Lay Lake Church of Christ Bulletin
Volume 5, Number 31
David A. Bass
One of the most important things in life, especially the church, is cooperation. If we will cooperate or simply “pull together,” we can achieve the unity for which Christ prayed and the church will grow as the Lord desires. As New Testament Christians we are all members of the same family, children of God (Galatians 3:26). As members of God’s family we should be working together to make the church at Lay Lake grow spiritually and numerically. The church will not and cannot move forward as long as some are pushing and others are pulling.
The church in the first century was a cooperative church. We read in Acts 4:32, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:…” Paul encouraged the brethren in Philippi when he wrote, “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). It was only because of cooperation on the part of early Christians that the gospel was preached to the entire world (Colossians 1:5,6) in such a short time in the first century. In order to cooperate we must begin to think alike, to have the same goals and desires.
We can begin “pulling together” by putting the interest of the church (our Christian family) ahead of our own interests. We must put the spiritual ahead of the secular! Jesus said, “But seek ye FIRST thekingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). Paul wrote in Philippians 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Lay Lake should be FIRST in our scheduling and planning.
Christian J – O – Y comes from putting: 1) Jesus first; 2) Others second; 3) Yourself third. When there is a conflict in our schedules, spiritual things and activities with our Christian families should always come first ahead of secular activities. We must be careful that we do not over commit ourselves to our “clubs,” “hobbies,” “sports,” “our children’s activities” or “our jobs” leaving little or no time for spiritual activities.
If we are not moving forward and growing, then we will become stagnant. We need to be working in the kingdom! In order for the Lord’s work to be successful, every member must cooperate or “pull together!” Parents, you need to set the example and then encourage your children to want to attend and participate. Volunteer (oh, the “V” word) – is not a dirty word. We need volunteers!!!! Volunteers to open their homes for get-togethers; to chaperone trips; to make visits (delinquent Christians, weak Christians, sick, discouraged, etc.) and to set up Bible studies. There is work for EVERYONE!
It is time to stop just “talking” about what needs to be done and start doing it! We have a great work before us! Our attitude must be like that of our Lord when he said, “I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4). Brethren, let’s COOPERATE, let’s “PULL TOGETHER!”