sunday Matt. 18:1–5; John 10:30; 17; Acts 1:14; 2:1–4; 4:32, 33; 12:5–12; 1 Cor. 12:12–26; Phil. 2:1–11 AUGUST 11 Logos United We Stand Unity—Why? (John 10:30; Phil. 2:1–11) The concept of unity did not originate on earth with humanity. It started in heaven. Jesus said, “ ‘I and My Father are one’ ” (John 10:30, NKJV). Unity is not something we can ignore or “do” when we go to church. The call for unity comes from God, and the type of unity He is looking for is exemplified in the relationship between Himself and Jesus. Paul urged the Philippians to make his joy complete by “being one in spirit and purpose” (Phil. 2:2, NIV). Then he tells them that their “attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (verse 5, NIV). [Unity] is something tangible, something real, something that transforms one’s life and one’s environment. Our Savior expects us to be united with Him and with our fellow church members. How can we call ourselves Christians and not imitate Christ? If there is a lack of unity and love within our churches, we cannot claim to love God. John asked the early church members how they could say they loved God yet hate a brother. The answer? If we hate anyone, we do not love God. The only prayer we have of Jesus praying for His disciples involves unity. This shows the importance of the topic. Jesus asked of God “ ‘that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me’ ” (John 17:21, NKJV). Unity—An Answered Prayer (John 17) “There would be diversities of gifts (1 Cor. 12), but there was to be unity of spirit, objectives, and beliefs. There were to be no strivings for suprem- acy such as had recently plagued the Twelve (Luke 22:24–30). The unity springing from the blended lives of Christians would impress the word of the divine origin of the Christian church.”* Those who are united with Christ and the Father will be united with other people who are united with Them. Every aspect of our daily lives, not just our religious activities or our individual ministries, must be in ac- cordance with Them. Only then can unity be achieved and God be able to answer the prayer that His own Son offered on our behalf. Unity—The Early Church (Acts 1:14; 2:1–4; 4:32, 33) The book of Acts reveals the results of Jesus’ prayer for His disci- ples. After He returned to heaven, the disciples diligently and constantly sought God through prayer. Throughout the book of Acts, the results of such prayer are fully displayed along with the blessings showered by God upon the church. Even when problems arose, the early church was able to find solutions and to continue with the work of spreading the gospel. Prayer kept them on track. In Acts 6:1–7, we read that the Grecian Jews “complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were be- ing overlooked in the daily distribution of food” (verse 1, NIV). So instead of tending to the issue themselves, the disciples appointed deacons to do so. This allowed the disciples to focus on their primary mission. The solution “pleased the whole multitude” (verse 5, NKJV). After choosing the deacons, “the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem” (verse 7, NKJV). Thus we see how unity solves problems and helps the church to focus on spreading the gospel. Unity allows the gospel to spread like wildfire. Unity—A Transforming Power (Matt. 18:1–5; Acts 4:32, 33; 12:5– 12; 1 Cor. 12:12–26) Unity is not just a concept. It is something tangible, something real, something that transforms one’s life and one’s environment. The disciples did not understand the importance of unity and how critical it was to suc- cessfully spread the gospel. In Matthew 18, they asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven—a question whose answer could surely cause disunity. In their selfish hearts, each disciple desired to be greater than the disciple next to him. They had no sense of unity, and they did not see the need for it. Jesus’ response surprised them. He called a child to Him, and said, “ ‘Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’ ” (Matt. 18:4, NIV). How different the disciples would be a few years later! Acts 4:32, 33 shows how they were of one heart and one mind, how they were focused on their mission. This transformation spread to the other believers. Thus, the church was united. When Peter was thrown in jail, the believers united in prayer. Such prayer brings power and changes lives. And such unity strengthens the church, of which Christ is the Head. REACT 1. How willing are you to submit completely to God and be one with Him? What prevents you from doing so?
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 01:47:46 +0000
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