THE MIRACLE OF UNITY
1 Cor. 1-10 (p807) August 29, 2010
INTRODUCTION
"I APPEAL TO YOU BROTHERS, IN TH ENAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT ALL OF YOU AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER SO THAT THERE BE NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU AND THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECTLY UNITED IN MIND AND THOUGHT".
"Do you believe in Miracles? YES!"
That is one of the most famous calls in sports broadcasting history. Announcer Al Micheals yelled it as the U.S. Hockey team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Their defeat of the Soviet Hockey team is referred to as "The Miracle on Ice"
The movie "Miracle" tells the story of the 1980 United States Hockey team that shocked the world. Two days after beating the Russians, the U.S. defeated Finland and won the gold medal.
Why was it such a "Miracle?"
Because the soviet hockey team had held the gold medal for the last 20 years…they were the most dominant hockey team in the world. Shortly before the Olympics they had destroyed an All-Star teams made up of NHL players.
The American team was all amateurs at that time, mostly college kids. They were seeded twelve in the tournament. No one, except them believed they could win.
Herb Brooks was charged with assembling and coaching this group of amateurs. Before the dream of Gold could become a reality, he had to unify a team of guys who came from different backgrounds, different colleges and different parts of the country. He had to maximize their energy knowing they came with their own approaches and styles of play. Unity did not come easily. When they first sat down together he asked them "who do you play for? and each player responded with the name of his college team.
Her Brooks knew that had to change…so after a halfhearted performance in an exhibition game he had them do iron sprints on skates…over and over again until they ere beyond exhaustion. During the brutal workout he yelled "who do you play for?... and one player responded "I play for the United States of American". It was a defining moment…and with that he dismissed them. The group of individual became one. They no longer saw themselves as playing for different schools, but as playing for the U.S.A. They became a team. Each player committed themselves to be unified for a greater cause. The energy and contribution of each individual became maximized. It was beautiful the impact was great…A miracle was accomplished.
1.
If we are to be a church with a powerful purpose we have to believe in miracles…
I. THE MIRACLE OF UNITY
The sacrificed death of Christ makes all believers one with God. It's called atonement. At-One-ment. It’s the miracle of salvation a holy God and sinful man unified.
But God also desires the miracle of Unity for His church and a lot more is at stake than a gold medal…eternity depends on it, lives depend on it. If a church is not unified it divides and ministry suffers and the outside world watches.
In the last days of Jesus life. He ached for this unity to exist. Here's what he prayed.
"Father may they all be one, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:21)
That's a powerful request…"God let my followers be as unified as you and I are".
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are completely one. They are inseparable. Jesus final hours were spent praying that he would be that intimate, that united. Unity reflects the glory and character of God because God is unified.
Jesus ever continues
John 17: 22-23 (p. 766)
Unity not only reflects God's character but it gets the attention of the world…whether it’s a hockey team, a Ryder cup team or a church.
Jesus said people will know that we are hid disciples by the love we have for one another.
Unity is powerful. Its' magnetic--and the impact of unity is great.
A church that is united around the same powerful purpose is an answer to Jesus prayer. That we would be one as He and the Father are ONE.
And Unity is an attitude we choose that becomes an action.
II A UNIFYING ATTITUDE THAT TAKES ACTION
Herb Brooks was a leader that brought individuals to a place in their lives where they had to choose…do I play for myself or do I play for the U.S.A.
The apostle Paul asked the Corinthians in the name of Jesus Christ to agree with one another…why…so there would be no delusions and their would be perfect unity in their minds and thoughts.
2.
Paul had been informed, by some in Chloe's household that there were quarrels among people in the church---these quarrels divided the church. Unity is impossible when you're fighting over selfish stuff…like I follow Peter…I follow Paul… I follow Appollos…
He was a leader who requested, because of Jesus an attitude of unity that became real in its actions...but that request had to be accepted and put into action by the church. Their purpose was to share the cross of Christ and its power…but their divisions emptied the cross of its power. The world is not attracted to division or quarrels. Paul knew this important truth as a spiritual leader.
1) Spiritual leaders have to deal with issues that cause division..
One of those issues is "The respecting of person" that Paul is more important the Peter, that Peter is more important than Appollos…that John is more important than Bill.
You cannot make spiritually unifying decisions based on who someone is…those decisions must be based on what is right spiritually and what God's word dictates. If you do that constantly the results are unity and respect…do it as a respecter of persons and you become know as a people pleaser and a judge with evil motives.
Leaders who understand their purpose…Love people…not some people…and there is an expectation, in the church to do things in the right, spiritual way…no mater who you are. Listen to James 2: 1-13
James 2 1- 13 (p 855)
There's nothing that causes division quicker than showery favoritism...It might create a great country club, but it destroys the unity of the church.
And church members who maneuver for favoritism because they have access to Paul, or Peter or Appollos need to be lovingly guided by scripture, not placated by favoritism…that is why you want a team that plays for the USA instead of individuals.
Choosing an attitude that gives unity over selfishness is extremely difficult…and it is not the norm. But its what Jesus prayed for in his last hours on earth, It's what the apostle Paul begged for in his name…and it’s the attitude that will fill the cross with power instead of empty it of its power. and when a church expects people…all people who follows Christ to have this attitude...It's propelled toward by a powerful unity instead of dragged down by divisions and quarrels.
Is it easy…absolutely not…that’s why not everyone should be in a place of leadership…that’s why James said, "Not everyone should teach…because we who teach are judged more severely. Its super easy to please your peers"…not so easy when you chose a spiritual principle to be put into real action over someone who expects favoritism.
C Gene Wilkes says, "A follower of Jesus Christ who seeks to lead like Jesus must be willing to be treated like Jesus. Some will follow others will throw stones."
3.
Here's the paraphrase…Expect Christ like attitudes, call for them, but don't be surprised when everyone doesn't choose them…but still be courageous enough to expect and call them. Because those who do are becoming more like Jesus and real followers…those that don't have heard the truth…and spiritual leaders who do this are people who see with real vision instead of individuals who see with favoritism.
No matter how much a church has going for it, division can render it ineffective. The word di-vision is made up of the prefix "di" which means two. That's where we get the word divide which means to split in 2.
That's where we get the word divorce which means to make 1 into 2. That's where we get the word dialogue which means 2 people speaking. In other words division means double vision. Double vision can be dangerous. If you are seeing two of everything you need to make a trip to the eye doctor. If there are two visions in the church, then there needs to be some spiritual doctoring. As an apostle, Paul was giving the Corinthians strong advice and recommendations. He is urging them to act upon the preaching and teaching that he has already given them. In a very serious manner, Paul says, "Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.
This church was strong and mature, but it had problems. It was wrecked by divisions. The members of the church were fighting with each other. There were those who were backbiting and backstabbing others who didn't agree with their point of view. There were people who were murmuring and complaining because things weren't exactly how they would like them to be. There were those who weren't worshipping because the preacher they wanted was not up preaching. Although they were in the church, the church was not in them. This was a sign of spiritual immaturity among the members of the church.
Paul urged this church that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and with the same purpose.
It is extremely easy for a church to be crippled with double vision…to lose sight over its real purpose…what is that purpose? To reach as many people as possible for Jesus, and help those people grow to be like Jesus.
It really is that simple…that clear…but just wait until somebody does and "end around" and asks for a favor, or someone begins to mummer or complain (and yes, it make a difference who is complaining). Seeing that vision clearly, and sharing truth that helps keep the church on that path is what real leadership is all about…just ask Paul, just ask Peter, just ask Apollos..
[D. H. Moody asked a woman one time if she'd sleep with a man for a million dollars…she said she thought she would. He than ask her if she'd sleep with a man for 2 dollars. And she said, "What kind of woman do you think I am?" He said, "We've established that now we're determining your price range.]
Quality leaders…Godly men and women will give you the same answer whether it involves a million dollars or 2…and whether it involves someone in their family or a first time visitor.
4.
[When I was younger and Dad was teaching me to play golf I use to hit a lot of errant shots...I still do. He taught me to play with an old set of Northwestern clubs he cut off and put medical tape on for grips. I use to tell him if I had new clubs I'd hit the ball better and get closer to the green. He would say It's not the arrow's fault…It's the Indian's
I miss my Dad and his deep spiritual wisdom].
But he's right…when things go astray…when the church shanks the ball…don't change the goal, don't move the objective, and don't try to fix it with new clubs. (Although sometimes it will help) Make sure every single person in the church of Jesus Christ "Is fixing their eyes on Jesus Christ and growing to be more like him."
Expect that, call for that…no matter whose teeing off or teed off!
A lot was at stake for the miracle hockey team. They were playing for a gold medal and the pride of a nation. Unity, was essential. If they were to reach their full potential and realize there goal…coming together as a team with focus and purpose was not an option…it was essential…they did and a miracle happened.
The church of Jesus Christ is engaged in a pursuit that’s far more important than a gold medal. It's for the souls of man and woman and eternity is at stake.
Our objective is simple: Reach the most people we can for Christ, and help people grow to be like Jesus.
People are the only material that will last when we build for eternity…It will involve getting rid of the clutter and congestion…last Sunday you rally around mission possible for Haiti…will you celebrate the miracle of unity today by choosing that attitude and turning it into reality.
Let's pray.
