June 8, 2008 Sermon Notes

Pastor Deidre Franklin – June 8, 2008
“One Prayer for the Church”
One Prayer series, part two

Lord, make us one.
1 Corinthians 12

·         The God model –  tri-unity –1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are various gifts, ministries, effects, but the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God. 

·         The Spirit is demonstrated through us. –1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Ask yourself, “What do I bring to the party?”                                     

·         The church model – Community –1 Corinthians 12:25-27
You are a member of the body.                                                         

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” –Psalm 133:1

 

A morning thought…

God prepared for us the church of Jesus Christ—the ecclesia—the called-out ones who have responded to the invitation to accept His love and to live a life worthy of His high calling. The church has gathered from every climate, language, skin color, political persuasion, and nationality.

Even though we have different opinions, different views, different degrees of conviction and doubt, and different histories, yet we are one in Jesus Christ. Even though we have differing skills, talents, vocations, and hobbies, we can still use them all for the welfare of others and to the glory of God.

The doors of the church remain open to all—no matter how hurting, unbelieving, doubting, struggling—offering grace and healing to both body and soul. “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).

–George R. Skramstad, 2008