COME TO THE TABLEWorship Series – Week 2

Welcome to My Table – I Will Be a Unifying Salvationist

WORSHIP SERVICE OUTLINESEach worship outline contains all elements needed for your worship service. The order of each service presented is only a suggestion. No doubt changes will be needed to accommodate the flow and worship style of your corps. The outlines are flexible and allow opportunities to “cut and paste” as needed. If you are blessed with instrumental or vocal music resources, you may find there is more structured material here than needed.

Prop: A table (preferably a dining room table) should be a focal point and remain on the platform throughout the series.

Aim of Series: As a result of the worship series, listeners will discover the purpose, joy and privilege of corps membership and will make a commitment to become active, effective, participatory and inclusive corps members.

HC#217 – In This Sanctuary HC-217 HCD20-T17

Announcements and Offering

Drama: Peace on Earth?

I Will Be a Unifying Salvationist

Call to Worship:God desires for Christians to get along. In fact He is emphatic about it. Jesus was clear when He said: “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, HCSB).

Did you get that?

The world will know if we are Christians or not by the way we who are believers act toward one another. Have you ever been to an ugly business meeting in a corps? Do you think an outsider would have been impressed with the “Christian” behavior witnessed?

Have you ever heard Christians gossip about other Christians? Is that loving one another?

When you become a Christian, God expects you to be a part of His church. But when you become a part of His church, He wants you to be a unifying presence there. Let’s state that a bit more strongly. He demands that you become a unifying presence there. The evidence is pretty clear.

(I Am a Church Member, pp. 21-22)

SB#938 – We have caught the vision splendid

TB-394 – AustriaTB-361 – Blaenwern

HTD1-T2 (3 vs.)HTD5-T3 (3 vs.)

Additional Optional SongsSB#155 – We have a gospel to proclaim TB-5 – Beethoven HTD6-T4 (3 vs.)SB#220 – Great is the darkness that covers the earth

TB-595 – Come, Lord Jesus

No CD

SB#246 – Christ is made the sure foundation

TB-409 – Westminster AbbeyTB-394 – Austria (repeat last 2 lines)

No CD

HTD1-T2 (3 vs.)

SB#315 – All over the world the Spirit is moving

TB-545 – All over the world

No CD

SB#330 – As we are gathered, Jesus is here

TB-560 – As we are gathered

No CD

SB#346 – We need each other’s voice to sing

TB-585 – Checkendon

No CD

SB#593 – In my life, Lord TB-738 – Lord, be glorified

No CD

SB#813 – For I’m building a people of power

TB-615 – same No CD

SB#814 – God of grace and God of glory TB-407 – Regent Square

HTD4-T12 (4 vs.)

SB#914 – Army flag! Thy threefold glory TB-394 – Austria HTD1-T2 (3 vs.)SB#917 – Christ for the world, we sing TB-197 – Harlan

TB-198 – MoscowHTD10-T2 (3 vs.)HTD2-T2 (4 vs.)

SB#921 – Forward! be our watchword TB-185 – sameTB-190 – Rachie

No CDHTD2-T13 (3 vs.)

SB#926 – O Thou God of every nation TB-394 – AustriaTB-407 – Regent Square

HTD1-T2 (3 vs.)HTD4-T12 (4 vs.)

SB#927 – Rescue the perishing, care for the dying

TB-808 – Rescue the perishing

No CD

SB#932 – The Lord’s command to go into the world

TB-788 – On we march

HTD10-T11 (3 vs.)

SB#936 – Wanted, hearts baptized with fire

TB-370 – Hyfrydol (omit chorus)TB-394 – Austria (omit chorus)

HTD1-T14 (3 vs.)

HTD1-T2 (3 vs.)

HC#39 – Raise up an Army HC-39 HCD2b-T19HC#81 – O God of Burning, Cleansing Flame

HC-81 HCD7-T11

HC#99 – Shine, Jesus, ShineSB#261 – Lord, the light of Your love is shining

HC-99TB-822 – Shine, Jesus, shine

HCD8-T19No CD

HC#171 – Stand up and Bless the LordSB#391 – Stand up and bless the Lord

HC-171TB-149 – Falcon Street

HCD16-T11HTD3-T12 (3 vs.)

HC#181 – Onward, Christian SoldiersSB#971 – Onward, Christian soldiers

HC-181TB-188 – same

HCD17-T11HTD2-T10 (3 vs.)

HC#202 – O Church, AriseSB#819 – O Church, arise

HC-202TB-777 – same

HCD19-T12No CD

HC#221 – Servants of GodSB#97 – Ye servants of God

HC-221TB-479 – Hanover

HCD21-T11HTD4-T4 (3 vs.)

HC#231 – Guide Me, O Thou Great JehovahSB#27 – Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah

HC-231

TB-399 – Cwm Rhondda

HCD22-T11

HTD3-T7 (4 vs.)

HC#239 – Fountain/Doxology HC-239 HCD22-T19HC#250 – Hear the Call of the Kingdom HC-250 HCD23-T20HC#251 – Praise to the Lord, the AlmightySB#56 – Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

HC-251

TB-735 – Lobe den Herren

HCD24-T11

HTD4-T11 (4 vs.)

Responsive Reading:

Leader: The apostle Paul said a lot about unity when he wrote his letter to the Ephesians. Paul obviously liked the church at Ephesus. Look at some of his words he wrote to the church:

All: This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:15-16, HCSB)

Leader: Did you pick up on why Paul was thankful for those church members” He was thankful for their faith in Jesus and, for “your love for all the saints.” We sometimes call a real godly person a saint, but in the Bible it simply refers to Christians. So Paul was thankful because these church members were showing love for one another. Unity is critically important. Paul would emphasize it again to the church members at Ephesus.

All: As a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you: Live a life that is worthy of the calling He has graciously extended to you. 2 Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient.

Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love. 3 Make every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit has already created, with peace binding you together.

(Ephesians 4:1-3, The Voice)

Leader: You have responsibility as a corps member. You are to be a source of unity. You are never to be a divisive force. You are to love your fellow Salvationists

unconditionally. And while that doesn’t mean you agree with everyone all

the time, it does mean you are willing to sacrifice your own preferences to keep unity in your corps. For when we seek unity, we demonstrate love. Look at Paul’s words in his letter to the church of Colossae:

All: 14 But above all these, put on love! Love is the perfect tie to bind these together. (Colossians 3:14, The Voice)

Leader: Paul said, “above all.” It doesn’t get much more important than that. Unity is really important in your church. Jesus says to declare forgiveness of those

who have wronged us. This is because forgiveness of other people emulates God’s forgiveness of us.

All: 14 If you forgive people when they sin against you, then your Father will forgive you when you sin against Him and when you sin against your neighbor.

15 But if you do not forgive your neighbors’ sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15, The Voice)

Leader: Unity in the church will not happen if members have unforgiving hearts. Paul tells them the key to remain unified is to show compassion and

forgiveness toward one another.

All: 12 Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness, and patience. 13 Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind. (Colossians 3:12-13, The Voice)

(I Am a Church Member, pp. 23-24, 28)

SB#255 – I’m set apart for Jesus TB-213 – Aurelia HTD3-T3 (3 vs.)Additional Optional Songs

SB#51 – O Thou God of full salvation TB-360 – Bethany HTD11-T1 (4 vs.)HC#7 – Spirit of God, DescendSB#290 – Spirit of God, descend upon my heart

HC-7TB-467 – same

HCD1a-T17No CD

SB#316 – At the moment of my weakness TB-658 – His Provision

No CD

SB#317 – Burning, burning, brightly burning

TB-318 – Burning, Burning

HTD1-T5 (3 vs.)

SB#494 – I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus TB-297 – Bullinger HTD8-T2 (4 vs.)SB#495 – I bring my heart to Jesus, with its fears

TB-674 – I bring my heart to Jesus

No CD

SB#499 – It is Jesus I need, it is Jesus indeed

TB-703 – It is Jesus HTD12-T9 (2 vs.)

HC#89 – Knowing YouSB#565 – All I once held dear

HC-89TB-725 – same

HCD7-T19No CD

HC#196 – Take My Life/I Am Yours HC-196 HCD18-T16HC#205 – Closer Still HC-205 HCD19-T15

We Always Pray at the Table

Option 1: Table Testimony – Choose several leaders and interview them as to what leadership is like in the corps, the good and the bad. Welcome them to the table. Prayers for officers/leaders. See prayer below as an option.

Option 2: If you don’t have anyone to interview, play one of the video interviews from the Welcome Home Commissioning Weekend, Saturday Morning service 1. Below are the options: Abraham Leka, Vinal & Brenna Lee, Envoy Deshawn Johnson[Videos can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiS-R1cHNK9hBAddifZi-By8OhTRmDWAc ]

Prayer:Dear God, we pray for every leader in our churches around the world – give them your wisdom and discernment as they lead. We pray that their hearts would be directed first to you, that they would recognize where their true help and strength comes from. We ask that you would guard their coming and going, that you would be their refuge and their peace. We pray that you would surround each one with wise counsel, that they would be humble and kind, patient and loving through their actions and words. We pray that their faith in you would be unwavering.

We pray for their families – give them great strength, protection, and grace for the days ahead. We ask that you would continue to pave the way for strong, faithful men and women to serve your people. We ask you for the outpouring of your Spirit to raise up those you’ve chosen to lead.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Welcome to My Table

Message – I Will Be a Unifying Salvationist

The Second Pledge

I am a corps member.

I will seek to be a source of unity in my corps. I will accept my responsibility to be a unifying presence and will contribute by seeking to display Christ-like qualities of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. One of the greatest contributions I can make is to do all I can in God’s power to help keep unity for the sake of the gospel.

Sign and Date

SB#815 – Help us to help each other, Lord TB-70 – Fewster HTD3-T13 (4 vs.)Additional Optional Songs

SB#593 – In my life, Lord TB-738 – Lord, be glorified

No CD

SB#817 – Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing

TB-736 – Londonderry air

No CD

SB#818 – O Breath of life, come sweeping through us

TB-835 – Spiritus Vitae

No CD

HC#35 – In the Secret of Thy Presence HC-35 HCD2b-T15HC#58 – Praise You HC-58 HCD4-T18HC#62 – When God Comes Near HC-62 HCD5-T12HC#64 – The Pathway of Duty HC-64 HCD5-T14HC#87 – Passion HC-87 HCD7-T17HC#89 – Knowing YouSB#565 – All I once held dear

HC-89TB-725 – same

HCD7-T19No CD

HC#91 – Fan the Flame in MeSB#287 – Lord, renew in me

HC-91TB-608 – same

HCD8-T11No CD

HC#112 – The Potter’s HandSB#355 – Beautiful Lord, wonderful Savior

HC-112TB-867 – same

HCD10-T12No CD

HC#126 – My Desire HC-126 HCD11-T16HC#159 – Spirit of the Living GodSB#313 – Spirit of the living God

HC-159TB-611 – Fill me anew

HCD14-T19No CD

HC#160 – I Surrender HC-160 HCD14-T20HC#173 – In This Quiet MomentSB#595 – In this quiet moment

HC-173TB-186 – same

HCD16-T13No CD

HC#205 – Closer Still HC-205 HCD19-T15HC#207 – Grace AloneSB#699 – Every promise we can make

HC-207TB-640 – same

HCD19-T17No CD

HC#213 – In the Presence of Jehovah HC-213 HCD20-T13HC#214 – Holy Spirit HC-214 HCD20-T14

A Prayer for Unity

Benediction:“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT)

Shall we pray:God, help our corps to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have given us. We are so incredibly in need of your power and your strength. We ask that you would fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all around our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. Please help us to truly live out a life of love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so we ask that you would move across our land in miraculous ways, with fresh filling and awareness, turning your people back to you, drawing others to come to know you. We need your unity and your love to stir our hearts and give direction to our days. We need your wisdom to guide us, we need your Spirit to lead us, to live out godly lives that would bring honor first to you. We thank you that you are always with us; and give us great purpose and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SB#992 – Who is on the Lord’s side? TB-190 – Rachie HTD2-T13 (3 vs.)Additional Optional Songs

HC#181 – Onward, Christian SoldiersSB#971 – Onward, Christian soldiers

HC-181TB-188 – same

HCD17-T11HTD2-T10 (3 vs.)

HC#193 – Soldier’s Hymn HC-193 HCD18-T13HC#198 – In Jesus’ Name HC-197 HCD18-T18HC#202 – O Church, AriseSB#819 – O Church, arise

HC-202TB-777 – same

HCD19-T12No CD

HC#250 – Hear the Call of the Kingdom HC-250 HCD23-T20SB#959 – I’ll go in the strength of the Lord

TB-433 – In the strength of the Lord

HTD4-T8 (3 vs. with extended ending)

SB#960 – In the Army of Jesus we’ve taken our stand

TB-692 – I’ll stand for Christ

HTD4-T7 (4 vs.)

Come to the Table Week #2DRAMA

Peace on Earth?By Martyn Scott Thomas

© Copyright 2019 by Martyn Scott Thomas. All rights reserved. Used by permission.Topic: UnityScripture: Ephesians 4:1-3Synopsis: Two men try to come to an agreement.Characters: Ryan – a member of the congregation

Frank – part of the corps (church) leadershipReferee

Props/Costumes: Two chairs. A referee’s outfit, a whistle, a coin, and a mobile phone.Setting: Any room.Running time: 5 minutes

[Two chairs are set up facing each other. Ryan and Frank enter and sit. Referee is standing off to one side.]

Frank: [acknowledging Ryan, a bit agitated] Hello, Ryan.

Ryan: [with the same tone] Francis.

Frank: [a little more upset] Francis? Really? That’s how we’re going to start this?

Ryan: That is your name.

Frank: Nobody’s called me that for twenty years except my grandmother.

Ryan: I always liked that woman.

Referee: [blows whistle and steps forward] Foul on Ryan – unnecessary use of given name.

Ryan: Aw, come on, Ref!

Referee: Gentlemen, you agreed to do your best to keep this civil. I’m here to make sure you do.

Ryan: [sighs] Sorry, Frank.

Referee: Good. Now, let’s keep this a clean debate. [steps back]

Frank: [to Ryan] Would you like to go first or shall I?

Ryan: [looking cautiously at Referee]

Referee: [steps forward and pulls a coin from pocket] Ryan, you are the guest, please call heads or tails.

Ryan: Heads.

Referee: [tosses coin and picks it up] Heads it is. [steps back]

Frank: [disappointed] Rats!

Ryan: Hah! [changing tone] I mean, I guess I’ll start.

Frank: [under his breath] Of course you will.

Referee: [looks toward Frank, puts whistle up to his mouth but doesn’t blow]

Frank: [looks back at Referee] I mean, sounds great.

Ryan: Okay, so I feel that as a representative of the congregation, we’d like to see some changes.

Frank: [defensive] Who says that you represent the congregation?

Ryan: Listen, it’s not my fault people would rather complain to me about church leadership than talk to you.

Frank: Who’s complaining? As far as I know, it’s just you and your little group of phone-checking back row sitters. I’d hardly say that’s a majority.

Referee: [blows whistle and steps forward] Foul on Frank – offensive infraction for name calling and generalizations.

Frank: [to Referee] Sorry. [to Ryan] Please continue. [Referee steps back]

Ryan: As I said, members of the congregation would like to see some changes in the way we do things on Sundays.

Frank: What kind of changes?

Ryan: [pulls his phone from his pocket] Well, let’s see . . .

Frank: Wait a minute! You have a list? Nobody said anything about a list!

Ryan: Well, there were too many items for me to remember.

Frank: I thought we agreed to keep this simple.

Ryan: Well, it just got more complicated.

Referee: [blows whistle and steps forward] Foul on Ryan – illegal procedure for escalation of conflict.

Ryan: [arguing] But the number of issues has gone up since we first agreed to this meeting.

Frank: But that was just two days ago! How many more issues could have come up?

Ryan: [looking at his phone] Seventeen.

Frank: Seventeen issues in two days? [pleading] Ref?

Referee: I’m sorry, Ryan, but we’re going to have to stick to the original issues. You’re going to have to put your phone away.

Frank: Hah! In your face!

Ryan: [to Frank] Really? How old are you, six?

Referee: [to Ryan] Good one.

Frank: Hey, you can’t take sides!

Referee: Sorry. [steps back]

Ryan: Where were we?

Frank: You were putting your phone away.

Ryan: Oh yeah. [puts phone away]

Frank: So what are the changes your little group wants to see?

Ryan: Well, first we’d like to bump up the starting time of the service to 10:45.

Frank: But we’ve always started at 11:00.

Ryan: Yeah, and we never finish before 12:30.

Frank: That’s not true. We were done by 12:27 three weeks ago.

Ryan: And we’d like shorter sermons.

Frank: But that’s the focus of the service.

Ryan: Well maybe the corps officer (pastor) can talk faster.

Frank: Anything else?

Ryan: Coffee.

Frank: What about it?

Ryan: We want to be able to drink it.

Frank: But you can.

Ryan: [continuing] In the chapel.

Frank: [standing] Stop right there! That’s never going to happen!

Ryan: [standing] We need something to help get us through the service.

Frank: What about spills?

Ryan: We’ll have lids.

Frank: And I suppose you’ll want donuts, too!

Ryan: Hey, I like that idea.

Frank: [raising his voice] I repeat: Never going to happen!

Ryan: [raising his voice] Just try and stop us!

Referee: [blows whistle and steps between them] Fouls on both of you! This has gotten way out of hand. I tried to let you work this out, but you just can’t play nice.

Ryan: That’s because leadership never listens!

Frank: That’s because your ideas are dumb!

Ryan: You only think so because you’re afraid of change.

Frank: But, we’ve always done things this way and everything’s been fine.

Referee: Frank, have you talked to the congregation lately? Do you really think everything’s okay?

Frank: [backing off a bit] Well I thought so until today.

Referee: And Ryan, do you really think the best way to encourage change is by demanding your way?

Ryan: [stepping back] It was worth a shot.

Referee: I think you both need to re-examine your methods and your objectives.

Ryan: We just want a better service.

Frank: And we just want to provide a better service.

Referee: It seems like you both want the same thing. Maybe you start with what you have in common rather than with your differences.

Frank: Makes sense.

Ryan: I guess so.

Referee: I think my work here is done. [steps back]

Ryan: Maybe we can take this somewhere else.

Frank: Did you have someplace in mind?

Ryan: [turns to exit] There’s a coffee shop around the corner.

Frank: [following Ryan, shaking his head] Really?

[Blackout]

COME TO THE TABLESermon – Week 2

You’re Welcome at the Table – I Will Be a Unifying SalvationistBy Major Morag Yoder

Sermon Thesis: God intends for his church to be unified through the bonds of love.

Sermon Aim: I want the listener to commit to become a unifying presence within their corps.

Introduction:Does anyone remember the name Rodney King? On March 3, 1991, Rodney King was beaten by Los Angeles Police Department officers during his arrest for speeding. A civilian filmed the incident from his nearby balcony and sent the footage to a local news station. Soon the incident was covered by news media around the world.

Sadly the beating and the footage might not seem remarkable today, but, back then, this incident polarized America. When the police officers involved were acquitted in 1992, outrage over the verdicts resulted in riots across the city of Los Angeles. The rioting lasted six days, during which 63 people were killed and 2,373 were injured.

My lasting memory of this desperate time in American history was when Rodney King appeared on television during the riots with this heartfelt request, “I just want to say – you know – can we all get along? Can we, can we get along?” I can’t tell you how many times those words and the image of Rodney King has run through my mind over the years. I hoped back then this would be a defining moment in American history, but it appears things haven’t really changed. “Getting along” isn’t simple or easy, and it doesn’t just happen! Parents constantly remind their children to “play nice and get along” with their siblings. Teachers create lessons and opportunities for their students to learn how to have harmonious, friendly relationships in the classroom and playground. Employers utilize teambuilding events and exercises in an effort to break down barriers and create a more productive, inclusive work atmosphere, where employees function well together.

Thank goodness the church is the one place where we do all get along! Our theme song is: “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord…and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love” – right? If only! Believing the truth of the song doesn’t automatically make the sentiment true in our lives. I doubt anyone here would deny the value of unity. And, while it’s admirable to quote scripture passages about peace and harmony being the defining qualities of a corps, living out the truth is what makes us the church God intended us to be.

Okay – we’re all squirming! The topic of unity is one of those “rubber hits the road” topics; one we wrestle with over and over again. But before you give up, say you’ve heard this all before and tune me out, let’s think back to the main point of last week’s sermon. You are God’s beloved! Every person here is known, loved and valued by a God who wants to be in relationship with you. He wants you here at his table. God loves us—warts and all! We don’t

have to tidy up or act right before coming to his table. We can admit that our relationships within and outside the church aren’t always what we’d like them to be. If the point of this series is to discover the purpose, joy and privilege of corps membership, there must be a way for each of us to become a unifying presence in this body of believers. It has to be possible! And I’m going to suggest the best place to learn to live in unity is right here at this table. Doing this “church thing” together is one of the ways God chooses to bond us together in love. And God’s love is the power that unifies us!

Point 1: Instructions on Unity

Illustration:So, what is our part? How do we allow God’s love to do its work? If I were to ask you to help me build a new IKEA bookcase, who would grab a screwdriver and jump right in? And who would ask to read the instructions first? I generally like to have clear direction and fully understand a process first, but at times I’m very tempted to jump right in and rely on intuition and experience to get the job done.

When God inspired Paul to write letters to the early churches, he did so out of love. People who love us most want the best for us and understand the importance of offering loving guidance. Most of Paul’s letters include specific instructions on how to “be the church.” One example is Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae. Open your Bibles to Colossians chapter 3. Paul could easily have founded one church, moved on to the next and left it up to the believers in each location to figure out how to be the church. But that’s not the way it happened. Paul regularly instructed the young churches on how to live out their calling. God never intended for us to flounder along as the church. He knew it would be a daunting, but not impossible, task to live in unity.

It’s a bit like being adopted into a family. If you are an orphan, someone adopts you – not the other way around. Imagine your new parents are named Joe and Sue Smith; you now attend the Smith family events – including dinners and celebrations. You might even discover you are sharing a bedroom with a new Smith sibling. When you go to school or sign your name, you answer to or write the name “Smith.” You aren’t pretending to be a Smith, you are a Smith. You may not look like your parents, but you’ve been chosen to carry their name.

We carry God’s name. When God welcomes us to the table – when he lovingly adopts us as his child – his intention is for us to become members of the family, with all the rights and privileges. It doesn’t matter if we look or act like everyone else in the family! God values variety and diversity. All are loved and all belong. But differences are often what trip us up.

The term “dysfunctional” can sometimes be applied to families, but that’s not God’s intent for his children or his church. If you are adopted into a family, you’ll likely discover your new family functions differently from what you’re used to. Most families have family rules or guidelines. Likewise, biblical instruction is intended to help us function together for our own good, for the sake of others and the glory of God. If God’s love brings us together, love can also instruct us in how to make our differences compatible.

Colossians 3:1-9 offers a practical list of instructions. Paul wants members of the Colossian church to understand the challenges of living out our Christian experience in our everyday lives. We are united with Christ and one day that eternal union will be ultimately realized, but, until then, we still have to live and function on earth. Paul reminds us that in the past, our behavior, attitudes and relationships might have been characterized by greed, anger, malice, slander, filthy language and lies – negative and damaging qualities. But Paul also tells us we don’t have keep living as we used to live. From the end of verse 9 through verse 14, he goes on to tell us, as a result of being chosen by God, we get to adopt new attitudes and behaviors; a whole new way of living. We get to take on qualities that draw us together: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness.

If we think again about being adopted into the Smith family, it only makes sense that we’ll need some instruction on what it means to be a member of the family. And not just about the things we shouldn’t do anymore, but all the exciting things we get to do and be from now on! If you saw the comedy-drama movie, Instant Family, you witnessed a raw, but true-to-life, portrayal of three siblings trying to make sense of what it means to be part of a loving, stable family. God knows that most of the attitudes and behaviors that trip us up are a result of being left to our own devices. When we feel unloved, we do and believe all sorts of things that draw us further and further away from God. But when we are adopted and compassionately guided – when we come to the table and realize we really are welcome in the family – it’s possible to gain a whole new attitude and outlook. When we are chosen and given a new name, we discover a new purpose and a new way of relating.

Love has a way of bringing people together and making their differences compatible. This doesn’t mean members of God’s family are perfect and won’t make mistakes, but God’s love is the foundation that continually draws us together and restores harmony. A corps is a lot like a band. Different instruments with different musical notes to play, but, with encouragement from the bandmaster, together the different members create a harmonious song. Corps function best as we all come together in love and purpose to make something beautiful.

Point 2: Responsibilities for UnityHave you ever wondered why a church or corps is described as a “fellowship?” Christians are called first “into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9), and then with each other – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It’s difficult to be in fellowship if you can’t get along and impossible if you are estranged.

Last week we looked at the analogy of the human body, which reminds us that every part of the body is integral to the whole. This demonstrates that Christian fellowship isn’t supposed to be a polite, formal relationship. No – if we are a body – we’re intimately bound to one another. We’re supposed to get “up close and personal!” We can’t pick and choose who we fellowship with. We don’t have the luxury of accepting some people and not others. We are in this thing together, folks! God’s intention is unity, which ultimately means we have responsibility for one another.

Have you ever noticed all the “one another” statements in the Bible? The phrase “one another” is mentioned 54 times in the New Testament alone. God wouldn’t repeat this phrase so often if teaching and encouraging us on how to have healthy relationships with one another isn’t important! We can’t go on pretending this stuff doesn’t matter – our relationships with one another affect our relationship with God. God says we have a responsibility to foster unity with one another – and unity matters big time!

Look again at Colossians 3. This portion of scripture includes a few of those “one another” statements. Verse 9 says “don’t lie to each other.” Paul is telling us that it’s our responsibility to be honest – not brutally honest, but truthful and sincere. Verse 13 tells us to “bear with each other.” In other words, be patient with me – give me a break – recognize my weaknesses – endure me – suffer me; even when I get on your nerves! Verse 13 goes on to say “and forgive one other,” which we’re going to look at a little later.

What other responsibilities do we have for one another? I’m glad you asked![Print out the following verses and distribute the list during the sermon]

Love one another – John 13:34; 15:12, 17; Romans 13:8; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11; 2 John 5

Be devoted to one another – Romans 12:10a Have mutual concern for one another – 1 Corinthians 12:25 Serve one another – Galatians 5:13 Carry the burdens of one another – Galatians 6:2 Honor one another – Romans 12:10b Encourage one another – 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11 Bear patiently with one another – Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13a Be kind and compassionate to one another – Ephesians 4:32a Confess to one another – James 5:16 Forgive one another – Ephesians 4:32b; Colossians 3:13b Show hospitality to one another – 1 Peter 4:9 Accept/receive one another – Romans 15:7 Warmly greet one another – Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1

Peter 5:14 Submit to one another – Ephesians 5:21 Treat one another as more important than one’s self – Philippians 2:3 Instruct and exhort one another – Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16a; Hebrews 3:13 Spur one another to love and good works – Hebrews 10:24 Live in harmony and unity with one another – Romans 12:16; 15:5 Show humility toward one another – 1 Peter 5:5 Pursue what is good for one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Build up one another – Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Whew! And this list isn’t exhaustive! Living like Jesus – living as the body of Christ is revolutionary. It’s living counter to the way the world tells us to live. It’s loving and serving others the way Jesus loved and served. We won’t always get it right. But, when our sincere desire is to allow God’s love to fill us to overflowing, that love can’t help but spill out on to

others. When we truly take responsibility for one another, our relationships will look different. The life we live around this table will be different. Our corps will look different. And those differences will be a compelling force in our world!

I know a lot of Christian college students who consciously choose to go to state university and live in a dorm with strangers. Many believe this choice will provide opportunities to test and live out their faith in the secular world. Interestingly, most of these young people discover many other students who grew up just as they did in the church, but surprisingly very few of these new friends choose to continue attending church during college. Why? Because they can’t reconcile the hypocrisy they experienced within the church with biblical values. College is a time to question and make choices. You weigh up the values you’ve been taught and decide if you’ll adopt the same values. Many students struggle to see how church membership makes you more like Jesus. These students readily admit just as much hypocrisy is found outside the church, but the difference is “people in the church claim to be different.” If the church claims to love God and people, then love should be evident.

Point 3: Essentials of UnitySo where do we start? What are the essentials?

Check out this comic strip image [project on screen – image found at end of sermon]:https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1024-i-love-mankind-it-s-people-i-can-t-stand

Linus is obviously fed up when he says, “I love mankind ... it’s people I can't stand!!” Oh, wouldn’t it be great to live alone on a desert island! Adam really had it made back “In the beginning.” Life would have been perfect if all he had to do was enjoy the garden, take care of the animals and spend time with God. But God determined this wasn’t the best plan. Ultimately he chose to put Adam in relationship, because relationship is good!

God is the God of relationship. And God knows demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience or kindness doesn’t happen when you sit alone on a desert island. All of these Christ-like qualities come alive in relationship. And they are best shown when the people around us give us reasons not to like them, but we choose to love them anyway!

When we choose to follow Christ – when we take our place at the table – we are in the place God planned for us. We are exactly where God wants us to be, because this is where he intends to make us more like Christ. We’ve landed right in the best place to live out the gospel – right in the midst of a bunch of other sinners who commit to love one another. God knows the church is the perfect representation of the gospel message. Why? Because this is where we forgive one another as Christ forgave us! This corps is where we commit to one another as Christ committed himself to us. Look around – these are the people we lay down our lives for, just as Jesus laid down his life for us.

We won’t always get it right! We’ll let each other down. We’ll get on each other’s nerves. There will be friction and tension and tussles! We’ll be tempted time and time again to quit – to move to another table – to try to find a better corps with nicer people. But wherever other people are, we’ll find lots of reasons to demonstrate Christian virtues. The key to discovering joy and

purpose is staying right where we are, surrounded by the very people who are struggling with us to become the church God intends us to be. Colossians 3:13-14 goes on to highlight the essentials we’ll need if we’re going to be a unifying presence in our corps: forgiveness and love.

Paul tells us, not only are we to forgive one another, but we are to forgive in the same way Jesus forgives. Sometimes we make a mockery of forgiveness. Jesus forgives freely. He doesn’t hesitate when asked for forgiveness. He forgives entirely; he wipes the slate clean. Jesus forgives forever – he doesn’t hold onto old offenses and throw them back in our faces. Forgiveness means we bear with unpleasant traits and irritations. We demonstrate self-control and patience. We put up with things we dislike and set aside our own preferences. When someone rubs us the wrong way, we recognize our own faults and failures and choose not to retaliate. Unforgiveness splits families apart, decimates marriages, ruins partnerships, intensifies conflicts and destroys lives. Nothing destroys unity within relationships more than unforgiveness!

Paul brings everything together in verse 14 by highlighting love as the most essential virtue. Last week we focused on love as the foundation. This week we discover love is also the pinnacle – the culmination and binding force. Everything we are – what we say, what we think, what we do – manifests itself in love. Love is the glue that holds the church together. In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul describes love as the “more excellent way” and in 1 Corinthians 13:3 he reminds us the greatest gift is love.

The world recognizes the power of love. Pop artists sing about love. Poets write about love. People are searching for love. Somewhere deep inside everyone knows “love is the answer.” Love is a force unlike any other because God is Love! The world may not acknowledge this truth, but those of us who gather around this table not only acknowledge God’s love, we get to live it out!

Conclusion: God wants you to be a unifying presence in this corps and in the world. Your impact on the world may not seem great, but your impact within this body is significant. Unity is critical in the church. Unity is crucial. And you can either be a source of unity or a divisive force. What happens here spills out into the world.

So the question of the day is: are you a unifying Salvationist? Will you be a unifying Salvationist? Will you make a commitment today to strive to be a unifying presence within this fellowship? You are welcome at this table – you are chosen, loved and wanted. Will you take your proper place as a member of the family? Will you accept loving instruction and humbly allow God to realign attitudes, thoughts and behaviors in order to build unity in your relationships? Will you accept responsibility to demonstrate the essentials of forgiveness and love?

Making a commitment is the starting point. Living out the commitment will be an ongoing process! The commitment is yours to make – not just for today, but a daily commitment. The process is yours too – but it’s also something we can do together. When we all make the same

commitment, we are in the best position to encourage and support one another. We are joined in intimate fellowship in order to help and hold one another accountable.

There is a simple song in our songbook that speaks of helping one another. When we bear each other’s burdens, when we encourage and compassionately care for one another, we grow in faith, love and unity. I encourage you to sing this song as a prayer this morning – we can bring a heartfelt request to God. As we sing, there is opportunity to prayerfully consider your presence as a unifying member of this fellowship and once again to make a fresh commitment to one another at this table.

Song Book #815/70 (T: Fewster)

1. Help us to help each other, Lord,Each other's cross to bear;Let each his friendly aid affordAnd feel his brother's care.

2. Help us to build each other up,Our little stock improve;Increase our faith, confirm our hope,And perfect us in love.

3. Up into Thee, our living Head,Let us in all things grow,Till Thou hast made us free indeedAnd spotless here below.

- Charles Wesley (1707-1788)