IMPORTANCE OF BELIEVER’S UNITY 1Corinthians 1:10
"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
Apostle Paul pleading with the believer’s in Corinth to maintain unity. Why is it so important?
1. Concern of the Saints like Apostle Paul:
Notice the number of chapters Paul is dealing with this issue. Cf.
1 – 4 - unity and its various aspects.
The way Paul pleads. Cf.
1Cor 1:10:- “ I plead with you, brethren”………“ there be no divisions among you” cf.
Eph 4: 3:- “beseech you ….” keep the unity of the Spirit cf.
Rom 15:5, 6:- “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Co 13:11 :- “Finally, brethren, farewell…… be of one mind….”.
Phili 1:27: - “You stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
Phil 2:2 :- “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. “
Ob: repeatedly Paul pleads, exhorts, praying etc..
It was concern of Chloe household. 1:11
“For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. “
Many believe Chloe is a business woman her family members used to travel for business.
Ob: He discloses the source of information. Can we do that?
You share something with others…they tell everybody about it with your name! Often that creates problems.
That means Chloe family were willing to be quoted. They didn’t say, “Don’t say we told you.”! That brings before us three things about them:
a. They had a concern for the spiritual life of the assembly.
They did not inform this to Paul as a gossip – to satisfy his curiosity. But with a real burden to see the condition of the assembly changed. As a normal member… they were so pained…condition within the assembly not good.
b. They informed the right person.
They did not publish it in the ears of some carnal men. There may be somebody who is only interested to laugh at the failure of others, Never inform them of the problems saints face.
Because they informed the right person, He wrote a suitable reply which is a great help for us too. To deal with such issues.
c. They were spiritual enough to see what the elders could not see.
Remember, elders of Corinth assembly wrote a letter to get some suggestion, But did not inform any of those serious issues really prevailing there. But this family had that spiritual sensitivity to notice the bad state.
Ob: ordinary believers understand the pulse of the assembly, more than the elders! That’s why listen to their voice, their words in between, Their body language etc. What they say, and refuse to say in public. If we really care for the assembly.
We need such concerned believers even today who would..….. Quietly work for the blessing of the assembly. Some work quietly to make trouble in the assembly they will only hinder the work.
What is your role in the church? Working for the good or bad? Seeking a solution or creating another issue? Follow the example of the family of Chloe.
2. Concern of the Lord Jesus Christ John 17: 11, 20 – 23 - read
– One of the main issues in His High priestly prayer. “That they may be one as We are. “ – v.11c
“That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us”. V. 21
“That they may be one just as We are one.” – v. 22b
“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one.” – v. 23a
Ob: how seriously, earnestly Christ praying for church unity.
Concern of the saints – like Paul and Chloe houshold
Concern of the risen savior – Christ in Glory.
Do we have this concern …UNITY IN OUR CONGREGATION!
We must pray often in our own heart—‘Lord, help us to maintain unity’—‘I should never be a cause for division’—I do pray!
How do you respond – when you hear about a division anywhere? Praying for a solution or Propagating to enjoy.
3. Our Testimony depends upon our unity. John 17: 21, 23
“world may believe that You sent Me.” - v.21;
“The world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”v. 23
If divided / no harmony…no love….bad testimony: world will not believe gospel.
Remember, as a local congregation, we represent the triune God – person / nature. How do we manifest Him? - Very important. Ob: First century Christians truly exhibited this unity, love and brotherhood, - - others marveled….called them followers of Christ…brethren…etc..
Sad today, many places, that is not the case! Fighting against each other in the social media!!
4. Answers to our prayers depend on our unity. Matt 18:19
“If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”.
Of course, context is assembly discipline, yet we can take it along with many others….- Conditions for prayers to be answered. ‘Agree’ – as in an orchestra different kinds of music yet it’s harmonious.
If no such unity / harmony – prayers never reach heaven! Then, that’s true about worship etc. too.
Thus both –testimony & prayer - are important ...Without unity – No effective evangelism & prayer.
Then the purpose of the church’s existence will not be fulfilled. Then no church growth. Then the enemy / satanic forces will be happy.
On the contrary, when the Lord’s people come together in unity..To pray and witnesses… It is an open attack against the evil forces.
5. Proper function of the assembly depends upon unity. (Mission / purpose)
Absence of unity not a simple thing…damaging….severe loss – serious consequences…not only loss of testimony and answer for prayer…
ob:Just a common sense…all know - …if no unity…cannot function. Already seen, no testimony, no answer to prayer…also,
Two words used by Paul in v. 10 refer to the importance of unity or..
Seriousness of its absence. ‘Perfectly joined together’ v. 10b.
It is one word in Greek refers to putting back something that was… Broken or separated, so that it is no longer divided’. In the NT this word is used to speak of:
Mending / repairing such things as net, broken bones or vessels, torn garment and dislocated joints.
Ob: a fall – joint dislocated…body function affected…painful too…
So is division - a dislocation.
How painful is a dislocation of joints. Cf. Eph 4:16
Eph 4:16 ”“The whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. “
Ob: State of a healthy body…All joints properly connected…No dislocation…Then only right / proper function…
How important is church stay united. That it may be healthy and properly functioning as a body.
6. Disunity is destructive. V.10 b
Another word – referring to the importance of unity or ugliness of its absence. ‘Division’ – ‘schisma’ / ‘Schism’ = rent, to split over, to divide, rupture etc. So no unity or division is ‘splitting apart’ or ‘breaking apart’.
If a whole cake is divided in two pieces how is it? Its shape is gone. If a body is divided in two pieces …
Not only the shape is gone but also the life is gone!
Ob: How serious is the absence of unity / division? It destroys the life and shape of the assembly.
Disunity / division is destructive . Many, knowingly or unknowingly…contributed to Troubling, destroying the life of local churches.
Should never happen…
Review:
The importance of unity in the assembly.
Concern of the Saints
Concern of Christ
Testimony depends upon our unity
Answers to our prayers depend on our unity.
Proper function of the assembly depends upon unity. – Division dislocation-pain.
Disunity is destructive. – takes away shape & life.
Praise God for the unity evident / experienced among us now. It’s valuable. Precious…important.
Never take disunity / division lightly.
Strive to maintain unity….at any cost.
Never be a cause for division…be a cause for maintaining unity.
Christ’s desire and prayer….of saints too..
(Prepared by Evangelist Nelson Thomas Mumbai. Contact: gracepeaceu@gmail.com visit: gracepeace.net)
