Unity or Division Part II?

March 6, 2005

Introduction

Last Sunday, we studied Unity!  We asked, “What is it?”  “How can we have it?”  “Where do we need it?” and “Why do we need it?”  This morning, we return to subject of unity to add some things that we didn’t say last Sunday that need to be added.  For sake of continuity, and for the benefit of those who may not have been here last week, I’d like to review a few things we said last week.

Body

I.        What do you mean by unity?

u·ni·ty (y›“n¹-t¶) n., pl. u·ni·ties. 1. The state or quality of being one; singleness. 2. The state or quality of being in accord; harmony. 3.a. The combination or arrangement of parts into a whole; unification. b. A combination or union thus formed. 4. Singleness or constancy of purpose or action; continuity: “In an army you need unity of purpose” (Emmeline Pankhurst) – The American Heritage Dictionary.

II.     Where do we need unity?

1. Our first thought is perhaps the church.
2. We need unity – harmony in our homes.
3. We need unity in our nation.
4. We need unity in the workplace.
5. Last week we left out the most important one of all:  unity with God.
6. There is something that all of these have in common:  it is a spirit, or attitude that is needed but sometimes there are people who need to change their lives, or their thinking before we can have unity.

III.   How do we have unity?

1. One great key ingredient is submission.

1.      Jesus submitted Himself to God.

(Luke 22:42 NKJV)  saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

a.       We need to follow our Lord and be submissive to God.

b.      Submission, as with our Lord, can be costly.

2.      Wives are told to submit to husbands.

(Eph 5:22-24 NKJV)  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. {23} For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. {24} Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

3.      Children are to submit to (obey) their parents.

(Eph 6:1 NKJV)  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

4.      We are to submit to the elders.

(Heb 13:17 NKJV)  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

5.      But, we are to be submissive to one another.

(1 Pet 5:5 NKJV)  Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

6.      On the other hand, some have a contentious spirit which if from our fleshly side.

(Gal 5:19-20 NKJV)  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, {20} idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

2. But there is a flip side to “just getting along”!  It’s discipline.

1.      Sometimes there are differences that need to be settled by confronting.

(Mat 18:15-17 NKJV)  "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. {16} "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' {17} "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

2.      Sin is a source of division and must be dealt with.

(2 Cor 12:20-21 NKJV)  For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; {21} lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

3.      We must determine: “Is what is involved a sin, or a matter of preference?”

a.       In some cases, it is obvious.

b.      In other cases, we may not all agree on which it is.

c.       Good judgment needs to exercised in all cases.         

d.      Discipline needs to be done in a proper spirit, but it needs to be done.

4.      In the family, there is to be discipline for our children.

(Eph 6:4 NKJV)  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

3809. paideia, pahee-di'-ah; from G3811; tutorage; i.e. education or training; by impl. disciplinary correction:--chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.

3559. nouthesia, noo-thes-ee'-ah; calling attention to, i.e. (by impl.) mild rebuke or warning:--admonition.

3. In general, we are to seek for unity and the things which make for peace.

(Rom 14:17-19 NKJV)  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. {18} For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. {19} Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

4. What else does the Bible say about unity?

(Eph 4:1-3 NKJV)  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, {2} with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with (put up with) one another in love, {3} endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(Col 3:12-16 NKJV)  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; {13} bearing with (put up with) one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. {14} But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. {15} And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Conclusion

I.        What is our greatest obstacle to unity today?

1. Last week, we emphasized bad attitudes as being a real reason for division.
2. Today, we are adding sin and things that are wrong as making for division.
3. For unity and peace in the home, or in the church, our attitudes must be right, and our lives must be right.

 II.  Is your life right with God?

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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