May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you just couldn’t shake? Romans 15:5-6 has been that way for me the past few weeks. It began when I read a really good article on the “Gentle Reformation” website called “Don’t Quarrel Over Opinions But Welcome One Another” by Warren Peel. Something about that article and especially this passage of Scripture got “stuck” in my heart in a way that just wouldn’t let me go. I found myself praying this prayer (for that’s what these verses really are) over and over again, asking God to give us the kind of “heaven-sent harmony” that glorifies God in the midst of these divided and divisive times.
At first, I thought God meant this passage of prayer just for me. But the more I thought about it and prayed through it, the more I realized it was meant for me, but also for you. So, Lord willing, we’ll look at this prayer together this morning and what it can teach us (and encourage us to do) as we seek to be a people whose unity is found in Christ alone for the glory of God alone!
And while I’m thinking about prayer, I want to remind you to join us this Wednesday (11/11) at 7 PM here at the church building for a special time of seeking God through prayer. If you’ve been conscious at all though this past year, you’re surely aware our nation is in big trouble spiritually. The election has not solved this (and can’t). Protest marches and anti-march marches can’t fix it. The things we need are simply beyond our control! But at the risk of using a cliche’, “we know the One who is in control” and who calls us to gather in His name to cry out for His promised help in our time of need. The need is clear. The help is promised. So let us gather in His name to ask as He commands.
Hoping to see you on Wednesday!
Pastor S. Scott Lee