Untitled Sermon (5)

I am going to make a very bold statement tonight. If I am growing, it will be seen in my attitude toward unity in my church!

This of course is not the full measure of spirituality. But is a good indicator of where my heart is.

Text: Acts 18:1-11

Harmony is nice but Unison is Focused power.

Harmony is beautiful thing I love listening to groups and choirs that have a good tight blend. There is an instrument that vocal groups can use that draw the ear and can affect the overall feel of a piece of music.

This is called unison. Unison is taking all the energy being expended to produce many tones harmonizing and focuses that energy into one sound that is many times

Clearer

Louder

More Controlled

This is possible in the church gathers ll the energy expended in many places and focuses it to one unified sound.

"And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." 1Corinthians 12:5-6

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Act 1:14

The result of spiritual unity...

Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47

I. Unison through the Time Signature

The essence of the Christian existence is accountability and submission to one another. This has been the attitude and condition of the believer since the book of Acts.

Embrace your Pastor’s Direction

When we see this couple connected to Paul they are all in. They jump in with both feet. But what they have done is chose to make the burden of one man the burden for their family. They exemplify what will happen when we jump in the work that God has given to the church.

Your pastor cannot produce unity this will be up to you. Your pastor would produce it if he could but it is in your control to give your heart to it.

A choice that is only possible when a couple is first:

Working together

Aquila and Priscilla intrigue me. They had to be close to one another. They worked together. There was a certain level of respect that would not have been common in the eastern mentality. We think we have it all wrapped up in the West just imagine working hand in hand with your mate all day long and loving it.

He having to have every single thing a certain way. - Don’t touch

Her making you talk - about every feeling you have ever had.

We almost witness the connection of this couple by their relationship to the ministry “Aquila and Priscilla”

Maybe they are out there, but I have never seen a man and woman that were being used by God in a big way that did not have a humble loving man leading and a caring kind woman following.

Refuse to Compare your Church

They trained Apollos instead of worshipping him.

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26

Check the Attitude Move Forward

Meaning this the reason they could connect to Pauls ministry and follow his direction is that they chose to be a part as a model of life. They refused to check out in the home - they refused to check out in the ministry. They didn’t just exist in the house, they didn’t just exist in the church.

Celebrate the Church’s Vision

There is a need for couples today to grab a hold of their pastors direction and march it forward. There is a dangerous spirit that I am seeing among some of God’s people and that is this individualistic approach to church.

Diva - My way or no way. (Not how they did it in my old church)

Disconnected - ho hum (if I didn't come up with it then it's not worth it)

Downer - no buy in

Neutralize the Critics Production

Everything of Value must be protected. This is not the sign that something is wrong or flawed. It is a sign that it is precious. Millennials as they have been called look down on correction or even disagreements in the church. In fact many young couples today look negatively on the Pastor speaking against those that would mislead or harm the congregation.

For some the pastor disciplining the membership is grounds enough to leave. Ma'am, Sir this cannot be. The church has always had a need for a group of people to stand for the best interest of the church. Sure your pastor may be able to do it all but there is no need if God has you there.

The church needs families that stand up for

Doctrine

Unity

Commission

II. Unison through the Measure

There can be no fulfilled vision without a team going all in for its success. The best position for the marriages in our church are those that are outwardly focused and involved in ministry.

Traveling

And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 18:18-19

Supplying

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house… Romans 16:3-5

Teaching

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26

Partnering

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. I Corinthians 16:19

Illustrate: Tithing Truths - Statistics

When surveyed, 17% of Americans state that they regularly tithe.

For Christian families making less than $20k per year, 8% of them gave at least 10% in tithing. For families making a minimum of $75k or more, the figure drops to just 1%.

The average donation by adults who attend U.S. Protestant churches is about $17 a week.

http://healthresearchfunding.org/

Soul winning - 95%

Greg Laurie says, 95% of all Christians have never lead another person to Christ.

Growing as a Christian 101 - Bruce Bickel

Discipleship - anyone can mentor one

Married and serving…

1 Corinthians 7:7–8 KJV 1900

For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

There has been much consternation over this verse. And the question is hinged on the reality that you will have to serve another. But that is not Pauls full vision. He knows that a husband and wife serve they can serve together. He knows because he witnessed it.

Why we refuse to go all in:

• We Focus on the Negative.

We can develop bias that helps keep us safe from risks and, often prevents us from noticing the good and praiseworthy things that folks around us do. We’ll notice and say something when our waiter messes up our order. But when he provides impeccable service, it hardly registers, and if it does, we rarely mention it to him.

The first step to becoming a better encourager is to simply be aware of your negativity bias. Understand that your brain is always hunting for something to gripe about, so make a conscious effort to overcome that bias by searching for the good – it’s often right in front of your nose.

• We are Self-Absorbed.

No matter how selfless we may think we are, all of us are self-centered to varying degrees. We’re typically more concerned about our own performance or behavior, and not the performance or behavior of others. Because we’re paying so much attention to how we’re feeling, we assume others are too.

Our natural self-centeredness can cause us to not truly pay attention and listen to others – which makes us miss opportunities to offer encouragement.

• We are in a Competition.

Encouragement is a way to show your respect or admiration for someone. For many men, offering kindness seems like an admission that they’re inferior and the person receiving the kindness is better.

• We are Shy.

If shyness is a problem for you, encouragement is a low-risk, high-return way to overcome your social anxiety.

• We Assume Others will tell us.

III. Unison with the Conductor

Music demands a leader. Many pianists I know follow the singer. It can work the other way. There are other times when the singer follows the piano. During our congregational we have have had a Song Leader. Our choirs have directors.

This is a reality that music will not get away from. Every voice in the choir must contribute to the whole sound or we will have failure. I want to talk with you about how to intentionally bring your family to contribute to the long term health of your church’s song.

Minister to your Minister

Pay him Pray for him Play with him Protect him Partner with him

Develop one other family

Your family may be in a hard place right now. But it is important that you decide as a couple that you will not always be the family receiving but that you and your family will contribute to your church.

Be at church (just one more service) Be available when your there (Be there) Build a new person

Ready yourself to Lead

Pray like you expect your pastor to pray.

Smile like you expect your pastor to smile.

Reach like you expect your pastor to reach.

Notes for Couples Retreat

Unison “Serving Together in the Local Church”

Introduction

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. Unison through Time Signature

Embrace your ______________ Direction

Celebrate the ______________ Vision

Neutralize the _______________ Production

II. Unison through the Measure

Why we fail to go all in:

• We _________________ on the Negative.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• We are __________________.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• We are in a _______________________.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• We are _____________________.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• We _________________ Others will tell us.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

III. Unison with the Conductor

Minister to Your Minister

________ him

________ for him

________ with him

________ him

________ with him

Develop One Other ________________.

Be at _____________.

Be ______________ when your there.

Build a new _____________ each service.

Ready Yourself to Lead

_______ like you expect your pastor to _________.

_______ like you expect your pastor to _________.

_______ like you expect your pastor to _________.