Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
Did you know that ministry does not end on Sunday morning at 12 noon with a closing prayer? I must say that many in the body of Jesus Christ have this idea that once the Sunday morning church service is over so ends their ministry for the week. In their eyes ministry becomes the responsibility of the pastor of the church leaving them free to walk in the natural man. I gotta tell you frankly this stinking thinking has caused the church to become a thing of the past not relevant in today’s culture. Nita and I have been in many churches over the years ranging from pentecostal, charismatic, and evangelical. What do all these parts of the body of Jesus Christ have in common? The inability to function outside the walls of a church building ministering to a dying world. Why? What could possibly cause the church in America regardless of their cultural background to stagnate and become comatose to the needs of the community around them? Ephesians 4:13 gives us a clue so let me give you the first of three area’s we, as the church of Jesus Christ, need to embrace and walk in in order to shake apart the kingdom of (s)atan and dramatically change the atmosphere of the church in America. Now I must say not every church is comatose and not every church stays in its four walls. I know of churches who are very active in the community and I tip my hat to them praising God for their obedience to Jesus Christ. However we must wake up the rest of the church so that they will become relevant in today’s society.
First of all we are to be unified in the faith of Jesus Christ.
The church in America has been at odds within itself for many years. The apostleship and Lordship of Jesus Christ has taken a backseat because of our lack of cooperation and love within the body. There are several reasons for this.
Denominations!
Never has the church been divided as it is today because of man made walls put up to separate us from each other preventing us from being in the unity of Jesus Christ. Jesus never intended for His church to be divided this way and yet (s)atan put up spiritual walls through Gods saints to put us in disagreement.
Racism!
Well now this is a taboo subject in many churches and extends across the rainbow of cultures we have here in America. While it is true (s)atan uses the race card to divide the church we as saints allow it to happen because we listen to the lies of (s)atan. We put up spiritual walls! Why? Let me name you some reasons as to why.
Fear because of the color of one’s skin!
I grew up during the civil rights movement in the 60’s. My dad was involved in the civil rights movement and was one of the pioneers of blending the church with color. The biggest opponent to this idea of the church being multicultural was the church itself! There was fear between the races. There was a deep distrust that could only be removed through prayer and fasting within the church. Where did this fear come from? It came from (s)atans kingdom. Fear is the opposite of love and without the agape love of Jesus the church remains fractured.
Gal 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Doctrines!
Because of our differences in doctrine we remain fragmented. We have allowed ourselves to place doctrine and dogma ahead of the apostleship and lordship of Jesus Christ. We point fingers at each other and allow a certain few to divide us according to their interpretation of Gods word. We follow them instead of the Holy Spirit who is our teacher.
John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
We divide ourselves into doctrinal camps causing mistrust within the church. We ignore the Holy Spirit who is the teacher of the church and who rightly divides the truth and is able to place us in the perfect will of the Father in the name of Jesus.
1st Cor 1:11 – 13
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ”. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Unforgiveness!
Unforgiveness is particular divisive between the black and white churches. There is a spiritual war being waged between the two parts of the body of Jesus Christ. The sad part about this is this unforgiveness is being perpetrated and exploited by (s)atan himself in order to prevent the church from unifying. He realizes that if the black and white church unites his kingdom will be severely damaged.
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
We are called to be a unified church in the faith of Jesus Christ. There is to be agreement between us walking in the agape love of Jesus Christ. Schisms are a affront to Jesus and we should know better. Question is who will be the first one to step out and reach out across church lines and embrace those who are different then you? Think about it….
Part 2 next month!
Jesus is Lord!
Lee
Christos Life Teaching 