Having served as the pastor of a number of churches for a lot of years, I can tell you CHURCH PROBLEMS CAN GET UGLY! I don’t really want to tell you how ugly … just let me tell you they can get UGLY! And usually the problems all boil down to selfishness and self-centered living.
As I read Philippians 2.1-11 this morning I was reminded that the great apostle, Paul, addressed this very issue with GREAT pastoral advice…
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
I don’t know if anyone out there this morning is involved in church conflict, but if you are, let me urge you to take Paul’s words seriously and follow His advice. BE A COMMITTEE OF ONE THAT DETERMINES THAT YOU’RE GOING TO RESPOND TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR CHURCH IN A CHRIST-LIKE WAY! JUST SAY’N…
Coffee With The Lord 