1 Peter 3:8-11

Before I begin, I want to acknowledge that some of you will have no idea what I’m talking about. That is a good thing, and I’m sorry I need to address this in your presence. However, I think it’s essential that we all have a basic understanding of this situation. I also would like you to know this is not meant as an attack on anyone. It is a call for us to wake up to the wiles of the devil, and his subtleties at work in the church.

Many of you have brought some concerns to me over the past few weeks. I have taken these concerns seriously and Due to their nature and quantity, I believe we need to address them as a church.

Specifically some have had things spoken to them about other people that are bothering them.  Some have used the words “troubling,” or “disturbing.” Many are burdened or feel frustrated and helpless with information they received inappropriately.  I need to be sure I’m very clear about this. Gossip has been going on and it needs to stop. Some of the things that have been spoken are serious accusations. Some of them are pertaining to me, or others in leadership, some are pertaining to other members of the body.  These accusations are being repeated to others, rather than being addressed in the Biblical manner of going to a brother, perhaps with a witness.

Some are taking up the offenses of others.  Making judgments about who is right and who is wrong. Some are jumping to conclusions without fully understanding a matter. Making the faults of others the subject of their discussions. These discussions are with people who are not part of the problem or the solution. This is gossip, or the Scriptural term, backbiting. Some are constantly interested in other men’s matters where they do not have a proper place, or the Scriptural term, busybodies. This is not a wise thing to do.

Most of you are aware my comments are pertaining to Dan and Kelley and a few situations related to their family. This is a family who is hurting in some areas, but trying to go forward in the right direction. Obviously they are dealing with some difficult situations. Situations which many of us know very little or nothing about. The enemy has used their struggle to gain a foothold in the body of Christ. We have let down our guard where we should not have.

I want to be sure we understand we have a common enemy, and he would love to see the body of Christ divided against itself. He would love to see our families divided against themselves. He would love to see our church divided into “Team Pastor,” and “Team Kelley,” and “Team Dan,” and “Team Michael,” and “Team I’m Staying Out of It.” I want nothing to do with that spirit. We need to rally around this family and this marriage. They are planning on attending counseling in Colorado soon. We need to lift them up in prayer that God would do a work in them and their relationship for His glory. I was able to speak with Dan and Kelley this past week and they wanted asked me to let you know they are not opposed to each other.

The attack of the enemy is certainly not limited to one family, and has been evident in several others recently. We need to be united as a church against our common enemy. We need to remember that we war not against flesh and blood. We need to seek truth and peace.

Having said that, we also need to understand that we are all sinners, and we will make mistakes.  There will be occasions where someone may be offended, or tempted to take up another’s offense. I am certainly not asking anyone to sweep sin or an offense under the rug. I am simply asking you to do your utmost to deal with those sins and offenses according to Scripture. Go to the person with whom you have offense. If necessary take a witness. If you need additional help you may come to me or another believer as appropriate. Please do not give or receive gossip. Satan would love to see our church divided, he would love to see our families divided, but this is ground that he has no right to.

Let’s pray and live to encourage strong marriages, wise and loving parents, children who will honor their parents, all for the glory of Christ. By the power of Christ we must live by faith, loving one another, seeking peace, walking in truth, and trusting Christ for the victory. Pray for one another, pray for the body of Christ, pray for me, and give thanks to God for His unspeakable gift.

*prepared to be delivered on 5/6/2018, but postponed till after a meeting with Dan and Kelley scheduled on 5/7/2018. Also postponed because of fire school causing many key people to be absent. Slight revisions were made after the meeting with Dan a Kelley based on our discussions.