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Unity in Christ
Unity in Christ
Scripture Romans 15:1-6 CSB
God has always been deeply concerned about unity of His people. By salvation, he has effected a real spiritual oneness. He has created a commonness based on sharing the same eternal life. This reality of conversion should impact the life of the church by being the impetus for practical unity.
The dictionary describes unity as the state of being united or joined as a whole. Another word I can use would be togetherness. We should not let issues or no one separate us from loving each other as Christ loves the church.
Take a moment to think about how a parent loves their child. Regardless of the many mistakes the child makes a real parent stills loves that child. Sometimes we get upset with our spouses but most of us still love them. This brings me to my first point.
Patience.
We should show patience for others just because Christ has been waiting patiently for us to share the good news to others about how to get a relationship with Him. Think about how patient we are with our babies when they are learning to walk. Take a deep breathe when anyone says or does something you don’t like. Think about a time before you gave your life to Christ. He just didn’t condemn at that moment or kill you. He showed mercy and allowed you an opportunity to get a relationship with Him. Patience for others should flow from our understanding of how patient Jesus has been toward us.
My second point is we should build each other up.
2. God’s eternal plan is that all who believe in Him will become outwardly what they already are inwardly - unified in Him through faith in His Son. Ultimately, everyone who belongs to the Lord will be united in a great and glorious fellowship with Him and with each other. Think about the year 2016 when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship by defeating the Golden State Warriors from coming back from a 3 to 1 series. This made world news. The city of Cleveland celebrated that victory. It seems that the whole city was on one accord. My point is if you were here and celebrated with the whole city why should we hold grudges against each other in the church. All of us should edify each other and let God get the glory. Verse 2 reminds us that each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. With indwelling of the Spirit came a spiritual unity among believers that immediately was expressed in selfless service to one another. We should be practicing that kind of spiritual unity right now.
I remember a few months ago when I, my son, my granddaughter and great-granddaughter all was diagnosis with COVID-19 all within the same week. I began immediately to encourage and build them up. We know prayer changes things and a lot of you who are listening prayed for us. I’m here today to encourage all of you who is going through your own burdens right now that God will work it out if you allow Him too.
My third point is believe God’s Word.
3. Verse four tells us For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures . Verse five says Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus.
I always tell you don’t take my word for it but study the scriptures for yourself. We should be living as God’s Word tells us in unity and harmony with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other. We should put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
The Word of God must always be our criteria, and not our own self-will. If we place our Faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross, this will not be difficult to do. God wants us to be united. Just as in an orchestra each instrument makes a unique sound but plays the same song, so also each believer possesses unique traits but moves in a common direction.
Take a moment to think about all of the parts of our body. When something stops functioning properly we normally go to the doctor and find out what we need to do. Next time we have an issue with one of our brothers or sisters in Christ, immediately take time to pray for them and then go to God’s Word for further instruction.
My last point today comes from verse number six.
So that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.
This proclaims the Christlikeness as the only manner in which differences can be correctly settled.
the apostle Paul chooses the word one intentionally.
Unity is not a matter of sameness, but oneness. Think of a quilt with various colors and patterns blended together in a beautiful whole, the body of Christ blends different people together into a beautiful array of redeemed lives. Unity doesn’t wash out our differences; it combines them to form something greater.
Remember only what you do for Christ will last.
Open doors of the church.
Prepare for communion.
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
