Unity Devotional

Introduction

Goodmorning Banner Church, my name is Will Sarno and I serve on the Hands team here at Banner Church. (HOLY HANDS, Parking, Security and Setup/teardown).

Pastor Ryan just read us the chapter we’re going to be in, I’d like us to focus in on v. 27 this morning.

Pre-Scripture Question (Hook)

Before I read this morning, let me ask you a question: “Do you know what it’s like to be in a community? Have you been in a community that you really cared about?” Let’s go back together and remember a time like this.

Examples:

Jazz club

Tap dancing

A sport

Knitting

Something else we can notice here too is that as humans WE CRAVE connection to other people, we’re naturally designed to desire peace with other people and prefer community over conflict. We also desire to participate in something greater than ourselves!

BUT we don’t always experience this… WHY?

Let’s look at the Word this morning in v. 27 and see Paul’s view of the Christian community.

Word

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” (NKJV)

New Living Translation Chapter 1

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News

New International Version (2011) Chapter 1

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

What does this passage say?

*Seems idealistic BUT, it’s only idealistic if it’s impossible. Jesus actually prays for our unity as a church today, I have to believe that’s because it’s actually possible.

What’s obvious here?

That we’re supposed to be “one”. That’s clear.

That we’re supposed to live “worthy of the Gospel of Christ”. That’s another part.

As I studied this passage this week, something that really caught my attention was the word “that”.

It’s probably the most attention I’d ever given the word “that”.

BUT, if you read it carefully it’s a critical word.

The word “that” actually CONNECTS living life worthy of the Gospel to the call to “stand firm in one Spirit , with one mind”.

Why’s that important?

It’s important BECAUSE…

What does it mean?

*Somewhere reference the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-30) and Jesus’ prayer for unity (John 17:20-23). Conduct in Greek- “To behave like a citizen” (Strongs 4176).

This shows that Paul actually connects living in a way that honors Jesus (pause) to being unified as a church, and as His people. (pause)

What’s even more interesting is what Paul doesn’t say here!

He doesn’t say “Let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ THAT”….the church should be:

powerful

speaking in tongues

seeing deliverance

have a great kids ministry

have a ton of people

NONE of those things are bad, in fact some of them are critical. BUT without unity we will QUENCH the Spirit’s ability to work in us as a people because we’re not focusing of what God wants we’re focusing on what WE want.

Personal Story: I was so convicted as I wrote this message that I have so often placed greater value on my own desires than the desires that God has and that the fellow believers around me have. Guys, I have shown up to the Lord’s church that is a gathering made up of people recognizing the selflessness of Jesus and the only thing I thought about from the start to the end was about my own desires. Where am I going to lunch today? I’m going to text my friends to coordinate plans during service, or play a video game! My heart is not to shame anyone here, but to say in love and compassion. Church, I want to be more like Jesus than that. I want more of Him next week than I have this week, and more and more and more!

NOW, What will create a community in unity?

It’s a shared or common goal or interest.

Here’s what I mean: When you’re in a really good band you’re getting better because everyone in that band has a desire to get better.

SO, as a church we will see more and more fruit in our lives when we lay down our own desires and wants and start to grasp onto fundamental Gospel truth TOGETHER.

Disclaimer: Guys, I know we’ll disagree about stuff. What family has never disagreed about anything? (if someones raising their hand maybe you can show us how to do this). But the thing is we will disagree, that’s not what I’m teaching. What I’m trying to say is we HAVE to recognize that the TRUTH we agree on together, for those of us here that are Believers of Jesus, are so much greater than the small disagreements we may have day to day.

What Does it Mean to Me?

Now I’ve taught a lot but I haven’t given you a whole lot to do. It’s not a great message unless you got some homework, and me too lol.

What is not unity?

Conformity or uniformity

Organizational Unity (ie Catholic/Orthodox Church)

What Unity is?

Richard Lints @ the Gospel Coalition defines it: “The unity of the church refers to the union of the people of God, in all their various distinctives and expressions, bound to God and to one another by the gospel.”

Augustine of Hippo: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

Through this quote he gave us a consolidated test on where we may divide over issues.

I’m so grateful to be a part of this church. unity is something that I believe we actually do well in many ways in. But here are 3 ways we can continue to strive together for life in unity:

Read through Banner Church’s statement of faith available online! (Takes 20 minutes) and seriously consider your belief and attachment to those statements. Question them even but be honest and let the Scripture be the ultimate authority on how you determine your answer

Start each day, with just 10-15 minutes remembering the truth of what we believe. Let it drive you towards gratitude. Gratitude will fuel unity!

Send a text to one person you disagreed with this week on something and tell them something you’re grateful for in their life.

Pray

-> Introduce Naima Fowler