One of the great joy killers for Christ followers is tension between fellow believers. Sometimes low grade frustration over personalities or other differences push us apart or drive us to open conflict. Other times conflict over interpretations or approaches to Christian life and ministry makes us wonder if we will ever see Jesus’ true church emerge.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
In the movie Divergent Children live in birth family until a sorting moment comes in their culture. Then after some intense testing reveals their natural tendencies & strengths they must choose a faction to live with. The culture’s motto is faction over blood. This is where ultimate loyalty lies.
During trilogy, brother and sister choose different factions. Brother betrays sister more than once. In the final movie, Allegiant, sister saves brother and helping him even after his betrayal… “Why would you do that?” he asks. She answers, “That is what family does.” An important point is made: What we share is more important that how we differ!
Sadly while that is a value we admire, we do not always live it out. How do we stand firm in Christ when we have genuine disagreement among ourselves? We will wrestle with this question this weekend. I invite you to reflect on how Jesus helps us do this and come ready to share you thoughts with fellow worshippers. Together we will remember how to reset our focus, our hearts really, on what believers share in common & how we are to pursue peace through what we share in spite of our differences. We will also touch on why it matters as well as how we can get better.
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2Corinthians 13:11
John's sermon thoughts 