BibleDriven

Archive for the ‘Unity’ Category

“I call you my brothers, and count it my privilege and joy to serve with you. And to you and this common cause in which we stand I give my life. I will go anywhere with you, and face anything, to the end of finishing the mission we’ve been given—faithfully, fully, courageously, and honorably, so help me God.”

As I listened to these words—from my Platoon Sergeant to her soldiers—I longed for them to be the words and the heart found in our churches. Alas, that it’s so rare.

Let’s commit ourselves altogether again to “walk in a manner worthy of [fitting, proper, of comparable value to]  the calling” to which we’ve been called (Ephesians 4.1).

“The culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4.7-11, NET).

My wife, Allyson, and I had the opportunity to be in Louisville this weekend (13-14 DEC 2008) for the wedding of a very good friend. And on Sunday, there was occasion to attend worship services in two very different churches.

The first was a non-traditional community church—laid back sort of dress, a rockin’ band, a largely young-in-age congregation, meeting in a very nicely renovated school building. The second was a very traditional Baptist church—casual business sort of dress, a pianist and choir with director, an older-in-age congregation, meeting in an older and stately church building. The music in the first was contemporary (maybe even cutting-edge); in the second it was conventional and time-honored hymns. In the first we sang from words displayed on a number of plasma screens mounted from the ceiling around the room; in the second we sang from hymnbooks and lyrics printed in program. In the first we sat in cushioned chairs; in the second on standard pews.

On the surface, things couldn’t have been more different.… but both were the communion of saints!

In both, our songs praised the Lord who saved us. In both, the Word of God was read, and heard, and proclaimed with power and proportion, but without apology. In both, Christ was exalted as Savior and Lord, Redeemer and King, God and man, the Word made flesh. In both, there was fellowship and prayer. And in both, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper in unity, remembering his first coming and anticipating his second coming. Together, though in very different ways methodologically, we were part of something much larger—the communion of saints—and the glory is the Lord’s!

Prince of Glory, gracing heav’n e’er time began,
Now for us embracing death as Son of Man.
By your birth so lowly, by your love so true,
By your cross most holy, Lord, we worship you!