Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1945-11-02

| HoA@DEsAN EsNi-I,c hiHdlJ uliNSIohNN
| one to another in honor preferring
| one another. 2;l0.
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:
i l. Different Yet United wv. 3-8.
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, dshonoring to God and weak
ening to the Church.
Let's remember we can be differ
ent God wants us to bell but we
can still be untedl God wants that,
too!
II. Active Yet Kind wv. 9-lD.
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. II is
alive but inactive. 1t processes to
have zeal for God, but if there Is
any fervency of spirit, in most
places it 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, II your church as a whole
does not respond TO the Lord S
Word, why do you not as an indl.
vidual ask God to rel;indle His fire
in your heart?
There is to be a humility ". l0)
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. IL.
| l8l.
The Church OF Christ Is in the
world to witness for and to serve
Him. Hence. II must face all the
! prosecutions and trials which an un.
believing world will bring upon II.
Christians are not exempt from the
troubles and sorrows common "a
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 /.
possible) in belligerent world.
There Is something essentially fin,
and noble and inspiring about III,
Christian Church wherever anc
whenever II lives UP to the Lord,
purpose for 1t and Its members
There Is something dismal and dis
couraging about the Church wher
II fails the Lord and His might,