We Protect Unity

Jesus told His followers at the close of His Sermon on the mount that the house built on the rock… built on a firm foundation… will make it through any storm.

What house is He talking about?

Your life. Your walk. Your daily routines. Your family. Your future. Your dreams. It is the base your life is built upon.

How do we build our life on a firm foundation? By doing two extremely important things.

One… we must HEAR the Word.

Two… we must LIVE the Word.

There is no substitute. There is no other way. A firm foundation for life is found in hearing and living the words of Jesus.

This series is designed to help us do that very thing. This series will address common and daily habits that strengthen our walk with the Lord.

Habits are behaviors we do without even having to think about doing them. They are so ingrained into our life… that they have become our routine. Habits can do one of two things:

Bring positive outcomes to our lives.

Bring negative outcomes to our lives.

This might all seem silly and elementary but… when it comes to our daily walk with the Lord, the smallest details… are often the most important details. Our habits truly reveal our goals, our direction, our desires, and our dreams. ALL of these things should be rooted in the firm foundation of God’s Word.

So our study continues tonight with an important house habit that cannot be overlooked. This habit is something we need to strive for. This habit is something we must protect. This habit is something that truly is a make or break habit in the life of the believer… and the health of God’s church. This habit is unity. We Protect Unity.

In order to make that declaration we must understand that this habit is not only active… but proactive. It is a mindset we establish long before any threat to unity exists. Why? Because if our habit is to protect unity, then we will not operate in a way that brings division.

I want you to ask yourself this question: How much do you value unity? In reality, this question needs to be followed up with another: How much do you value people? “Well preacher, what does my value of people have to do with my value of unity?

Many times, we do not make the effort to protect unity because we really don’t value unity. Other times, we might think it takes too much effort and energy to protect. But church, let me ask you this: How could we ever serve a God who gave all He had for a world that had rejected Him if we don’t value those around us?

Unity can be defined as oneness or agreement. When it comes to believer… our agreement MUST be found in Christ Jesus.

We must stay in agreement with Jesus in order to stay in unity with Him. I want you to hear this...

That means agreeing with what Jesus says about our lives, regardless of how we fell.

It means staying in agreement with what He says about our future, regardless of what we see.

It means staying in agreement with what Jesus says about the world, even when we can’t understand.

Our lives MUST come into agreement and alignment with Christ if we desire to follow Him. And… if you have difficulty being unified with other Christ-follower, you likely have a problem with being unified with Christ too.

How can this be said? Because a lack of unity reveals the position of the heart. It reveals a combative and divisive spirit.

And I get it… people can be… people! But that is why we must be active AND proactive in protecting unity within the church.

Now, this does not mean that we don’t give correction when it is needed. This does not mean that we do not seek resolve regarding offense. This does not mean that we ignore potential issues and sweep them under the rug.

What it means is… we strive to do all things GOD’S WAY! It means that we all understand that this… the Word of God… serves as our standard and foundation. And… the love of God and others remains our motive and mission in the correction, resolve, and problem solving. In all things we can choose to go either God’s way… and the way of the world.

Thus comes the need to examine our habit: WHICH WAY DO WE GO WITHOUT THINKING?

Do we start talking bad about each other? Do we start posting gripes on Facebook? Do we start demeaning and putting down? Do we start frowning and crossing our arms in disgust? OR do we protect by hearing and doing the instruction God has given us regarding unity?

Jesus made it clear that any house that is divided against itself cannot stand.

Matthew 12:25 NIV

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

With division comes a separation. When division begins to take hold, the house becomes separated from its foundation.

The Word of God makes clear that unity is the way… NOT DIVISION. When a person moves toward divisive habits… they are moving to habits of the flesh… not of the Spirit… and reveal a mind governed by the flesh… and not of the Spirit. The Spirit NEVER leads us to division. The Spirit leads us away from sin. AND… if there is sin in the house, the Word tells us how to deal with it.

What the Lord wants us to see tonight is the importance of unity and the importance of protecting unity. First off, we need to understand that…

God COMMANDS Unity.

Unity is not just an ideal that we strive for… it is a command of God to be obeyed.

1 Peter 3:8–9 NIV

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

When the apostle Peter wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he was writing to believers. This passage is addressed to brothers and sisters in Christ. What is given here are attributes that are contrary to the world’s way of thinking.

First off, we are to be like-minded.

This does not mean that we all have the same opinion. This does not mean we all have the same interests. This simply means that we find agreement on the Word of God. Our like-mindedness MUST be founded on the Word!

The Word serves as our standard and foundation. It is what we preach, it is what we teach, it is what we stand upon. If it’s not from the Word, we don’t teach it. If something is presented as truth but has no Scriptural basis, it is not welcome in the church. Why? Because this is GOD’S WORD. It is not for us to add to it or take away from it.

And… in order for us to be like-minded… our mind must be educated in the Word.

I go back to Acts 2:42-47 where we are given a summary of what the early church looked like. And the first thing that is mentioned is a devotion to the teaching of the apostles. They didn’t have printed copies of the complete Word of God… they were living in the days that the authors were writing it down! And as you read through that passage, you notice an emphasis on unity and togetherness.

Hear me: The moment we allow for ANYTHING else to serve as our standard is the moment we open ourselves up for very real spiritual trouble.

We need to strive to be like-minded in the Word!

Secondly, God says to be sympathetic.

This is not the same as pity… this is sympathy. Sympathy defined is an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other. Sympathy is NOT feeling sorry for someone and moving on… it is experienced in relationship… in UNITY with others… and it will impact you as it impacts others.

This connection means we hurt when a brother hurts. We mourn when a sister mourns. We laugh together in the good times, celebrate together the victories, and pull together in the struggle. We don’t overlook, we come alongside.

Sympathy only happens where there is unity. It is based off relationship. It requires a genuine response to be genuine by nature. God desires for His church to carry one another’s hurts - but not to inflict them. God desires for His church to carry one another’s joy - not to snuff it out. God desires for us to compassionately care for one another as Christ did for us.

Next, 1 Peter 3 says to… LOVE one another.

We just talked about love last week, so I don’t want to rehash this one too much. But I want to reemphasize an important truth about loving one another. Jesus didn’t say that the world would know we are Christians because of our building or because of our ministries or because of our claims. Look at His words in John 13:34-35

John 13:34–35 NIV

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This is NOT a suggestion… this is a COMMAND. So if you find yourself struggling to love… it cannot be excused as preference… it is disobeying the Lord’s command. Christ commands love. Unity demands love.

Next, the passage says to be compassionate and humble.

Humbleness is something that is fading in the Christian culture in America… and this should cause us great concern. It is a result of too much self… and not enough sacrifice.

These two are tied together on purpose. What is compassion without sacrifice of self or humbleness? When we humble ourselves to God, we fully submit our selves to Him. WE give up our self. When we humble ourselves to each other, we place our self behind us and remember the common good.

God doesn’t want a bunch of haughty attitudes in His house… in fact, Proverbs 6 tells us He hates such things. Haughtiness is having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior. Instead, God calls us to be humble… to be compassionate and humble which means to put others before ourselves.

Jesus did this… and He expects this of His disciples! He is our great example of compassion and humbleness - and He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Let’s follow in His footsteps instead of place ourselves over others.

Lastly, we are instructed to not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.

Remember the Golden Rule. This is taught in Royal Rangers and I need you guys to represent! We pledge to make the Golden Rule my daily rule so guys… what is it?

Matthew 7:12 NIV

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus didn’t say treat others AS they treat you… He said to treat them as you WANT to be treated!

This is how unity stands and division falls. As believers, we respond with God’s truth and love, not evil and insults… we are to respond with blessing and kindness! Why? Because we are CALLED to do so that we might inherit God’s blessing!

Unity is a command of the Lord that we should uphold and protect! Jesus lived it and demonstrated it and… the mission of God requires it!

The church is the body of Christ… the UNITED body of Christ. One foot cannot go in a different direction as the other. One hand cannot reach in a different direction than the other. One eye cannot be focused in a different direction than the other. And here’s the deal… I can guarantee the mind of the body of Christ remains unified with the things of God because… Jesus is the head of the church! Our instruction comes from Him!

So if you are tempted to divide… understand you are working to bring ruin to God’s house. If you are tempted to sow discord… understand you are working off a weak foundation. God’s house is not a place of division and discord… but is a refuge of unity and togetherness.

This brings us to our next point:

Actively Protecting Unity

How do we actively do this? How do we develop this habit within our own lives?

We somewhat answered this as we walked through 1 Peter 3:8-9, but there are a couple of application points we need to be aware of. And the first one is HUGE.

First, we protect Unity when we take personal responsibility regarding Unity.

In other words… don’t leave it up to someone else… be an active part of protecting Unity. Romans 12:17-18 reads...

Romans 12:17–18 NIV

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Unity… starts with you. If you leave unity up to others… you are setting yourself up for failure.

Unity is the responsibility of every believer. So I want you to repeat this with me tonight… “If I want a unified Church… it start with me.”

This means we guard our hearts and minds from divisive attitudes, behaviors, and thoughts. It means that if someone comes to you with a negative word about someone… SHUT IT DOWN. Encourage that person to go through the right channels… to deal with it appropriately and biblically.

Starting gossip or complaining through others… is a move of darkness… it is behavior that thrives in the shadows outside of the light. It means the person cares not enough of the situation to actually seek resolve or peace. It is a stirring of emotions and dissension. The person working to get someone else to do or to join their dirty work. STAY OUT OF THE FILTH! DON’T GET STUCK IN THE SHADOWS! DON’T GET YOUR HANDS AND HEART DIRTY. Stay in the light of Christ and remain free of the muck that is habitual gossip or complaining. Encourage biblical and unifying behavior.

And yes… we will have issues from time to time that need addressed in the church, in our communities, and in our homes. HOW WE HANDLE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE ISSUE ITSELF.

Remember… Romans 12:18 says so far as it depends on you… It does not all depend on you… however some of it does. Make sure you are doing your best to live at peace and to protect unity.

Secondly… and this is again a HUGE point… LEARN TO COMMUNICATE!!!

Ask the right questions… seek the right information… go through appropriate channels. And most importantly, never forget that communication involves two things:

Communication involves speaking.

Communication involves listening.

Many times, issues and struggles can be resolved before they ramp up if people would simply learn how to communicate… BETTER!

And please… I BEG YOU… DON”T DO THIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA!!! Communications happens best face to face. Communication happens best in the presence of each other. Communication happens best when resolve is the sought-after result.

Once again, Jesus told us how to communicate when issues arise in Matthew 18. At no point does He say that it should happen through different people… it is to occur directly with the parties involved. STRIVE to communicate according to our biblical standard given by Jesus.

Lastly, GIVE GRACE.

What does this mean? Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t cast doubt. Don’t make assumptions on limited information. Don’t jump on conspiracy band waggons. Don’t give the enemy any place to twist or spin the situation. Instead… GIVE GRACE!

Stop believing the worst about people… and start believing the best in them! Be determined to give grace… even when it is not deserved! Paul stresses this truth in Ephesians 4:2

Ephesians 4:2 NLT

2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Listen folks… no one in this world is perfect! And yet we can be quick to point out the imperfections of another. Paul reminds us to be… patient… be humble… be gentle… make allowances of each other’s faults because of our love.

Don’t mishear the Word tonight. This dos not mean tolerate or condone sinful behavior. Not all behavior that irritates us or causes concern is sinful. This does not mean to gloss over what needs to come under the blood… it simply means to be patient as God is patient.

Look at 2 Peter 3:9

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

What promise is Peter talking about? The promise of the Lord’s return. Why is God extending patience our way regarding the return of the Lord? Because He doesn’t want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to have the opportunity for repentance.

WE DO NOT DESERVE HIS PATIENCE! WE DO NOT DESERVE HIS GRACE! And yet He is gracious! He is patient! And we, the body of Christ, protect unity by expressing these attributes of God.

These are three simple starting points for all believers to take to heart regarding unity.

Take responsibility.

Communicate clearly.

Extend Grace.

When these habits become our natural go-to responses… unity will thrive not only in God’s house… but in your house and in your community.

Unity does not happen on accident. It must be protected. It requires active and proactive action. Are you willing to do your part in establishing this house habit in your life?

Closing

The Word of God command unity. This is not a suggestion… it is something to be obeyed. It is a habit that brings life and togetherness. It is a habit that says no to division and discord. It is a habit we must take seriously because no divided house can stand.

Are you willing to actively engage in the steps to provide and protect unity in your life… and i this house?

Those steps again are:

Take responsibility

Learn to communicate

Give Grace.

And… there is one more that must come into the conversation as we close: We must learn to forgive.

Unforgiveness can quickly escalate into bitterness. Nothing will rob a person, a home, or a church of life faster than bitterness. Bitterness builds walls, it lives on separation. It works to keep the offense alive instead of seek resolve.

If a person hurts you… that’s on them. If you refuse to forgive them… that’s on you. Whatever the reason might be… you are keeping that hurt alive and it will destroy you from the inside out.

Unity cannot be fostered in atmosphere of unforgiveness. We must learn to forgive others… as Christ has forgiven us.

Protecting unity is the habit we look to reinforce or establish. And it’s time to take this to the Lord in prayer.

If you are struggling… if you are wrestling with things internally that are moving you to division instead of unity… I want to pray with you.

This doesn’t make you a bad person… it just means we have picked up some bad habits. Tonight is all about breaking those habits.

Whatever it is you are struggling with… needs to come under the blood of Jesus.

Once given to the Lord, follow the leading of the Spirit as you seek resolve. God will help you every step of the way.

PRAYER.

Secondly, I want us to pray for unity in three areas tonight:

Pray for unity in your home and family.

Pray for unity in the church and its ministries.

Pray for unity in our communities and nation.