VISION DESTROYED BY DIVISION
I CORINTHIANS 1:10-11
1CORINTHIANS 12:12-27
I WANT TO PREACH TONIGHT ON THIS THOUGH
VISION DESTROYED BY DIVISION
A. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! David declared in Psalm 133:1
No matter how much a local church has going for it, division can negate it’s vision.
The word division is constructed of the word vision with the prefix "di", which means, "double".
Double vision can be dangerous
If you are seeing two of everything you need to make a trip to the eye doctor.
IF THERE IS DISHARMONY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH YOU NEED SOME SPIRITUAL DOCTORING.
1. There is nothing better than a church, a group of brethren, who dwell together in unity.
NOTICE SOMETHINGS ABOUT UNITY TONIGHT
I. THE CALL FOR UNITY
2. Paul wrote to the Philippians, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Phil 2:2)
a. He had seen the effects of a unified church
b. It was strong, it persevered, it kept the faith.
3. In Acts 4:32 we read: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:
The Early Church was ONE in UNITY even in the midst of persecution!!!
THIS UNIFIED CHURCH
1. Was turning the world up-side down (Acts 17:6)
2. People were getting saved, right and left, even hundreds right and left!
3. The church saw the power of God at work and worked for God’s kingdom night and day!
ILLUSTRATE
I was reading the Other day about when the British and French were fighting in Canada in the 1750s
Admiral Phipps, commander of the British fleet, was told to anchor outside Quebec.
He was given orders to wait for the British land forces to arrive, then support them when they attacked the city.
Phipps’ navy arrived early.
As the admiral waited, he became annoyed by the STATUES OF THE SAINTS that adorned the towers of a nearby cathedral, so he commanded his men to shoot at them with the ships’ cannons.
No one knows how many rounds were fired or how many statues were knocked out, but when the land forces arrived and the signal was given to attack, the admiral was of no help.
He had used up all his ammunition shooting at the “saints.”
Unfortunately, the same could be said for many Christians today.
When God calls on them to do something great for Him they have
nothing left to give for they have used up their ammunition
shooting at other saints.
Throughout church history -- Churches have split for the stupidest of
reasons.
There are all sorts of Church Problems that are really not Problems
Things get blowed out of Proportion
Things get taken to the extreme
Most of What Baptist Fight over isn’t worth Fighting Over!!!
IF WE WOULD GET AS STIRRED ABOUT SOULS AS WE DO
SOME OF THIS INSIGNIFICANT STUFF WE COULD DO A
WORK FOR GOD
ILLUSTRATE
Not Long ago I read something that was in an issue of National Geographic
There was a photograph of the fossil remains of two saber-tooth cats locked in combat.
To quote the article: “One had bitten deep into the leg bone of the other, a thrust that trapped both in a common fate.”
The cause of the death of the two cats is as clear as the cause of the extinction of their species.
They could not survive because they were too busy fighting each other and the same can be said of the church today.
As the apostle Paul put it: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” (Galatians 5:15).
Satan is a master at using controversial issues to distract the church from her true mission in the world.
I was watching a Show on TV the other Day
A Group of Thieves went into a Store – Four of them
2 went in and acted like regular Shoppers
2 went in and started a loud commotion in another section of the store.
This grabbed the attention of the clerks and customers.
As all eyes are turned to the disturbance, the accomplices fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, leaving before anyone suspects.
It was Hours later before the victimized merchant realized he had things missing and called the police.
IF THAT’S NOT THE DEVIL’S STRATEGY I’VE NOT HEARD IT
TOO MANY TIMES WE ARE SEDUCED INTO PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DISTRACTIONS, WHILE OUR CHURCHES ARE RANSACKED.
IN THIS CASE WE HAVE LOST NOT OUR MERCHANDISE, BUT OUR MISSION.
And a church without a mission will soon be out of commission.
Paul tells us that we are to “Be of the same mind one toward another” (Romans 12:16).
But how can we live in UNITY when there are so many CONTROVERSIAL issues that divide us today?
I. THE CALL FOR UNITY
II. THE CONDITIONS OF UNITY -- How do you know there is Unity
1. "Speak the same thing." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
There must be unity in speech if a local church is to make an effective impact for God.
The Bible is not saying there isn’t room for disagreement among good Christians. Rather, we are encouraged, even when we do disagree, and we will, to speak in such a way as to promote harmony.
Your motive for speaking and how you deliver your words are just as important as what you say.
Be careful of a critical spirit.
If you find your self HYPER-CRITICAL of everything done in your church and others in your church, there are two options:
a) The church may need your POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS to turn in the right direction, or,
b) You may need to change your attitude.
Ask yourself,
"Is there something else going on in my life right now that has me angry or discouraged?
Am I taking my frustration out on others in my church?
It’s a good thing for us to pray the prayer of the Psalmist:
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.
1. Speak the Same thing
2. "Be perfectly joined together in the same mind." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
There must be unity of thought if a local church is to have an effective impact for God.
Once again, UNITY and UNIFORMITY are not the same thing.
God has given all of us different perspectives to bring to the table
Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude
of counsellors there is safety.
It matters not how beautiful a piece of furniture may be
It may have a high shine on it
It may be stained perfectly to match the colors of your home
BUT IF THE JOINTS ARE NOT GLUED AND CLAMPED JUST RIGHT YOUR PRIZED HEIRLOOM WILL FALL APART WHEN PUT UNDER PRESSURE!!!
A church may look beautiful
It may have the latest technology
It may use the latest innovative programs and sharpest presentations,
BUT WITHOUT UNITY IT WILL COME APART AT THE SEAMS.
How can we accomplish this objective? How can we "perfectly joined together in the same mind?"
By spending a lot of time in the Bible and by reading the same thing we will have a greater chance of unity!!!
We can worship together consistently, serve together regularly, pray together faithfully, and fellowship together constantly.
These things will help to keep us on the same page!!!
3. "Be perfectly joined together in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
There must be a unity of purpose if a local church is to have an impact for God.
GOD’S PURPOSES ARE GREATER THAN OUR MINOR DIFFERENCES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH.
THIS BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT POINT
I. THE CALL FOR UNITY
II. THE CONDITIONS OF UNITY
SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE SCARED TO DEATH OF THIS NEXT WORD I’M GOING TO USE
BUT IT’S RIGHT
III. THE COMPROMISE FOR UNITY
IN Romans 14:1---- 15:7
Paul gave the church in Rome some practical, step-by-step instructions on how to be in unity with one another
We can learn from this information because we today have much in common with the Roman church.
The Roman church was not divided in their faith.
They all believed that Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life and that as such He was the only way to get to heaven.
They believed that there was only one God and that Jesus Christ was His Son.
They believed that Jesus died for their sins and that He rose again on the third day and that He was coming back again one day.
However, they were divided on many nonessential details of the
Christian life.
There were some in the church who had some very strict c
onvictions concerning things like particular days of worship and
types of diets and they considered those who disagreed to be too
liberal.
Others, however, had an equally strong conviction that in Christ they were free from such constraints and they considered the others to be narrow minded.
BOY DOESN’T THAT SOUND FAMILIAR!!!
NOW YOU HEAR ME TONIGHT
THERE MUST BE SOME COMPROMISE IF THERE IS TO UNITY!!!
HEAR ME WELL -- THIS COMPROMISE DOES NOT INVOLVE THE WORD OF GOD!!!!!
WE CANNOT COMPROMISE THE WORD!!!
But the Compromise I’m talking is some of our own Personal Preferences
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have personal standards and preferences
BUT WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO DIVIDE THE WORK
OF GOD
IF WE RAN OUR HOMES LIKE MOST CHURCH RUN – WE WOULD BE GOING TOWARD DIVORCE
How does the Home Survive – COMMON GROUND
There is a Common Cause
There is a Platform on which we can stand together
No two people in this world will see Eye to Eye on everything --
BUT if we want lasting relationships – THERE MUST BE SOME
COMPROMISE of personal Feelings
IN THE HOME: A Fuss
Honey – It’s not worth it
Honey – We need to come to an agreement on this
Our Children are worth more than this
Our Future is worth more than this
SAME WAY IN THE CHURCH
The Lord’s Name is greater than our little personal preference
The Sinner’s Future is a platform that is greater than our little fuss
THERE MUST BE A COMMON GOAL IN MIND
THAT’S WHAT PAUL WAS TALKING ABOUT
I COULD DEAL WITH ALL OF THIS FOR HOURS
1. Hold Back Judgment on questionable Matters. (14:1)
SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH SOMEONE WHO ALWAYS WANTS TO TALK ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS
2. Don’t’ Looking Down on Those Who Don’t Share the Same thoughts about a questionable matter as you. (14:2-4)
3. Make Sure You Don’t Put Obstacles in the Way of Others.
(14:13-18)
4. Only Do What Leads to Peace and Mutual Edification. (14:19-21)
5. Never publicize your personal convictions. (14:22-23)
6. Yield your Personal Preferences for the Common Good. (15:1-7
I. THE CALL FOR UNITY
II. THE CONDITIONS OF UNITY
III. THE COMPROMISE FOR UNITY
IV. THE CLASSES OF UNITY
The areas of our life that need unity
1. Unity in the Heart
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”
Hypocrisy in the Heart will cause disunity in every aspect of life
Living a Lie
2. Unity in the Home
3. Unity in the House of God
AND IN THAT ORDER
CONCLUSION:
IT MATTERS NOT WHAT BRO. RONNIE WANTS TO LEAD YOU IN AT BRIGHT LIGHT
DIVISION WILL DESTROY YOUR VISION
THERE MUST BE UNITY IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
