10/31/16

I am a Cubs fan. I have been since I sat in Wrigley Field in the fall of 1981. The ivy on the outfield wall…the old yet venerable ball park…the legions of fans that were willing to wait and band together until the “Cubbies” could make it to the World Series. While I do not live or die on the fortunes of a baseball team I do admire how they pull together, support each other and are willing to follow the manager into the largest spectacle in the baseball world. Win or lose they will do it as one.
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We can read in Ephesians 4:2-3 that the Apostle Paul tells us as Christians we should walk “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We as a church, as the body of Christ should be the first to show the world we walk together. Paul goes on to say in verses 4-6 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are 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.” Do you see a common theme here? We as the body of Christ are to be seen as one. Anything other than that is sin in the eyes of God.

In verse 11 we see gifts given to men and those gifts we see in verse 13 are to be used “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” If we are not willing to be taught, edified and instructed we will those described in verse 14 where we read about those “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Moving as one shows growth in God…inviting division into the body of Christ is the work of satan. God is the only one that knows the truth and the only one we should turn to in seeking truth. One of Tennyson’s famous lines is “A lie which is half a truth is ever the worst of lies.”

Did you ever wonder why in John 4 that Jesus felt “he must needs go through Samaria?” Because there was a woman there that needed that “well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Let us be seen as one…moving together and serving God and sharing the Gospel. Somewhere in your travels there is a person sitting next to a well of despair hoping someone will come along and show them the love of Jesus. Will that be you? Go Cubs! Enjoy your coffee.

Love you all,
Pastor Gary