How We Spent Our Summer Vacation…
For the past four weeks Faith on Hill and many other churches in North Clackamas have gone through the same sermon series called “Better Together” about Christian Unity.
In week 1 we looked at our need for Christian Unity. This was by far the easiest sermon to preach or receive because it is something that most people agree with, at least on the surface. Of course, there are people out there who will balk at the idea of seeking unity among Christians as being some sort of compromise of principles or doctrine. But the vast majority of Christians really do believe that we are better together with each other and that Christian Unity is generally a good thing.
Week 2 was the harder sermon because we talked about how to achieve unity. While everyone wants Christian Unity, like most things, it takes work. We all might believe we are better together, but do we really have to interact with people who are different than we are? Will I really not get my own way all the time? Do we have to be nice to them? J
Week 3 was our “Pastor Swap” week which seems to have been well received by all the churches involved. I preached at Thompson Rd. Bible Fellowship, a church with a history not unlike Faith’s and Pastor Mitch from Life Journey Community Church shared with us. I’m so thankful for the many and diverse expressions of Jesus’ church that exist in our area. All of our churches have different strengths and callings and I’m so glad to know that we are in this together.
Finally, Week 4 was our Joint-Church service at North Clackamas Park with 7 other churches from our area. First, unlike the previous weeks where we talked about Unity, this past Sunday we lived unity! We gathered together in unity, we sang together in unity, we eat together in unity. I had the privilege of preaching for this service and I tried to get across the idea that we already have a basis for unity because of Jesus and that Christian unity is not the end of the road because Jesus has a great purposes for all the churches in North Clackamas.
BIBLE VERSES TO CONSIDER:
Psalm 133, Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 4:3
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DURING PRAYER:
1. Holy Spirit, will you remind me of the things you spoke to me during this Better Together series?
2. God would you take the things you spoke to me and show me how they apply in my daily life?
3. Lord Jesus, please show me the ways that others are better because I am present and how I can increase in blessing others?