Unity
Ever feel like that you have missed out on something in your Christian life? If just had this gift or I could just do that or if that had just happened. Many feel that just haven’t quite got it all as others have. I have missed it. Problem is not in what we have or do not have or doctrine or theology.… but the problem is putting all the truth into life and into steps. Corinth had, grace, and gifts, all of them, guarantee of return of Christ. They understood their position in Christ. In Christ, and here is your possessions. Potential. Write any one name here and say that is who we are. But then talks about the essential of having unity in the church. Not uniformity. Not everybody goose stepping together. Some tall, short, skinny, fat, smart, dumb, sing, some can’t, some can teach and some can listen, some can do one thing and others can not, no uniformity but must be unity. Not denominational unity, not getting all churches together, but must be unity.
This unity must revolve around doctrinal truth. Remember Eph 4? One. Rom 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Are those who in the body that are wolves in sheep’s clothing that bring about disharmony. Not conscientiously but because of the flesh and pride. James 4:1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
What causes disputes in the church? Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
Prov 13:10 By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. Scourse is the flesh. Brought up in the climate of the flesh. One of the first words you said was, “mine" .Second time you cried was when you wanted your own way. (Child with Adamic nature personified) )Has to be controlled. (Jiffy whup) )Even though Christian that old flesh will rise up again if not controlled.
Idea that divisions, and strife and quarrels come from satan, but Paul says come from flesh. Satan loves that for makes his job a lot easier. Satan not mentioned. What happened when became a Christian is that your flesh got a new roommate. That new roommate is drastically different from the old flesh. ( Roomed with one friend, we had a time, just alike, not very neat, sloppy. Phone ring and so many clothes and newspaper on floor could find it. One semester got new roommate. He did not know what he was moving in with. This guy absolutely brilliant, read and photographic memory. He was handsome and a hulk, super personality, all girls fell all over him. The professors thought he would win the Nobel peace prize. Not to make things worse, he went to bed early at night. To compound things, he was super neat. He put everything up folded. Folded. On top of that he was disciplined in all activities. Not didn’t know me but can tell you that I was 180 degrees from where my roommate was located. It was intimating.
This is what happens when Christ comes in, old flesh and trying to do something ourselves and here comes Christ who is totally different. There will be that struggle there. Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
What can set your mind on? Things. If do become materialistic. Chrome, plastic, fiberglass, wood, money, property, A lot set on things. Set eyes on situation. If good it will build your ego. Bad will destroy your self image. Set mind on others. Depend on some person for your happiness and fulfillment and come to great disillusionment. Set on self. Consumed with self. When there are disputes in the church, you can be sure that first of all there have been disputes and disagreements and then are party spirits and begin rally around some personality and the problem behind all is the problem of the flesh. People have turned their eyes on their pride and their ego and now their church is all confused. If would be embarrassing to have raise hand when ask have ever been part of church where there was a party spirit, bitterness, conflict and argument and lines sharply drawn. Probably two thirds been part of church like that. Tragic thing. Now most tragic thing. Most tragic thing is for man behind this desk to be a card carrying liberal who uses biblical languages but teaches and preaches situation ethics and tells beautiful sweet nice stories that have not the power of God nor the authority of the Word behind them. ( In a liberal church and don’t know what to do. Get out. Bible clearly teaches that the Lord honors the church where there are Godly leaders that believe His Word. )
Eyes on self. Get so big and so important. Jack Dempsey said Bigger are the harder they fall. What satan says. Get so puffed up and infatuated with self and what you believe and the exclusiveness of your group and give occasion for satan to bring you down and bring confusion into the church. Some believe that they have been called to straighten everything and everybody out. Their purpose and calling in life. Now, all churches have problems. Have same problems. Same people cause the problems. Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
