AT WHAT
PRICE UNITY?
1.
I believe that a woman is restricted in leadership of the church.
2.
I do not believe the Scriptures authorize the use of musical instruments in public worship.
3.
I do not believe divorce is a sin.
4.
I believe there are several Bible translations better than the KJV.
5.
I believe that when one reaches a certain point of accountability then they must be baptized to be saved.
6.
I do not believe that all the people in all the other church buildings this morning are going to hell.
7.
I believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
8.
I do not believe people can perform miracles today.
9.
I do not believe Jesus is going to come back to earth and reign for a thousand years.
10. I
believe one has to commit a very public and disgraceful act against the church, before dis-fellowship can be even considered.
Other
than the question concerning baptism, I know that in this congregation, there are people that have opposing views on each
of these questions. These are some very serious questions and they are issues
that are dividing and have divided churches all over the world for years. Should
they? This morning we want to just touch on the subject of unity as we ask the
question, what price do we pay for unity?
Several
passages show the importance of unity. It was the theme of the prayer Jesus led
on the last night with the disciples.
John 17:20-23
The purpose
of unity: so the world may know and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the savior of the world.
We are each given gifts to help us achieve and maintain unity in the church.
The purpose of that unity is again to bring the world to faith in Christ.
Paul pleaded
for unity when the church at Corinth was divided.
1st
Corinthians 1: 10-13
Ephesians
4: 1-7
A. The seven pillars of unity
1. One God and Father of all
a.
Matthew 22:37
b.
1st Timothy 1:17
2. One Lord
a.
1st Corinthians 8:6 “…yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all
things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”
b.
What does divide us from so many in the world today is this.
3. One Spirit
a.
1st Corinthians
12:13 “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and
all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
4. One Body
a.
Romans 12: 4-5 “For as
in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we,
though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
5. One faith
a.
Ephesians 1:15 “For
this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,"
6. One baptism
a.
Galatians 3: 26-28
“for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ. 28
There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
7. One hope
a.
Ephesians 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the
hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”
II. How
can I apply unity in my everyday life?
1. Do not be conformed to this world.
2. Do not insist on having your own way.
3. Truly be concerned for the welfare of others.
4. Envision the big picture.
5. Use your gifts for the benefit of all.
6. Work with others.
7. Do the little things well.
8. Love one another.
9. Make every effort to see that there is unity.
10. What can I do to perfect unity?
11. Don’t examine others and determine what they can do to preserve unity.
12. Pray for unity.
13. Live at peace one with another.
