“Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are.” John 17:1b
“Fulfill ye my joy that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, or one mind.” Philippians 2:2 Jesus prayed that we might be one. Paul encouraged the Philippian church, and us, to be “of one accord, of one mind.” Both of these texts remind us that we are to stay connected if we are to be effective in declaring the gospel to a lost world. There is no such thing as “solitary Christianity.” We are saved individually, but we are bound together by the Holy Spirit in church fellowship to be what Christ would have us be in this world. In other words, we are to be connected. The first thing that we should do is to stay connected to the main source. How do we make a lamp shine? Do we just turn the switch on? No. The first thing that we must do is to be sure the lamp is connected to the source in order for the electricity to course through the wires and provide the power to shine. In the same way, we need to be connected to Jesus Christ in order for the power of the Holy Spirit to course through us and provide power for us to shine. If we are not careful, we will disconnect from the power source and attempt His work in the flesh. Our connection to each other will be meaningless if we are not connected to the main source. We can stay connected by staying in touch with Him through prayer. Also, we have to stay in His word. The second thing is that we are to stay connected to each other in Christian love and Holy Spirit power. In Philippians 4:2, Paul wrote: “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.” Two women who had effectively served with Paul, for some reason, were out of sorts with each other and because of this the whole Philippian Church was suffering. When we disconnect from each other, our churches suffer as well. As written above, if we are out of sorts with Jesus, we will inevitably be out of sorts with each other. It is Jesus, the love of Jesus and His love in us that keeps us connected. We need to remember that in churches we do not just have fellowship, we are a fellowship. The Greek word translated “fellowship” is “koinonia.” Basically, this word means “partnership.” We are partners in the Lord’s work. Let’s go back to the lamp mentioned earlier. The lamp can be plugged into the right source but still not shine. Why? Perhaps the bulb is loose and not making the needed contact with the electrical source. We can be like that loose bulb if we are not careful. The source is working fine, but we are disconnected. When we are disconnected from each other we cannot shine as we should. How can we reconnect? Paul gave us the answer in Colossians 3:12-14: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (compassion), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.” As partners in Christ’s work, we should love and forgive each other. Are you connected to the source – to Jesus? Are you connected to your fellow Christians? If sharing the gospel is the most important work on earth, shouldn't we make sure that we are connected? Bro. Joe
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“I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.”
A door can be an entrance or an exit. Jesus referred to Himself as “the door.” Through Him we can enter into some good things and exit from some bad things. For example, Jesus said in verse 10b: “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Jesus is the door to the abundant life. This is not necessarily speaking of material abundance, but it is speaking about spiritual abundance. It is the abundance of well-being. I can’t speak for anyone else, but the presence of Jesus in my life gives me a great sense of well-being. Looking at the direction of the world today, if I went into the world’s door, I might have a nervous breakdown. It is the abundance of great fellowship. When we enter the Jesus door, we enter into daily fellowship with God. He has promised His presence every day that we live. There is never a time in our lives, once we enter the Jesus door that we are not in fellowship with God. This leads us to the door of prayer. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in two. This means that the door to the “holy of holies” is open to us twenty four hours a day. We can talk to Him about our troubles, and we can take our petitions to Him. In fact, He invites us pray, to ask. He wants to provide for us through prayer. This abundance is available only to those who enter by the Jesus door. It is the door to fellowship with other Christians. He saved us individually, but He saved us to be in relationship with fellow Christians. We can, and should, find joy in this fellowship. It is good to know that we are not alone in this sometimes hostile world. The abundant life that we enter into by going through the Jesus door is only available through Him. Jesus said that when we enter His door, we “go in and out and find pasture.” We depend on Him for sustenance just as sheep depend on the shepherd for sustenance. It is the door to power. I do not mean the kind of power that the world gives, but the power that He gives us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples in Acts 1:8 that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. That power was to be used as witnesses to the people of the whole world. That power is also available to help us overcome the world. We need the abundance of the Spirit’s help to live the Christian life. If we tried to go it alone, we would surely fail. Satan’s temptations are too great for us, but not for Jesus. Every time the devil and his demons confronted Jesus, Jesus won. They were no match for Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we can sic Jesus on him and defeat him. It is the power to overcome ourselves. Dwight L. Moody once intimated that the main person that he had trouble with was himself. We can be our own worst enemies, but the abundant power of the Holy Spirit can help us overcome even our worst selves. It is the door to an optimistic, loving approach to life. Paul wrote about the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Paul added in verse 24: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” This quality of life is available only to those who enter by the Jesus door. I mentioned that a door is also an exit. When we enter the Jesus door, we exit all of the negativity that can be in our lives – all of the things that are opposite of Galatians 5:22-23. When we feel separated from Jesus, we need to remember that we have entered His door, and life does not have to be that way. Come into the door that is Jesus, and only He can open it for you. Bro. Joe “And it came to pass that, while they communed together, and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them.”
If you are at all acquainted with the New Testament, you probably guessed from the title what this article is about. After His resurrection, Jesus encountered two of His followers on the road to Emmaus, and they communed, or walked and talked with Him. They were not aware who Jesus was until they had eaten a meal with Him. Then we are told that their eyes were opened and they knew who He was. (You can read the whole story in Luke 24:13-35) Their walk with Jesus can tell us what it means to “take a walk with Jesus.” When we take a walk with Jesus, we have a new level of biblical knowledge. While they were on the road, Jesus explained the Old Testament scriptures concerning Himself. Verse 27: "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” If we want to understand the Bible, and understand the ministry of Jesus, we need to spend time with Him in His word. He promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth, but that guidance will not take place if we are not in close fellowship with Jesus. Jesus wants us to know His word, and He wants to teach it to us through the Spirit. We cannot separate our fellowship with Jesus, from reading, studying and digesting His word. When we take a walk with Jesus, we have a new level of spiritual fervor. We learn this from what the men said after Jesus expounded the scriptures concerning Himself to them and after they recognized Him: “And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures.” I have often wished as I read this that I could have had Bible study with Jesus while He was still on earth. Imagine the thrill in the hearts of these men when they realized that God Incarnate Himself had explained His mission from His scriptures. If we do not spend time in fellowship with Jesus in prayer and Bible study, we will not know the meaning of having “our hearts burn within us.” Too many people are spiritually dead because they spend more time reading things other than the Bible. They wonder why they don’t have spiritual victory. It is because they have not taken a walk with Jesus – so to speak. I can think back on periods in my ministry sojourn over the last sixty years, and remember that I was not spiritually “burning” because I was neglecting walking with Jesus through prayer and His word. There, you have my confession, now make yours and draw closer to Him. When we take a walk with Jesus, we have an obligation to tell others what we have experienced. In fact, people will know that you have walked with Jesus, and will want to know about it because it will make a difference in your life. Verses 33-35 tell us: “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34. Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon. 35. And they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in breaking of bread.” They were quick to tell about their walk with Jesus. When we walk with Jesus, there will always be a compulsion to tell others about Him. When you read this, consider your own walk with Jesus and walk with Him. It will change and enrich your life! Bro. Joe (I reprinted this from 2014. It contains a message that we all need to share.)
And the Spirit and the bride say Come. Let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” The Bible tells us about the God who invites us to come to Him. Our text is one of the most beautiful of invitations to come to the Lord. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said “Come unto me…” Throughout the Bible we are made aware that God invites us to Himself. The message of the Bible is “come in” instead of “keep out.” The Christian faith is about welcoming rather than keeping out. This is true of Jesus, it should be true of our churches, and it should be true of us. Does your church communicate to people “come in” or “keep out”? I read the following in the July 7, 2013 devotional from Daily Bread: “A beautifying project on the main road of my town prompted the demolition of a church built in the 1930s. Although the windows of the empty church had been removed, the doors remained in place for several days, even as bulldozers began knocking down walls. Each set of the doors around the church building held a message written in giant, fluorescent orange block letters: "KEEP OUT.” Some churches wonder why they do not grow, even though they are in heavily populated areas. They need to look at their fellowship and ascertain whether or not their fellowship says to visitors “come in” or “keep out.” Churches are built on fellowship, not friendship. This does not mean that we do not have friends at church. A church that is built on friendship alone, however, says to visitors, we have enough of us here and we don’t need you. Fellowship has open arms that invites people in regardless of how they look, act or smell. You know, kind of like Jesus acted with the “tax collectors and sinners.” Several years ago, my late wife, Mary, and I visited a church where I was to speak on behalf of our denomination. When we arrived at the church no one was there to greet us. After Sunday School no one spoke to us. The pastor did get my name because he had to introduce me. After the service was over, the people were fairly friendly, but not until then. As we left the church, I said to Mary, “Do you realize that if I hadn’t been the speaker it is possible that no one would have spoken to us?” If we had been visitors looking for a church, this would probably have not been the church we would have chosen. Their demeanor said “keep out.” Do you communicate that you want people to “come in” or “keep out?” The question is do you have a welcoming demeanor in your activities with people. Sometimes our attitudes communicate to people that we do not want to be bothered with them. I know that there are people who are “people” people and people who are not. (Try to say that three times fast.) But as Christians we have to find a way to be “people” people. Jesus was certainly a person that welcomed people into His space. The best example of this is that children obviously loved Jesus. Children have a way of knowing whether people are loving or not. People felt free to come up to Jesus and talk to Him. Even though Jesus grew tired from time to time and He and his disciples went off to themselves to rest, that was not the way He lived. People sensed that Jesus loved them. Do people sense that you are interested in them, and that you love them? That is an important question for a Christian. We are witnesses for Jesus Christ and we do not need to put a “keep out” sign on that witness. Proverbs 18:24a reminds us: “A (person) that has friends must show himself friendly.” This does not tell us that we should wear a “keep out” sign on ourselves. I know that all of us have good days and bad days, and that includes our relationships with people, but all-in-all we need to make sure that by the way we treat people we say to them “come in” ...not “keep out.” Just ask yourself which of these you are saying to people now, and work on being a "come in person." Bro. Joe “As the hart/deer panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God.”
“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to (Jesus) and said, Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” 41. Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things. 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
“And if a man strive for the masteries, yet he is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”
Paul used the good athlete to give one description of what it is required of an effective Christian witness. First, he wrote that a good athlete has to “strive lawfully.” How we would say that today is “that a person cannot be a good athlete unless he, or she, plays by the rules.” There is no athletic endeavor that does not require that one play by the rules. If he, or she, is a runner, he, or she has to stay in his, or her, lane. The racer finishes the race in the same lane that he started in. We cannot be effective Christians if we do not live by true Christian principles. One cannot decide that he can claim the name of Christ, and then continue in the life he was living before accepting Jesus. Jesus makes a difference in the way we live. A football player cannot take the ball and run anywhere he wants. He must stay in the bounds of the field. Of course the major rule is that to become a Christian one needs to accept Christ as his, or her, Savior. I could go on and on with this, but I think you understand what I mean. Second, if a good athlete plays by the rules, he. or she, will strive to be a good teammate. Of course, I am talking about getting along well with fellow players. A lot of good teams have run afoul because of problems with players on the same team. When we accept Christ, we will not be in it alone. We will have to live in fellowship with fellow Christians in a church, or whatever where you attend calls it. Like many a good teams have run afoul because of trouble between team mates, many a church has run afoul because of problems between fellow Christians. One of the main rules in sports, and in church, is that people work together to be best team possible. Third, if a good athlete plays by the rules, he will have good sportsmanship. This includes playing by the rules and being a good teammate. A good athlete will try to be in good relationships with his, or her, teammates. The good athlete will play with good sportsmanship with opposing teams. Nothing can mess up a team like people cheating and ignoring the rules. This is particularly true of fellowship in a Christian church. There will be disagreements among Christians, but they can be solved by remembering that we are in the work for Christ, and that He can help us solve every problem in His spirit. It would be great if this was always the case in church fellowship. Bro. Joe “And now, Lord, behold their threatening; and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word. 30. By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus. 31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
Peter and John healed the lame man at the “Beautiful Gate” of the temple. This caused trouble and led to a confrontation with authorities, who told the disciples to stop preaching about Jesus. What we have in this answer are the qualities of effective Christian fellowship. The first thing they did was to take it to the Lord in prayer. They did not try to figure out what to do in response to the authorities, and then pray about it. We do not need to help God do His work on our behalf, we need Him period. In verse 30 they asked God to do a great work in the midst of the trouble. It’s interesting that they did not pray for God to deliver them from the trouble, but they asked Him to a great work through them in the trouble. Their concern was not on their safety but on their witness to the world. Someone once said: “When all else fails, pray…” The rejoinder to that was: “Before all else fails, pray.” Dwight L. Moody wrote: “All great Christian movements begin with a kneeling figure.” They prayed for boldness. They did not try to get around witnessing for Jesus; they asked Him to give them more boldness. This is one quality of Christian fellowship that we see throughout Acts. Stephen was bold enough to die for his faith in Jesus. Peter stood and boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus on the day of Pentecost. Saul of Tarsus was saved on the Damascus Road and boldly the gospel all the way to imprisonment in Rome. Where, by the way, he boldly witnessed for Jesus. We do not need to be afraid of the unbelieving world; rather, we should be bold witnesses of our faith in Jesus Christ. The text ends by relating that they “spoke the word of God with boldness.” They continued to speak for Jesus being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” He is the One who gives us the boldness that we need to witness for Jesus. He is One who empowers us to speak the name of Jesus. If we are not “filled with the Holy Spirit” we might make a holy noise but we will not be effective in our witness. They prayed together in unity because they were held together by the Holy Spirit, and they work in unity with each other under the power of the Holy Spirit. We should take note of this text when we are planning to be effective witnesses. Bro. Joe “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
This verse comes almost to the close of 2 Corinthians. Paul had written a, sometimes, scathing letter. He closed the letter with a positive reminder of how they should behave. It is also a good message for us. First, he wrote that they should “be perfect.” That scares us because we think that it means we must be sinless. You and I both know of the impossibility of that request. The Greek word can be translated as “mature.” In other words, stop acting like children. This is a call for us to mature in our faith in order to show Christ to the world. Second, he wrote that he wished for them to “be of good comfort.” This could be translated to “be encouraged’. This is a message that we should take to heart. The Christian life is a great way to live, but we can become discouraged in our penchant to sin. Christ invites us to come unto Him when life gets hard, and living the mature Christian life seems impossible. We do not need to be comfortable in our sins, but we should be comforted and encouraged in our walk with Christ. Just the fact of being saved should give us encouragement. Lift up your eyes and rejoice in Christ’s love for you. Third, he wrote for them to “be of one mind” and to “live in peace.” I think that you will agree that to live in peace, we will have to be of one mind. This is a theme that is used throughout the Bible for the people of God. We should be at peace with each other. The opposite of living in peace is to be at war. Probably our greatest need is to be at peace within ourselves. When we are at peace within our minds and hearts, we are more apt to be at peace with others. There are some people who make living at peace a real challenge. However we need to meet the challenge. When we let negative people get to us and make us negative, we are the losers for it. Fourth, he reminded them that “the God of love and peace shall be with you.” This peace with God happens when we are maturing in our faith, when we are encouraged and when we are of one mind and living in peace. The promise is that God will be with us. As Christians we have the Holy Spirit living within us, and He should be the catalyst for us to be mature, be encouraged and be of one mind. Let the Holy Spirit do this in your life. Bro. Joe “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6. That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Toward the close of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he admonished them to be like-minded. That was wise advice. We need to heed it in our own churches. What does it mean to be like-minded? We should be like-minded “according to Christ Jesus.” Out of love and commitment to Jesus Christ, we should seek, and pray, to be like-minded. This is the motivation for like-mindedness. First, we should think alike: “That you may with one mind…” I want to warn you that this does not mean to have group-think. This is what happens when one group, or one powerful man or woman, do all of the planning for the church. It does not mean that we have to walk in lock-step. True like-mindedness occurs when Christians meet together to make a decision, ideas are shared and discussed prayerfully and respectfully. When a decision is reached after prayerful agreement, the church of Jesus Christ moves on with the mission of Christ. It will pay to learn to disagree like Christians. Second, we should speak alike: “and with one mouth…” When we speak of and for the fellowship of our church, we should stress agreement rather than disagreement. In other words, the whole town, county, or state does not need to know about our disagreements. (That is part of what I meant about disagreeing like Christians.) Actually, if you cannot think of something good to say about your church – which would be a shame on you or your church - then don’t say anything. I don’t mean to be harsh on this matter, but I have seen mouths destroy many a church. Third, the purpose of like-mindedness is to glorify God: “That you may with one mind, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Actually, this is the purpose of the church – period. He put us here to glorify Him. Sometimes to do this we have to speak prophetically to a lost and dying world about Jesus Christ. Often, we have to disagree on moral matters with the world at large. To disagree with the world does not give us permission to hate the world, for we are called to love as Christ loved. I think that you will agree that this makes like-mindedness all-important. Say “amen.” Bro. Joe Note: I will have a wedding in Colorado Springs on Sunday. I'll be traveling on Sunday. I will return on Tuesday. |
AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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