Conference yukon::christian_v7

796.0. "WE CAN WIN OUR CITIES TOGETHER" by CSC32::DAWSON () Mon Sep 11 1995 18:12

    During World War II, some soldiers had a buddy who died.  They went to
    a local Roman Catholic parish and asked the priest if they could bury
    their friend in the fenced graveyard beside the church.  
    "Was the man Catholic?" the old priest asked.
    "We haven't any idea," they answered.
    "Well, you'll have to bury him just outside the graveyard fence, then,"
    the priest replied.
    So they buried the bodyoutside the fence and left.
    Passing through the same townlater, the soldiers visited their friend's
    grave.  They looked at the fence in amazement.  It wasn't where it had
    been before.  The old priest, realizing that his attitude was ungodly,
    had moved the fence to include the fallen soldier's grave.
    
    We often build fences that exclude believers who hold different
    interpretations, deductions or opinions about spiritual matters. 
    Charismatics sometimes look down on those they think aren't as
    Spirit-filled as they are.
    Members of mainline denominations sometimes disparage charismatics for
    what they see as haphazard theology.  Catholic glory in their long
    history, and Protestants relish their individualism.
    It seems thatif we're properly trained, we know exactly whom we are not
    to associate with because they are not like us.
    But that is a horriblemisunderstanding.  Jesus Christ, the head of the
    Church, wants to use our differences to reach the lost.
    The various expressions in the body of Christ shold not be viewed as
    some kind of problem.  They are a strength, designed by God to make His
    body more effective.  They are part of God's strategy to help us
    complete  our primary purpose of evangelism.  If Christinas walk in
    unity,  it will be difficult for people to go to hell from our cities.
    
    I love all kinds of ice cream.  Sometimes I want vanilla with caramel
    topping, whipped cream, lots of nuts and a cherry.  Other times I want
    Rocky Road, banana or chocolate chip.  Very seldom do I order plain
    vanilla, but sometimes strawberry sound good.  
    That's why I love Baskin-Robbins ice cream stores.  They have 31
    flavors, and I can always find something I like.
    In Colorado Springs, Colorado we enjoy 90 flavors of churches.  Most of
    them stand on Christ as their cornerstone and embrace the Bible as
    their authority.  So in each of them you can discover the same basic
    truths that make eternallife available to all people.
    
    When I talk about various "flavors' in the body of Christ, I am not
    promoting an ecumenical or humanistic movement that embraces all people
    of all faiths as brothers and sisters.  I am not suggesting that we
    share the same communion with Muslims, Buddhist, New Agers or others
    who don't acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the only Source of
    salvation.
    Instead I am saying that we need to appreciate the respected
    interpretations of Scripture that exist in the many Christian
    denominations.  I believe the Lord planned for local churches to be
    different and distinct for a reason.  
    Let's say that on main street USA there are five Christian churches. 
    Let's assume that each of the pastors has elected to focus on the
    absolutes of Scripture.  There is a Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic,
    charismatic and Methodist.
    Joe Schmoe, a nonbeliever, moves ot town and hears people speaking
    positively about the Lord in public.  So he decides to visit a chruch.
    Remember, he is not a believer; he is not church-hopping or trying to
    find a church that will meet his emotional and cultural needs.  He is
    searching for answers about life.  
    He begins by attending the Presbyterian church.  Everyone is dressed
    nicely and is very polite.  Hymns are sung, the choir is impressive,
    and the pastor explains that Jesus Christ is the only solution to
    mankind's sin problem.  Joe hears the message and enjoys the service,
    but he is somewhat uncomfortable with the formality.
    The next sunday he visits the charismatic church.  Everyone is happy,
    loud and direct.  Lively music plays, color are bright, and the pastor
    is in the crowd talking and laughing.  Some people clap their hands and
    jump for joy; other play tambourines.  It's a wonderful celebration.
    But Joe has no idea how the people know when to lift their hands, close
    their eyes, or clap and jump.  Some songs seem to have hand motions
    that baffle him.  But when the charismatic pastor speaks, he explains
    the same basic principle the Presbyterian pastor explained: Jesus is
    the solution to mankind's sin problem.  Joe enjoys the church but
    doesn't feel secure.  He wants something more traditional.
    The next week he moves on to the Catholic church and attends Mass.  The
    priest at this Catholic parish is charismatic; he encourages his
    parishioners in their prayers and their devotion to the scriptures.
    As he delivers the homily, Joe hears about the powerful inner
    transformation available through a personal encounter with Christ.  He
    hears, once again, that the blood of Christ can cleanse him of his
    sins.  Even though the message speaks to him, the culture of the
    service is a stumblingblock.  He believes he needs something more
    relaxed. 
    The following Sunday Joe Visits the Methodist Church.  The Sunday
    school teacher tells a story abour a "prayer journey" she took in a
    Third World country.  She relates her experience of pwerful prayer, and
    she shares how she ould like to begin "prayer walks" in her community
    so more people can experience the love of jesus in their lives.
    Joe's heart is touched.  Rather than attending the main worship
    service, he lingers in the Sunday school class.  Soon he prays with the
    teacher to accept Christ.
    Today, Joe is a Spirit-filled Methodist.  How did this happen?
    
    Joe heard the same basic messge from the various flavors in the body of
    Christ.  No one tried to convince him that their flavor was perfect. 
    Instead, each of them-while maintaining their own
    distinctions-communicated the necessity of Christ. 
    
    Our primary purpose does not require every church to reach every
    person.  That would be impossible.  Besides, God wants to reach the
    world through His many-member body.  Through the strength the body of
    Christ draws from its different flavors, we all can communicate to the
    dffering people in our communities. 
    
    We need variety! By appreciating each other's respected
    interpretations of Scripture, we can effectively and cooperatively set
    our sights on our primary purpose; to make it hard for people to go to
    hell from our cities.
    
    I believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to move our fences and
    demonstrate to a watching world that we are united. 

AMEN!  The division of the Body of Christ is a sad and terrible tragedy.

As you note, true unity will ONLY come as we focus on our cornerstone - Jesus
Christ, our only hope of salvation.  As we grow closer to Him, we grow closer
to each other.

Paul

    I'm impressed. This note says it all.
    
    If everyone, including outside of this conference, were to read
    this, the "bashing" would (hopefully) be eliminated.
    
    I think most people (including myself sometimes), trys to prove that
    their religious beliefs are the one and only. This kind of attitude
    causes christians to become divided among themselves. Satan probably
    loves when that happens.
    
    If its ok, I would like to print this note and let others read.
    
    Terri

    Its ok with me terri.