Today, I'm sharing an article that Becky wrote for the monthly newsletter at Northside Baptist Church concerning the Southern Baptist Convention here in Indianapolis. The theme for the Convention is "One Mind, One Voice." Becky was asked to write this as a member of the Prayer Team.
Praying with “One Mind, One Voice”
By Becky Reynolds, Prayer Team Member
Local Crossroads Association churches, and the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana wait with excitement as the Southern Baptist Convention returns to Indianapolis this month. Do you know the year and city that Baptist churches first met together to fellowship and cooperate as “Great Commission Baptists?” The city was Augusta, Georgia, and the year was 1845. How encouraging to see the Holy Spirit continue to lead individuals and churches to fellowship and cooperate in the Gospel of Jesus Christ 179 years later!
This year’s theme, “One Mind, One Voice” connects us to Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 15. Romans theme of God’s righteousness by faith in Christ, Paul affirms, is lived out in love for one another.
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves… For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:1,4-6,13. (ESV)
Paul gives us instruction in these verses on the importance of living out the gospel with “one another.” He states the means to do this in verse 1, that we please others, and not ourselves. He gives the source of power to please others in verse 13, that by being filled (continuous action) with the Holy Spirit, God will do more in our lives and community than could ever happen apart from cooperation. He answers the question, does living in Christian community make a difference for the gospel? What does serving together produce? Verse 6, our “one voice” glorifies the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And verse 13 - Together our glorious God of hope will fill each of us with his joy and peace.
Father God, you call us as individuals, each coming to trust Jesus and follow him in a personal way. Yet we are not called to live our faith and obedience alone. Believers in closed and restricted places often have no choice but to believe alone; we pray for them to enjoy and benefit from fellowship with others. We, however, have the remarkable privilege to serve one another and partner together for the gospel! Thank you for each Southern Baptist Convention church, pastor, leader, and member. By your Holy Spirit revive each of us to please others and not ourselves. Thank you for giving us endurance and encouragement to do this in real ways. May the result be your glory, and our joy and peace. We do your will by faith in you, worked out in love. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
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