GO BACK TO V. 9

V 9 IS MY TEXT VERSE - TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY - WHAT IS IT THE MYSTERY ?

V6 TELLS US- That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.

THIS IS THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST - THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE IT IS CALLED IN VERSE 2.

THIS IS THE PART THAT WAS UNCLEAR TO THE PROPHETS -THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT TOGETHER JEWS AND GENTILES - CAN BE FELLOW HEIRS AND PARTAKERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST - THIS NEW DISPENSATION OF JESUS CHRIST -WAS NOT JUST A WAY TO BE ADDED TO THE JEWISH BODY IN THE LAW OR THROUGH SACRIFICE - A WAY WHICH IS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE — BUT RATHER JOINED TOGETHER IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH - THE BRIDE OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS IS WHAT JESUS ESTABLISHED BY HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION - A NEW COVENANT THAT HE AS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE MADE A WAY FOR ALL MANKIND TO BE JOINT HEIRS TOGETHER IN HEAVEN.

SO WE NEED TO STOP AND ASK OURSELVES - ARE WE - AM I - BY EXAMPLE OF OUR CHURCH LIFE - OR FAMILY LIFE OR AT WORK - BEARING TESTIMONY OF THIS UNITY - OR FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER AS A BROTHERHOOD - A GROUP THAT WE HAVE VOLUNTARILY VOWED TO BE A PART OF -SO BY YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF TAKING COMMUNION - I TRUST THAT THIS IS OUR DESIRE - TO BE UNITED IN THE COMMON GOAL OF LOVING CHRIST AND LOVING THE BODY OF BELIEVERS AS A TESTIMONY TO THE MYSTERY OF THE FELLOWSHIP IN JESUS.

FOR A FEW PRACTICAL POINTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT ON THIS - I WOULD LIKE TO USE AN ACROSTIC THAT WAS SHARED AT A COUPLES BANQUET EARLIER THIS YEAR BY DAN AND SHEILA RUTT. THIS WAS SHARED FOR MARRIED COUPLES BUT I THINK WE CAN MAKE APPLICATION TO THE TOGETHERNESS AND UNITY OF CHURCH FELLOWSHIP.

ONE OF THE KEY ASPECT THAT WAS BROUGHT OUT ON THIS TOPIC WAS THAT TOGETHERNESS IS NOT BEING THE SAME - SCRIPTURE TELLS US WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT WITH DIFFERENT GIFTS ALL FITLY JOINED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST AS THE CHIEF CORNER STONE. AS PART OF THE MYSTERY OF THE FELLOWSHIP IN CHRIST I BELIEVE IT IS BY OUR COMMON LOVE FOR GOD THAT WE SHOW THE WORLD HOW GREAT GOD’S LOVE IS - BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WHEN THERE IS CONTENTION AND HATRED IN OUR CHURCHES AND FAMILIES THEN WE ARE BRINGING CONDEMNATION INTO WHAT GOD HAS MEANT FOR THE TESTIMONY OF CHURCH IN CHRIST JESUS.

AS WE GO THROUGH THE ORDINANCE OF COMMUNION AND FEETWASHING HERE THIS MORNING - I HOPE WE HAVE THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN OUR HEARTS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE FELLOWSHIP - AND IF WE FIND THAT WE ARE NOT TREATING OTHERS WITH LOVE OR ARE NOT AT PEACE OR IN UNITY WITH AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WE TAKE A MOMENT AND ASK FOR THEIR FORGIVENESS FIRST SO THAT THEN WITH PEACE IN OUR HEART WE CAN TOGETHER REMEMBER WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION SO EACH ONE OF US CAN BE TOGETHER IN THAT HEAVENLY KINGDOM.

THE WORD “TOGETHER” IS THE ACROSTIC.

DESIRE IS TO CHALLENGE US TO BE TOGETHER IN UNITY IN THE CHURCH

T - TURN - TURN TOWARDS JESUS - HEBREWS 12: 2

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

WHO ELSE IS WORTHY TO BE LORD OF OUR LIFE AND THE MASTER OF OUR HEART. TURN TO JESUS - HE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS AND ALL THE EXPERIENCE.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT JESUS HAS NOT ALREADY EXPERIENCED - HE WAS TEMPTED - HATED - BETRAYED - BEATEN AND KILLED BY THE THOSE AROUND HIM -

IN OUR BAPTISM VOWS THE WORD RENOUNCE IS USED - MEANING TO GIVE UP OR TURN AWAY - REJECT THE WORKS OF DARKNESS NO LONGER ENGAGE OR PRACTICE THEM - BUT RATHER GO IN NEW DIRECTION - OLD THINGS ARE PUT AWAY.

2 CORINTHIANS 5 : 17 (Chapter 5)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2. O - OPEN - OPEN MY HEART - ONE OF THE WAYS TO DO THAT IS TO ASK - AM BEING AN ASSET OR A HINDRANCE TO THE BODY OF CHRIST? AM I BUILDING UP OR TEARING DOWN - WHAT IS MOTIVATING ME IN MY WALK - EPHESIANS 4 STARTS OFF WITH THE CHALLENGE - TO WALK WORTHY OF THE CALLING - THEN IN VERSES 15 + 16 OF EPHESIANS 4 WE READ.

EPHESIANS 4:15 +16  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

IS THIS MY HEARTS DESIRE - EVER GROWING TO BE LIKE CHRIST IN ALL THINGS - AND BRING AN INCREASE TO OF THE BODY - WORKING TOGETHER IN LOVE. IS THIS MY MISSION STATEMENT FOR MY LIFE - BE LIKE CHRIST AND HAVE THE LOVE OF CHRIST DESIRING TO BUILD UP THE BODY - WHAT IS YOUR HEARTS DESIRE?

3. G - GRACE - GIVING GRACE -BEING GRACIOUS UNTO ALL - REGARDLESS OF PERFORMANCE OR BASED ON OUR LEVEL OF EXPECTATION? - HOW EASY IS IT TO NOTICE THOSE WHO ARE DOING THE SEEN WORK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEM BUT FAIL TO GIVE RECOGNITION TO THE UNSEEN WORK OF THOSE OR TO THE ONES WHO STRUGGLE WITH WHAT WE MAY FIND EASY? AS I HAD MENTIONED EARLIER EPHESIANS 4 STARTS OF WITH CHALLENGE TO WALK WORTHY OF OUR CALLING AND THEN IN VERSE 2 +3 IT SAYS

Ephesians 4:2–3 KJV 1900

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

WE ARE CALLED TO BE LONG SUFFERING AND FORBEARING IN LOVE - FOR THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT AND THEN IN THE NEXT 4 VERSES IT TALKS OF 7 ONE’S TO BE UNIFIED - LIST OF THINGS GOD HAS UNITED AND THEN IN VERSE 7 IS SAYS:  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

SO IF WE STRUGGLE TO BE GRACIOUS -I RECOMMEND YOU GO BACK TO NUMBER 1. AND TURN TO JESUS AND ASK THAT GOD WOULD GIVE YOU CHARITY - IF YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF CHARITY AS EXPLAINED IN 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 THEN YOU WILL FIND GRACE TO EXTEND TO THOSE WHO DO NOT MEASURE UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

4. E - ENCOURAGE -ENCOURAGEMENT BY WHAT WE ARE SAYING - BY WORDS OF AFFIRMATION WE MAY CALL IT - SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT? - WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK OF OUR CHARACTER WHEN THEY HEAR US TALK - IS IT UP BUILDING OR TEARING DOWN. WE KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SLANDER - GOSSIP AND BLASPHEMY - BUT HOW EASY IS IT FOR US TO FORGET AND WE CAN DO A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS BY WHAT WE SAY - EPHESIANS 4:29

Ephesians 4:29 KJV 1900

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

YOUNG PEOPLE - HOW WELL ARE WE DOING - IS IT EASY TO USE EXTRA UNNECESSARY WORDS TO BE WHAT WE THINK IS COOL - JESUS TELLS US IN

Matthew 12:36–37

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

ARE WE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT WE SAY - ESPECIALLY BEHIND OTHERS BACKS

James 1:26 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”

LET US PURPOSE IN OUR HEART NOT TO DEFILE OUR SPEECH - IN TODAY'S WORLD IT SEEMS LIKE LESS PEOPLE HAVE A FILTER OVER WHAT THEY SAY - BUT GOD HAS NOT CHANGED AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ MATTHEW 12 VERSES 31-37 TO SEE THE SERIOUSNESS JESUS TELLS US OUR WORDS HAVE ON OUR SALVATION.

5. T - TALK - TALK TO BE KNOWN -WHAT I MEAN BY THAT - SHARE OUR HEART - SHARE OUR JOYS AND OUR FEARS - WE ARE A PRACTICED PEOPLE OF JUST SAYING THE ACCEPTABLE THINGS WHEN WE MEET - I AM TALKING OF A DEEPER LISTENING AND SHARING - DO WE TRULY KNOW OR CARE WHAT THE BROTHER OR SISTER IS EXPERIENCING - TAKES EXTRA TIME TO HAVE A CONVERSATION TO FIND OUT IF THE PERSON TRULY CARES OR CAN RELATE TO YOUR YOUR EXPERIENCE - WHETHER GOOD OR BAD - TAKES AN INTEREST. NONE OF US ARE MIND READERS - SOME HAVE THE GIFT OF INTUITION TO PICK UP THE CUES FROM WHAT PEOPLE SAY AND DO BUT MOST TIMES PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW HOW EACH OTHER STRUGGLE - SO HOW CAN WE OFFER TO HELP UNLESS WE SHARE - OR LISTEN TO OTHERS.

6. H - HELP - HELP EACH OTHER - WE KNOW HOW IF FEELS WHEN SOMEONE IS SUPPORTING US AND OFFERS TO HELP US SO THAT WE CAN BE MORE PRODUCTIVE. IT IS SUCH AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE ARE TALKING - AND SHARING ABOUT WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO AND OUR FRIEND SAYS OH - LET ME DO THIS FOR YOU SO YOU CAN GO ENJOY OR FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING OR THEY OFFER TO DO PART OF THE TASK - ECCLESIASTES 4: 9-10 DESCRIBES IT THIS WAY.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 KJV 1900

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

WHEN WE ARE EACH TRYING TO GO OUR OWN WAY THEN A LOT OF TIME IS LOST AND THE RESULTS ARE LESS - BUT MORE CAN BE DONE WHEN WE HELP EACH OTHER - HOW OFTEN DO WE TRY TO GO ALONE AND WHEN WE STUMBLE NO ONE IS THERE TO HELP AND THEREFORE EVEN MORE TIME AND EFFORT IS LOST. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WE HAVE THE SAME TRUTH IN

GALATIANS 6: 1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ

WE ARE CALLED TO HELP EACH OTHER - I BELIEVE WE DO A GOOD JOB OF THIS FOR THE MOST PART - BUT IS IT ALWAYS DONE REGARDLESS OF WHO IT IS - SAME AS EXTENDING GRACE - ARE WE GIVING HELP EVEN IF THE OTHER PERSON IS UNABLE TO HELP US.

7. E - EMBRACE - EMBRACE OUR DIFFERENCES - STOP PRO-TESTING - STOP TRYING TO CHANGE EVERYONE TO OUR WAY OF THINKING - THIS IS NOT IN REGARDS TO SIN OR MORAL ISSUES - THIS IS ABOUT PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND OPINIONS. AS I THOUGHT OF UNITY AND ALL THE DIFFERENCES IN PEOPLE - IF YOU TAKE THE TIME THINK OF - THEIR UPBRINGING - THEIR PAST LIFE- THEIR EXPERIENCES - THERE CIRCUMSTANCES AND STRUGGLES - IT IS EASY TO BECOME DEPRESSED - AND OVERWHELMED -A QUESTION? HOW CAN THIS EVER WORK - BUT THEN I WAS REMINDED OF TWO THINGS - THE MIND OF CHRIST AND CHARITY.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:15

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

IF WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST THEN WE WILL BE UNDER THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - WE WILL KNOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND NOT BE CONSUMED WITH THE CARNAL AND SENSUAL DESIRES. OUR FOCUS WILL BE ON JESUS AND BY THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US WE WILL NOT LOOSE FOCUS OF THE ETERNAL GOAL.

I HAD MADE MENTION THAT THE IF WE ASK THE LORD FOR CHARITY - THAT THIS WILL GO ALONG WAY TO HELPING US TO BE UNITED.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

IF WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US REVEALING TO US THE MIND OF CHRIST AND THE GIFT OF CHARITY THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO EMBRACE OUR DIFFERENCES AND BECOME STRONGER FOR IT.

ON THE FLIP SIDE - IF WE DON'T HAVE THESE CHARACTERISTICS THEN LIFE WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT - WHETHER ITS AT CHURCH - OR HOME OR SCHOOL OR WORK - IF WE CANNOT FIND UNITY THEN THE MAJORITY OF OUR LIFE WILL BE A BURDEN AND A TRIAL AS WE STRUGGLE TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS.

8. R - RETREAT - STEP BACK - NOT THE IDEA OF GIVING UP - BUT TO RELAX - MEDITATE - PRAY - FIND PEACE AND TO CALM YOUR ANXIOUS HEART.

AGAIN JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE - NUMEROUS TIMES HE WOULD SLIP AWAY TO FIND A QUIET PLACE TO PRAY AND CONNECT WITH HIS FATHER. LUKE 5:16

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Luke 6:12

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

LUKE 9:18

18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

LUKE 9:28

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

OFTEN AFTER A BIG EVENT OR WHEN DEALING WITH MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE WE HAVE IT RECORDED THAT JESUS WENT AWAY TO PRAY - WE KNOW THE POWER OF PRAYER - BUT DO WE TAKE THE TIME -OR MAKE THE TIME TO CONNECT WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER - IT MENTIONS THAT SOME TIMES THE DISCIPLES WERE THERE WITH JESUS SO I BELIEVE IT WAS A RELAXING AND REFRESHING TIME WHEN JESUS WOULD ENCOURAGE HIS DISCIPLES AS WELL. IF WE WERE TO LOOK INTO THE DIVERSITY OF THE DISCIPLES AND WONDER HOW THEY ALL GOT ALONG - THEN - I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT UNIFIED THEM WITH JESUS AND HIS MINISTRY.

IN CONCLUSION

BEING TOGETHER IN UNITY IS NOT TRYING TO ALL BE THE SAME BUT AS WE

TURN TO JESUS

OPEN OUR HEART

GIVE GRACE

ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER

TALK AND SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER

HELP EACH

EMBRACE OUR DIFFERENCES

RETREAT TO GOD IN PRAYER

THEN WE CAN FIND PEACE AND REST IN THE BODY OF CHRIST AND THE JOY OF BEING PART OF THIS JOURNEY TOWARDS THE TIME WHEN WE WILL NOT NEED TO HAVE COMMUNION TO BE REMINDED OF CHRIST BECAUSE WE WILL BE IN HIS PRESENCE AND IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION IN HEAVEN.

I WANT US TO BE ENCOURAGED - IT WILL SURELY BE WORTH IT ALL - LET US ENDEAVOR TO BE UNIFIED IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST AS WE REMEMBER WHAT ALL HE HAS SUFFERED AND DONE THAT THE WORDS OF PAUL MAY BE OUR EXPERIENCE - I WILL CLOSE WITH READING VERSES 13-19 OF EPHESIANS 3:13-19

THE END OF CHAPTER 3:13-19

King James Version Chapter 3

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God

BENEDICTION

King James Version Chapter 3

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen