There are many people who belong to Christ. And yet, we are one body which is Christ’s. We are all different but we depend on each other. (Romans 12:5 NLV)
Earlier this week, Cindi and I spent a couple of days in Lakeland at the Florida Baptist Pastor’s Conference and Annual State Convention. It was a wonderful time of great music and preaching, along with some business that was conducted. It’s always exciting to hear ways that God is working through our state convention. Because of your faithful financial stewardship, this church is able to participate in the Cooperative Program; giving monies that are used in our local area, our state, our nation, and around the world.
But, one thing that I was struck by at the convention was that virtually every pastor that spoke at the pastor’s conference or at the convention seemed to have something to say about the fighting, bickering, and complaining going on in their churches over the last year or so. Some of it, they said, was produced by politics. Some of it was COVID-19 related. Differing views concerning should we be open or not? Should we wear masks or not? Should we get the vaccine or not? One speaker after the next recounting the criticism they’ve received, the nasty exchanges between members, the distrust and dislike that was all too common place. All over the room, hundreds of pastors nodding in agreement, indicating that they have experienced the same.
As I sat there I thought, “Wow, to the best of my knowledge, Gateway hasn’t experienced any of that in the last year or so.” Now, admittedly, I’m more of a glass half-full kind of guy, but I’m not naïve. I’m sure in this fellowship we have varying political positions. And, I’m equally sure that people have strong feelings and convictions about lockdowns, masks, and vaccines. I’m also sure that there has been criticism about one thing or another. But, what absolutely thrills this pastor’s heart is that, unless ya’ll are really good at hiding it, this body known as Gateway Community Church has not allowed their individual positions and preferences on these and other matters to spill out in the church.
This next week marks two years that Cindi and I have been with you all. I’m so grateful that the Lord led us to a group of people who have determined to keep the main thing the main thing. You have continued to display a spirit of unity and love to both regular attenders and first time guests. I attribute that primarily to a group of mature believers, and I give the glory to God for the unity we enjoy.
In the text above from Romans 12, the Apostle Paul emphasized the fact that even though we may be made up of many individuals, we make up one body. Paul really drilled down on this comparison of the church to the body in 1 Corinthians 12.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. (1 Corinthians 12:14-18 NLT)
That passage tells us at least two important truths: One, we’re all different. And, two, we all matter in the kingdom of God. Being one body doesn’t mean that we will always agree about everything; we won’t. To continue Paul’s body analogy, my mind may believe that I can lift something but my back tells me I’m insane. My eyes tell me that I can eat the whole Burrito Muy Grande but my stomach begs to differ.
Even though differing body parts may have differing opinions they still strive to operate as one. Because, the different body parts know that if they don’t work together, the whole body will suffer. So too, the body of Christ. We strive to operate as one for the glory of the One. This Sunday, after we gather together, we’re going to eat together in our annual Thanksgiving fellowship. These kinds of events are important for the health of the body; not because you can’t find somewhere else to eat, but because you can’t find someone else to eat with that is more important than the other parts of the body of Christ. These types of events help to build the unity in the body by helping us to see that our differences are no match for the tie that binds us together, Jesus Christ. So, if you’re in town, plan on staying for the meal after the service. I’m betting that your body will be glad you did. And, so will the body that is Gateway.
Thanks-living for the privilege of being called your pastor,
PC