The Crack in the Windshield (11 of 13)
Series: Philippians
Robert Dawson
Philippians 4:1-3
There was an elderly couple who lived together in a nursing home. Though they had been married for 60 years, their relationship was not one of peace and contentment. It was filled with constant arguments, disagreements, and shouting contests. The fights didn't stop even in the nursing home.
In fact, the couple argued and squabbled from the time they got up in the morning until they fell in bed at night. It became so bad that the nursing home threatened to throw them out if they didn't change their ways. Even then, the couple couldn't agree on what to do in order to bring peace and harmony to their relationship. Finally, the wife said to her husband: ''I'll tell you what, Joe, let's pray that one of us dies. And after the funeral is over, I'll go live with my sister.''
Living in harmony with others is not always easy. Even the best relationships experience bumps and bruises along the way. Even the most successful organizations, businesses and ball-teams have the spirit of teamwork and cooperation disrupted from time to time and when it does the whole suffers because of a few.
The same is true of churches. Even the best churches have their share of struggles. As long as there are people involved (it is necessary to have them involved to have a church -- I have looked for alternative ways - it's just not in Scripture) things are not going to be perfect. Because people are involved things can become prickly at times.
As long as people are involved - including this one - there are going to be disagreements but the issue is do we allow disagreements to become a crack in the windshield of unity? If the windshield through which we see ministry is streaked with ever widening cracks it becomes difficult to see where you are going and to navigate the road of ministry with any speed, certainty and confidence. Disunity slows the progress of the church.
Over the la ...
Series: Philippians
Robert Dawson
Philippians 4:1-3
There was an elderly couple who lived together in a nursing home. Though they had been married for 60 years, their relationship was not one of peace and contentment. It was filled with constant arguments, disagreements, and shouting contests. The fights didn't stop even in the nursing home.
In fact, the couple argued and squabbled from the time they got up in the morning until they fell in bed at night. It became so bad that the nursing home threatened to throw them out if they didn't change their ways. Even then, the couple couldn't agree on what to do in order to bring peace and harmony to their relationship. Finally, the wife said to her husband: ''I'll tell you what, Joe, let's pray that one of us dies. And after the funeral is over, I'll go live with my sister.''
Living in harmony with others is not always easy. Even the best relationships experience bumps and bruises along the way. Even the most successful organizations, businesses and ball-teams have the spirit of teamwork and cooperation disrupted from time to time and when it does the whole suffers because of a few.
The same is true of churches. Even the best churches have their share of struggles. As long as there are people involved (it is necessary to have them involved to have a church -- I have looked for alternative ways - it's just not in Scripture) things are not going to be perfect. Because people are involved things can become prickly at times.
As long as people are involved - including this one - there are going to be disagreements but the issue is do we allow disagreements to become a crack in the windshield of unity? If the windshield through which we see ministry is streaked with ever widening cracks it becomes difficult to see where you are going and to navigate the road of ministry with any speed, certainty and confidence. Disunity slows the progress of the church.
Over the la ...
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