1) 1 Corinthians 12:24-30 but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. Let us continue to develop unity in our church and let us do so by unity in our ministry. Listen, church, we will never be a fully unified church unless we are humble towards one another, patient towards one another, and we bear with one another. Independent/Bible (3238) Lutheran (2839) Mennonite (360) Methodist (2526) . . Amos 3:5, Psalm 133, Psalms 133:1, Psalms 133:3, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Experiencing the mercy of God in our lives, Looking to Jesus for help now and hope in the future, Help your church understand God's plan in pain. 4) He provides structure for us today through the office of elder, deacon, evangelist, and teachers. This wonderful sermon on unity was given at the Healdsburg, California, Camp Meeting, on Sabbath, Sept. 19th, 1891. Paul says, I . Now what do I mean by that there is power in unity? Message based on the chapters of the book, "I Am A Church Member" by Tom Rainer, Introduction: Years ago, there was a Peanuts cartoon strip where Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. Preach a powerful message on the importance of community and being in one mind with our sermon ideas on unity! b. But in another sense the unity Christ purchased and guaranteed with his blood must now be lived out and brought to full expression in the life of the church. read more, Scripture: Three Components of Christian Unity. Unity. There is no Bible text that says, "And Peter and John formed a political action committee to raise money to run ads in the Jerusalem Times and to lobby the Sanherdern to care for the poor." He's leading them to unity. 3) Those who are not content with Gods word will cause problems and bring division. Some one could stand up and say thisWe are in unity at this church. 6. 2. #1 consider the power in a team of horses pulling a plow. "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the . 1) 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. The body has many members, each with specialized work to do, but all the parts are united in the Head of the Body, which is Christ (see Ephesians 4:15 ). Through the Holy Spirit of God, we already have unity. We too can glean from Christs example here. And if thats true of something like an earthly political establishment, how much more true it should be of Christians and the Kingdom of God. That may be good or bad. Philippians 2:1-4. Did you know that? urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.. In case you didnt realize whats going on here, everyone in the church is ministering! Ephesians 4:11-16And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. You do! The Church isnt made up of a lot of disconnected people. 1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author. 1. I take that to mean that the Holy Spirit is the great giver of unity. Child-like faith is marked by trust and dependence. In this sense it is a goal to be attained. Someone said on this subject, We would do well to have less concern about identifying gifts and more concern about being a gift. I have to agree with that. Bible Church. So, God gives us unity and we must be sure not to mess it up! Walk Worthy of the Gospel But, as difficult as it is for diverse people, the experience of Christian unity is more than that. Paul tells us to walk in a certain manner. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me., 2) 1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.. What is one way you have seen or experienced UNITY? Paul says that grace was given to each of us, that is individuals, according to the measure of Christs gift. Mark #4: Uncommon Unity Psalm 133:1-3, Psalm 133:1, Sermon 2 in a series seeking Gods glory. There is only one Lord and His name is Jesus; there is only faith and it is found by being in Christ; there is only one baptism and it is in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; there is only God and He is, indeed, Father of all, above all, through all, and in all. For the benefit of others, he gave up everything that was rightfully his. We should bear with one another when the music style is not the style we prefer. No! On the night he was betrayed and arrested (John 18:2), after he had washed his disciples feet (13:5), Jesus prayed an important prayer for you as individuals, for us together, and for the worldwide body of believers. And now Paul is using this as a basis to teach them how they can live in unity. May we work towards that end. Hence Paul prays, May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. #2 consider the power in a Train being pulled by 3 engines. We should put up with one another when someone doesnt use the church buildings the way that we think they should be used. We have the stars above and our trusty sextant. The author intends to provide free resources in order to inspire believers and to assist preachers and teachers in Kingdom work. It is essential to our unity! Let us mature. He did pray for us and among other things he prayed for our unity. Audience is free to respond to a Holy Spirit inspired Word from God. However, Paul is talking about not having a childish faith, which is marked by immaturity and weakness. Eph 4:13. When we are humble, patient, and we bear with one another, we maintain the unity that God has given us through His Holy Spirit. 1) John 14:2-3 In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. Paul has just spent three chapters explaining that! *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. #2 GOD SEES THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR UNITY IN RATIONSHIP WITH SPOUSES. God has a plan for this church, and I believe he is trying to put it together. A father had a family of quarreling sons. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Scripture: When we are united, it leads to God being glorified. What does the term Unity of the Spirit really mean for Christians? read more, Scripture: To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. .. So, also, you love one another and you bear with one another. Having trouble logging into your account? All together. 4 There is one body and one Spiritjust as you were called to one hope at your cal. "These five fingers," says Lucy. Most of the western church in the 21st century is only familiar with the first or lowest level of unity that Jesus referred to in John 17. Purpose In fact, if you had 100 hands, but none of them were connected to arms, they wouldnt be as good as one hand connected to an arm. For your body to work, it has to work together. Jesus prayed to his Heavenly Father for you. Remember when they came to arrest Jesus, he said to them, "Dont you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us and he would send them instantly? What does the term Unity of the Spirit really mean for Christians? However, the Church is not selfish. In his commentary, Snodgrass says, No passage is more descriptive of the church in action than Ephesians 4:1-16. Well, thats the passage that were studying this morning! Were on a mission to change that. 2. 16From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. We are to have affection for those who are our family in Christ. GIVE TODAY to help pastors around the world share Christ. I may not meet your visitation expectations. 2 cor.13:11Finally brethren farewell be prefect, be of good confort be of one mind live in peaceand the God of love and peace shall be with you. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom."] Level 2 unity is not generally seen in the western church. . As we speak the truth in love, we will grow into Jesus who is the head of the Church. . Ephesians 4:1-3, A Message on the Importance of Unity in the Church, VISION DESTROYED BY DIVISION Consider first, the distinct roles of the Godhead, yet their oneness. We are called by the gospel; therefore, the one hope of our calling (cf. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:57). Unity is maintained, not created by man. The work of Christ has made it possible for us to experience the grace of God and the riches of God, which includes God gifting us with abilities to serve in ministry. Im sure that we all want to fulfill Gods purposes. So, when you are tempted to say something like, Well thats just the job of the pastors, you better be sure that you have your facts in order. We actually have record of such a prayer. Find Unity Sermons and Illustrations. This is an exposition of Philippians 1.27 through 2.4. Introduction to Part III Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. What does the word Unity meanWell, #1 it means oneness, Perfect harmony, All in one agreement. Finally be ya all of one mind having compassion one of another love as brethren be pitiful and be courteous. And the Church is exactly the same. The unified vote fifty years ago in my home church in South Carolina to forbid blacks from attending services was not a good unity. 1-6) [on screen]. There are three distinct levels of unity in the Spirit that are evident in the early church. 1. That gifts would be given to men. [ a] 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! BUT I HAVE GOT TO SHARE WHAT THE LORD HAS TOLD ME TOO. What does the term Unity of the Spirit really mean for Christians? Unity without truth is hazardous. 4) In verses 1-6 he gives us the basic outline and pattern for maintaining unity in the church. a) Hear the word; Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing . [on screen]. 11And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Gods Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christs fullness. Where the Spirit of God is there must be love, and if I have once known and recognized any man to be my brother in Christ Jesus, the love of Christ constraineth me no more to think of him as a stranger or foreigner, but a fellow citizen with the saints. When the people of God come together in unity behind a common vision or goal it is a beautiful and powerful thing. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. We are to be patient, meaning we dont prioritize our time and desires ahead of others. (The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. Paul recognizes the value of spiritual unity in the church because he had a c. If we are honest and willing to submit to Gods word, then we can have this kind of unity. Level 3 unity is far from the western church. Amos 3:5 How can two walk together unless they agree? Baptist. III. IT SEEMS THAT GOD PLACES THE HIGHEST VALUE ON THIS THING CALLED UNITY. Ten Marks of a Prevailing Church Unity, although it can not be created by the Christian, must be preserved by him. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Pause here for just a moment and ask yourself if these are attributes that describe the people that you know. You can read more about the camp meeting in a report in Signs of the Times, October 12, 1891. We need to spend less time thinking of what God and what the Church can offer us, and spend more time asking God what we can do for him and his Church. In this clip, a group of fish are caught in a net and Nemo has an idea of how they can escape if they work together. Your arm and your foot just couldnt get along. Heres what it means: Jesus came from heaven, to the earth, He was buried in the earth, He rose from the dead, and ascended back to heaven. However, every time they went, a hungry lion tried to attack them. For us to experience the fullness of Gods Glory we must seek out unity, Jesus Prays for Central This is to be diligently pursued (vs. 3) by an attitude of humility (seeing ourselves as God does, unworthy recipients of His grace). Look at verses 7-13: 9But what does he ascended mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? Catch this, church: God wants to use leaders in ministry to help others grow in ministry and maturity for the benefit of the church! (Matthew 26:53,54) This is just one small example of the great rights that Jesus had as the Creator of the world. NOW, SOME ONE ASK THE QUESTION WHERES THE APPLACTION FOR ME IN THIS MESSAGE? e) Be baptized for the remission of your sins (Mark 16:15-16). In Parts I & II we presented insights into this uniquely Christian concept: unity of the Spirit. . Well discover three arenas in which we should have unity. We see the result of their teaching and telling the church about the Gospel of Jesus. Drew Anderson serves as an Associate Teaching Pastor at Denton Bible Church. Now, remember Jesus said that we should have child-like faith, which has to do with trusting in God like a child trusts in his or her parents. 7Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christs gift. Jesus prayed for unity. 15But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the headChrist.

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