Unity

Introduction

Greetings...

If you were to take a pole and ask the world of “Christendom” what the term “unity” means you would get a basic definition.

Stephen Curkpatrick summed up this basic definition saying unity is “…Christian denominations and movements coming together in various forums to affirm their shared Christian faith and witness...”

However, this common understanding or definition is nowhere found in the Bible.

Unity in the Bible is clearly defined and described by the apostle Paul in .

1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Today I want us to consider just two points on the subject at hand.

What unity is not according to the Bible.

What unity is according to the Bible.

With this in mind let us look at our lesson today.

Biblical Unity Isn’t...

Everyone is saved

The reality is there will be lost souls in eternal damnation; not everyone who was created will be saved.

Luke 9:25 ESV

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Lk

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 ESV

8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

Though many might wish upon a star that this be true it is not a biblical concept.

Majority rules

There is no “voting system” where in the creation can vote what is right or wrong.

However, this is exactly what we find in the denominational realm.

The Baptist vote on whether to update their “Faith & Message.”

The Methodist vote on whether to update their various creeds such as “The Apostles Creed or Social Creed.”

The Presbyterians voted on whether to update their creed the “Westminster Confession of Faith.”

The point is this, many see biblical rule as based on “majority rules” yet voting on what is right or wrong has never been a biblical concept.

The Bible is always right and we are only right if we conform our mind to that of the Word of God.

Hence you have heard me say many a time there is no such thing as biblical interpretation, i.e. alluding to the idea there can be more than one answer…there simply cannot be.

The Bible is truth.

John 8:32 ESV

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 17:17 ESV

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:17 ESV

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

The Bible covers every aspect of living righteous lives in truth.

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Majority rule never has had a place in the Bible, nor will it ever please God for man to listen to man’s heart and tongue over the God’s Word.

Accepting of division

The word denomination literally means “divided from the whole.”

How many times have you heard “Christ is head of His body and in the body are all the different churches or denominations” or more recently I heard “while there are many fellowships (individual churches) there is one Church.”

(Bishop R.A. Nichols THD, Faithlife Sermon Unity: http://bit.ly/2qtQskq)

Jesus never prayed for division He prayed for unity.

John 1:20–21 ESV

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

Paul never taught division of the body of Christ, he taught unity.

Philippians 1:27 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

1 Cor

The Bible clearly states there is only one fellowship and one church.

Ephesians 1:22–23 ESV

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 4:4 ESV

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Summery

Unity is not saying “everyone is saved” or “majority rules” or even “division is ok.”

So what is unity then according to God?

Biblical Unity Is...

Based in love.

Unity begins by loving God above all else.

Luke 10:27 ESV

27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Unity is continued by loving God’s creation especially the brotherhood.

1 John 4:7 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 5:2–3 ESV

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Unity is furthered by understanding loving God and His creation is based on the Word of God.

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

1 John 5:2–3 ESV

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Based in God’s Word

We cannot have a relationship with God or love God without abiding in the Word.

2 John 9 ESV

9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Amos 3:3 NKJV

3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

This means we cannot be in fellowship with God without walking according to His Word.

Matthew 7:21 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

4:

John 14:23–24 ESV

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

Summery

There is only one way to be unity in Christ and that is by having a love for God and His Word.

This means loving God enough to put everything behind God.

This means loving God’s Word enough to change when truth is before you and not arguing with it.

Conclusion

Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.”

Unity is not tolerating false doctrine it is correcting it and being unified in the loving Word.

Invitation

As one Family, we dwell together.

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

As one Body, we are joined together.

As one Temple, we are framed together.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.