June 6th, 2021
Brent Silberbauer – Holy Trinity Chico
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Scripture Reading
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Introduction
This verse may sound familiar to you. It’s the same exact scripture from last week.
God repeats himself. Over 300 times the phrase “Do not be afraid.” is repeated in the Bible. It’s as if God thinks we need to be reminded more than we need to be taught. God often repeats what he wants emphasized in our lives.
Some important texts on Unity.
John 17:21
The last supper and Jesus’ high priestly prayer. “that all of them may be one, Father, 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.”
“…just as you are in me and I am in you” Jesus prays that our relationships would reflect the Trinity. Three persons in perfect unity. God understands and exists in perfect unity and he desires that his church reflect him. That when people see me and you gather, we would be so united that our loving relationships would testify of the very nature of God himself.
“…that the world may believe.” There is a link. When we display the unity of God the world takes notice. God supernaturally is able to move through that unity and it is vitally important to us accomplishing our purpose.
DL Moody, “I never yet have known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord’s people were divided.”
Acts 2:44-47
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
“…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Something supernatural happens when we dwell together in Unity. The kingdom expands and the world believes.
Psalms 133
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
It’s good and pleasant. These pictures are significant. And after these pictures of Unity it says there, the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Ephesians 4 “Make every effort to KEEP the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.
Teveo – to watch over, to guard.
Unity is under attack.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant, because your enemy the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion.”
James 4:1 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
Church hurt –
Are there areas in your life where you are not in unity with other believers? Are there divisions, are there Christians who have harmed or hurt you?
Helpful tips to restore broken relationships within the body.
#1 Be intentional. Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
You need to be able to MAKE peace. You must “make every effort…” Ephesians 4:3 Be proactive, don’t wait for you to randomly run into each other. There are efforts that you need to make.
#2 Forgive them. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
#3 – Be humble. Own your 5%+ of the issue. Lead with humility.
#4 – Make the effort to meet together.
Acts 15:2 “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed… to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”
Unity is worth it. Let’s take action to make peace and guard unity.