“PLEASE, NO DIVISION IN THE CHURCH" ROMANS 12:3-8

INTRODUCTION: MOST CHURCHES CANNOT EVER CARRY ON THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH DUE TO SO MANY DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH. THERE ARE SO MANY BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE THAT God CANNOT EVEN BE PRESENT IN THE FELLOWSHIP.

I. DIVISION COMES IN THE CHURCH WHEN WE ARE NOT HUMBLE BEFORE GOD AND OUR FELLOWMAN. (3)

Exp: We should not think too much (or more highly) of ourselves-We’re all sinners. We should measure or judge ourselves by the character of Christ within us.(Gal.5

Ill: We should watch that the world's standard of success does not creep into the church.
App: Always leave enough room for you to be wrong. We all mistakes!
We should be gracious for the gifts of God, not prideful.

II. DIVISION COMES IN THE CHURCH WHEN WE DO NOT ACCEPT OUR DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.(4)

Exp: Many members, and not the same function.
Thank God we are not alike.
Ill: The eyes, arms, legs, feet, fingers...different functions, even though they are part of the same body.
App: Accept each other! What you are contributes to the body of Christ. There are no important members in a body of Christ-Each one is vital to the others performance.

III. DIVISION COMES IN THE CHURCH WHEN WE DO NOT REALIZE THAT WE ARE DEPENDANT UPON EACH OTHER.(5)

Exp: We are joined to Christ-individually members of one another.(like it or not)
We need each other to exist in this world for Christ.
Ill: What is a church? A church is a fellowship of people who follow Christ.
App: FELLOWSHIP WILL NOT TAKE PLACE IN THIS CHURCH UNTIL WE SEE THREE THINGS:
1. Every member is important.
2. God has given us all different gifts to contribute to the body.
3. No one should play down another's importance-Worry about yourself!--NO MAN IS INDESPENSABLE-YOU CAN BE REPLACED!

IV. DIVISION COMES IN THE CHURCH WHEN WE DO NOT ALLOW THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT TO FUNCTION IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.(6-8)

Exp: Different gifts, same grace, and let them exercise.
Different gifts: Prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving,
administration, mercy.

Some Expound the Word!
Some Expand the Work!
These gifts must function in a smooth and natural way (No Virus)
App: Accept each other in the body of Christ.

CONCLUSION: DIVISION DOES NOT EXIST IN A CHURCH THAT IS HUMBLE BEFORE GOD, CONCERNED ABOUT ITS FELLOWSHIP, AND ACCEPTS EVERYONE"S DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

REMEMBER! PLEASE, NO DIVISION IN THE CHURCH!

STUFF ABOUT ME THAT YOU WILL NEVER SEE....

Dr. Lawrence Murray is a native of Los Angeles, California and he is the youngest of nine children. He has been preaching the gospel for over 25 years. He began preaching under the vicarious tutelage of Bro. R.N. Hogan & Figueroa Church of Christ. He has had the privilege of working with Billy Curl for 3 years in the late 80’s and early 90’s. In 1993 the Compton Avenue Church of Christ selected him to serve as minister at the tender age of 25 years old. As minister for the Compton Avenue Church, he was responsible for all pastoral duties. In addition to his pastoral duties, Dr. Murray maintained a weekly radio broadcast on KJLH 102.3 F.M. entitiled, “Let the Bible Speak.”
Dr. Murray was loyal to the growth and development of the Compton Avenue Church of Christ for eleven solid years. His educational background includes Southwestern Christian College, Terrell, Tx. Pepperdine University, Malibu, Ca, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and a Master of Arts in Psychology. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in June of 2004, and was honored with full regalia in June 2005. His dissertation is looking at the Relationship Between perceived influence of Race Marital Satisfaction and Depression among African-American married people.”

Dr. Murray was a staff research associate at U.C.L.A’s Neuropsychiatric & Biobehavioral Institute with the renowned Dr Gail Wyatt. He was also privileged to work with court mandated populations throughout the city of Los Angeles, California. He has also worked in King Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles; working with populations within the neuropsychological clinic. His most critical challenge was treating Children at the prestigious Children’s Institute International (CII) in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Murray views his work for the Lord as his highest calling. Dr. Murray has been married for fourteen years to Cynthia D. and they are the proud parents of Whitney Simone Murray (15), and Hannah Nicole Murray (13). Five years ago, The Murray’s moved from Los Angeles, California to Edmond, Oklahoma. Currently Dr. Murray is the Director of Multicultural Development and Assistant Professor of Psychology at OCU. He stays actively involved in Clinical Therapy and psychological research. He is Currently writing a book on the psychological cycle of addictive behaviors. Dr. Murray is filled with passion and enjoys the craft of expository preaching and ministering to the saints in the Lord’s Church. He is also the Minister of the Spencer Church of Christ in Spencer, Oklahoma; His overall objective is to lead God’s people in using their gifts and edifying of the body of Christ.

The Lord is Good! Lyrics written by Dr. Murray-to accompany Song sung By Fate Hagood!

THE LORD IS GOOD
Nahum said it when he was mourning /Jeremiah said it’s new every morning/ to express his goodness to this song is never boring/ knowledge of God’s goodness I’m adorning/ --F—A –T—E sung this song by freestyle/ mean-while I write this lyric to enhance the style/ but substance never lacking as I compile/ Words by the Spirit growing you from a child/ Don’t take this flow and send letters on me/ others have tried this but I must inform thee/ weapons formed will not prosper on me/ so Love me as we use gifts to serve only/ God gets the glory its not for me/ Just express His goodness and you will see/ Grace saves through faith but its not for free/ the head of the church died on Calvary/

He was good as he delivered the Hebrew people/ Manna he provided having no equal/ out of Pharaohs clutches comes all the People/ now roaming the wilderness 40 years like a sequel/ letters on stones were so lethal/ Pharisees took those laws to bind all people/ grumbling and complaining wandering the land/ disrespecting God’s leaders on every hand/living there lives like God hates man/ trying to reach the promise land though blundering/ still carrying Josephs bones and wandering/ learn from the old book stop fronting/

Hear the words closely don’t be perplexed/ sharing scriptures with a beat now what’s next/ but make sure God’s word is put in context/ share the good news don’t be complex/ preachers don’t try to battle over this delivery/ use other ways to tell the same old story/ that His goodness should not inspire envy/ Holy Spirit dwelling way in me/

Love each other as a disciple/ following Jesus daily always will/ expose darkness have time moving still/ forgive you of your sins now that’s for real/ From darkness to light now that’s a deal/sanctification for life as you kneel/ pray like Daniel in the window seal/----- Father my ways are not your ways/ lay aside sin and reap better days/ Just a freestyle flow after metro’s song/ On how God is Good so you can’t go wrong/ sing and be happy is the song/live by the Spirit not on the bong/ The Lord’s return will not be long/

Now this song was to show God’s goodness/How he even covers our every weakness/ ending this lyric causes me stress/ confess your faults don’t settle for less/ One of the fruits of the Spirit is even called goodness/ -----Drlmurraysmind--

Lyrics By: lawrence Murray Ph.D.