Matters of Faith
By Dr. Bascom Ratliff
Pastor, Beagle, Fontana, and Parker United Methodist Church
Scripture: I Corinthians 1: 10, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.”
I have been very deliberate about avoiding politics in my messages. I find that the blaming and shaming of political messages do nothing to build the kingdom of God and honor our Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, what I see in many political messages is a deliberate and malignant division and distortion of God’s truth. When people in power call other people names or refer to groups of people in demeaning and derogatory terms, it sows discord and divides us the worst possible ways.
Paul’s message is very pertinent today. He calls for unity. This echoes the calls of Jesus to love one another and to care for those who are in need. I also believe that Jesus calls us to unity and to a greater service. Rather than say hateful and demeaning things about our neighbor, Jesus challenges to support and love our neighbor. Calling our neighbor or opponent names is not appropriate. God has given us a higher calling. Jesus does not ask us to love our neighbor as a favor or consolation, but rather commands us to love our neighbor because it is God’s will.
I continue to be saddened by the recent split in the Methodist Church. It makes no sense that we have a United Methodist and a Global Methodist church, both of whom worship the one true God. It makes no sense that we deliberately exclude or limit others from our worship because they don’t look like us or think like us. There is one God. There is one shepherd, Jesus Christ, who is the head of the one church.
I continue to pray for the reconciliation of God’s people. I continue to pray and hope that the divisions within our country and our church will end and we begin to worship a God of grace and love. However, I continue to have lingering pessimism about the ability of Christians to unite in a celebration of worship and praise of our loving God.
I freely admit that my relationship with God and others could use some work. My knowledge of Scripture and church doctrine is not the best. However, I am confident in my belief that God’s great command is that we love and care for others. God would have us unite in our allegiance to his son Jesus Christ and deliberately give up our divisiveness, distortion, and hatred.
Meanwhile, I am looking forward to the next two months when we can joyfully celebrate a great Thanksgiving and the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are blessed. We are loved. God calls us to unite as one church, with one God, and one loving Shepherd. Seek to embrace our common bonds that are grounded in love. Seek common ground. We are one nation under God.
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Do you find yourself longing for genuine love and companionship? If you’re ready to seek God’s love, I invite you to come and worship with us. We are fueled by God’s wonderful promise of unfailing love. Please accept our invitation to a morning of wonderful music and great fellowship. And, of course, hot coffee and cookies.
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We will worship at the Beagle United Methodist Church during November and December 2024.
All Sunday services are at 10 a.m.
We serve communion on the first Sunday of the month.
All are welcome in God’s House.
Dr. Bascom Ratliff (913-710-5748)
Pastor, Parker/Beagle/Fontana
United Methodist Churches
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