Ephesians 4:3, Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Unity Trait
#2: Flexibility
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Pride and stubbornness are two of the greatest threats to unity. Paul says that we should do whatever leads to peace and mutual edification.
We should do and say whatever will bring peace and be what’s best for everyone. We’ve got to be flexible in things that aren’t of spiritual significance. We’ve got to be flexible in things that aren’t the essentials that are listed
in Ephesians 4. We’ve got to be flexible on new ways of doing things. We’ve got to be flexible on doing things in ways that will reach more people.
None of us like change, but things change every day! We need to make every effort to do what leads to peace. And we need to make every effort to do what is best for the body of Christ.
Unity
trait#3: That’s what spiritually mature people do…Maturity
We need to grow up in Christ And growing in Christ means maintaining unity.
So I want to mention three areas of maturity that I believe will help us maintain unity…
We need to grow up in Christ And growing in Christ means maintaining unity.
So I want to mention three areas of maturity that I believe will help us maintain unity…
Avoid Foolish Controversy.
Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”
Controversy leads to division.
We need to mature by learning how to speak and act in ways that don’t lead to controversy.
I think most of us are beginning to understand the importance of getting to know each other better. We need to avoid foolish controversy so that we can be of one heart and one mind.
Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”
Controversy leads to division.
We need to mature by learning how to speak and act in ways that don’t lead to controversy.
I think most of us are beginning to understand the importance of getting to know each other better. We need to avoid foolish controversy so that we can be of one heart and one mind.
We Need to Be an Encourager.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Nothing will allow Satan to divide and conquer better than a person who criticizes and gossips about other brothers and sisters. This is crucial. A critical mouth sets itself to divide with the very words it speaks. In order to guard against becoming critical and negative, we need to look for the good in others and encourage them as often as we can.
When we criticize we hasten disunity.
When we encourage, we breathe life and unity. 1Co_14:3 (GW) “But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Nothing will allow Satan to divide and conquer better than a person who criticizes and gossips about other brothers and sisters. This is crucial. A critical mouth sets itself to divide with the very words it speaks. In order to guard against becoming critical and negative, we need to look for the good in others and encourage them as often as we can.
When we criticize we hasten disunity.
When we encourage, we breathe life and unity. 1Co_14:3 (GW) “But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them.”
Heb 10:24 (GW) “We must also consider how to encourage each other to
show love and to do good things.” The NIV says
to “spur one another on to love and good deeds.”
Becoming an encourager is a mark of maturity that will
nurture unity.
Learn to Be
a Servant.
Philippians 1:27, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”
Being a servant is sign of maturity.
Being a servant to others promotes unity.
Being a servant will help us to contend as one man for the gospel.
Philippians 1:27, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”
Being a servant is sign of maturity.
Being a servant to others promotes unity.
Being a servant will help us to contend as one man for the gospel.
Forgive Others.
Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
One thing that will prevent people from being united is unwillingness to forgive.
When I was a youth minister in Westport, a deacon came up to me and said, so is a youth pastor a real pastor? I had a choice to be hurt or to forgive? Because he meant it in a harmful way; I chose to be compassionate instead of holding a grudge. People have come and gone in our life while pastoring here. I’ve had to make a conscious effort in some cases to choose forgiveness. Was it easy, no! Forgiving others isn’t always easy but it is what God desires from us.
We need to forgive, just as God forgave us.
The ability to forgive is a mark of maturity that helps maintain unity.
Transition: In order to mature, we all need to avoid foolish controversies, be encouragers, be servants, and be quick to forgive.
Let me close with this:Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
One thing that will prevent people from being united is unwillingness to forgive.
When I was a youth minister in Westport, a deacon came up to me and said, so is a youth pastor a real pastor? I had a choice to be hurt or to forgive? Because he meant it in a harmful way; I chose to be compassionate instead of holding a grudge. People have come and gone in our life while pastoring here. I’ve had to make a conscious effort in some cases to choose forgiveness. Was it easy, no! Forgiving others isn’t always easy but it is what God desires from us.
We need to forgive, just as God forgave us.
The ability to forgive is a mark of maturity that helps maintain unity.
Transition: In order to mature, we all need to avoid foolish controversies, be encouragers, be servants, and be quick to forgive.
A missionary told of a time when a little child in an African tribe wandered off into the tall jungle grass and could not be found, although the tribe searched all day. The next day the tribal members all held hands and walked through the grass together. This enabled them to find the child, but due to the cold night he had not survived. In her anguish and through tears, the mother cried, "If only we would have held hands sooner." It is not enough that we all share a common goal. We must all work together to accomplish it without hesitation.
You are loved!
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