Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
1 Peter 3:8
3:8 Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:
A Supreme Reverence for Truth—
“Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” Cherish a supreme reverence for justice and truth, and a hatred for all cruelty and oppression. Do unto others as you would wish them to do to you. God forbids you to favor self, to the disadvantage of another (The Review and Herald, April 13, 1905). {7BC 942.2}
Unity in Diversity—The strength of God’s people lies in their union with Him through His only-begotten Son, and their union with one another. There are no two leaves of a tree precisely alike; neither do all minds run in the same direction. But while this is so, there may be unity in diversity. Christ is our root, and all who are grafted into this root will bear the fruit, which Christ bore. They will reveal the fragrance of His character in the talent of speech, in the cultivation of hospitality, of kindness, of Christian courtesy and heavenly politeness. {6BC 1083.3}
Look at the flowers in a carpet, and notice the different colored threads. All are not pink, all are not green, all are not blue. A variety of colors are woven together to perfect the pattern. So it is in the design of God. He has a purpose in placing us where we must learn to live as individuals. We are not all fitted to do the same kind of work, but each man’s work is designed by God to help make up His plan (The Review and Herald, July 4, 1899). {6BC 1083.4}
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Be kindly affectional one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, and let us mind the same thing. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Let brotherly love continue.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come before You in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We are so thankful and grateful for the Holy Spirit, the comforter You sent to guide us in Your heavenly plan for our lives. We are so grateful for blessing each of us with a talent to utilize in performing our duties in the plan of salvation. Thank You for giving us the wherewithal to come together under one accord that we can receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. You made us unique in our own way for each of us to do our part according to Your plan. Thank You for the love You impart unto us that we can share with all our brethren. We pray to be of one mind, having compassion on one another, being pitiful and courteous. Help us to put away any cruelty, hatred, or oppression. Though we are different people, help us to unite in diversity. Grant us strength and courage that we may be united by Your power. Be our root that we can be Your branches. Place us where You need us to be according to Your design. We pray that there are no divisions among any of us, joined perfectly together in the same mind and in the same judgment. We pray to be kindly affectional one to another with brotherly love. We pray not to be wise in our own eyes. We pray to esteem others better than ourselves. We pray to be like-minded toward one another according to Christ Jesus. We pray for all humanity to be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us. We pray not to forget to entertain strangers, as we may be entertaining angels totally unawares. Let brotherly love continue. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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