Hebrews 12:2 (nlt) --- We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
There are a couple of things we do at The Community Fellowship that seems to put us to grow and to be more productive. It also helps us not only get along better but love each other. It is about keeping the main thing, the main thing. That seems simple. It's true. And it works.
We finished a series on VISION last Sunday, and this week we begin a new series called ONE PRAYER. (Go HERE for more info on this series.) This new series asked "what will happen when the church stands together?" When we, as God's people, stand together with a common purpose we learn what will unify us. It is something beyond us. It is something bigger than us. It is something that we cannot do alone. It is God sized, God called and all about god.
Two of our core values at The Community lead us to unity in larger ways. They are the core value of unity (being focused) and the core value of authenticity (being real). We would not be where we are today and touching the lives we are touching without those two vital pieces of this church family.
When I get real as I preach, people begin to get real with God and with other people. Yep, that makes us vulnerable, but it also makes us useful to God. The more of me that God gets the more of Him is seen in and through my life. We need preachers who will flush their pious, fact facade down the preverbal toilet and live in who God made them, us, to be. It is not easy. But we can impact more lives this way.
The other value of unity has everything to do with shared vision. If people don't know what you are about and where you are going, they won't go with you. That is reality as well. When Jesus steps out of the central place of our lives and of His church (better yet, we push Him out of the way), we lose our effectiveness and our unity. People begin to fight over insignificant things. Have you seen this in the church and in our homes? If you haven't, you are blind.
So I ask you "What will happen when the church stands together?" Would you join me and the Community in these next four weeks and allow God to make us one? That will have a great impact on the people around us and on us.
Philippians 2:2 (nasb) --- make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
John 17:22-23 (nlt) --- I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
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