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Week 4, Day 25: All Denominations – All Organizations

The Lausanne Movement 24 May 2013

     

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    “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided?
    1 Corinthians 1:10-13

    Is there ever room for rivalry in the house of God? Is it ever acceptable for God’s people to seek to advance their own ministry or agenda over another one? The Apostle Paul reminds us that if we have to ask these things, then we have missed the point of the Gospel; the Gospel that unites all of God’s people into one body. You see, the natural end of competition is a loss of love. How can we seek the best for someone else while also trying to beat them? It’s impossible.

    In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges unity within our diversity. His exhortation applies to us today and could read something like, “Now there are varieties of denominations, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of sending agencies, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of Christian NGOs, but it is the same God who empowers them all” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, adapted).

    Pray for organizations, ministries, and businesses apart from your own. Ask the Lord’s blessing on a God-honoring denomination to which you don’t belong. Ask the Lord if a partnership might be possible between your ministry and one with which you’ve been in competition.

    And finally, brothers and sisters, there is one area in which Paul exhorts us to compete as believers. Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Today may we strive to give honor and glory to the Lord by showing honor and respect to co-laborers in the gospel around the world!

     

    Father, we know that the one who would seek to be greatest must become the least. Indeed, they must become a servant of all. Would you empower us to have the same mind as Christ who came not to be served but to serve, who emptied himself and did not grasp for power?! May our competition at showing honor to others be great, and in doing so might the world see our good deeds and glorify you, our Father in Heaven. Amen

    This blog is a part of the Lausanne Global Prayer Focus. We invite you to journey with The Lausanne Movement in prayer throughout the month of May. This journey will be a personal one, and a collective one. It will be focused on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, his good news for all people.

    In week 4, we are focusing on Our Partnership in the Gospel. pdfDownload a prayer guide for the week, or visit lausanne.org/pray to access the new content daily. You may also enter your email on this page to be sent a weekly email reminder with the new prayer content each week of May. Be sure to select “Prayer” as a Topic Interest.

     

     

     

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