4 - Gather For Unity

It’s hard to think of something we need more desperately in our culture right now than unity. We are as divided a nation as most remember being and unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the end is in sight.

SLIDE: Unity

But, believe it or not, the church can be a place where unity, harmony, and togetherness flourish.

The truth is, when we gather together as one, in the name of Jesus, anything is possible (Luke 1:37), even unity.

Main Teaching

SLIDE: Comminality

As a church, what are some of the things we have in common?

- Our faith

- Our desire to share the gospel with others

- Christ-like love

- Hope

SLIDE: Bring Unity

These are just a few of the things that come to mind. And actually, if you think back to week 2 when we talked about some of the benefits of regularly gathering together, you’ll remember we can also share;

- Fellowship

- Teaching

- Communion

- Prayer

These are all amazing things that the church has in common, things that unify us when we are together. But there is something even greater that we share when we’re together, and yes - the answer is Jesus.

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Think about this for a moment; When we gather and unify ourselves in the name of Jesus, He gathers with us too. If that’s not a good enough reason to pursue unity together then I don’t know what is.

And think about this - it doesn’t take an auditorium full of people. Unity and agreement can happen when just 2 of us gather together.

Over coffee.

At a meal.

At a home together.

In a small group.

SLIDE: In His NAme

There are so many opportunities for us to gather together and experience the presence of Christ, but again, it all happens IN HIS NAME.

And that just means you are gathering under the authority and direction of Jesus. Which is ultimately what we do when we come together. We unify ourselves in Christ, and amazingly, we get Him too.

Psalm 133

Let’s read this one together;

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers live together in harmony!

It is like fine oil on the head,

running down on the beard,

running down Aaron’s beard

over the collar of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon

falling on the mountains of Zion.

For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing

of life forevermore.

Harmony, or unity, among the people of God is a blessing to the Father. For all the parents in the room, how wonderful is it when your kids are playing together, getting along, and enjoying one another? Why would it be any different with our heavenly Father who watches over all of us from His heavenly throne?

At the very end of Psalm 133 we learn that God bestows or commands His blessing over His people when they live together in unity.

“Where brethren dwell together in unity, the Lord commands the blessing. God commands the blessing; man can but beg a blessing. Believers that live in love and peace, shall have the God of love and peace with them now, and they shall shortly be with him forever, in the world of endless love and peace. May all who love the Lord forbear and forgive one another, as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven them.” – Matthew Henry

SLIDE: The Place of Unity

God commands a blessing in the place of unity.

Christ is present in the place of unity.

All things considered, this sounds like the kind of place I want to be too, and I’m sure you’re feeling the same way.

When We Feel Divided

So, what should we do when we aren’t feeling unified with other believers? How should we respond when we feel divided? How can we get back to the place of unity where the blessing of God abounds in the presence of Christ?

These are important, and difficult questions. And honestly, if you’ve been in church long enough you know that there is ample opportunity to feel divided, to feel out of sync with your fellowship - for one reason or another.

SLIDE: Divided

In the quote I shared above from Matthew Henry, he says something very important. “May all who love the Lord forbear and forgive one another; as God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven them.” Henry knew about being divided and he knew that one of the most powerful things we can offer to each other as we seek harmony and unity is forgiveness.

If someone hurts you or wrongs you, if someone is coming to mind right now, would you prayerfully consider forgiving them? What would it take for you to extend forgiveness to them? Is the offense worth losing unity and harmony over?

What if your issue isn’t offense and forgiveness, what if you simply disagree with the direction of the leadership and you cannot worship in harmony with your church… In this case I would suggest setting up a time to discuss, to ask questions, to seek clarity, and if needed - release.

As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:18,

Romans 12:18 (NIV)

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

(Pastor - Do you have a story to share here about division, unity, and/or forgiveness. Maybe an example of reconciliation from your experience as a pastor?)

We Are One

Interestingly enough, peace, harmony, unity, division and community were as important two thousand years as they are today. I can’t think of a New Testament book that doesn’t deal, in some fashion, with either our relationship with God or each other.

SLIDE: Pursuit

Unity and harmony are worthy pursuits. And it’s important to remember that at the end of the day we are one in Christ. Listen to what Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians;

Ephesians 4:1–6 (NLT)

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

SLIDE: Experience His Blessing

Unity is God’s best for us. And when we gather together, unified in Christ, we experience His blessing.

Conclusion/Application

I want to share some staggering information with you.

The Church, as we know it, is changing. Numerous studies over the last few years highlight the decrease in those who identify themselves as Christian, and even more concerning, church attendance is also decreasing in those who identify as Christians.

To put it simply, there are less Christians and they’re attending church less. [1]

I cannot overstate how important it is that we gather together.

In this series I talked about encouragement, rhythm, strength, and unity. But the truth is, there are even more reasons why we gather together.

If you remember back to the first sermon, I talked a bit about solitary confinement. You might remember that,

“Deprived of normal human interaction, many segregated prisoners reportedly suffer from mental health problems including anxiety, panic, insomnia, paranoia, aggression and depression.” https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/05/solitary)

Is it any coincidence then, that as our society becomes a more isolated one, we are also seeing an increase in mental health problems?

And what is the antidote for isolation?

Isn’t it togetherness? Community? Fellowship?

Are these things difficult?

Is it easier, or cleaner (Prov.14:4), less intimidating, etc.… to live an isolated life?

Sure, it is. I think we all get that.

But I’m asking you right now to consider the alternative. Consider a place of blessing and presence. Consider the unspeakable joy of a dinner table surrounded by people who you know and who in turn, know you. (i.e.: Harvest Dinner today or Thanksgiving later this week)

What can you do today to take a step towards that table?

How can we help each other today?

How can we get as many people to the table as we can? (Matthew 22:1-14)

Matthew 22:1–14 (NLT)

1 Jesus also told them other parables. He said, 2 “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. 3 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! 4 “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ 5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them. 7 “The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. 8 And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. 9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ 10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

And if you’ve been at the table a long time, maybe today is a good day to get up and bring someone alongside you.

Let’s pray together.

Prayer -

Lord we need your blessing and your strength to unite us together in these difficult times.

AMEN

(Pastor - I pray this series gives you many amazing opportunities for fellowship, for healing, for reconciliation, and for opportunities to share the gospel with others. Your job as a pastor is one that few will completely understand, and many will criticize. But whenever you stand for the gospel, and share the gospel with others… The kingdom celebrates. Thanks for all you do. It matters).

[1] Pew research is just one of many to report these findings; https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/

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