There's Great Power In Being Together
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
Many years ago, I participated in a gospel quartet. If we’ve ever heard good gospel music, we understand something of the precise harmony that’s required in that effort All four voices have to contribute just the right pitch, volume, timbre, and word sound in exactly the right balance in order to produce the quality of harmony that is required. It looks easy — but it really is quite challenging to produce harmonious gospel music well. Experienced singers in other genres of music say that singing in harmony with one another is more demanding in its own way than even opera singing is.
There’s one thing about singing four part harmony that is immutable — no one can produce the effect by themselves. One individual can’t make that distinctive sound without at least three other people correctly singing the other parts that make up the harmony.
Many things in life are like singing in four part harmony — we can’t do them alone. A good part of that is due to the fact that God made us social creatures who depend upon the interaction of others (no man is an island — Romans 14:1-8; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). In fact, one of the first recorded observations God made regarding humankind was:
“It is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon comments on the value and power found in companionship by stating:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
Sometimes members of the church wonder why they should be active in the local congregation. After all, aren’t we each individually responsible to God? (2 Corinthians 5:10). Will we not stand or fall before him based upon our own actions? (Romans 14:4; 1 Corinthians 3:8-15).
While all of the above Scriptures are true, it is also true that God in His wisdom created the church because He knew it was not good for us to attempt to serve Him alone (cf. Ephesians 4:11-16). Even Jesus surrounded Himself with twelve other men whose company He treasured, and of whom He called “friends” (John 15:15).
As Paul went about preaching the gospel, we find him almost always being accompanied by others such as Barnabas, Timothy, Luke, Silas, John Mark, and many more whose names appear in Paul’s letters. Paul knew that these brethren were valuable not only to his work, but also to him personally (Philippians 2:19-30; 2 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 4:11-13).
One of the qualities that characterized first century Christians, was their desire to be together (Acts 2:41-47). When the apostles suffered persecution, they immediately sought out fellow Christians in faith (Acts 4:23; Acts 12:12; cf. Acts 12:5).
When children learn to swim, they’re taught the “buddy system” — with each swimmer having a companion to watch out for his or her safety. The fellowship of the local assembly of the saints is God’s divine “buddy system” for providing the support and encouragement we need to keep from drowning spiritually (Hebrews 10:23-25; cf. Acts 2:41-42; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 1:22).
From the Scriptures, we learn that there is great power in being together (cf. Genesis 11:1-6). Therefore, for the future and well-being of the Lord’s church, let’s all work “in harmony” with one another to accomplish the Lord’s work and will (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 7:21), always desiring to do those things that are pleasing to Him (John 8:28-29; cf. John 4:34; John 5:30; John 6:38).