Helping Each Other( Sermon Sunday, 22nd July, 2007 )

1. Disagreements In The Church
Today, we will give some thought to disagreements between church members. To help us address this problem we need only turn to the letter of Paul to the Philippians. The believers in that Macedonian city enjoyed a special relationship with Paul, which gave him great encouragement. So, he wrote them a personal expression of love and affection. May we share in Paul’s aspiration, and seek to know Jesus Christ more and more. Let us rejoice with Paul in Philippians, chaper 4, by reading the opening verses, 1-3.

1. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
2. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
3. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

If, as Christians we believe that Jesus Christ is the founder and head of the Christian church, we must stand firm in his teachings and reconcile our differences with each other. If we can’t love and forgive one another, the life and faith of the church will surely suffer.

2. A Time To Weep
But reconciliation and forgiveness can be very difficult at times, even for people like King David, that great man of faith. Let us pick-up the story of a broken-hearted father, grieving the death of his son, by reading, 2 Samuel, 19:1-4.

1. Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”
2. And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said,
“The king is grieving for his son.”
3. The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle.
4. The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

We need to read more to fully understand this Old Testament story, which commences at, 2 Samuel 18:1. However, King David ultimately lost his son, Absalom, because he could not forgive. Although David ordered his troops to ‘watch out’ for his son, Absalom, in battle, the ending was sudden and tragic. David loved Absalom, but they were unable to reconcile their differences. Now, its too late, because Absalom is dead.

3 Rejoice Always - Even During Hard Times
Why do disagreements even occur in the church? It’s because we are not in harmony with God, it’s because our quarrels, arguments and disputes come from a wounded soul, and a state of mind, which is out-of-step with God’s will. With these thoughts in mind, let us again focus on Paul, and his letter to the Philippians, Chapter 4, and the verses 4 & 5, which have been chosen for invitation:

4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. When we allow ourselves to forgive others, they in turn, become more receptive and open to our overtures. Its the beginning of a mutually beneficial healing process.

When we abandon our pride and arrogance, there is no dispute, and the church environment becomes a sanctuary of God’s peace and love. A place where we will find, God the Father, the Grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to finish today’s speech with this quotation, attributed to Mother Teresa :

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis; it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mother_Teresa (Unsourced)

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