Challenges to Unity
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Central Idea
Since divisions within the body of Christ will occur, we must strive for unity based on the teachings of Scripture.
INTRODUCTION
What happens when you bring people together from different social mindsets, political ideologies, religious backgrounds, cultural traditions, and economic standings?
Look at at scripture
Jews and the Gentiles in general
Woman at the well, Cornelius, Peter and the Gentiles
Greek and Hebrew widows in Acts six
Philemon and Onesimus
OBJECTIVE
The difference between union and unity
Several Challenges to Unity
How to Cultivate Unity
The Difference Between Union and Unity
The Difference Between Union and Unity
“Union” examples
2 wild cats tied together at the tail
A criminal handcuffed to an officer
An ox yoked with a poodle
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
How is “Unity” achieved
Unity is a state of harmony and agreement
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.
Challenges to Unity
Challenges to Unity
1. Pride / Selfishness / Arrogance
1. Pride / Selfishness / Arrogance
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
2. Heart of Unforgiveness
2. Heart of Unforgiveness
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
How to Forgive:
1. Decide – You will never forgive if you wait until you feel like it. Choose to obey God and steadfastly resist the devil in his attempts to poison you with bitter thoughts. Make a deliberate decision to forgive, and God will heal your wounded emotions in due time (see Matthew 6:12-14).
2. Depend – You cannot forgive without the power of the scripture and prayer. It's too hard to do on your own. If you are truly willing, God will enable you, but you must humble yourself and cry out to Him for help.
3. Obey – The Word tells us several things we're to do concerning forgiving our enemies:
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
3. Personal Grievances
3. Personal Grievances
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
How to Cultivate Unity
How to Cultivate Unity
Humility
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Agape Love of First Cor. 1:13
Prayer
giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Intentional Community
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.