Maineville Lighthouse Church

 

 I was thinking…Pastor Steve   

 

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who

falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together,

they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though

one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord

of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4: 9 – 12 (NIV)

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I was thinking about you all and the fellowship at Maineville UMC.  There is a reason that Paul calls the church the body of Christ, nothing can get done with just parts of the body here and there.  They all have to work together to make it function correctly.  America is a country that promotes “individualism,” and that has its place, but, in the church, we are to be many with the same focus, to share Jesus with the world.  Now, we are each given a special gift to encourage and edify the church, and each church is also gifted in its own way that will do the work of Jesus and share His love in a variety of ways.

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As we can see above, two are better than one.  The work-load is lightened when it is shared.  There are a multitude of examples that reveal the importance of two people working together.  But let’s jump to that last verse, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  So, if one is okay and two is better, then three (or more) is the best!  See, we can do better together…but it takes all of us joined in a common purpose. 

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This is how a crew, or rowing team, works according to Justin Mastine-Frost in the article A Beginner’s Guide to Rowing Crew.  “In a crew of eight, the rowers are further split into technical-class rowers at the bow, who keep the boat stable and balanced, the powerhouse class of rowers in the middle, who provide most of the strength and power, and the stern or stroke-class rowers, who set the timing of the team's rowing actions. The head of the boat is the other major position, known as the coxswain. The coxswain, or cox, has the responsibility of steering, motivating, and otherwise communicating with the team and leading them during the race.”   Similar to the rowing team, we have various tasks we are to do.  If a rowing team chose to row at each individual pace or two on one side and three on the other…well, the oars would be clanking against each other or they would wobble down the lake instead of in a straight line.  How frustrating would it be for the coxswain, in our case Jesus, if we don’t work together?  It’s similarly problematic for the pastor, Ad Board, Trustees, Out Reach and Mission Committees, and any other leaders who try to keep the flock focused on following Jesus.

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Let me get back to that one verse again, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  This third strand, in our case, is the Holy Spirit.  We tend to forget that He is with us always!  Do a little research in your Scriptures to see the power and ability He gives to us.  We need to keep Him in mind whenever we do something that is beyond our capabilities, the ministry that He has placed on our heart. He is the One who will make it succeed…not in our own power, but with the help of others in the fellowship and the Holy Spirit.  Amen?

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I did want to remind you that there will be an Ash Wednesday service March 2nd at 7 pm.  Virgil Barnes has volunteered to administer the ashes, and I will be there to help in any way needed.  The ashes can be administered on the back of the hand or on the forehead, whichever you choose.

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There is also some information in this issue on the WCA Global Gathering Simulcast that our church will host again, this year on May 7th.  Be sure to stay informed on that as well.  Don’t grow weary.  Spring is right around the corner. God bless.

 

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