Unity Strengthens

Speaker: Rich Gartman

Series: Unity

Scripture:

Main Idea:

Intro

Two men are standing on a bridge, one is about to jump off and the other is trying to talk him out of it. The man asks the jumper, "So are you a Christian or a Hindu or a Jew or what?" The jumper replies, "A Christian." The man says, "Small world, me too! Protestant, or Catholic, or Orthodox?" The jumper answers, "Protestant." The man replies, "Me too! What denomination?" The jumper says, "Baptist" The man replies, "Me too! Southern Baptist or Northern Baptist?" The jumper answers, "Northern Baptist." The man replies, "Me too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?" The jumper answers, "Northern Conservative Baptist." The man replies, "Me too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern region?" The jumper answers," Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." The man replies, "Me too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region council of 1912?" The jumper answers, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region council of 1912." The man then pushes the jumper off the bridge and screams, "Die Heretic!"

Bible Verse

Ec 4:9–12.

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ec 4:9–12.

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 12:1–2.

The Pits

Explanation – Point 1

It is awesome that we end on this scripture. I didnt really even do this on purpose. It was through stuying this verse that I came to realize that these verses in the middle of lone wolf talk actually use the image of the Journey. These three issutrations show the need for unity and community in a church. This is hard for our fallen nature pushes us to selfishness, self reliance, and other selfs this world promotes. Lets look at the first reference.

Illustration – Point 1

One reason sin flourishes is that it is treated like a cream puff instead of a rattlesnake. (Billy Sunday  in Who said that? by Billy Sunday p. 401).

Application – Point 1

Bible Verse – Point 2

Ac 2:37–47

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. The Fellowship of the Believers 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 2:37–47.

The Cold Nights

Explanation – Point 2

Community Matters

Illustration – Point 2

In 1773, the young pastor of a poor church in Wainsgate, England, was called to a large and influential church in London. John Fawcett was a powerful preacher and writer, and these skills had brought him this opportunity. But as the wagons were being loaded with the Fawcetts’ few belongings, their people came for a tearful farewell. During the good-byes, Mary Fawcett cried, “John, I cannot bear to leave!” “Nor can I,” he replied. “We shall remain here with our people.” The wagons were unloaded, and John Fawcett spent his entire fifty-four-year ministry in Wainsgate. Out of that experience, Fawcett wrote the beautiful hymn, “Blest Be the Tie that Binds.” (Today in the Word, August 1996, p. 6).

Application – Point 2

Bible Verse – Point 3

1 Pe 5:8–9

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 5:8–9.

The Marauders

Explanation – Point 3

Illustration – Point 3

A custom of the natives in New Guinea is told. At certain times they have rituals, songs, and dances. They work themselves up into a frenzy and the ritual culminates in what are called “the murder songs,” in which they shout before God the names of the people they wish to kill. When the natives became Christian, they retained these customs and that ritual, However, in the murder songs, they no longer shouted the names of the people they hated, but the names of the sinsthey hated, and called on God to destroy them. A pagan custom had been captured for Christ. (Source Unknown).

Application – Point 3

Conclusion

United we stand. Divided we fall

Matthew 12:22-28 English Standard Version 22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.