Sunday Morning Devotion and Prayer 6-7-20

Welcome once again to our devotion and prayer time. We are finishing Chapter 2 in our book “I Am A Church Member – Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference.”

Review:

✓ The Journey: 1-A new, or renewed attitude about our church, 2-Our church will begin to change.

✓ God placed us in churches to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach, to give, and, in some cases, to die for the sake of the gospel.

✓ We are all necessary parts of the whole; we are different but we still work together.

✓ Everything we say and do is based on a Biblical foundation of love.

✓ I will serve. I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others.

✓ I will be a unifying church member. I will not partake in gossip.

Q: What is the best path to take if someone brings gossip to you in your church? What does the Bible say about gossip?

A: The best path to take if someone brings gossip to you in the church is to say, “No, thank you. I’d rather not hear what you’re going to say.” There’s nothing wrong with excusing yourself from the conversation. The Bible lists gossip as wickedness. (Rom. 1:29-31)

Today’s Devotion: Chapter 2 – I Will Be a Unifying Church Member (part 3)

Forgiveness and Unity  Jesus said it clearly: “For if you forgive people their wrong-doing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrong-doing” (Matt. 6:14-15) Unity in the church will not happen if members have unforgiving hearts. In Col. 3:12-13, let’s read what Paul has to say directly to members of the church. Remember, Christ loved us so much that He died on a cross to forgive us. And now, as He has forgiven us, so we must forgive others.

The Second Pledge  I am a church member. I will seek to be a source of unity in my church. We are all imperfect. I will not be a source of gossip or dissension. One of the greatest contributions I can make is to do all I can in God’s power to help keep the church in unity for the sake of the gospel.

Question: How is forgiveness related to unity in the local church? What does the Bible say about forgiving one another? (You can answer this individually, or take time together as a family) Let’s be ready to share with each other next Sunday.

Next week >>> Chapter 3 – I Will Not Let My Church Be about My Preferences and Desires

Let’s pray: We praise You this morning, Lord, for the great work You have done in order for us to be in church today! You are faithful! Thank You for today’s study about forgiveness. And, the pledge we have taken to keep unity in the church for the sake of the gospel. Help us to continue to follow Your Holy Spirit as You lead us in all truth and righteousness. We surrender all to You. We pray for the state and mindset of the world right now. We pray that Your peace and love would rule and reign in every heart. Please protect all people from danger and harm. We pray healing for those who are sick, that our unsaved loved ones will turn their lives over to You, and for all unspoken requests. We ask all this in the name of Jesus, amen.