“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” -Philippians 1:27
Paul wrote the Philippians to both commend and instructed them. In Philippians 1:9, he said he was praying that their love would overflow and knowledge and discernment.
He exhorted them to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel and to stand firm in one spirit.
He wanted their faith to be firmly written in Jesus -and then to grow and spread to others.
Throughout the world, we have lost much of the unity of purpose that we should show to the world. We are too busy, focusing on the style of the worship, music, and traditions than the core substance of unity with Jesus Christ and each other.
Not every believer is pursuing holiness, and not every church is conducting itself in a manner worthy of the gospel. But there are ones who are extending a hand of fellowship and driving together to reach community for Jesus.
Jesus prayed for the church in John 17:21, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. Mat they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”
The purpose of unity it not about church, it’s about knowing Jesus and having a relationship with Him. The church is where true believers get together and celebrate Jesus and have fellowship with other believers.
It’s about relationship over ritual.
I think it’s about time we focus on Jesus, and put the emphasis that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, not the church building or its activities.
It’s about living daily with Jesus that is seen in actions not in a church building, and a bunch of rules.
The role of the church is God‘s design. Scripture causes us to knit together in a community (the church) and minister to each other.
The church is like the body of Christ: individuals are less effective and nourished when they are cut off from it.
Gathering provides a place to learn, be strengthened, and see God‘s grace in action, despite our imperfections.
There is tension in the church today. The common frustration is that many people feel hurt. I am perfect people or actions within churches, leading people to say, “I love Jesus, but not the church.
The church is a place where we can build each other up. The call isn’t to abandon the law church, but she worked to build it up in love. While recognizing it’s important it’s accountable to Jesus‘s example.
It’s a place where imperfect people gather to create a community that focuses onfocused on Grace, support, and growth. Church is a hospital for sinners, not saints, where flaws should be expected, and people help each other stumble forward in faith. Where God uses people’s brokenness in his perfect plan. Which leads to shared vulnerability, encouragement, and shared testimony, despite disagreements or mistakes.
The church is a place for the broken. It isn’t about perfect people, but those who are hurting, seeking, and needing God‘s mercy, grace, and healing. It should be a place to receive God‘s forgiveness and love, not condemnation, or fostering vulnerabilities.
It’s a place where we see real flaws in ourselves and others and accept that no church will ever be perfect.
The church is meant to be a reflection of humanity’s need for God, a place where imperfect people come together to be made more like the perfect one -Jesus, finding strength and shared faith and fellowship.
From Pity to Praise 