The power of unity

What does true gospel unity look like?

breakfast club

Is that our view of unity?

Matt helped us to think about what we do when disagree. Give up our freedom? But where does power to do this come from?

In church full of DIFFERENT people (culture, background, experience, age, race, tendancy) - what does REAL gospel unity look like?

Thing we’re going to think about this morning

Gloriousu unity in Gods glorious grace.

First how does real unity happen?

Is it?...

Have a look at verse 1-7. See if you can spot, what is catalyst, driving force behind unity?

Genuine unity happens as we obey Jesus

illustration?

how we view Christian life. Live obediently, get along with others, and Jesus will accept us.

Gospel says Jesus accepts us through his death and ressurectiom, and only as we come to him by grace alone through faith alone. As we do that by Spirit we are united to him. And as we live life led by the Spirit, with Jesus as Lord, what will flow out - obedience and out of that unity., because we will start to lives for the service of others, not ourselves. 1-3 saying.

Right understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Accept Christ into my life. Danger of phrase is that still centres around me. Easy to think Christian life is how Jesus helps little old me. Gave my life to Christ. Giving ourselves completely over to him, throwing ourselves on his grace and mercy, and saying you made me, you saved me, you are saviour and Lord, and know whats best - take me life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee.

I dont want you to walk my way Jesus, I want to walk your way - help me to. As we follow the self sacrificial, loving others above ourselves, freely giving because we have freely recieved. Unity will happen. It will be a biproduct. Not passive.

Do good. v1

Acceot others. v7

How - v5. As we grow by Spirit into same aittiude and mind of Christ. He didnt come demanding his rights, hanging out only with those who agreed with him or boost his reputation or popularity, he came to serve. And calls us to do the same.

How can someone who believes its okay to drink alcohol (in moderation) enjoy true unity with someone who things that its a sin?

How can those who disagree about the role of men and women in church enjoy unity?

How can those who think we should wear suits to church sit with those who turn up in shorts?

How can those who dance worship with those who pocket shuffle?

Avoiding the issue or the people? No one would sit next to each other!

It’s as we find common ground on which to stand at the foot of the cross.

Recognise our own sin and own acceptance and value before Perfect Saviour and Lord, and then see same acceptance and value of brother and sister next to us. And just as Christ died in love for us to do us eternal good, so we find capacity to die to self and do good to each other.

Might mean giving up our freedom as Matt showed us last week. And more than that, It will look like putting our ego (what we think we know) aside to edify others. It will look like saying no to serving our self, in order to serve others. It might mean being determined to love those who are different.

Recognising that if anything difference simply demonstrates the power of the gospel - that same Christ who has broken down the barrier between us and God, also breaks down barriers with each other.

But how will it happen - as look to our Saviour Jesus who gave his life for us while we were his enemies so that we can be his friends, and in him be children of God, and by power of Spirit seek to imitate him in everything.

Genuine Unity bring Glory to God.

Gym membership. Since having child and lockdown, don’t have much motivation to join. Have book and videos do at home. Don’t go to the gym to make friends. Don’t feel any loyalty to the gym either.

Why does it matter? Why do I need to be part of a church anyway? In days of lifestream why make the effort?

Simple answer see here is that the church brings glory to God.

Romans 15:5–6 NIV

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Something really deep in Paul’s words in this section. he quotes a load of old testament passages which are about the inclusion of gentiles (non Jews?) Whole letter to the Romans is concerned with unity between 2 groups of people that would have been completely seperate and at odds with each other.

Romans 15:8–9 (NIV)

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

Why is Paul’s most theologically rich letter written to this church? Why is Paul so keen for them to see the power of the gospel in all its glory? Because he wants to show that all Christ has done in his death and ressurection, and is doing by power of the Spirit is all to work out God’s promises.

Because God’s plan has always been to display his glory to the world through his people. And through to rescue people every nation. Bringing them to himself to be one people of God, one body, one family, one temple, one new community, one church.

Why should we take membership of Crossway or local church seriously. Because its fundamental way we express our unity. You cant experience unity on your own.

SLOW

We are called to unity in the gospel because when sinners come together in the gospel of grace, in CHrist like love for one another THAT.....BRINGS....GOD....GLORY

why?

3rd

Genuine Unity builds God’s people

Romans 15:2 NIV

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

Romans 15:4 NIV

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Romans 15:13 NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Because when we live in obedience to Jesus seeking to good for each other, our love for each other will mean we will lead people to Jesus both believers and unbelievers.

Jesus just before he ascended to heaven gave these words to his disciples.

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What does Jesus want with his church - not just conversion experiences. But discipleship experiences. Paul talks about his plans as he draws to end of his letter, and reminds church of his mission - look what he says v18

Romans 15:18–19 (NIV)

I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Note: leading Gentiles to make one off profession in the emotion of a moment. No - leading them TO OBEY CHRIST. His circumstances and calling were unique in one sense, but fits with call of every disciple. to make disciples, baptising them and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.

How does that happen. In family united around the gospel of Jesus, seeking to love him and he has loved us, and love each other, seeking each others good - building each other up.

What do we when are in the pit of despair? Either through our own sin, or circumstance or tragedy? When they have messed up so bad that think no one will forgive them or love them. What do we need when feels like we dont fit in or world has written us off? When for whatver reason life has just got on top of me. What do I need when I’m lost and dragged in all kinds of directions?

Don’t need solitude, Don’t need substances, don’t need sarcasm, motivational posters, empty it’s be okay. Don’t need - church at a distance

Need church family to get along side me and point me to Jesus because he and only he can give us life we need. Even if I’ve heard it thousand times - because tell you what we are so forgetful and Satan loves to take truths from us and twist them. Not in absence of practical help - but as part of loving one another as Christ loved us.

Paul on is planning to visit this church on his journey - longs to see them to build them up and be built up by them, how he started his letter. But in his travels also carrying gift from rich church to poor church. and he asks v30, URGES.

Romans 15:30–32 NIV

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.

Wants them to know his plans, know about other churches (see mroe next week), urges them to pray, so they can struggle with him on his way, so that other churches will be built up and that they might be built up and that he might be built up.

What does discipleship look like, words and deeds. Preach Christ and we live Christ, enjoying unity in Christ,

We spend time together, look up together and pray together.

We suffer together and rejoice together.

We sow God’s word together, grow in love together and go out to the world together

And as we do this his church will be built both in maturity and number

- because there is nothign that speaks to powerfully to unbelieving world than to see the gospel in action in the church demonstrating the Spiritis power. And as Jesus builds his church it brings great Glory to God.

Say together.

Psalm 133 NIV

A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

This is Christ centred, Spirit powered, it builds and refrshes and gives life, and its sort of unity that brings God great glory. Let’s pray that he will increase it at Crossway.