Bracing For Impact
Bracing for impact is extremely stressful. Waiting for change can cause anxiety. Right now, in our nation we are in a time of anxiety, stress, & polarization.
We are in a time of anxiety & stress in our own church bracing for the impact of pastoral change. The real cause of the anxiety and stress is insecurity. The sooner the insecurity is alleviated and eased, and people know what the change will be… the insecurity will be lessened.
So take a deep breath and breathe and change your mindset from anxiety to anticipation.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4: 6-7
A Called Life
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
The Virtues Of A Called Life
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Unity
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Unity = henotēs one unit, oneness, singular, agreement
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Make every effort to keep = spoudazō be zealous; be eager, to hurry, hasten with diligence, endeavoring
20 “My prayer is … 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23
They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action. Jeremiah 32:38
“One hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other” The Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer
Note: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
A Common Way To Break Unity Is Division
My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:11-13
7 “One’s”
1. One Body, 2. One Spirit, 3. One Hope, 4. One Lord, 5. One Faith,
6. One Baptism, 7. One God & Father
1. Body
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5
…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:12
2. One Spirit
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth… 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things… John 14:16-17, 26
3. One Hope
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Hope = elpis expectation, confidence expectation, anticipation of a bright future, - faith in God’s promises
4. One Lord
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
The Lord Jesus Christ
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
5. One Faith
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Is “one faith” our personal faith in Jesus Christ?
Or “the faith”…a set of core Christian beliefs and doctrines?
6. One Baptism
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27
7. One God & Father
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
God = theos God, the one supreme supernatural being as creator and sustainer of the universe,
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Psalm 86:10
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
You are good, and what you do is good. Psalm 119:68
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. 2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. Psalm 93:1-2
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Phil 2:12-13
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you… The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them… Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:20-21, 23
What I want For You
That you would experience this oneness and find you place in the body of Christ.
*Resources/credit - *
Logos Bible Program
The Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer
Ephesians Commentary - An Exposition of Ephesians - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones