DCLM Higher Everyday 13 August 2024 — Unity In The Church
DCLM Higher Everyday 13 August 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Unity In The Church
Topic: Unity In The Church
Text: Philippians 2:1-11
1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Key Verse: “Fulfill ye my joy that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).
Message
To achieve great things and be able to withstand any opposition as a Church, we must be united. J. K. Rowling said,“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.” In Genesis chapter eleven from verse one, the builders of the tower were so united and of one mind that even God said in verse 6, “that nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”
Comparing Psalm 133:1,3 with Acts 4:32,34, we see the beauty of unity and what it attracts. “… For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” “… Neither was there any among them that lacked”(Psalm 133:3; Acts 4:34). In the actual sense, unity attracts blessings. If we are united as Christians who have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), then nothing will be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind, each person will esteem others better than themselves. We will not look on our own things, but on the things of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
Quote: Unity attracts blessings.
Challenge: We are only as strong as we are united.
Prayer for today: God, give your church the grace to always be united.
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)