PASTOR WILSON LIM MESSAGE - MOVING AS ONE
I watched with fascination as the hundred individuals gathered around an object a many times their combined weight. Surely, this object is far too big for them to lift unaided. Yet with army-like precision they quickly latched onto the massive object. Working in unison they heaved the heavy weight together and began to slowly move it up a slope towards their storage place. It was fascinating to watch the hundred ants lift the piece of meat many times their weight. Their unity was amazing to watch. It reminded me of the importance of unity in the church.
The value of unity
God designed that the Church to be most effective and powerful when it is moving together as one. In fact, being one is a reflection of the very nature and character of God Himself.
John 17:22-23 (NIV) 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
And it is clearly God’s desire that the church be as one. And it should be ours as well. As a family of churches it is essential that we value being in unity. To be able to join our hearts together and to work together in God’s purposes. It is through our unity that our witness to this world will be most effective. Not only by the demonstration of unity but also because there is truly spiritual power in being united together under God.
I believe that as our churches in Oceania maintain that unity in our hearts, our churches will be able to continue to synergise and increase our impact upon our region and beyond. Through the sharing of our resources, of our gifting, of our passions, we can punch above our weight.
Eccl 4:9-12 (NIV) 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Disrupters to unity
Sometimes there can develop disrupters to our unity. When we allow doubts and distrust to develop amongst ourselves. This is the tool of the Enemy to disrupt God’s people from one another. The Enemy can drive this wedge between members in a life group or between leaders. The Enemy can drive this wedge between even churches. It can come so subtly. That is why we must be ever vigilant to guard our hearts and not allow such wedges to come into our hearts.
Prayer and keeping close to God is a crucial antidote against such enemy disrupters. For when we are truly close to God, we will be alerted to the divisive work of the Enemy and can begin to take steps to repent of the attitudes that divide the brethren.
That is also why the times when we gather together is crucial. It is through the building of relationships, of trust in one another that is the key. It is through the sharing together of our hearts, the building of experiences together, the journey of growing together that makes all the difference.
Hence, our annual Oceania Convention gatherings are crucial to our building unity and growing to work closer together. It is through such times that we seek God together and discover more about God’s purposes for us as a family of churches.
Next year we will meet in Philip Island and discover what it means to prepare for the harvest. So prepare your time and resources so that you may be there. Start early your preparations even as God desires to prepare us for the harvest to come. Don’t miss it. It will be an exciting time together.
In anticipation,
Dr. Wilson Lim
Chairmain of Oceania Churches
Global Conference - Melbourne Australia
