Tag: unity
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God’s Earthly Love
Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; Song of Solomon 3:1–11 If there ever was a book of the Bible that was inappropriate for younger audiences it would be the Song of Solomon (or the Song of Songs). In some traditions, the Song of Solomon is not permitted to be read until adulthood. That should tell you something, indeed.…
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Mixing It Up
The church is called to cross enemy lines not to defeat the enemy, but to reconcile the enemy, so that there are no more enemies.
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Evangel
Luke 1:68–80; Ephesians 4:7–16 Many years ago, there was campaign against man-caused forest fires. The campaign “starred” a little bear cub that, while burned, survived a man-caused forest fire. The tagline for the campaign was, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.” From a strict understanding, of course, it’s not just you that can prevent forest…
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Passionate Rightful Love
Luke 11:14–28; Romans 12:9–21 Can you think of a house that is divided? It shouldn’t be hard at this point. It is displayed for the whole world to see. The United States has a motto: E pluribus unum. It means, “Out of many, one.” Yet it seems that instead, it ought to be, “E pluribus…
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Dividing Rightly
Luke 12:49–56; John 17:20–26 (read online ⧉) Jesus’ words are definitely uncomfortable. They are intended to be. The image of warm cuddly Jesus is great in pictures and in our hearts. It also true. However, there is a hardness to Jesus that we try to ignore, for when we see it we often become afraid.…
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Gifts or Curses
1 Corinthians 12:1–14 (read online ⧉) You have probably read this passage many times, and probably heard a few sermons on it. You might have even delved into it during your investigations of your spiritual gifts. And we will get to that. However, there is a warning in these verses that we often miss. “…you…
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Dividing Teaching
Galatians 4:12–20; 2 Peter 1:16–2:3; 1 John 4:1–6 (read online ⧉) While yesterday’s devotional was about the doctrine (and reality) of the Trinity, this isn’t the only issues that face Christians as they try to discern True teaching versus false. While many divisions in the church have been over interpretation and living out of certain…
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3 is 1 and 1 is 3
Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Matthew 3:13–17; Matthew 28:16–20; 1 Peter 1:1–2 (read online ⧉) This is one of those odd “Liturgical” Sundays in the Christian year. It set aside to specifically observe the creedal declaration of and faith in the Trinity. We have Sundays set aside for Advent, Lent, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost. These are event-based. It’s not…