DIVISION and SUBTRACTION
DIVISION IN THE CHURCH!
Ever since the day the Apostle Paul found math problems scribbled on a bulletin in the first-century Church in Corinth, he knew DIVISION was going to be a problem.
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no DIVISIONS among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Cor 1:10
SUBTRACTION FROM THE WORLD!
And, before Paul spoke the above words in Corinth, Jesus spoke MATH to his disciples. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 5:18
And John expands on Jesus words. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes not from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17
Division & Subtraction like this is ‘Not your Mamma’s’ seeker-friendly model for church growth.
Pesky CHURCH Math Issues
Sadly, too many churches today seem to measure ministry with man’s metrics of attendance numbers, church square feet, and … MONEY.
This is a SEEKER-FRIENDLY tour de force in an entertain me format.
Another Math Problem in the church is when we add or redact God's word to fit its delicate, progressive sensibilities. These Churches are too self-serving and/or Bible Illiterate to be considered Christian. IMHO - in my ‘humble’ opinion.
The Church Body should not allow the winds of this harried world blur over God’s Truth. Secular world views should be pruned (subtracted) to allow a true Christian World View (God’s Will) to thrive.
Then 'The Church' can OPERATE
as one body of many parts. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 .. all to the Glory of God.
This was my awkward segue to my Church Operation Board Game.
Do not let the world push the Church into a corner. The world asks us to be silent unless spoken to, so as not to offend our Secular society.
We are called to be a city on a hill, a light to be seen,
not a passive, weak collection of Sunday churchgoers.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Finally, with all this conversation about DIVISION, remember God is also the God who MULTIPLIES.
God is really really good at math!
For example…
Jesus MULTIPLIES a few loaves and fish to feed 5,000, Matthew 14:13-21
Next, a few BIG God moments existing outside of normal math equations.
God creates everything from nothing
Jesus heals the lame, the blind, casts out demons, and raises Lazarus from the dead
And JESUS was RESURRECTED from the dead
For the above three examples and many more… The Laws of MATH & PHYSICS can take a seat.
It all ADDS UP
… when God is in our lives. I pray today we all experience and realize God's blessings MULTIPLIED, in each of our lives.
Remember the following equation…
Our Willingness + Our Limitations + GOD
= UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES
Jeff (not ready for Calculus) Larson
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