Based on “Stand Firm and Stand United” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/24-25/10
Message #6056; Daily Devotional #5 - “A Swinging Door”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): A story was once told to me of a church that nearly met its demise. The church had built a new choir room, the door of which opened behind the pulpit so that the choir could enter the chapel directly from the practice room. At some point during the construction, there rose a question as to whether the door should swing inward or outward. Half the church wanted the door to swing in, and the other half wanted the door to swing out. The issue became so heated and churchgoers became so passionate about the debate, that some were threatening to quit the church if the door was not installed to their liking.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:2-6) As a church body, we often hear our pastor say, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” What he’s referring to is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the main thing, and every church needs to stand together in unity on that point. We should be contending as one for the faith and the Gospel.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10) Regardless of who’s preaching, or which band leader is singing, or which campus you favor, it’s God’s Word that is preached each weekend. We can come together as one church and one body and receive a Word from the Lord.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 1 Peter 3:8
GH
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.