A Pastoral Word. . . Brothers and Sisters, We Are Brothers and Sisters
Pastor Kevin Freeman
September 26, 2024
Normally, when I write these articles, I like to share about a topic that relates to Scripture. Many use this approach to help people make a connection between something they see in the world and an eternal truth in God’s Word. This time I think it’s best to simply allow the Bible to speak to us and consider how to respond. Here are some passages that I have been considering this week:
We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are called to unity. Let’s face it: our unity was damaged on Sunday. As a result, people are hurting, and when one member of the body hurts, all of us hurt. You may have seen in a churchwide email that we plan to talk through these hurts at a special gathering of Redland family this Sunday, September 29 at 4:00 PM. We seek to acknowledge hurts, offer space for forgiveness, and pray and worship together. Sunday evening activities will be canceled so that we can give proper attention to this situation.
This is an incredible family of God. We cannot allow Satan to destroy our unity! Let us pray and examine ourselves, and let’s ask that God’s Spirit would be at work among us to accomplish His good purpose.
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV)
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV)
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4 NIV)
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:13-15 NIV)
Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)
We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are called to unity. Let’s face it: our unity was damaged on Sunday. As a result, people are hurting, and when one member of the body hurts, all of us hurt. You may have seen in a churchwide email that we plan to talk through these hurts at a special gathering of Redland family this Sunday, September 29 at 4:00 PM. We seek to acknowledge hurts, offer space for forgiveness, and pray and worship together. Sunday evening activities will be canceled so that we can give proper attention to this situation.
This is an incredible family of God. We cannot allow Satan to destroy our unity! Let us pray and examine ourselves, and let’s ask that God’s Spirit would be at work among us to accomplish His good purpose.
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
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