Scripture Introduction
A young man in our church in Omaha described a really godly person as, “smelling like Jesus.” We should not take that too literally since a first century Jewish man, with few baths and no Right Guard, probably did not smell fresh and clean! But hopefully you get the point—some Christians are so led by the Spirit, so controlled by the love of God, so renewed by the Word, that they “smell like Jesus.”
Philippians 2 pleads with God’s people to unite in joyful ministry. I chose the sermon title (which seems unrelated to the topic) because the Bible teaches that unity results from each of us being more like Jesus. The closer we draw to God, the closer God draws us to one another.
[Read Philippians 2.1-4. Pray.]
Introduction
Tonto and the Lone Ranger were riding through a canyon together when hundreds of Indian warriors on horseback suddenly appeared on the rim, dressed for battle. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and asked, “What are we going to do?” Tonto replied, “What you mean ‘we,’ White-man?” (from, In Search of Unity, Edward Dobson, pp. 20-27).
That is an old joke, but it does remind us of one reason for unity in the church: it is necessary for survival. The work of the kingdom is too great for us to “go it alone.” We will fail unless we unite in ministry.
Ecclesiastes 4.9-12: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow…. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Unity enables survival.
It also empowers our witness. In John 17.21, Jesus prays for us: “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” A selfless and shared vision and passion and love and ministry is so rarely seen in the world that when we have it, people will take notice and say, “Maybe God is really among you!”
There are other reasons for unity (worth study); but these verses are about the source of unity: our smelling like Jesus!
As we begin, please remember that unity is both a supernatural work of God and a result of our effort. If we seek unity apart from dependence on the grace, we will not achieve it. Likewise, if we trust God, but are unwilling to change, unity will not result either. We will not find unity without prayer; but neither will we find it with only prayer! We must pray and work, for God is working in us. With that in mind, notice please, first, that…
1. Unity Depends on Experiencing God’s Grace (Philippians 2.1-2)
God provides four sources of grace-producing unity:
1.1. The Grace of Jesus’ Encouragement
Philippians 2.1a: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ…”
“Encouragement,” translates, [Greek word] [pa-ra’-klay-sis], which I mention only because some of you will know the English word, “Paraclete.” Jesus calls the Holy Spirit, [Greek word], [pa-ra’-klay-tos], “the Paraclete,” the one who comes along side to help and comfort and encourage.
When we were in Chicago our church participated in the community Labor Day parade. We built a float and marched in the parade and met people and gave out candy and invitations to a church event. Our float had a large, wooden sun with rays sticking out. Maybe some of you have tried to glue the butt end of two pieces of wood together. If so, you know it is difficult to align and hold them while the glue sets. The key is to cut grooves in both pieces of wood and insert a “biscuit” which fits tightly in each groove. The two pieces are then aligned and held in unity by the “encouragement” of the biscuit.
Similarly, Jesus lines up the lives of believers so they work and hold together. When we as a church know Jesus, then he comes between us and hold us in unity in ministry and fellowship and patience and all the other ways in which God is at work. The grace of Jesus’ encouragement brings unity.
1.2. The Grace of God’s Love
Philippians 2.1b: “…any comfort from love…”
Romans 5.5 reminds us that Christians have “God’s love… poured into [their] hearts through the Holy Spirit….” God’s love forces Christians together.
James Boice, Pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church (PCA) Philadelphia explains this well: “Paul knew that Christians are hard to get along with. They were probably as hard to get along with in his day as they are in ours. But Paul also knew that the Christian had a duty to see more than the other Christian’s faults. The Christian must also see the person, and he must love him with a love patterned on the love with which God the Father loves us. The person who really loves the other Christian in this way will not seek to separate from him because he is cantankerous or because he sees some minor doctrine differently. He will seek to know him, to learn from him, and to help him on spiritually as both together advance in the Christian life” (Philippians, in. loc.).
Have you experienced God’s love? If you are a Christian, then you know that God overlooks your flaws and forgives your offenses and failings. God’s love is patient, not treating us as we deserve, but seeing us in the best possible way—in Christ!
Here, then, Paul reminds the Philippians (and us with them) that when we know such love we cannot help but be drawn closer to others who know the same love! Those who are not secure in God’s love cannot freely love others; those who are secure in God’s love cannot help but love others freely! When God’s love comforts us, unity results.
1.3. The Grace of the Spirit’s Indwelling
Philippians 2.1c: “…any participation in the Spirit…”
Sometimes people suppose that a true Christian is one who makes a profession of faith or decides to follow Jesus. But those are results of conversion, not causes. The ultimate cause of salvation is the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Paul builds on that truth here: if you Philippians are true believers, then you have the Holy Spirit in your life; and if you have any participation in the Spirit, then the Spirit will unify.
Let me illustrate with a magnet and a few nails (paperclips?). One magnet suspends many nails, even though each is not touching the magnet. The magnet sends its power through the nails so they cling together. But remove the magnet, and the nails fall to the floor.
The indwelling Spirit magnetizes Christians; remove the Spirit and we fall apart. The implication is clear—disunity results from either a lack of or a grieving of the Holy Spirit.
Boice: “Your lack of fellowship with other Christians is not of God’s doing. It is your doing, and it indicates a lack of fellowship with him. His Spirit seeks to draw you together. Participation in the Spirit is one of the strongest incentives for true harmony” (Philippians, in loc.).
Could God be calling us to humility, confession, and a plea for the anointing of the Spirit? Those who participate in the Spirit are brought together.
A fourth source of unity among Christians…
1.4. The Grace of Compassion and Mercy
Philippians 2.1d: “…any affection and sympathy…”
The same Greek words (though a different form) are used in James 5.11: “The Lord is compassionate and merciful….” Thus the same compassion and mercy, the same affection and sympathy, the same way God treats us is the way we are to treat others—and when we do, unity results.
God did not choose me because I am loveable. I am rebellious, naturally an enemy. The Bible calls my heart, wicked, turning from God and refusing to do that which is good. But God shows compassion; his kindness leads me to repentance; his mercy moves me into a blessed fellowship with him! In the same way, we must not be harsh or judgmental or critical toward one another, but affectionate and sympathetic. When we give the same kindness to others that God gives us, the spirit draws us together.
As these four gifts of God’s grace flow into the lives of God’s people as the source of unity, grace also flows out of our lives into the practice of unity. That is the second point.
2. Unity Results from Experiencing God’s Grace (Philippians 2.1-2)
Three unifying things we must do as recipients of God’s grace.
First, we must think differently. We are now to be of the same mind with other believers—twice Paul insists on unified thinking: be of the same mind and of one mind. How will that happen?
• It will happen when our thinking is renewed by the Word of God.
• It will happen when we take time to be with one another and learn to truly listen to their hopes and fears. Someone explained to me that conversation can be classified as either Debate, Discuss, or Dialog. In debate we seek to destroy our opponent, and in discussion we seek to convince them. But dialog seeks to understand. Unity of mind requires understanding.
• It will happen when we care more about the person than convincing them of our views. I think we sometimes fear that we will not get around to correcting others, so we lead with that and never get around to caring. If we do not care and show our care, then we will never convince.
Part of true faith is the ability to think differently about everything in the universe. And as it relates to unity in the church, we are especially able to think differently about each other. In the gospel, God enables us to think about others’ needs, to consider others better than ourselves. When we act on that, when we make a studied effort to think differently about each other, unity will result. First, we must think differently.
Second, we must love better: “complete my joy by… having the same love….”
John MacArthur: “Minds governed by selfless humility produce lives that overflow with genuine, practical love for fellow believers. On the other hand, sinful, self-centered thinking inhibits love and unity. Dissension and lack of unity in the church inevitably stem from lack of love” (108).
James 4.1-2: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.”
When we worry most about how we are treated, then we will lack love. When, instead, we strategize ways to outdo one another in honoring to our fellow believers—love will overflow into unity.
Third, we must have new attitudes: “complete my joy by… being in full accord.”
That phrase, “in full accord,” translates a compound Greek word: [Greek word] [sum’ psuchoi]. [Greek word] is the preposition “with” or “together,” and [Greek word] means “soul” or “spirit.” In other words, we are to be together in heart and soul, what Anne of Green Gables calls “A bosom friend—an intimate friend, a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul.”
Such accord will only happen with completely different attitudes about church life, each other, and the centrality of our relationships.
Unity is unnatural! That means we need not work at disunity; it results from relaxing efforts toward unity. It is the second law of thermodynamics in the church: all systems naturally move to chaos and disorganization, and unless we work hard to become of one accord, we will develop disunity.
Why are we not more unified?
• The changes described require significant time spent with one another. We are too busy to develop Biblical unity.
• The changes described require much effort. Life is hard enough without having to work on church relationships. Our jobs and family use up all our energy.
• The changes described require great self-sacrifice. We are not willing to reorder our lives around our church family in a way which would enable such love and renewed attitudes.
When God sends revival we will change in those areas. To prepare for that, let’s briefly note the effect of unity, for when we do decide to pursue it.
3. Unity Produces Joyful Ministry (Philippians 2.2a)
“Complete my joy….”
Someone has said, “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.” What can we do when we stick together? We can have a joyful and fruitful ministry for the Lord.
We must decide—each of us individually and as a church—do we want ministry here to be enjoyable? When we make that commitment, when we pray and study to implement God’s teaching on unity, when we accept the changes that God requires, then God will unite us in joyful ministry.
4. Conclusion
How do we begin to passionately, proactively and deliberately pursue unity? A few months ago, for our devotional in session meeting, we read through an article by John Piper, “What I Said to the Pastoral Staff About Unity Amid Differences.” He offered six Biblical guidelines for loving each other amid differences.
1. Let’s avoid gossiping.
2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.
3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.
4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.
5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.
6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel. In other words, think more of your own sins and how amazing it is that God saved you than you do about the other person’s flaws.
A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God: “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”
If we turn our hearts and attention to the great grace which God gives us, then we will find that he brings unity in our midst.
