Luke 11:1-28

A House Divided

Our church is a little unusual in some respects. We have worship dancers who are up on 80%+ of our songs. They are not there to be seen. Rather they choreograph in a deliberate fashion as to invite others to come and join them. Often people do. It isn’t unusual to see more people involved in worship dance who are not part of the dance team than those who are. Those who don’t dance (the majority) still get the benefit of what is released in the room.

We also have a Theatre as one of our ministries. We don’t do regular “church” plays but plays and musicals from the secular stage that have redemptive value. We do this to get people who wouldn’t come to a service intrigued and to provide a first class theatre experience for those in the area theatre community who otherwise might not have anything to do with a church.

We also have a strong missions ministry both domestic and international. We have a strong ministry to children. Our doctrine would be considered essentially conservative Evangelical; well within the framework of traditional Christianity. In other words, we have a lot in common with most of the Church and we have a few noticeable quirks. (Did I mention our Art Gallery?)

One of the things I have learned over the years is that not every church is for everybody, nor is it supposed to be. We are centered around Jesus as our King and a few essential doctrines. After that it gets colorful and I love it. From the quiet liturgical to the rowdy Charismatics, from the Social Gospel to the Hard Line Holiness, from Rome to Russia to Roanoke we are different and because we are the enemy as an infinite number of fronts to try and defend as the kingdom advances. One of the most effective weapons he has against the kingdom is division. If he can get us to disown one another over some issue of style or unessential substance, or failing that if he can at least get us to doubt the validity of “those” people or “that” church then his job is ever so much easier. Of course it is; we do much of it for him.

What don’t we understand about, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall”? No wonder Paul wrote to the Ephesians in the magnificent chapter about the church (Eph. 4) and said: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.