Welcome to The Refinery.
The Church The Body of Christ has been the theme for the last few Sunday’s.
These messages are primarily based around Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Today we are discussing, The Peace Of The Church.
I read a story recently of a pastor – evangelist who was holding meetings in a small rural town in Kentucky back in the 1940’s.
He was in the home of one of the oldest families in the area and to his delight, he discovered that some member of the family had been a deacon in that church for more than 100 years.
Think of that legacy for the family, someone throughout the generations had been serving in the local church for more than 100 years.
The church had kept records since 1839, when it first started, and it was in the family’s care.
For the visiting pastor, the book was interesting reading.
In the minutes of almost every business meeting, the same entry appeared.
“The peace of the church was called for.”
The visiting pastor was told that the moderator of the business meetings would ask, “Brethren, are we at peace?”
No one knew what might follow.
I have no doubt that their meetings were interesting and well attended.
But whatever the shortcomings of these people, in what ever way they may have fallen short, they sincerely tried to carry out the literal words of our text.
They meant to have peace if they had to fight with each other to obtain it.
If these people were too strict when it comes to church discipline, perhaps our churches today are too soft, too lazy.
I think there are three things we can consider from our text today.
Firstly, the spirit of this text cannot be enforced by force.
No peace of any sort can be either secured or maintained by force.
Those who try and enforce “the peace of the church” cause trouble and wound as many saints as they convert sinners.
Secondly, this text presupposes an autonomous, independent, democratic body.
The words “be at peace among yourselves” addressed to any other group would make no sense.
Who else besides a plain, simple, New Testament church, where every member is equal in rank and privilege with every other member, a pure democracy, would even have the privilege of being at war among themselves.
Thirdly, the status of peace, the degree of fellowship within the church, is difficult to analyse.
Sometimes a churches like a shallow, clear mountain stream where every ripple can be seen.
At other times, a church may be like a deep, muddy river, calm and placid on the surface but torn by dangerous undercurrents.
“Be at peace among yourselves.”
This text provokes three important questions.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at The Refinery.
When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.
So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org
2024 IS A YEAR OF DECISIONS AND OPEN DOORS
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