There seems to be a great deal of competition among church folks these days. Some of you might remember attending, or possibly even participating in a county fair. There would be contests to determine the best pickles and pies, and some had run-offs in about any kind of category. Oh, the rivalries in those events. Some were driven to try and take home the blue ribbon every year. Each season competitors would leave the fair dejected, vowing to do better next year, and to never speak again to the winner of their event.

Most of those who proudly brought their respective submission for judging, really failed to comprehend the major benefit of their efforts, it was to make the fair even more enjoyable. Those who attended benefited from the overall joyous atmosphere from all the events, grateful for all those who participated.

The work of the Lord is somewhat similar. Though we each play an individual role in the ministry, the part we play is integral to that of the whole. The voice of a member in the choir may not be discerned from that of all the others, but its addition greatly enhances the overall presentation. As each choir member does his or her part, the result is not attention given to them as a member, but on the blessing of the whole choir. Remembering that simple truth in each of our areas of service will make our churches much healthier.

Paul learned of some things that were causing divisions in the church at Corinth. Knowing how deadly schisms can be to a church body, he addressed his concerns in his letter. Paul wrote in…

1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

There were folks taking sides in the church in Corinth. Some were rallying behind Paul, choosing to believe that anything he said or did was preferable, and showing contempt on anyone not in their group. Others followed the words and works of Apollos the great orator. If Apollos said it, it must be right, therefore, anything else is wrong.

Paul wisely reminded them to remember the larger picture. The work is not theirs; it is of God. Both Paul and Apollos were in the work for the same cause, to promote Christ. While they are fighting over which group is ‘right,’ the real work was being derailed.

Paul and Apollos were one in their efforts. Each church member should be one with each other, focusing not on petty differences, but on the unified goal of reaching the lost for Christ, and building each other to be strong in Christ.

Let’s keep our eyes on Christ, and share His love for one another, not get into competition to see who can outdo the other. The work of Christ has sufficient room for all.

Solomon, in his last years, looked back over his life and made some assessments. The wisest man, apart from Christ, to ever walk the planet had experienced all that life had to offer; had tasted the good and the bad; and in his book of Ecclesiastes decried the foolishness of this life, apart from God.

The events following the ascension of Christ to Heaven are thrilling to read. Before He left, Jesus told His disciples to wait for the filling of the Holy Spirit in the upper room. After that, they would become His witnesses, telling all that Jesus Christ of Nazareth had been the true Messiah, the One prophesied who would come to redeem Israel and deliver them from their sins.

When ten days later, as the disciples had faithfully obeyed their Lord, and had passed the time praying and listening to preaching from God’s Word, the Spirit did come in great power. The first manifestation of His filling was a supernatural ability for the disciples to speak in foreign languages. They left that upper room and began intermingling with the great crowd, boldly declaring the ‘wonderful works of God.’

In amazement the people listened as men from many different nations and languages were represented in that crowd. Though the disciples had no grasp of the various languages, from their mouths came the message of Christ clearly heard by each person, regardless of their language. This demonstration of tongues was an obvious working of God, causing the crowd to split in their reactions.

Many who heard were spellbound, not fully understanding what was happening, but awestruck by what was happening. They were hearing the Gospel in their own native language. How could that be? A general cry went out through the crowd asking how such a thing could be happening.

One part of the crowd seemed eager to hear the message, and were hungrily digesting it as if starved for such truths. Others were not so positive. From the crowd came some who began shouting jeering words of unbelief. They even accused the disciples of being drunk with alcohol. The account is found in…

Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

When the truth of Jesus and His sacrificial death for man’s sins reached their ears, there were many who received the truth gladly, for they longed for something to fill the empty void in their hearts. They willingly listened, comprehended, and believed.

Those who refused to believe reacted the way unbelievers always do, by mocking the truth. They were unable to deny the miracle they were witnessing, and could not prove that the message they were hearing was false, so they resorted to juvenile mocking.

When we share the Gospel, we should not be surprised in those who mock. It is not a signal that we are being unsuccessful, it means that the truth is causing a reaction. We are unable to control the response, only the delivery. Let us be faithful to give the truth, and let the Holy Spirit work on the hearts of the listeners, even those who mock, for they sometimes eventually allow the truth to take hold.