The Greatest Hindrance to Vision - Division

Conditions for Unity

Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-11

1 Corinthians 1:1–11 KJV 1900

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Approaching 3 year anniversary

I’m thankful for many affirming Churches in our area

We are unique

-Modern in our Worship

-Traditional in our Doctrine/Teaching

-Practical in our Application

-Affirming & Biblical

-Authentic

I remember our 1 Year Anniversary, in the midst of COVID, do you remember…we had gift bags for everybody, balloons tied on it, tangled in the wind as we met here to view the space....deciding how long to make our lease for....I had the thought…3 year initial lease....?!

No matter how much a local church has going for it, division can negate it’s vision.

The word division is constructed of the word vision with the prefix "di", which means, "double".

Double vision can be dangerous. If you are seeing two of everything you need to make a trip to the eye doctor. If there is disharmony in the local church you need some spiritual doctoring.

CONDITIONS FOR UNITY:

1. "Speak the same thing."

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV 1900

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

There must be unity in speech if a local church is to make an effective impact for God.

The Bible is not saying there isn’t room for disagreement among good Christians. Rather, we are encouraged, even when we do disagree, and we will, to speak in such a way as to promote harmony.

Your motive for speaking and how you deliver your words are just as important as what you say.

Be careful of a critical spirit. If you find your self hyper-critical of everything done in your church and others in your church, there are two options:

a) The church may need your positive contributions to turn in the right direction, or,

b) You may need to change your attitude. Ask yourself, "Is there something else going on in my life right now that has me angry or discouraged? Am I taking my frustration out on others in my church?

It’s good from time to time to pray the prayer of the Psalmist:

Psalm 139:23 KJV 1900

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts:

2. "Be perfectly joined together in the same mind."

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV 1900

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

There must be unity of thought if a local church is to have an effective impact for God.

Once again, unity and uniformity are not the same thing. God has given all of us different perspectives to bring to the table.

Proverbs 11:14 KJV 1900

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Illustration: Fireplace Door

A church may look beautiful and have the latest technology, latest innovative programs and sharpest presentations, but without unity it will come apart at the seams.

How can we accomplish this objective? How can we "perfectly joined together in the same mind?"

Philippians 2:1–5 KJV 1900

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

We can worship together consistently, serve together regularly, pray together faithfully, and fellowship together constantly.

These things will help to keep us on the same page.

3. "Be perfectly joined together in the same judgment."

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV 1900

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

There must be a unity of purpose if a local church is to have an impact for God.

God’s purposes are greater than our minor differences in the local church.

When we were remodeling this space, I left the color palette to very capable hands…I chose the floor I believe...

When we get to heaven, will it really matter that we voted with the minority on the color of the church carpet?

1 Corinthians 15:57–58 KJV 1900

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.