When the Church Works Together

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalm 133

It is an awesome thing when people work together toward a common goal. An athletic team that truly works as a team can accomplish things far beyond expectations. A business where all the employees cooperate and are productive will likely achieve great success. In like manner, the church has the potential for accomplishing great things in God’s sight. The condition, however, is that we work together. Since we are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), we must learn that 1) everyone has a place in the body and 2) that everyone must do the work he/she is capable of doing. Please consider the following observations:

When the church works together…
• There will be less bickering and more forgiveness (Philippians 4:2).
• There will be less criticism and more encouragement (Hebrews 10:24).
• There will be less excuses and more evangelism (Acts 2:46, 47).
• There will be less selfishness and more selflessness (Philippians 2:3, 4).
• There will be less discussion of personal preferences and more Bible study and seeking to know the will of God (Ephesians 5:17).
• There will be less worry about the future and more prayer for the strength and courage to face the future ((1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• There will be less dissatisfaction with worship and more concentration on God himself within our worship (John 4:24).
• There will be less individual glory and more glory to God (Matthew 5:16).

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 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.”
Ephesians 4:1-3

-by Lance Cordle, Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY
as printed in January 2005 Bulletin Digest