Reflecting on God’s Call for His United Church
In the heart of Tyler’s message lies a profound truth: God calls His Church to be one unified body, transcending boundaries and affiliations. As members of Lakeview Christian Church in Portage Lakes, this call resonates deeply within us. It’s not merely about our local congregation; it’s about embracing our identity as Christ’s Church, united in purpose and love.
Drawing from the upcoming series on the book of Philemon, Tyler highlights the overarching theme of Love That Changes Everything. It is this love that creates unity no matter individual differences. This echoes our mission at Lakeview—to change lives through Jesus’s love. It’s a reminder that it’s not our efforts but Jesus’s love that transforms hearts and communities.
Scripture affirms the truth of unity. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul writes, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” This unity is not just a nice sentiment; it’s a divine mandate.
So, what does it mean for us, as members of Lakeview Christian Church? It means we embrace unity not only within our congregation but also with the wider body of believers. It means we confront areas where we personally fall short of God’s call to love and unity, seeking reconciliation and healing.
As we delve into the book of Philemon, let’s invite God to transform our hearts with His love. Let’s commit to following Jesus through Just 3: Study, Share, and Serve leading to greater unity as we get further invested.
Study: Be united with God by diving deep into God’s Word, seeking understanding and wisdom. Let’s explore the teachings of Philemon together, allowing God to speak to us through His Scriptures.
Share: This starts by going through life with one another, that we share day-to-day moments with others and count on fellow believers to be there for us when life has its inevitable ups and downs as we should be there for them. This love for one another will then lead to the sharing of the message of love and unity with others. Let’s be intentional about inviting friends, family, and neighbors to join us in this journey of faith and unity.
Serve: Put love and unity into action through service. Let’s look for opportunities to serve one another and our community, embodying the love of Christ in tangible ways.
All of these are motivated by the ultimate act of love—Jesus laying down His life for us. Let’s reflect on the love that changed everything, a love we didn’t deserve but received freely. This act reunited us with the father!
May this series on Philemon ignite a passion for unity and love within our hearts and our church community. Let’s embrace our calling as the unified body of Christ, committed to changing lives through His love.
Together, let’s live out the mission of Lakeview Christian Church in Portage Lakes—changing lives through Jesus’s love. # Bethechange #united
