Individual ObligationsIndividual Obligationsin the Interest of in the Interest of

UnityUnity

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

I. Christians universally have a “common faith” and a “common salvation” but the greatest and most direct obligations in the interest of unity are in the fellowship of the local church.

1 Corinthians 1:101 Corinthians 1:10

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 3:1-31 Corinthians 3:1-3

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

1 Corinthians 3:1-31 Corinthians 3:1-3

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

1 Corinthians 12:23-251 Corinthians 12:23-25

And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Ephesians 4:1-3Ephesians 4:1-3

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Philippians 2:1-4Philippians 2:1-4

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

II. Unity is the responsibility of all Christians.A. God condemns those who cause

factionalism and division.

Proverbs 6:16-19Proverbs 6:16-19

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

II. Unity is the responsibility of all Christians.A. God condemns those who cause

factionalism and division.B. Such a person is walking after the

flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

II. Unity is the responsibility of all Christians.A. God condemns the man who is the

cause of factionalism and division.B. Such a person is walking after the

flesh.C. Such is an indication of worldly wisdom.

James 3:14-18James 3:14-18

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

II. Unity is the responsibility of all Christians.A. God condemns the man who is the

cause of factionalism and division.B. Such a person is walking after the

flesh.C. Such is an indication of worldly wisdom.D. God’s wrath will be poured out upon

those with a factious disposition.

Romans 2:5-8Romans 2:5-8

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath,

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

II. Unity is the responsibility of all Christians.A. God condemns the man who is the

cause of factionalism and division.B. Such a person is walking after the

flesh.C. Such is an indication of worldly wisdom.D. God’s wrath will be poured out upon

those with a factious disposition.E. Acceptable worship is nullified by a

factious and divisive disposition.

1 Corinthians 11:17-191 Corinthians 11:17-19

Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

III.Peace and unity cannot, however, be had at the expense of truth and righteousness.

Matthew 10:34-38Matthew 10:34-38

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”

Ephesians 4:1-6Ephesians 4:1-6

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Romans 16:17-18Romans 16:17-18

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

2 John 9-112 John 9-11

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Titus 3:10-11Titus 3:10-11

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

IV. Sin cannot be tolerated for the sake of peace.

James 3:17James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Individual Obligations in the Individual Obligations in the Interest of UnityInterest of Unity

V. The result is well worth the effort.

Psalm 133Psalm 133

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing--

Psalm 133Psalm 133

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing-- Life forevermore.