One Body

Dear Brethren,

We were asked recently, "How many people do you have in your group?"  What would Jesus Christ answer if He were asked, "Lord, how many people do you have in your group?"  Which group is Christ's favorite?  "Jesus," means Savior.  Is He savior of a particular group?  Is He the head of all the independent groups?  When He said, "This is my body," and, "I will build my Church," just how many bodies and churches did He have in mind? "Christ is the head of the Church: and he is the Savior of the body."  (Ephesians 5:23)  

What is Christ's disposition with regard to the division within His Church?  The answer is this: Jesus is outraged by such conduct.  He does not approve of division within His Church.  He is not pleased with the dissectioning of His body into separate pieces.  It is not His will that the people of God be partitioned by boundaries of separation.  Paul, too, was outraged when he said, "Don't say you are in my group, or Peter's organization - because that's am improper act of splitting-up Christ's one Church. He put it this way:

"I beg of you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ...there are contentions among you. Every one of you says, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" 1Corinthians 1:10-13

Regrettably, we continue today to have the same detached stance among some brethren in the greater Church of God.  Recently, in the wake of the Church shooting, a minister wrote to the brethren and leaders within his organization in a very heartfelt and moving way.  He had already gone to the leadership privately. The letter was written in love and deep concern for all God's people.  It called for humility, and love of all brethren who recognize and share our "common bond."  This man was attempting, in an honest and humble way, to get everyone on the same page - and now he has been fired, disfellowshipped and Mark ed for his humility.  How do we dare separate the baptized brethren?  "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body."  (1Corinthians 12:13)  All of the Christian community should be rightly outraged, as Paul was, for the ungodly divisive act of dividing the brethren - even farther apart.

Here are a few excerpts from the letter that was written in the immediate aftermath of the Church Tragedy in WI.  This minister was examining himself, his group, and the entire Church of God:

"I am saying that perhaps some of us have been a bit over confident, as Israel was after the fall of Jericho. Perhaps many of us have grown complacent, and too self-assured in our stand with God?... God’s Church has taken a big “hit”. Can we be honest enough and humble enough to recognize that? Paul said, there should be no schism in the body... Why did God allow this? Would God have allowed this IF we were ALL really right with Him?...

"Are we walking closely with God? I hear some claim we’re the “best church” -or- that we’re the “MAIN” place God is working –or- that we are more perfectly practicing the correct “government of God” – or - that “we’re preaching the gospel more perfectly and zealously than any other branch of the Church of God.”... But are these condescending comparisons Godly, wise or humble?... Can any of us afford to claim to be better than anyone else? How about just proclaiming the Truth by expounding God’s Word – feeding God’s sheep – living in peace - while taking the focus OFF of ourselves?... This is very difficult for me to say! Like many, I have put my heart into the support of the gospel. It’s humbling to realize, but some have noticed that many of us have been changing from the HUMBLE and hungry-for-Truth people we used to be, to becoming more increasingly condescending and judgmental...

"We’re often too quick to judge those in this church, those in other churches, and even those in the world... We need to be careful that we do not arrogate too much to ourselves... Perhaps we ought to try to FOCUS a little more on the POSITIVE HOPE and ENCOURAGING COMFORT in God’s Word?.. Let this horrible tragedy be a WAKE UP CALL for us, bringing us HUMBLY to God! This tragedy is evidence, that not only the world needs correction. Jesus revealed that those with a Laodicean attitude are the ones who boast and are self-confident and think they see things clearly. But they are BLINDED about themselves and need repentance...

"How can any of us be so presumptuous to describe ourselves as the “best” or “spear point” etc. in God’s efforts or His works on earth?.. This is not an attack against anyone. This is a PLEA for ALL OF US TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR – EACH OF US (including the author of this letter), and to be HUMBLE and beseech God to restore to us a better spirit of humility, love and respect to each of our other scattered brethren, in hopes that we can see peace, joy and the protection of God’s favorable presence fully restored to us all... I exhort us ALL – let’s be very careful about making presumptive statements, and yield to God’s warning:..

"This latest tragic satanic attack, ought to encourage us to EXAMINE OURSELVES and to really BE HUMBLE, and not to at all exalt ourselves!.. Paul said he was nothing. He said Peter was nothing. He said Apollos was nothing. He said Christ IS something. If our focus is TOO centered upon ourselves or upon which physical leader, or fellowship... instead of.., loving and respecting one another and leading by example – we actually perpetuate the division!.. This horrific tragedy and the loss of our faithful minister and members ought to be a serious wake up call to us all, to EXAMINE OURSELVES IN HUMILITY BEFORE PASSOVER! Again I ask - WHY did God allow this tragic event to happen to us?..

"Paul said we cannot be an easy “yes man” and please God. “If I seek to please men, I cannot be the servant of God.” (Galatians 1:10)... This happened to US – to each one of US! Can we look in the mirror and be COLLECTIVELY HUMBLED, and increase in LOVE, RESPECT AND APPRECIATION for ALL our dear brethren wherever they are, without setting ourselves above them?.. Would you rather I told you how everything is OK, and that God is pleased with us?.. Let’s all begin to fast and beseech God in humility to help us draw closer to Him in obedient faith, for understanding as to where we may have gone astray– for truly it is WE who need to change, not God!"  (You may request a copy of the entire letter.)

Brethren, What was the response to this courageous call for repentance - as displayed in this letter?  This is what the response should have been:  "They were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)  But, was there fasting and deep repentance? No!  This was the response from his Head Quarters: "We regret that it is our duty to inform you that based upon biblical instruction an ecclesiastical determination has been made to disfellowship and Mark Mr. 'minister's name' for the spiritual protection of our members. Therefore, for your own spiritual well-being, you are advised to refrain from contact with this individual, including attending any meetings held by him or his representatives (Romans 16:17-18). He is no longer a minister or member in the 'blank' Church of God. We bear Mr. 'minister's name'  no ill and we should all pray that God would grant him repentance. - Church Administration Department

Brethren, will we ever learn to humble ourselves?

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Sermon:  "Gather the Flock"