"...the only way that we as the people of God
and a Church Family can stand is by doing so together."
PAST
MESSAGES:
IT'S
JUST A MATTER OF TIME
WHAT'S
YOUR RESPONSE
DOING
A NEW THING
DEFINED
BY LOVE
BELIEVERS
ARE TO LIVE IN LOVE
FAITH
THAT'S ALIVE
GOD'S
WORD
BELIEF
IS NOT ENOUGH
HOW
I VIEW MY CHURCH
PSALM
92:1-4
FOUR
GREAT VISIONS
COMPLETE
SURRENDER
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"Together
We Stand"
Someone once said, "together
we stand, but divided we fall." This phrase has stood
as the mantra for those espousing the urgency to unite amid
the temptation to spread out and scatter. More often than
not, this impetus is driven by the principle that one’s
chances for survival are drastically depleted if they separate
from rather than unite with other individuals within their
particular group identity. Under these conditions and circumstances,
the clarion’s call for solidarity is sounded throughout
every rank and file, culminating with the words, "together
we stand, but divide we fall."
This is the same sentiment expressed
by Jesus Christ in Matthew, chapter twelve and verse twenty-five.
In the passage we find him saying to his disciples "…[a]
house divided against itself shall not stand:." He
makes this statement in response to some of his disciples
who had a concern regarding polarizing activity within the
broader context of Godly ministry. Upon hearing his disciples'
grievances, he says to them "…[a] house divided
against itself shall not stand:.”
One of the things that I find most
comforting in this text is the fact that Jesus doesn't allow
his disciples to view diversity as a cause for division.
It is an unfortunate reality that the lines of conflict
are generally drawn by those who allow diversity to be their
ruling standard for divisive discourse and deportment. Simply
put, they believe that peoples' differences are a substantial
enough reason for them to be divided asunder. To this dilemma,
Jesus speaks and lets it be known that differences don't
necessarily have to result in division.
Beloved, as we consider these words
of the Master Shepherd, I want to encourage us not to allow
our differences of the past or even the present to divide
us as a people of God. One of the most effective weapons
known to humanity is that of division. It has its own place
of honor within the tactical armory of every adversarial
force. In more contemporary language, the enemy holds near
and dear the fundamental principle of “divide and
conquer.” We who are the people of God would be well
advised by these words. Indeed, Jesus said it best when
he uttered the words "...[a] house divided against
itself shall not stand:."
I declare that the only way that
we as the people of God and a Church Family can stand is
by doing so together. The bonds of solidarity have proven
to be the source of great strength and power upon countless
occasions throughout our history. A case in point would
be the civil rights movement, which would not have been
the success that we claim it to have been today without
us knowing how to stand together. I would go further by
saying that Mount Horeb is where she is today because in
days gone by, the Mount Horeb Church Family knew how to
get beyond their differences and stand together.
As we move forward in our journey as pastor and people,
we must do so by standing together. Whatever the issues
may be and wherever they may have arisen, let us get beyond
our differences and stand together. As for me, let it be
known right here and right now that I'm taking a stand for
the cause of Christ. I wonder who is willing to stand with
me. Mothers, are you with me? Fathers, are you with me?
Brothers, are you with me? Sisters, are you with me? Youth
and Young Adults, are you with me?!!! Remember beloved,
together we stand, but divided we fall.
Going Forward
Pastor H.B. Sampson III, D.Min.
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