SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
We need to be a blessing to other believers beyond our own circle, and not just huddle together with those who are close to us!
In this reading we get a glimpse of how the churches can mutually bless and support each other as they serve the Lord in their respective areas: An offering taken in Corinth and Galatia for the church in Jerusalem; Paul serving in Ephesus, but also planning to bless the churches in Macedonia, and in Corinth; Timothy visiting, and being cared for in Corinth; Apollos being torn about staying with Paul and visiting Corinth; the household of Stephanas serving the saints; the blessing that Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus gave to Paul when they came to him in Ephesus; the greetings (and holy kisses) from the churches in Asia and from Aquila and Priscilla, and the personally written letter from Paul himself.
We are all on the same team. We are not competitors. Churches locally, nationally and internationally should recognize their common bond, and strive to mutually encourage wherever and however possible. Not just to those that share our creeds, or belong to our denominations, or come from the same race or culture. Each believer, and each community of believers, has something to share with community of believers worldwide, what Paul calls the service of the saints [1 Corinthians 16:15].
This does happen to some extent, especially among like-minded churches. But wouldn’t it be awesome if we saw more mutual fellowship and blessing among different, unrelated churches? Its great that Crossroads regularly meets with other Christian Reformed churches, but can we be a blessing, and be blessed by, the Tamil church or charismatic Jamaican church around the corner from the ministry center? Do we even acknowledge the existence of each other?
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. [Mark 9:38-40] Jesus reminds us that we need to look beyond those in our own circle, to see other believers of other churches as on our team. Do not stop them, rather bless them! This is what we see happening in 1 Corinthians 16. This is what we ought to see more of among churches today.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to follow through by connecting with these neighbouring churches as soon as possible. May I be blessed, and a blessing!
I am a few days behind in these readings….
We are blessed in Brockville to have a wonderful ministerial association. The area church leaders and pastors get together once a month for a meeting and socializing. Through this we are working together, as area churches, to bring KidzFest here (in one week). It is a joy to work with other Christians from other churches (and to work with the Billy Graham Association!). We have done combined Ecumenical services in the past and this has also been a wonderful time of coming together as believers. There is a real spirit of unity and caring for one another.
Those who are rich also need to be rich in good works because it was He who blessed them. We all need to count our blessings one by one and see them from the hand of God to be used for His service. This is the true fruit of God at work through His people, both great and small.
And those who work in His kingdom must not be jealous of one another, but labour for the same cause – Christ Jesus – it is Him we are serving and not we ourselves. Always keep your eyes on Jesus and be GodStrong in your work. We are all working/serving together. There must be a oneness for all who are in Christ Jesus – no divisions, no separations – unity, people of integrity. Christian by name and serving the same Christ Jesus!
We are one in the spirit
We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord
We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love , by our love
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand (2)
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
We will work with each other we will work side by side(2)
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
All praise to the father from whom all things come
And all praise to Christ Jesus his only son
And all praise to the spirit
Who makes all things one.