The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-11-02
THE CHURCH AS A FELLOWSHIP
Romans l2:a.le.

LESSON TExT-Romans l2:3-le
COLNEN TEXT-Be kindly a6ecuoned
one to another In honor preferring one
another. Romans 1910.
The greatest and most important
institution in the world Is the
Church. The home, which we have
been studying in recent weeks, is
the primary unit Of society, but its
relationships are primarily OF a
personal nature. In the church there
Is an organized fellowship within
God-made institution, the living or
ganism through which the Lord
brings such blessing to the world
the Church.
Here, in Gods house, among
Gods people, the believer finds
strength and joy. The Lords people
are:
1. Different Yet United wv. 3-S).
God is not interested in uni
formity, but He does want unity. In
the Church are all types of gifts and
personalities, each one useful to
God. He does not want them all re-
duced to that drab uniformity which
characterizes so many man-made
products.
Prophecy, ministry, teaching,
giving, ruling = yes, all the various
works to which God calls men
should be done diligently for His
glory. No man is to think Of HIM
self as more or less useful to God.
His work is different, but it is Gods
work, and when all serve as they
should there is unity and efficiency
in the accomplishing of His blessed
purpose.
The unity of believers in Christ
". 81 is something which needs en-
phasis in our day. The forces OF
Professionalism are so divided as to
be largely Ineffective in many i'm
portant fields.
Not only are they divided but
there are almost endless divisions
within denominations yes, and
even in local churches. Sometimes
there are issues which cannot be
met except by separation, but there
are also many unnecessary divi-
sions, dishonoring to God and weak
ening to the Church.
Let's remember we can be differ
ent (God wants us to beD but we
can still be united! God wants that,
too!
ii. Active Yet Kind wv. 9-11).
God puts no premium on laZi-
ness or Indifference. We are not to
be ''slothful," but 'fervent" in spir-
it. Sometimes one feels that the
Church has gone sound asleep. It is
alive but inactive. It processes to
have zeal for God, but if there is
any fervency of spirit, in most
places 1t must be well hidden. But
that is not possible, is it?
How much we need a stirring re-
vival in the Church to bring the
people of God into active service for
Him. If your church as a whole
does not respond to the Lords
Word, why do you not as an indi-
vidual ask God to rekindle His fire
in your heart?
There is to be humility ". 10Y,
fine cleanness of thought and life
". 81, an unfeigned love for the
brethren ". 81, along with all the
fervency of spirit and zeal for serv-
ice.
There Is much talk of uniting
ChristendOm and no little danger Of
compromise for the sake of an out
ward unity. Such schemes are des-
tined to failure, but unity in Christ,
which recognizes Him as the divine
Head of the Church, that we do des-
perately need and should seek for
His glory, for the good of the Church
and for the blessing of world lost
in sin and strife.
iii. Troubled Yet Peaceful wv. L.
49,.
The Church of Christ is in the,
world to witness for and to serve
Him. Hence, it must face all the
prosecutions and trials which an UNI
believing world will bring upon it.
Christians are not exempt from the
troubles and sorrows common to
all mankind.
Therein we find one of the great
opportunities for effective witness,
for as the Christian and the Church
rightly meet SUCH difficulties, they
testify to the grace of God which
can give peace in ones heart in the
midst of turmoil and distress.
Read the verses. Prosecuted, but
not embittered thereby; weeping
but also rejoicing; meeting evil with
good and crookedness with hon.
esty; meeting pride with humility
and division with unity; yes, liv-
ing at peace Gas far as it is
possible) in a belligerent world.
There is something essentially fine
and noble and inspiring about the
Christian Church wherever and
whenever it lives up to the Lords
purpose for it and its members.
There is something dismal and dis
couraging about the Church when
it fails the Lord and His mighty
cause.