DIVIDED WE STAND UNITED WE FALL

IF HAVE BEEN TRACKING WITH US TILL NOW, YOU WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE WALKING THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS, LOOKING AT THE BIGGER THEME OF EVIDENCE. EVIDENCE OF OUR FAITH AND EACH UNIT IS DIVIDED INTO SMALLER THEMES. THIS SECTION THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS HONING IN ON THE THEME OF INTIMACY.

INTIMACY = CLOSENESS, AFFINITY. (TOGETHERNESS)

I LIKE TO BREAK DOWN THE WORD INTIMACY THIS WAY

INTO-ME-YOU SEE

ACTUALLY WE ARE DIGGING IN A LITTLE DEEPER TO LOOK AT:

UNITY = THE STATE OF BEING UNITED OR JOINED AS A WHOLE.

THIS IS WHY I DECIDED TO CALL MY SERMON:

DIVIDED WE STAND UNITED WE FALL

I KNOW YOU ARE THINKING THAT I HAVE GOT THAT MIXED UP THAT IT SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY - UNITED WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL.

BEAR WITH ME.

THIS WEEKS SCRIPTURE TALKS ABOUT OUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT - DISAGREEMENT!

WE THINK OF UNITY AS BEING IN AGREEMENT WITH ONE ANOTHER. YET WHEN YOU EXPLORE THE LANGUAGE YOU WILL POSSIBLY COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION.

BUT WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT UNITY IS ACHIEVED NOT BY AGREEMENT WITH ONE ANOTHER BUT RATHER THROUGH DIVISION, ELECTION AND SEPERATION.

AS I WAS LOOKING AT THE SCRIPTURE TODAY AND DOING SOME PLANING, I CAME ACROSS TWO WORDS THAT MADE ME PAUSE AND REFLECT.

BUT FIRST LET US LOOK AT TODAYS SCRIPTURE:

Acts 15:36–41 NLT

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

I DON’T THINK ANY OF US CAN AVOID DISAGREEMENT, WE MAY NOT ALWAYS VOICE IT IN THE SAME WAY BUT WE WILL DIAGREE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.

importance of unity.

ECHAD - HEBREW WORD FOR UNITY

While the Hebrew word for unity is “Echad” it refers to ‘one-ness’ in reference to the nature and character of God and to man’s relationship to God.

Given its inherent connection to God, this word can only correctly be related within a spiritual context, not a physical or earthly context.

HENOTES - GREEK WORD FOR UNITY

The Greek word for “unity” is HENOTES and while it does mean “unity”, the nuance is different than the Hebrew ECHAD.

HENOTES means unity more in the sense of unanimous agreement among others, rather than “one-ness”.

The Hebrew word “Echad” is about each individual person’s union with Jesus christ. Unity flows from man to GOD, not from one Believer to another Believer.

The Hebrew word gives insight for unity in “Echad” and is about coming into union with the mind and person of Jesus Christ as head of the Church. The ‘one-ness’ with the Father that Jesus prayed for in (John 17:11) “so that they may be one as we are one.”

EVEN AS I TELL YOU THIS - I KNOW THAT;

The Greek mindset in this concept of unity causes confusion when compared with the Hebrew mindset that has led to much disagreement in the body of Christ.

This disparity amongst congregational members is not Biblical disunity, but like most disagreements in the body can be a sign of a healthy congregation.

THIS IS MY THOUGHT:

BUT WHEN YOU THINK OF THESE TWO WORDS, THEY ARE NOT IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER AS TO WHICH ONE IS CORRECT, BUT RATHER THEY COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ECHAD (UNITY WITH GOD) THERE WILL NOT BE HENOTES.(UNITY AMONG THE BODY OF CHRIST)

We are in a spiritual battle for unity like no other time in history and Paul encourages us: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints “— (Ephesians 6:18)

LET US JUST PAUSE AND REFLECT HERE ON WHAT WE HAVE SEEN JUST IN THE LAST TWO CHAPTERS OF ACTS, AND THEN WE CAN FILTER IT THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE JUST DISCOVERED.

I WANT YOU TO LOOK BACK AND SEE THAT WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS IN THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS.

PAUL AND BARNABAS DRIVEN OUT

UNBELEIVING JEWS POISONED THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE

PAUL IS STONED AND LEFT FOR DEAD

THEN WE SEE THE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT THE GENTILES AND THE JEWS.

NOW THIS DIAGREEMENT THAT CAUSES THEM TO DIVIDE UP.

BARNABAS WENT BACK HOME TO CYPRUS

PAUL AND SILAS WENT ON TO STRENGTHEN THE CHURCHES - ENCOURAGE THEM

LETS LOOK AT THE PEOPLE IN THIS STORY

JOHN MARK

A BELEIVER IN THE EARLY CHURCH

HIS MOTHER WAS MARY THE HOUSE THAT PETER WENT TO WHEN HE WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON

HE WAS MENTIONED AS A COMPANION OF BARNABAS

ACTUALLY THEY WERE COUSINS

HE WAS HELPING WITH PAUL AND BARNABAS ON PAULS FIRST MISSION JOURNEY

HE THEN DESERTED THEM

JOHN MARK IS THE WRITER OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK

PAUL

KNOWN FIRSTLY AS SAUL

ZEALOUS RELIGIOUS FANATIC.

BRUTAL VIOLENCE AND RELENTLESS PERSECUTION

ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD

CHANGED HIS LIFE TO BE A FERVENT FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

Paul wrote many of the New Testament books. Most theologians are in agreement that he wrote Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus. These thirteen “letters” (epistles) make up the “Pauline Authorship” and are the primary source of his theology.

BARNABAS

BUSINESS MAN NAMED JOSEPH - NICKNAME BARNABAS (THE ENCOURAGER)

HE SOLD A PIECE OF LAND AND GAVE THE MONEY TO THE EARLY CHURCH

ADVOCATED FOR PAUL WHEN HE HAD HIS ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS AND THE CHURCH WOULD NOT BELEIVE HE HAD CHANGED

PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN MENTORING BELIEVERS

Acts 11:19–24 NLT

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

LOOKING BACK AT THESE SCRIPTURES WE SEE THAT GOOD CAME FROM THESE DISAGREEMENTS. THE GENTILES WERE MINISTERED TO. THAT WAS GODS PURPOSE TO BEGIN WITH.

NOW PLEASE DONT BE LOOKING AROUND AS TO WHERE YOU CAN DISAGREE SO YOU CAN TEST THE THEORY.

I WANT YOU TO THINK OF THIS AS A BICYCLE WHEEL, IT HAS A CENTRE PIECE THAT ALL THE SPOKES ARE ATTACHED TO AND THEY KEEP THE RIM TOGETHER.

EACH SPOKE IS ATTACHED TO THE CENTRE PIECE, YET THEY NOT ALL ATTACHED AT THE SAME PLACE. THEY ARE, SEPERATE THE SPOKES OF THE WHEEL ARE DIVIDED AROUND THE RIM.

GOD IS THE CENTRE

WE ARE THE SPOKES

THE RIM IS THE MISSION

AS A PART OF THAT WHEEL WE ARE CALLED BY GOD TO UNIFY IN HIM FIRST.

THEN WE UNIFY THE MISSION.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

BEING ATTACHED TO THE CENTRE, I THEN FIND MY PLACE AND HELP THE MISSION. MY SPOKE MATTERS. MY SPOKE IS NEEDED.

IT KEEPS THE RIM IN PLACE AND THE MORE SPOKES THE STRONGER THE RIM.

LETS JUST TAKE A LOOK AT ONE OF THE PROPHETS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

EZEKIEL

WHERE ARE WE?

Ezekiel lived among the Jewish exiles in Babylon at a settlement along the river Chebar called Tel-abib (Ezekiel 3:15), less than one hundred miles south of Babylon. The invading Babylonians brought about 10,000 Jews to the village in 597 BC, including Ezekiel and the last king of Judah, Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:8–14)

Ezekiel's prophecy began a mere five years into his time at Tel-abib (Ezekiel 1:2), and he continued to prophesy among the people for at least 22 years (29:17). Because he spoke to a people whom God had exiled due to their continued rebellion against Him, a majority of Ezekiel's message communicates judgment for sins committed (1:1–32:32). However, like all the prophets, he also provided his people, now without a land of their own, some hope for the future (33:1–48:35).

WHY IS EZEKIEL SO IMPORTANT?

The book of Ezekiel pronounces judgment on both Israel and surrounding nations, but it also provides a vision of the future millennial kingdom that complements and adds to the vision of other Old and New Testament texts. Not only does the book present a striking picture of the resurrection and restoration of God's people (Ezekiel 37), it also offers readers a picture of the reconstructed temple in Jerusalem, complete with the return of God's glory to His dwelling place (40:1–48:35).

This latter section of Ezekiel's prophecy looks forward to the people's worship after Christ's return in the end times, when He will rule Israel and the nations from His throne in Jerusalem during His thousand year reign.

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA IN EZEKIEL?

God didn't exile the Israelites primarily to punish them. God never has been nor is He now interested in punishment for punishment's sake. Rather, He intended the punishment or judgment in Ezekiel's day as a means to an end—to bring His people to a state of repentance and humility before the one true God. They had lived for so long in sin and rebellion, confident in their own strength and that of the neighbouring nations, that they needed God to remind them of His holy nature and their humble identity in a most dramatic way. After centuries of warnings, prophetic messages, and invasions, God decided that more significant action was required—He had to remove the people from their promised land.

HOW DO I APPLY THIS?

Ezekiel's entire prophetic ministry centred around the small exiled community at Tel-abib, a people uprooted from their homes and livelihoods living out their days in a foreign land. Can you imagine the feelings of disorientation and confusion that accompanied these people? Even though many of the exiles were directly engaged in the sinful behaviour that led to God's judgment, that would not prevent them from wondering why all this was happening to them.

We sometimes find ourselves in that predicament as well, asking “Why, Lord?” and waiting in silence for the answer. The exiles had to wait five years for God to send Ezekiel, and when God did, His prophet had a message that the people likely didn't want to hear: God is the Lord of heaven and earth, and the judgment the people were experiencing was a result of their own sin.

The book of Ezekiel reminds us to seek out the Lord in those dark times when we feel lost, to examine our own lives, and to align ourselves with the one true God. Will you consider doing so today?

Ezekiel 1 NLT

1 On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. 3 (The Lord gave this message to Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and he felt the hand of the Lord take hold of him.) 4 As I looked, I saw a great storm coming from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. There was fire inside the cloud, and in the middle of the fire glowed something like gleaming amber. 5 From the center of the cloud came four living beings that looked human, 6 except that each had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and their feet had hooves like those of a calf and shone like burnished bronze. 8 Under each of their four wings I could see human hands. So each of the four beings had four faces and four wings. 9 The wings of each living being touched the wings of the beings beside it. Each one moved straight forward in any direction without turning around. 10 Each had a human face in the front, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle at the back. 11 Each had two pairs of outstretched wings—one pair stretched out to touch the wings of the living beings on either side of it, and the other pair covered its body. 12 They went in whatever direction the spirit chose, and they moved straight forward in any direction without turning around. 13 The living beings looked like bright coals of fire or brilliant torches, and lightning seemed to flash back and forth among them. 14 And the living beings darted to and fro like flashes of lightning. 15 As I looked at these beings, I saw four wheels touching the ground beside them, one wheel belonging to each. 16 The wheels sparkled as if made of beryl. All four wheels looked alike and were made the same; each wheel had a second wheel turning crosswise within it. 17 The beings could move in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved. 18 The rims of the four wheels were tall and frightening, and they were covered with eyes all around. 19 When the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. When they flew upward, the wheels went up, too. 20 The spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. So wherever the spirit went, the wheels and the living beings also went. 21 When the beings moved, the wheels moved. When the beings stopped, the wheels stopped. When the beings flew upward, the wheels rose up, for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. 22 Spread out above them was a surface like the sky, glittering like crystal. 23 Beneath this surface the wings of each living being stretched out to touch the others’ wings, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 As they flew, their wings sounded to me like waves crashing against the shore or like the voice of the Almighty or like the shouting of a mighty army. When they stopped, they let down their wings. 25 As they stood with wings lowered, a voice spoke from beyond the crystal surface above them. 26 Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. 27 From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. 28 All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.

THIS VISION IN EZEKIEL REMINDS US OF THE SOVREIGNTY OF GOD

HIS ALL POWERFUL (OMNIPOTENT)

ALL KNOWING (OMNISCIENT)

EVER PRESENT (OMNIPRESENT)

IT TALKS ABOUT:

So wherever the spirit went, the wheels and the living beings also went.

GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK, EVEN WHEN WE DO NOT THINK SO, HE WILL USE ALL THINGS TO BRING US INTO UNITY WITH HIM.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Eze 1:20). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

WHEN WE ARE UNITED TO GOD:

REMEBER ECHAD MEANS: “coming into union with the mind and person of Jesus Christ as head of the Church”

WHAT DO WE NEED TO TAKE AWAY WITH US TODAY?

UNITY BEGINS WHEN I COME INTO AGREEMENT WITH GOD

UNITY HAPPENS WHEN I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD

UNITY IS BEING IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD

The early Church was in ‘one accord’, and I believe that unity was one of the reasons why the blessing and the power of God were upon the early Church. The believers had one mind, one purpose, and one heart for God, and this contributed to their spiritual growth and success. If we want to see the power of God manifested in our churches today, we need to be a people that is of ‘one accord’, a church based upon the unity that the Spirit of God brings.

The Bible says that the Lord commands His blessing on the Church and that God’s blessings come’s upon the people of God that are united in Him. People, who come from all walks of life, transformed by God’s power, living in unity, hallelujah that is powerful!

AMEN

God of Creation achieves His purposes through the opposite principle of division, election, and separation, NOT unity.