Accepting Each other

What should we do with debatable items? How do we maintain unity in a Church , Class, or Community with differing opinions about different things?

In John 17 Jesus prays that the Church will be one!(vs 9,20) He asks that His church is Unified! Many times (i think 10) in the book of Acts it says they were of one accord, which means there was unity they were unified! The Question that pops in my head is, Why is this sooooooooo hard for people to practice this! Why do so many divide, debate and split over issues that in light of eternity don't really matter! Now do not misunderstand me, I am not talking about things like, salvation, the virgin birth ect... What I have found is people (within a local church) very rarely divide over these type issues but more over those things that one is passionate about those personal preferences or personal standards.

Something we need to understand is, that ALL CHRISTIANS ARE NOT THE SAME!!! I love how our Pastor puts it: "Christ never demanded UNIFORMITY but he did demand UNITY!" Uniformity means to put on a uniform. Unity is living in harmony in spite of Uniforms that are not exactly, perfectly the same.

I want to encourage you today to understand that it is ok if others are different than you are! I want to encourage you today to LOVE those that are different than you! Accept those that are different that you! CHRIST DID! He accepts, Loves, us.

Passages for reading with this: Matthew 7:1-6; John 17:9,20; Romans 14:1-13;

Lesson for Sunday, August 3

Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Lesson: How to handle those that are Different than you
Text: Matthew 7:1-6

Judging and being Judged?

This week I believe we will be talking about one of the subjects that if we can get a grip on would be life changing! How to treat those that believe different, and those that live different. We usually have two different groups of people: those that eat the meat offered to idols and those that don't. What does God say about those two groups. How should we interact and treat those who live differently than we do?

Read Romans 14 as well....See you Sunday!

Lesson for Sunday, July 20

well. I got a great report from this past Sunday letting me know how great of a job Bro. Steve did.

This coming Sunday I will be back in town and will speaking on the subject of WORRY.

Is it a sin?
Why do I do it?
Should I do it?
Do I have a problem with it?
What is the antidote for it?

Most of us will struggle at some point with this subject. I have found that many are in fact ADDICTED to it! I hope you will be there and be ready as we learn from each other and from the word! Grace and Peace...Jake

Scripture for this week: Matt 6:25-30; Psalm 23:1; Phil 4:19; Phil. 4:6,7; I Peter 5:7; Matt 6:34;

Lesson for Sunday, July 6

We are continuing the lesson from last week. Examining our vision. What does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven? What is my focus? What can I do to be a more effective witness? Why and how should I share my faith? Why is it so hard sometimes to share my faith?

We will look at Hell for a sec.....
what is it?
what should my response to it be?
who is there?

I hope to see you all there!!!

Happy fourth of July!