DCLM Higher Everyday 5 February 2024 — Challenge Of Church Unity
DCLM Higher Everyday 5 February 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Challenge Of Church Unity
Topic: Challenge Of Church Unity
Text —Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Key Verse: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
Message
Have you ever observed the tiny, little creatures called ants? They are focused, purposeful and determined. Most importantly, ants are incredible team-workers. Once an ant discovers a piece of food, it will immediately try to move it into the colony for the good of all. If the task proves too hard, it goes to mobilize other members of the colony. Within minutes, a host of ants are surrounding the food and working together to drag it into their colony. Unity is a strategy that always works for the ants.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 4 February 2024 – Curious Gentile Conversions
Christ did not think that unity among His disciples would be achieved through teaching alone, He made it a subject of earnest prayer. He knew that the all-important task of world evangelisation cannot be achieved by a divided Church. To be approved by Christ however, Church unity must exclude compromise or dilution of revealed truth. True biblical unity is centered on sound doctrine. The Babel kind of unity hinges on rebellion and the Ananias-Sapphira unity was a promotion of deception. Both will do the church no good; we must eschew such.
Quote: Biblical unity is centered on sound doctrine
Challenge: Unity is desirable but not unity at all costs.
Prayer for today: Unite my heart, Lord, with others who fear you.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
