Single Mindedness
Friday, 18th of September 2009
Single people often feel that they are the forgotten ‘people group’ in the church. Because of the married demographic in the church (which is the largest group), singles feel that they are sometimes relegated to a second rate position in the ‘pecking order’ (if there is such a thing) of the church. There were those who have felt that perhaps my emphasis in the “God’s Design” series was a little too married focused and so last Sunday I spoke about God’s design and how it impacts those who are single. I trust that the single members of our ‘family’ were encouraged and challenged. While I don’t want to rehash the message here I do want to elaborate on one point that I made at the end of the sermon. Everyone in the Body, whether married or single, man or woman, needs to be moving toward holiness in their lives.
In every situation that we find our
selves in as a man or a woman we are faced with the challenge of what it means for us that we are followers of Jesus Christ. While we live in a fallen world which has certain expectations of men/women (and those expectations are constantly changing like the wind) we as followers of Christ have a standard of behavior which sets us apart from this world, establishes a testimony and gives us a platform on which to minister. We sometimes think that our circumstances give us the excuse to be less than we should be as disciples. But our single-ness or married-ness or man-ness or woman-ness is no excuse for not being holy! Married or single, man or woman, let’s all be single-minded about following Christ!
As most of you know we are getting on a plane tomorrow to fly across the pacific to visit family for a few weeks. I will be preaching a few times while there, but the majority of the time we will be with family. I will blog from there each week to let you know how we’re going and hopefully encourage you as well. Pastor Steve and Rodney will be doing the preaching for the next few weeks. Treat them well!
I’ll again close with some of the words of Paul to the Thessalonians…
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.