Two men met on a plane and one man asked the other, "Are you a Christian?"
"Yes I am."
"Wonderful! Are you Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox?"
"I’m a Protestant."
"That’s great. So am I. Are you Calvinist or Armenian in your theology?"
"I’m happy to say that I’m a staunch Calvinist."
"That’s fantastic. So am I. If you don’t mind my asking, are you a Calvinistic Baptist or a Calvinistic Presbyterian?"
"I’m a Calvinistic Baptist."
"What a coincidence. I’m a Calvinistic Baptist, too. Are you a Northern Calvinistic Baptist or a Southern Calvinistic Baptist?"
"By heritage and by choice I am a Northern Calvinistic Baptist."
"Unbelievable! So am I. May I ask if you are a Northern Regular Calvinistic Baptist or a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist?"
"I’m a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist."
"This is truly astounding. There are only 200 of us in the world—and two of us happened to meet on this plane. Tell me, sir, would you happen to be a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist Convention of 1844 or a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist Convention of 1868?"
"I am a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist Convention of 1844."
"This is a miracle! Are you a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist Convention of 1844 King James Version or a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist Convention of 1844 New International Version?"
"I am a Northern Conservative Calvinistic Baptist of 1844 New International Version."
With that, the first man ceased to smile, turned away and under his breath whispered “Heathen!”
As we listen to this story, we find it humorous and ironic. But the reality is that the Body of Christ has fractured itself in so many parts that we find ourselves in disharmony within rather than in harmony against the world.
When the early church became organized, it was known as the Catholic Church. The earliest reference to this term is 107AD. Catholic meant, “pertaining to the whole Christian body or church.” Its root was from a Greek word meaning “according to the whole”
In 1517AD, the Protestant Reformation separated the church due to a lack of agreement on doctrine.
In 2014, we now have over 41,000 different denominations around the world. There are over 1,200 in the USA. The biggest Protestant denomination is the Baptist who is divided into 62 different categories. Unity is difficult which leads us to today’s sermon featuring the last part of the prayer for us by Jesus.
John 17:21 “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
Jesus prayed that would be as united with each other in one body as He and God were. He also prayed that we would be united with God and Jesus so that the world would believe in the Son of God.
There is power in unity.
“There was a man who was stranded all alone on the deserted island who was rescued. His rescuers asked him what the three structures were that he had built on the island. Three buildings seemed perplexing for just one man. He said one was his house, one was his church, and one was where he used to go to church before he got his feelings hurt!” He was united with himself against himself. That is wrong unity.
When men decided to build a tower that would reach to God, He confused their language and stated, “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” (Genesis 11:6)
Nothing will be impossible when there is unity. Joseph’s brothers were unified in their effort to kill him. The children of Israel were united when they coerced Aaron to build a golden calf to worship. The children of Israel were united in their belief that they could not take the land promised to them by God. David’s men were united in their desire to kill King Saul, whom at the time was still God’s anointed. The Jewish leaders were united as Stephen was stoned to death outside the city walls of Jerusalem. There is power in unity. Being united against a common enemy or cause seems to be easy for us. The real difficulties come from being united with God.
When David decided to fight Goliath, the entire nation of Israel stood in fear against this one man. But David was in unity with God. And there is power in unity. He slew Goliath, which motivated the army of Israel to attack and defeat the Philistines.
When Elijah decided to stand alone against the 450 prophets of Baal with the entire nation of Israel watching he was in unity with God. And there is power in unity. With a single prayer, fire from heaven consumed his sacrifice and all 450 prophets of Baal were put to death.
When three young Hebrew slaves refused to bow before the statue of Nebuchadnezzar under the threat of a fiery death, they refused. The three were in unity with God. And there is power in unity. In the furnace, the Son of God appeared and they left the furnace unharmed. The pagan Nebuchadnezzar declared, “There is no other god who can rescue like this!” (Daniel 3:29)
The problem with the church body is we have forgotten how to be in unity with God. There is power in unity. We can be in unity about wrong actions and thoughts and there is power in those things. It is only when we are in unity with God through the Holy Spirit that we can move in power into the proper direction Godly results. The early church is a prime example.
Unity of prayer
Acts 1:14 “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.”
The church has lost power due to its lackluster effort to be unified in prayer. At one time churches had set apart Wednesday as a time for “prayer meetings.” This evolved into Wednesday services where the focus was not on prayer but another time for teaching. There is unity with God during prayer times, not for each other but for the body of Christ. I have been missing this particular source of power. I have decided to set aside a period from 10 until 10:15 on Sunday morning to pray for our church. You are invited to join me in the unity of prayer. There is power in unity.
Unity of mind
Acts 2:1 “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.”
They were not only physically in one place but also of one mindset. Their mindset was to be obedient to Jesus. He had commanded them “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.” (Acts 1:4)
What was this gift? The Holy Spirit. They were about to be in unity with the Holy Spirit and his power. Obedience brings us in unity with God. And there is power in unity.
Unity in worship
Acts 2:46-47 “They worshiped together at the Temple each day-all the while praising God”
They had unity in worship and praise. Worship meant to pay homage to God. It meant to present him with special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly. For most of us in the church body, we think of worship as that time we are singing about him. For many churches, that means 1st, 2nd, and last verse. But true worship is when the body comes together in unity and expresses through there emotions the honor and respect due to God, his Son, and his Spirit.
Praise meant to speak of the excellence of God. To publicly proclaim his nature to the world by deeds and words. The church needs to be united in the act of emotional worship and public proclamation of God’s excellence. Worship and praise brings us in unity with God. And there is power in unity.
Unity in learning
Acts 2:42 “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching”
The early church believed that the teachings of the apostles were straight from God. Because they believed this so strongly they devoted themselves to their teachings. Devotion meant not only being in the presence of the apostles but adhering to their teachings. They were applying the teachings to their own lives. This brought them into unity with God.
Today we train people on how to teach us. There is an emphasis on presentation. They are influenced on whether they will be exegetical, expository, textual, topical, narrative expository, or perhaps thematic expository. The way you learn to teach depends on where you go to school. We have churches exploding due to the charisma of their leader. People walk away feeling good about themselves without receiving the rawness of the Gospel.
There was church in need of a pastor so they advertised in a Christian magazine. One of the elders knew the hearts of most of these men so he composed a fake letter and took it to them. "Gentlemen: Understanding that you need a preacher, I would like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications that I think you would appreciate. I have been blessed to preach with power and have some success as a writer. Some say that I am a good organizer. I have been a leader in most places I have gone.
Some folks, however, have some things against me. I am over fifty years of age. I have never preached in one place for more than three years at a time. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I have to admit that I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any wrongdoing. My health is not too good, though I still get a good deal done. I have had to work at my trade to help pay my way.
The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I have not gotten along too well with the religious leaders in different towns where I have preached, and I am sure that they will not recommend me. In fact, some of them have threatened me, taken me to court, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known even to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you, even if I have to work to help with my support."
The elder read this letter to the committee, and asked if they were interested in the applicant. They replied that he would never do for their church. They were not interested in an unhealthy, trouble-making, contentious, ex-jailbird; and were insulted that his application had ever been presented! But one of them did ask the preacher’s name and the elder replied, "The Apostle Paul."
We forget that these men were simple fishermen and tradesmen. None was educated in any religious organization. But they heard from God and relayed his word to a people hungry to be in unity with God. Because there is power in unity.
Unity in giving
Acts 2:44-45 “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.”
The church has become stingy. Only 6% of confessed Christians actually tithe. 72% gave something during the year while 28% gave nothing at all. In the mega-churches, it is estimated that 97% of the funds given go to the operations and promotions of said church leaving 3% toward reaching the lost.
It has been said that giving 10% is not required. The early church did not seem to tithe. Instead, they gave everything away. That does not mean they slept in the streets, naked. But what they did not have need for, they sold and gave to the church. Do you have to tithe? No. Will your lack of giving anything affect your unity with God? Yes!
“Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!” (Haggai 1:4-6)
We have a responsibility to support God’s house. When we do, we have unity with God. And there is power in unity.
Unity in fellowship.
Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
I love our meals together. Not just for the food but to be able to sit down with you guys and spend some time talking. My four-year anniversary as your pastor slipped by us this year, partly because I was on a cruise. During these four years, I have come to love each of you with a pastor’s heart. Some left during this time and I felt great sorrow because the fellowship with those was broken beyond the church walls. It’s not easy when those you love decide to go.
But for you who remain I thank you for allowing me to pastor you. What I present to you each week comes from my heart and not a textbook. I believe the word I give each week is from God. And I appreciate your prayers. As we discovered with my shoulder, that prayer is in unity with God. And there is healing power in unity.
I ask that you continue to adhere to what I am teaching. My goal is not to deflate you but rather to edify, build you up. My desire is to see you have the power promised by Jesus through unity with him. Because of the benefit unity with God gives.
The benefit of glory
Look with me at John 17:22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.”
Jesus has given us his glory. Glory means honor. Honor means to have a good name, public esteem. God honors you. We are to honor each other.
Glory means splendor. God considers you one of gorgeous appearance. We are to consider each other magnificent.
Glory means wealth. God wants you to prosper, both financially and spiritually. We are to assist each other to become wealthy.
The final results
Acts 2:47 “all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
There is power in unity with God. We can today enjoy the goodwill of all those around us. When we are pleasant and positive because we have the power of unity, people will be attracted to us.
Tell others about the church and this church. Share with them the positives of being in this fellowship. When we have unity in God and with each other, Jesus will add to the fellowship.
