Untitled Sermon (16)

Step 2

Realize that unity in a local church is not automatic.

As Paul exhorted, creating and maintaining unity takes effort. True—and as just stated—there is positional unity, because we are in Christ. But the practical and visible unity comes when every believer does his part.

Imagine what would have happened to the unity in the Jerusalem church if the apostles had not faced the reality of the neglected widows. No doubt it would have resulted in the first major local church split.

Imagine what would have happened if the leaders in Antioch had not faced the theological problem created by the Judaizers (Acts 15). If they hadn’t solved the problem with the help of the Jerusalem council, it might have resulted in theological confusion and division all over the New Testament world. But because they faced the problem and did something about it, unity was restored.

All of this says that maintaining unity has two dimensions. First, Christ prayed (and is praying) for us. We have supernatural help available to defeat Satan. Second, we must “make every effort” to see that we do not allow human factors to create irritations to bring about misunderstandings that divide us. Satan delights in using trivia to destroy local churches.

Why is it important for each believer to do their part in maintaining church unity?

What would happen if church leaders ignore problems like the neglected widows?