Unity and Harmony

-Introduction

-This morning, we talked about the importance of working together.

            -We all have our own talents and abilities.  They vary from one person to another.

            -It is very important for us to put those talents and abilities to work in the church.

            -When that happens, we benefit individually as does the congregation as a whole.

                        -Sometime, in your own study, sit down and consider the parable of the

                          talents (Matt 25:14-30) within this context.

                        -“Talents” in that parable is a measure of money.  However, the way we use

                          the word “talents” today certainly fits well into the meaning of the parable.

-Edification is something that is a benefit to all.  The most effective and efficient edification

  comes from all - a group effort.

            -2 Thess 1:3

            -1 Thess 1:3

-However, before we can work together properly, be edified appropriately and save the souls of

  others efficiently, there are some things that must be present first.

            -Eph 4:1-3

-Perpetual Relevance

-A wonderful feature of God’s word is the fact that it is perpetually relevant.  In other words, it

 is always valid.

            -1 Pet 1:24-25

-The New Testament church, as it exists today, is to be the same as the New Testament church

  at the time the scriptures were penned.

            -worship, organization, work, purpose, etc.

            -As New Testament Christians we are to heed the instructions found within the scriptures in

              terms of our lifestyles, duties and responsibilities.

-So, of course, the words written by Paul in Eph 4:1-3 still carry as much weight for us today as

  they did for the Ephesian Christians in the day they were written.

-Let’s notice just how important these words are.

-“Walk worthy of the vocation (calling - NAS, NIV) werewith you were called”

-2 Thess 2:13-14

            -We are called by/through the Gospel of Christ and must walk (live) according to it.

            -Prov 16:25, Jer 10:23

            -Rom 8:4-6

-Some say that the Gospel is limited to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

            -1 Cor 15:1-8

                        -vs 3 - “as of first importance” (NAS, NIV)

                        -The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are foundational truths of the Gospel.  Yet,

                          the Gospel is not limited to them only.

            -John 12:48-50, 2 John 9-11, Acts 20:27

-2 Tim 2:15 - We must have a desire and willingness to grow in the knowledge of God’s word

  and walk according to it.

-“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”

-lowliness and meekness

-We could spend much time on this one verse alone.  Overall, it is dealing with our attitude.

-As Christians, we can have (and should have) confidence.

            -1 John 5:13

            -But, we should never allow confidence to become arrogance.

-If you study about the Jewish leadership during the time of Christ, you’ll find that arrogance

  was certainly a problem for them.

            -They were repeatedly rebuked for the arrogance and pride.

-It is true that we can accomplish some great things in Christ, yet we must do so with a humble

  and meek attitude.

            -Meekness is not weakness.  (Ps 149:4)

            -Jesus described Himself as “meek and lowly in heart” (Matt 11:29).

-longsuffering, forbearing

-lonsuffering = long tempered

            -Let’s always remember that we are imperfect.  We do make mistakes.

            -And, let’s remember that we are surrounded by others who are imperfect.

            -So, we need to be patient with one another and with ourselves.

            -Gal 5:22

-forbearance - (Vines) - “to hold up…to bear with, endure”

            -We are to be a help to one another, not a hindrance.

            -Eph 4:31-32

-“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

-Unity is vital within the church.

-If we want to be as effective and efficient in the church as we can and should be, we must seek

  and maintain unity.

      -That unity cannot be at the sacrifice of the truth.  Instead, it must be in accordance with the

  truth.

-1 Cor 1:10

-Unity is something that God has always wanted amongst His people.

      -Phil 1:27, Col 2:1-2, 1 Pet 3:8

-When Jesus prayed for us, He prayed that we would be united - John 17:20-21

-Closing and Summary

-When we strive to walk humbly and meekly according to God’s word, when we are

  longsuffering and forbearing with others, when we work in unity and harmony - we grow

  stronger and more mature spiritually and are more effective and efficient in our efforts to save

  souls.

-Oh, may we always be mindful of these words in Eph 4:1-3 and may we always strive diligently

  to abide by them.

-What about you this evening?  Are you striving to walk in a manner worthy of your calling?

      -Have you obeyed the Gospel?  If not, do so this evening.  Believe (John 8:24, Heb 11:6),

  Confess your faith (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be

  Baptized (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16), Walk in Newness of Life (Rom 6:4).

-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel previously, but haven’t lived in a manner that is in accordance

  with these words we’ve studied tonight, make the necessary corrections.  Confess your

  faults, repent of them and pray for God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).

October 9, 2005