Last Sunday, we talked about the unity in the body of Christ. We see God’s desire for unity throughout Scripture. What made the Jews united was not the color of their skin or the clothes they wore. They were united around one God, one covenant with one set of laws and commandments. By obeying what God commanded, they would look different compared to other groups of people. Soon they would be scattered throughout the promised land, but they would remain a distinct, united nation if they continued to live the way God wanted them to, unaffected by the worldly practices around them.
So it is with the body of Christ today. There is one head, one body, one faith. If we get frustrated with things and move to another church, we’re not leaving the body! If we think we’re avoiding conflict or finding greener pasture by simply moving into another congregation we’ve forgotten our unity in Christ.
You see, our unity must be grounded in the truth of Scripture…
[Ephesians 4:3-6] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
If our unity is based on a particular pastor, or the style of music played, or the comfort level of the sanctuary’s chairs or pews, or even a particular non-essential doctrine (like pre-trib, post trib, speaking in tongues or not), then our unity is built on shifting sand. If a younger crowd wants a different style of music, conflict arises. If a pastor leaves, conflict arises, if the sanctuary gets a makeover, conflict arises. If a pre-tribber walked into a post-trib church, conflict arises! Why do you think we have so many flavors of churches?
Biblical unity is NOT based on my preferences or desires or opinions, but Christ’s!
[Galatians 5:13-15] You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Do you want to avoid conflict? Serve one another in love. Paul goes on the write, “Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
How do we know whether we’re living by the Spirit or gratifying the sinful nature?
[Galatians 5:19-21] The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is the natural behavior of someone satisfying their own sinful desires.
[Galatians 5:22-23] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Fruit is the natural (or should I say supernatural) byproduct of a life connected with the Vine and controlled by the Spirit.
What’s been coming out of you lately? Discord, jealousy, dissensions? Or love, joy, peace, patience?
[Hebrews 12:14] Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
[Romans 12:18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
There is an increasing effort to unite humans around man-made ideals. Remember this back in 1985?
[We are the World]
There comes a time when we heed a certain call, When the world must come together as one
There are people dying and it's time to lend a hand to life, the greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day, That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of God's great big family, And the truth, you know, Love is all we need
[Chorus:]
We are the world, we are the children; We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day just you and me
Humanistic unity is centered on:
1. We all live on the same planet…we are the world
2. The false notion that we’re all God’s children
3. It’s up to us to make this world better…we are the ones to make a brighter day
4. We will save our own lives
Remember the tower of Babel? [Genesis 11:4] Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth (which is what God commended).
[Genesis 11:5-9] But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.
We are the World was a benefit single for victims of famine in Africa. It raised over $63 million, which was distributed to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other impoverished countries.
On the morning of April 5, 1985 (Good Friday of that year), "We Are the World" received worldwide coverage. At 10:25 am, over 8000 radio stations simultaneously broadcast the song around the world. They played it to show their support for the relief of famine in Ethiopia. The song was also broadcast by Muzak , a company which pipes background music into 110,000 stores and businesses in the US. It was the second time Muzak had played the sound of "human voice", the first being an announcement on the release of American hostages in Iran in 1981. As the song was broadcast, hundreds of people sang along on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. The simultaneous radio broadcast of "We Are the World" was repeated again the following Good Friday.
Good Friday reminds us that the real rallying cry for every human is the cross, not a song or some other man-made campaign. Unity begins there, because we all come to the cross sinful and broken in need of forgiveness and healing. It’s been said that there is level ground at the foot of the cross – there, our earthly titles, positions or accomplishments mean nothing. We are all there in need of a Savior. What truly unites us is keeping our eyes fixed on the one who died on that cross and rose again! It is through faith in Him that we become part of His one body, the Church universal.
Each and every Sunday morning, churches around the world are simultaneously broadcasting the truth of God’s word. Countless believers from every tribe and nation are exalting the Lord Jesus with one voice!
Remember United vs. Untied. Same letters, only the “i" and the “t” are switched around.
1. When UNI (you and I) stand together, we are united!
2. When UNI (you and I) stand before the cross (t), we are united!
3. Bottom line: I need to stand before the cross!
We’re going to enter into worship together. The songs focus on the cross and what the Lord has done for us. At the cross, I’m reminded of the full extent of my sin and how much I was forgiven. How can I not forgive others? How can I give so little effort to reconciliation when God has given so much for me to be reconciled to Him?
Let’s sing together, united in Christ. Just as there is harmony between musical notes, may there be harmony between us. Just as we are all singing the same words, may we all sing the same words of God’s truth in our everyday lives. Just as we are all looking at the same screen, may we all have eyes fixed on the same Person…our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Let us make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
