1.11.23 Wednesday Bible Study – Devo by Mark Day – The Purpose Statement of Jesus
Luke 19:10
Bible Study – Review of the New Testament
1.8.23 PM Worship Service – Mark Day – Sin is Serious
1.8.23 PM Worship Service – Mark Day – Sin is Serious
Scripture Reading – Noah Day: Psalm 51:1-4
1.8.23 AM Worship Service – DJ Hatfield – Nothing
1.8.23 AM Worship Service – DJ Hatfield – Nothing
Attitudes that Promote Unity
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians has a lot to say about unity found in Christ. God’s plan is to unite all things in heaven and on earth in Christ (Eph. 1:10). Major differences existed among people in the first-century church. These differences presented obstacles that had to be overcome. Jews and Gentiles had no fellowship with each other; however, they became one body by the cross of Christ (Eph. 2:16). In the church God brought oneness where there was once separation. He broke down the middle wall of partition (Eph. 2:14).
In today’s world, the body of Christ brings together people who are vastly different. People of different races, cultures, and backgrounds make up the church; moreover, even among individuals in the church who share similarities in these, differences still exist in personalities, likes, and dislikes. Yet in all of this, God’s plan is unity in the church.
Notice the unity described in Ephesians 4:4-6: “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.” The items listed here are tremendously significant points of unity in the body of Christ. However, the unity God desires and has given in the church is not something that comes without effort. Just prior to this, Paul urged these Christians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:2-3).
Lowliness is humility. Pride causes a man to exalt himself. This will not help unity. When people exalt men, division occurs. A prime example of this problem was the carnally-minded church at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:3,4).
Next to lowliness is gentleness. Gentleness is meekness, power under control. Those who are meek are not eager to display their power to others, but rather learn to control themselves so that the greater good may be accomplished.
Longsuffering is also essential to unity. Being patient with our brothers and sisters in Christ will go a long way toward maintaining unity. Problems among brothers may come because of misunderstanding of the Bible or of each other. If my brother misunderstands, I should patiently help him to understand. Problems that arise from a brother who genuinely misunderstands are to be handled differently than those that arise from one who deliberately causes division. Notice the difference between the instructions regarding a weaker brother (1 Cor. 8:11-12) and a factious man (Titus 3:10).
Finally, we must bear with each other in love. Genuine love is the best cure for a divided body. No wonder the famous chapter on love was written to the aforementioned Corinthian church that was divided over spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 13).
Let us make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit by having attitudes of humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and love.
Preparing the Way for the LORD
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:3-5.)
These words are a prophecy of John, the forerunner of Jesus. When a king traveled, men were sent ahead of him to make the path smooth. John was no literal road construction worker, but in a spiritual way he prepared hearts for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:3 quotes the above passage in Isaiah regarding John. The two preceding verses describe his work thus, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:1, 2). John had a message from God to deliver. The Holy Spirit said of John in prophecy “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me…” (Mal. 3:1).
John was preparing hearts by preaching repentance. Repentance is one of the most difficult charges God asks of us; it involves a change of the will regarding sin that results in a changed life. John told the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to him in the wilderness to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Mt. 3:8). People who repented would become merciful in their giving (Lk. 3:10, 11). Tax collectors would no longer exact more than what was appointed (Lk. 3:12, 13). Soldiers would be content with their wages and no longer do violence nor falsely accuse (Lk. 3:14). Self-righteous religious leaders would not humble themselves; therefore, they would not truly repent. John told people what they needed to change in their life in order to please God. This takes courage. John had enough courage to tell Herod that it was not lawful for him to have his brother Philip’s wife; as a result of his courageously speaking the truth, he was thrown into prison and eventually beheaded (Mt. 14:3-12).
While John is often called “the Baptist,” this was not his name, but rather describes his work. He immersed people in water for the remission of sins. “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mk. 1:4). Baptism is a burial, an immersion (Rom. 6:3,4; Col. 2:12). The purpose of John’s baptism was the same as the baptism the Lord later commanded in the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Lk. 24:47); it was “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Today, we are to administer the Lord’s baptism for the remission of sins to those who will repent at the preaching of the gospel.
John pointed the way to Jesus. When he saw Him, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water” (Jn. 1:29-31). John was willing to point his disciples away from himself to the greater one: the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:23-29). John said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30). We too need to point others to Jesus instead of ourselves. We too must preach God’s message, even the unpopular message of repentance. By your words and actions, you can prepare the way for those around you to receive the Lord Jesus and submit to His commandments.
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