MODEL FOR UNITY
Acts 11:1-18
INTRODUCTION:
A. How many of you have ever built a model?
1. There are all kinds:
a. Cars & Trucks
b. Military vehicles & Trains
c. Planes & boats
2. At present I am working on a ship, the HMS Bounty.
a. There are many reasons a ship can become famous, usually because of a great battle or race.
b. But that is not the case in this instance.
c. The ship is famous for a mutiny: Capt Bligh & Mr. Christian are name synonymous with the story
d. This was not always the case: there was a time when they all worked together to make it though a storm around Cape Horn, South America
- For thirty days they fought hurricane force winds, rain, snow and the most terrible conditions.
- Yet they are remembered for mutiny!
e. You cannot pilot a ship like this one without everyone being on the same page – working together, in unity.
B. Just as it takes unity on a ship to bring it though a storm, so it is with church and families. We need one another to survive.
1. Hence, God has given us His Church which is the body of Christ.
2. Through Christ we are bound together in a community of faith.
a. Belonging to Christ we belong to each other.
b. Fellowship with Christ means fellowship with each other. Through Christ, God has made us a family.
c. As such we are to live in unity!
3. And unity is necessary for “vision”
a. No matter how good things look on the outside, if there is division inside, vision will suffer
1) The word division is a made up of the word vision – one definition of the words is: a vivid, imaginative conception or anticipation
2) That is what we are doing this coming October 26, looking to cast a vision for the future of the church
3) The prefix attached to the word is “di” meaning two
b. James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
c. And folks the body cannot move in two directions at the same time.
C. So with unity necessary for vision, how do we go about maintaining it or arriving at it in the first place?
1. Well, I believe we can find a Model For Unity in our passage for this morning, Acts 11:1-18.
2. Now some of you are thinking, “The pastor has lost it, we were in this same passage last week.”
a. And you would be right to a point – we were in this passage last week – you are very perceptive.
b. But I have not lost it – in fact, while I was studying for last weeks message I came across a message preached by Jason Jones, of New Rivers Baptist Church in Tifton GA.
c. And so I have taken his outline and put together this message for us.
3. This model is made up of three pieces
a. Communication – Open and Honest Dialogue
b. Headship – Submission to The Head
c. Commitment – Pursuing The Vision
4. But before we get to the message I must say, I find it just a little ironic, that we are going to be talking about unity and it was a “Christian” who led the mutiny on the Bounty.
So lets pray and ask God to provide us with unity: unity in our relationship with Him; unity in our relationship in our families; unity in our relationship with the church!
PRAY
We will begin by looking at
I. COMMUNICATION – OPEN AND HONEST DIALOGUE, Acts 11:1-4 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. [2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, [3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. [4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying…
A. Peter had gone to Cornelius house and saw God save the whole family and then returned to Jerusalem to give the good news to the church – unfortunately, it was not received as such.
1. As I pointed out last week the Greek word translated “contended” can be used in a number of ways
a. One such definition is: to learn by discrimination, to try, decide; to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute
b. Some translation use the word criticize
2. The point is that the church in Jerusalem wanted an explanation of what took place, very possibly with good intentions, but wrongly held.
3. Now Peter could have gotten angry and started spouting off at the mouth, but he did not.
4. He took time to explain what had taken place: starting at the beginning he told of how God had spoken to him at Joppa, led him to Cornelius’ house at Caesarea, and gave the same signs of salvation as had come upon them in the beginning.
5. He did this so that they might
a. Have all the details
b. Understand why he took the action
c. And relate to the results
6. And, evidentially, though those in the church at Jerusalem were very concerned about what happened and did not initially agree with what took place, they did listen
B. Now what can we learn from this short clip from history concerning unity – a number of things:
1. First, the biblical mandate
a. We must be willing to speak and act in such a way as to convey the message in a timely manner – Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
b. It means being humble and respectful of others: Ephes. 4:15 …speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
c. We may also learn that we need to speak in a manner that is uplifting: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephes. 4:29
d. We need to stay calm and explain what we mean:
- Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
e. And we need to learn to listen to each other - Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
2. Whether you are talking about conflict and unity in a marriage, in a church, in a business, or in another organization, this text offers practical advice.
a. The congregation was concerned about theological matters & we should all be committed to and concerned about proper theology, and the carrying out of that theology.
- A husband’s and wife’s, proper understanding of marriage and the scripture related to marriage will smooth out much conflict.
b. The congregation and the brethren also did not allow tensions to go un-dealt with.
1) They didn’t gossip, make late night phone calls, rally support for their position.
2) They just went to the source of the problem and spoke to them about it. What a novel idea!
- Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
c. We should be teachable, willing to accept criticism where valid.
1) We don’t always have to be right, nor do we have to win.
2) Let our first reaction to criticism be honest evaluation .
d. Realize that many times a clear explanation of things will help alleviate concern.
e. Don’t jump to conclusions with your spouse or coworker. Learn to listen to what people are saying, instead of thinking about what you are going to say next.
f. And we do all these things because we love Christ, and are committed to demonstrating Him and His love to a watching world.
- For By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
One part of our model to unity is communication, that of open and honest dialogue. Another part is
II. HEADSHIP – SUBMITTING TO THE HEAD, Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
A. Peter communicates that God is responsible and head.
1. He demonstrates that God was clear in preparing and instructing him to give the gospel to the Gentiles.
2. And then concludes, “if God gave it to them, who am I to stand in the way.”
3. He bowed the knee in humble submission to the head of the church.
B. If we are going to have unity within the family and church we will have to bow before the God of the universe and submit ourselves to His headship!
1. The biblical perspective is clear
a. Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
b. Ephes. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
2. And that is the principle that leads to unity within the church, within a marriage, within an occupational setting, or a social setting.
a. We are all commanded to submit our lives to Jesus, as well as other authorities that God has placed over us.
b. Neat thing about the Bible is that it is not on your side, my side, her side, his side, the deacon’s side, or the preacher’s side; it’s on Jesus’ side.
c. It is an objective arbiter in dispute resolution.
d. Our attitude should be as Peter’s and the Jerusalem church: we are seeking truth, and God is truth, so if he gives it, we will follow it.
e. So in disagreement, tension, and conflict seek the wisdom of godly men, scripture, and the Spirit.
With good communication in place and subjection to the head there is only one thing I want to bring up
III. COMMITMENT – PURSUING THE VISION, Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
A. After Peter spoke they thoughtfully considered what he had said, they rejoiced, and glorified God that He had furthered the cause of the gospel.
1. The Jews, (and the Bible) viewed repentance as a gift from God. 2. They remembered what Jesus had instructed them to do: be witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth, making disciples, baptizing and teaching them to the glory of Christ.
3. If their heart was in the right place, they would have to rejoice in Christ saving Gentiles too.
B. Our slogan is “Living Christ’s vision”
1. What is that vision – to have a great number from all nations, kindred and tongues raising praises to God!
2. His vision was a church that lived to glorify God on earth by following through on what He started – the proclamation of the good news!
a. Matt 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
b. We need to have unity to accomplish this and our unity will be found as we rally around this goal – this vision!
3. His vision was that of families drawn together in the power of God and changed by the transforming power of the gospel
a. Families consisting of fathers, mothers, children and even grand-parents serving the Lord
b. It is a high ideal, but a godly one none the less!
4. Sometimes as a church, or in a marriage, we get so sidetracked on different issues that are secondary issues.
a. Ever have a fight with your spouse over something that is really dumb to fight about, and somewhere in the middle you both realize it, then pride steps in and wants to be right?
b. But if we truly were committed to the proper goals in a church or in a marriage, we might forgo several arguments, discussions, or committees, so that we might focus valuable time and resources on the most important things.
c. When we are focused on the right things, it eliminates time to focus on the wrong things.
5. Praise God for goals and vision!
CONCLUSION: As I close want you to know that we can have
A. Communication that provides for open and honest dialogue, Headship – Submission to The Head, Jesus Christ and Commitment – Pursuing The Vision of Christ and his church!
B. Let no be charged with mutiny by our Lord.
C. Let’s BE the Model of Unity!
