That They May Be One

My Dear Friends,

Our brother in Christ, Elder and fellow worker, Jes Puzon (61) died on Thursday, June 20, 2019 in Manila, Philippines.  Jes was called into God’s Church more than 40 years ago.  In addition to many relatives and friends, Jes is survived by his wife, Melissa and three grown children, Jethro, Pamela and Lynette.  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nadine.  Though he had been suffering from chronic edema, his death was sudden and unexpected.  Jes was a true servant of God and the brethren.  Not long after the biggest storm (Yolanda/Haiyan) in Philippine history hit the country in November of 2013, Jes, a Filipino minister, risked his life to search for and help the affected brethren.  Please pray for his family.

Dear Brethren,

On the night before He died, Jesus Christ prayed for us.  He prayed to the Father for the unity of the brethren.  Jesus prayed:

John 17:20-21  I do not pray for these [apostles] alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.

Brethren should share a unity with one another, and help each other into the Kingdom of God.  Spiritually speaking, even in our scattered condition, true Christians must be on the same page—but we are not.  We must be of a mind wherein we recognize one another as brethren – without reserve.

When Jesus looks down from His throne in heaven, He sees only one Body of believers who share a unity of the Spirit.  We must understand that the Church of God is not physical entity – but a spiritual entity.  The “Church of God” is the Body of true believers that God the Father has called to be the unified Body of Christ (1Corinthians 12:27).  Paul writes from God's point of view, but the question is this, “Is it also our point of view as to how we should be behaving?”

Ephesians 4:2-6  With all humility and gentleness, putting up with each other, and loving each other; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one Body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (1Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:12-15)

But, what do we find?  We are scattered all over the place—and it is not right!  Jesus is the head of His Church – and converted Christians are individual parts of His Body, the one Church of God (Ephesians 1:22-23).  Jesus Christ has only one body – thus, He has only one Church.  We see this again and again in the Scriptures—the “Body of Christ” is the one Church of God (Colossians 1:24).

We have been given the inestimable blessing of being a part of God’s true Church.  The Scriptures are clear – Christ’s Body [the brethren] must relate to one another in unity as an integral whole (Romans 12:5).  Each member of the Body of Christ has a responsibility to live according to the rules of the Kingdom of God – now – at this time.  We are to put into practice the way of life that Jesus taught.  As individual members of His Body, we are to live as He lived (1Corinthians 12:25).

It is interesting to think about how the brethren spiritually depend on each other—the individual members of the Body of Christ.  Everyone is needed because of the personal spiritual gifts which fulfill different functions of the Body.  One of the main lessons of Christianity is this: As members of the Body of Christ, we all need each other, just as our physical bodies need all its parts to work in unison properly.  The manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone for the profit of all the brethren (1Corinthians 12:7).

1Corinthians 12:12-13  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one Body: so also is Christ.  By one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body.

God is sorting out those who will be faithful to Him. It is sad that too many of the brethren are fearful that if they sympathize with brethren from other Church of God congregations, they will be chastised for it.  They have been deceived into following a spirit of division, instead of what is written in God's word.  God cannot use the fearful (Revelation 21:8).  Make it a point to fellowship with those brethren who are not fearful.  Continue to reach out to those brethren who worship God in sincerity and truth – wherever you find them – because that is where God is.  Continue to open your heart and home to them while ignoring the artificial boundaries of the political corporate groups.  When Jesus Christ returns, it will be those who are striving for the unity of the Spirit who will be His resurrected Saints.

Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.

Your brother in Christ,

Warren M. Zehrung
 

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Today's Sermon:  "That They May Be One"  

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