United We Stand

Intro

tonight is School Spirit night. One thing that learned very quickly moving from New England to Texas is the school pride is legit. Not only for High school but college football. nNow every 4 years these college athletes come together. The Olympics are a fascinating time because college players from around the country who may be rivals in the regular season, come together for one common goal: win gold for USA.

They help each other out in practice to make them better because when one person does well, the others might start doing well. No longer are they claiming to win gold for their college but for their country.

tension

In todays time, there is more things that can divide us rather than unites us.

What is it that the divides us? With the election year its either republican o democrat? At school it could be because of their social status? In this room I’ve seen it because of maturity levels? We have a mixed group of ages in this ministry. Is it because you go to public schools or private school or home school? What causes divisions amongst us?

Paul tells the Corinthian church this: 1 Cor 1:10

1 Corinthians 1:10 CSB

10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.

Just like the olympics, how athletes from rival schools come together under the team of USA to go for gold, we too need to come together under the name of Christ and be unified under His name by the Spirit if we are going to make an impact.

When the church stands UNITED big things will happen.

Not because of what we can accomplish but what God can do.

Open up to John 17:20-23. I have talked a lot over this passage. In the high priestly prayer, Jesus asks His father to keep the disciples ONE, and then he prays for us. The future church.

John 17:20–23 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Jesus wants the Church to be UNITED.

Why is it that Jesus wants us to be united? Maybe because when we are being divisive (dividing) its because of selfish reasons. Not loving and laying pride down at the door but rather thinking I am more right than the other person. Or I am better than the other person.

When you are saved and adopted into the family of God, you are saying this, “I am no greater of a person than the next. Jesus says that He wants us to be ONE just as He and the Father are one. Listen to what David Guzik says about this.

As You, Father, are in Me, and I in You also speaks to the truth that the foundation of our unity is the same as the foundation of unity between the Father and the Son: equality of person. We are all on the same ground at the cross. - David Guzik

Unity starts with humility.

Saying I am no greater than you. Philippians 2:3-4

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Its pretty hard to feel like we are united when each of us are stuck in pride and selfish ambition. But when everyone puts into practice this truth, look how we can come together.

Barriers can come down when you start thinking about the other persons needs.

A United Church shows the love of God to the world.

You are a light into a dark world. Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

An outsider look into the church, if all it sees is hate and division yet we preach unity and love through Jesus Christ, how do we look? Not so good. What I want you to see is that you as the individual believing in Christ are a light to the world, and so is the church as a whole.

When the church becomes UNITED big things can happen. Just look at the early church when they preached the gospel and three thousand got saved, they gave up their own possessions and helped each other out and devoted themselves to gathering together, the church began to explode!

Why? Because when they came together and thought of one another above themselves, God can work through it.

How can you begin to bring unity?

Consider the care of others.

Look at the needs of your brothers and sisters, and help them. Bearing each others struggles and keeping each other accountable. Gal 6:2

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Watch your words.

How we talk to one another should be seasoned with salt. Gentle not harsh. A harsh word divides, but a word that is spoken out of gentleness unites. Col 4:6

Colossians 4:6 ESV

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Abide and align with Jesus.

When you stay connected and close to Jesus, that love will overflow into the lives around us. 1 John 2:6

1 John 2:6 ESV

whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Spread the Saviors Story.

The best news is that the gospel isn’t just for us to hear, BUT for the world to hear. Our family continues to grow. Jesus wants it to. He said: John 17:23

John 17:23 ESV

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

The world may know that you (the Father) sent Jesus because He loved you.

If you experienced this goodnews, you need to share it with the world. We share it by how we live and how we interact with one another.

We are not a church that is divided. You are not alone, there is a family here for you!

When the church stands United revival will happen.