THE SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH UNITY

There is great strength in unity. Ecclesiastes 4: 12 Though one may be overpowered,     two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Genesis 11: 6 The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

Jesus prayed for unity in the church John 17:11and 21 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 21 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.

He knows that it is only through being united that the church will be able to carry out its onerous task of world evangelisation.

What is unity?

What is unity? It is not uniformity. We were not all made alike or gifted alike. 1Corinthians 12:11 However it is commonality of purpose, motivation, inspiration and mind-set

Philippians 2:2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Unity is the pulling together of separate entities within a group resulting from individual sacrifice of self interest for greater effectiveness.

Why unity? It enhances effectiveness through the promotion of synergy.

Human beings are individualistic and self-centred by nature. But God’s intention has always been that man should resemble God. Genesis 1:26. Salvation and discipleship can therefore be seen as God’s effort at restoring humans to their original God-like selfless nature. Luke 14:26-27, 33

Luke 14:26-27, 33 ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, even their own life – such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Human beings are by nature individualistic. But God’s intention has always been that man should resemble God. Genesis 1:26. Salvation and discipleship can therefore be seen as an attempt by God to restore man to his original God-like selfless nature. Unity is good and pleasant Psalm 133

Psalm 1331 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 for evermore.

How does the Holy Spirit promote unity in the church? He does that through giving each individual the fruit of the spirit Galatians 5:22-23 Galatians 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This fruit is to manifest in the context of our individual differences which is accentuated by our different gifts 1Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

How to work out this unity

How to work out this unity It is our own responsibility to work out this unity by utilizing the fruit. We achieve this through Being correctly motivated Philippians 2:1 2:1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

We achieve this through Being correctly motivated Treading the path to unity Ephesians 4:2,3

Ephesians 4:2 and 3, 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. Philippians 2: 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

The resultant unity A sound theological base Ephesians 4:4-6 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.

A sound theological base A workable spiritual base for unity Philippians 2:2 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

A sound theological base for unity A workable spiritual base for unity Producing functional unity Acts 2:42-46

Acts 2:42-46 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 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,

Conclusion The route to unity is the acceptance of effective service as the purpose of life, the recognition that we cannot achieve it without one another, the deliberate yielding of our individual selves to one another for to enhance its achievement. Ecclesiastes 4:12,

Ecclesiastes 4:12, Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken Ephesians 5:21 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ