COOPERATE AROUND COMMON GOALS
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV
Theme: Focus on unity in the Church before disagreements outside of it.
UNITY IN THE CHURCH
The Church – not The Cove Church, but God’s whole Church – is not a perfect picture of unity. Denominations and different customs can be confusing. It seems that, outside of our own protected walls, we often look at other members of the Church with a side eye instead of warmly welcoming them. Because there are problems in this broken world, I can be distracted by thinking it is my job to decide who believes correctly and only associating with them. My effort would be better spent working together towards common goals like feeding the hungry, helping the homeless after a natural disaster, caring for the sick and dying, or collecting supplies for school children. There are opportunities to work with the greater Church within parachurch organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, FeedNC, Dove House, and Bible Study Fellowship.
DISAGREEMENTS INSIDE
Every standard is an opportunity to cooperate or dissent. I know our in-church coffee volunteers don’t make your coffee to order like Starbucks does. It doesn’t contain fancy syrup or go by a catchy name. Yet, you show up on Sundays anyway. We have hot tea if you don’t drink coffee or water bottles if you don’t like either one. While coffee is a nice gesture, it’s not the main thing. Music is beautiful and we all have our preferences, yet even when one song isn’t your favorite or the volume is too loud or too quiet for your liking, you can remember that worship is for God, not you; honor Him anyway. Find a way to remain in unity. Hopefully these relatively low-emotion examples can show you how we can get caught up in dissent. We can disagree about personal preferences or the way we run ministries. Our disagreements are far from resolved within the church. Yet we are called to be “united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10b, ESV).
UNITED IN THE SAME MIND
I am united in the same mind with my crew of exercise friends that the class we all enjoy is worth attending together regularly. We are united in our efforts to attend together, and we coordinate plans. We don’t all agree on whether we should eat breakfast before class or after. We don’t all agree whether plain water or lemon water is best. We don’t all wear the same brand of shoes (my favorite are Asics; another friend likes Nike better). This is how we can be of the same mind as the Church. We agree that Jesus is fully God, fully man, that He died for our sins, rose from the dead, and is returning to redeem us and all of creation at the appointed time. We don’t have to agree on every detail to be united in the same mind on the bedrock of our faith.
DISAGREEMENTS OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH
The problem with disagreements outside the church is that we bring them into church with us. We are in the middle of an election. Divisive issues are at the forefront of our minds while we do our best to cast a vote and love our neighbor. However, election years aren’t the only ones that bring our differences to the surface. Community property managed by a homeowners association can do that. Parenting decisions, food choices, medical treatments, and how to maintain a friendship may cause disagreement. The appeal to the Church family to “let there be no divisions” may appear unrealistic because of how many issues there are to agree upon. That’s the point. We’re all wonderfully unique with differing preferences and opinions. We are called to become united around our mutual belief in the risen Jesus.
Make It Personal: What non-essential issues have caused you to have divisive thoughts? How can focusing on the main thing help you to become united in the same mind with your believing friends and family – even if there are issues about which you disagree?
Pray: Father God, thank You for Your clear direction on unity. Thank You for the community found in the local church. Help me to work diligently towards unity with fellow believers. Thank You for the opportunity to work together toward common, God-honoring goals. Where in my family or friend group can I find those goals and pursue them? Your wisdom and guidance are like calm water in the middle of a storm. You have the resources. Thank You for rescuing me when I call for help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 133:1; 1 Corinthians 1:4-10
Weekly Memory Verse: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35, ESV