Following Jesus without Denominationalism
Part 8: “Maintaining Unity in the Local Community”
You know you have to admit the fact that when a preacher gets on a topic such as this, he has to be most careful to word himself just as the LORD would have him do . . .
I know a lot of preachers will want to put ‘their two cents worth’ in, and thus possibly changing the entire idea of the message the LORD lays on his heart . . .
I am by no means a perfect man . . . and I know I make mistakes . . . but I do everything I can possibly do to make sure that when I am preaching to you on any given topic, that I have the Word of GOD to back me up . . .
With that in mind, I want to share with you how the challenge of this series to a great extent revolves around the problem of religious division that begins in the local church.
EVERY DENOMINATION TODAY BEGAN AS A RESULT OF RELIGIOUS DIVISION!!!
AND SADLY ENOUGH . . . RELIGIOUS DIVISION NORMALLY FINDS ITSELF ORIGIN WITH BRETHREN IN A LOCAL CONGREGATION UNABLE (OR NOT WILLING) TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERNCES!!!!
Earlier within the series, I mentioned that while having the same standard of authority is essential to unity in religious matters . . .
I also mentioned that is alone is insufficient, as suggested by Barton W. Stone:
“But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them?
No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union.”
My friends . . . it is truly essential that those who seek to allow the Bible, and in particularly the New Testament, to be their standard of authority to possess the proper Christian attitudes and to apply those attitudes when handling the Word of GOD.
OTHERWISE, THE ‘SWORD OF THE SPIRIT’ (as written about in Ephesians 6:17) WILL BE ABUSED TO THE DETRIMENT OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!!!
Now let’s not jump the gun . . . for to appreciate what I mean here, in this message, I will attempt to share with you how Paul dealt with the problem of division in the early church, AND the solution he offered that we might “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
To start . . . let us all take a close look by first noticing what Paul described as:
(1) A major cause of division . . .
While doing my research, I believe I found two key areas that might help us out here . . .
ONE was where there was the situation at Corinth, where Paul found it necessary to write “that there be no divisions among you;” . . .
1st Corinthian 1: 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.”
Paul, within his infinite and godly wisdom saw that there were contentions among them, manifested by breaking up into parties and calling themselves after different men . . .
Vs 11 – 12:
“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.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.”
HMMMMM . . . SEEMS LIKE I HAVE SEEN THIS TODAY SOMEWHERE . . . HOW ABOUT YOU????
TWO is Paul’s evaluation of the problem of division, for as he wrote to them; he realized he was dealing with ‘babes in Christ’ who instead of being ‘spiritual’ were ‘carnal’ . . .
1st Corinthians 3: 1 – 3a:
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal:”
Indeed the root of their envy, strife, and divisions had everything to deal with their carnality . . .
Vs 3b:
“for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
What really breaks my heart is that even today; those same conditions are not that really much different where divisions exist, carnality (or spiritual immaturity) is often a major cause of the problem.
THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE NEVER ANY SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES AT STAKE WHEN DIVISION OCCURS!!!
The problem comes when where hope for resolving the differences over such issues are stifled when the parties involved are filled with envy and strife.
I would hope that this may help us appreciate why Paul so frequently focused his attention on the development of attitudes which increase the likelihood of overcoming differences so that unity might prevail.
What attitudes. Reverend Sam?
Let’s take a look at them . . .
(2) Attitudes for maintaining unity . . .
To the church at Ephesus, Paul taught several virtues which he wrote in Ephesians 4: 2:
“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
Some people will look at these words and just stare at them, for they are unable to comprehend just what they mean . . . and there are some people that will see them, understand them, but not grasp their full meaning. . . so let me take a few minutes and educate all involved with a few defining words . . .
Lowliness – The having a humble opinion of one’s self . . . a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness . . . modesty, humility, lowliness of mind.
Without this virtue, members of the body begin trying to be the ‘head’ of the body . . .
A ROLE RESERVED ONLY FOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!
Gentleness – This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, and meekness.
DESPITE WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK . . .
THIS IS NOT A QUALITY OF WEAKNESS . . .
BUT OF POWER UNDER CONTROL!!!
Consider Moses . . . he was a most meek man, and yet he was capable of great strength and boldness . . .
Numbers 12: 3:
“(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”
JESUS was also “meek and lowly in heart:” as we see in Mark 11: 29 . . . but we still can see where HE drove the money changers out of the temple.
So in so many ways, it is being gentle, even when there is potential for being harsh . . . but always remember . . .
GENTELNESS IS MORE CONDUCTIVE FOR MAINTAINING UNITY!!!
Long-suffering – as the idea here is for one to have patience, forbearance, longsuffering, and slowness in avenging wrongs.
We all can admit that since the body is full of members that are not perfect, and often when sins are committed, maintaining unity is not possible unless they are willing to endure other’s imperfections.
Bearing with one another in love – This is quite similar to longsuffering, but ‘bearing’ means to sustain, to bear, or to endure.
You see the one thing that makes long-suffering and forbearance possible is another virtue . . . ‘love’.
We can see where Paul wrote in his chapter on ‘love’ that “love suffers long . . . is not provoked.”
(1st Corinthians 13: 4 – 5)
The thing to remember is that the virtue of love is the ‘tie’ that actually binds all these virtues together.
Colossians 3: 12 – 14:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
Endeavor – I would tend to believe that the display of these virtues does not come naturally or easy . . . nor does maintaining unity.
The need here is for much effort, as Paul uses a word which means ‘to exert one’s self, give diligence.’
ONLY BY GIVING DILIGENCE TO DISPLAY ALL THESE VIRTUES, CAN WE HOPE TO MAINTAIN THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE!!!
To the church of Philippi, Paul wrote:
Philippians 2: 3:
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
As he directed them to:
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit – and by starting here, I want to say that is really necessary to point out those attitudes we should NOT have . . .
If we possess these attitudes . . .
THEY WILL DESTROY UNITY!!!
Both of these involve a ‘self centered’ attitude, rather than a CHRIST-LIKE attitude . . .
Therefore . . . it is required that we rid ourselves of the following . . .
(1) The desire for exalting self or self ambition
(2) The improper estimation of self . . . of conceit
In the place of these, we should look to substitute:
In lowliness of mind – or in other words, a word many of people don’t like . . . humility . . .
Ephesians 4: 2:
“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
I can promise you that this will indeed effectively replace the problem of conceit . . .
How would that be possible, Reverend Sam?
Simple . . . humility should be easy to maintain if we simply remember OUR own faults . . .
One phrase I so hold dear to is one that says: “Be careful who you point your finger at, for you have three more pointing right back at yourself!”
Let each esteem others better than himself –
Philippians 4: 2:
“I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
All in all . . . this should be easy for us to do, for being aware of our own defects; we may not have the same clear view of the defects of others.
ALWAYS keep in mind that we can only see the OUTWARD conduct of a person . . . but with ourselves, we can look WITHIN . . .
We can easily see our own hearts, with all its faults . . . but we CANNOT do so where the hearts of others are concerned . . .
In writing to the brethren at Rome, Paul exhorted them to outdo one another in this regard . . . “in honour preferring one another;”
(Romans 12: 10b)
Look out . . . for the interest of others – and this attitude can eliminate the problem of self ambition, for it is the attitude of maturity, and this was the attitude of JESUS CHRIST . . .
Ephesians 2: 4:
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”
THIS SHOULD BE THE ATTITUDE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN!!!!
As strongly suggested by Philippians 2: 1 – 2:
“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.”
These qualities in verses 3 – 4 . . .
“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.”
THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNITY THAT PRODUCES FULNESS OF JOY!!
To the churches of Galatia, Paul cautioned against the improper use of our liberty in CHRIST.
While it is true that we must stand fast in our liberty and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage . . .
Galatians 5: 1:
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
In this same respect, we should use our liberty as an opportunity to serve one another in love . . .
Galatians 5: 15:
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Otherwise . . . abuse of our liberty gives the flesh opportunity to destroy one another . . .
Vs 15:
“But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
I cannot begin to tell you just how many times I have seen this happening in so many churches . . . members talking against members . . . members making false accusations against other members . . . even taking an innocent event, and twisting it to fit an insidious plot against a fellow member . . .
AND THOSE SAME “CHRISTIANS” ARE THE ONES COMPLAINING ABOUT 90% OF THINGS WRONG IN THE CHURCH, AS THEY POINT THE FINGER AT OTHERS!!!!
LOOK OUT THOUGH . . . THEY STILL HAVE THOSE THREE FINGERS POINTING BACK AT THEM!!!
How do you deal with people like that, Reverend Sam?
You do those things that Paul wrote to the church in Rome, when he said we should pursue things that lead to peace and edification . . .
Romans 14: 19:
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
In this way, the strong should be willing to bear with the scruples of the weak . . .
Romans 14: 1:
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
14: 13:
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
15: 1 – 3:
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”
Now in that same respect, the weak in faith must be careful NOT to judge or condemn those whom GOD has received . . .
Romans 14: 3 – 4:
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”
Such attitudes are necessary, or we will not be able to be with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15: 5 – 7:
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”
And finally . . . to the church of Corinth, Paul made it abundantly clear that knowledge can puff one up, but it is love that edifies. Edifying someone can ‘build them up’ in contrast to knowledge which ‘puffs up’ . . .
1st Corinthians 8: 1:
“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”
For those of us who have the liberty in CHRIST should be careful that we don’t use it to the destruction of others who are weak . . .
1st Corinthians 8: 9 – 12:
“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”
Rather we should therefore be willing to forego our liberties if it can help keep someone from stumbling . . .
Vs. 13:
“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
10: 31:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
11: 1:
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
I will close with these final thoughts . . .
I can say, that from personal experience, that I can attest that hwere members display these attitudes in addition to their devotion to the apostles doctrine, there will be a congregation of Christians in which love and unity will prevail.
Now that’s not to say that there will always be perfect understanding and agreement on every subject . . . for when people from every conceivable background come to CHRIST, we should expect some differences.
There will also be those at various levels of spiritual growth, and that may present a few challenges.
But if we can just agree that the teaching of CHRIST as expounded in the apostles doctrine is our standard of authority in religious matters . . . and inculcate (to fix something firmly in somebody's mind through frequent
repetition) the Christian attitudes described through this message into the hearts of every church member . . .
THEN AND ONLY THEN shall we be able to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” . . . as we continue to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” . . . to the glory of GOD!!!
I love you all!!!
Reverend Sam
