FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

John 10:14-39; [Acts 4:13]; Ephesians 2:4-10; [I Chronicles 17:13; 22:10; Psalm 89:26]; Matthew 6:9; Mark 9:32-40; Luke 9:46-49; Matthew 12:22-30; John 13:34, 35; Philippians 1:27-2:5; Ephesians 3:1-21

Many names are used to identify individual churches such as Baptists, Catholics, Non-Denominational, etc. But each child of God is part of God’s family and has been put into God’s spiritual kingdom. Jesus set it forth beautifully that from God’s perspective, there is one Shepherd and one fold, not many.

Jesus came to minister first to the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. They were a forerunner of what would occur when He made known the mystery, which is that we are all members of one body. Jesus unified and rallied people around the name of God and His Word. We are to do the same. We are not to condemn and criticize but to unify. God made us alive together and to sit together in the heavenlies.

Jesus introduced the concept of “Father.” In Matthew 6:9 when teaching his disciples how to pray, he said, “OUR Father.” We cannot make people our enemies simply because their form of fellowship is different than ours. God is OUR Father. When teaching his disciples how to be great, Jesus taught that the greatest is the servant of all. In God’s kingdom, to stand at the bottom and give support to the rest is the greatest thing we can do.

When Jesus’ disciples told him about those who were casting out devils in his name but not following Jesus, Jesus’ response was to “forbid him not.” He said no man who is doing miracles in his name is against him.

The Devil’s strategy is to divide and conquer. A mass together is a powerful force. In our cities and communities we must stand together in the Christian faith. In our households, we must handle problems before the sun goes down so the husband and wife stand firmly together. No kingdom, city or household can stand otherwise. We are on God’s team, the mighty army of the Lord. We must work together toward a common goal, treating one another with the love that Jesus taught his disciples. There should be no strife or in-fighting. We should be willing to look at things from one another’s perspective and see the heart instead of picking apart ways of believing. We must be considerate, not judgmental. What a thrill to be part of the greatest thing in the history of mankind — the family of God.

We are part of one mighty force, one beautiful family. Let us put away judgmental thoughts and reach out a hand to others with the understanding God can give, being mature and loving children in the magnificent family of God.