4 Things that Unify People

1999062

Introduction

A. Approaching new year in 47 days = 2000.

1. This congregation talking about goals for upcoming year. Budget; getting into the community; importance of numerical growth.

2. One thing we must seek as we have renewed effort in this area – is unity. Things we seek will never materialize if not together as one.

3. Must learn to work together for good. B/f any significant progress is to be made – must learn to do this.

B. Think we do fairly good job in this now – but can we do better? Are we as unified as we could be?

C. March issue of time magazine entitled “Eluding the White Death.” Talks about avalanches and the often deadly force associated w/them.

1. quote from article.

2. Think about quote. Sounds like congregations just a bit.

3. Sounds like bonds b/t people. Bonds w/each other can either b/c strong or…can be brittle & break apart w/little effort.

4. How many congregations do you know w/a warm loving bond b/t brethren?

5. How many congregations do you know where just a little stress could weaken/break bond?

6. How would you describe the bond b/t brethren here?

I. 6 Things That Avalanches Teach Us.

A. Takes time to forge bonds to one another.

1. takes growth together, working w/each other.

2. Takes a commitment to get to know each other.

a) older brethren taking time to get to know young Christians; to help encourage them,…etc.

b) involves a commitment to get together outside the CB. Opening up homes. Celebrating/congratulating one another during happy times.

3. key to forging bonds w/one another is learning NOT to abandon others for ourselves.

a) get caught up in personal problems; personal differences; can lead us to block others out.

b) As a result:

B. Sometimes bonds are never forged.

1. this = dangerous for congregation & for individual Christians as well.

2. How so?

a) no one to turn to during hurt, sorrow, temptation, problems.

b) No one to turn to help to grow.

c) Why many fall away – get discouraged – “give up” on the church.

3. When bonds not forged b/t brethren – it b/c someone not putting forth the effort.

a) often: we ourselves NOT doing the part.

b) How actively are you trying to grow closer to your brethren?

C. Takes some degree of warmth to forge bonds.

1. Avalanche: snow crystals do not bond together well in ext. cold.

2. Brethren do not bond together well in a cold, unloving, unforgiving atmosphere!

3. 1 Pet. 4:8

a) note context (v. 4-6) they under persecution, problems, uncertainty.

b) What was prescription for endurance?

c) 4:8-9 – grow closer together!

d) (problems brethren face here.) we must draw closer to help each other through.

e) Need someone b/h us – takes warmth to make that happen!

D. Shape of ice crystals themselves is a key factor!

1. Crystals could be compared to each individual Christian.

2. How is our personality, character shaped? Do you, do I, have some rough edges that need to be smoothed out?

3. Col. 3:12-14 – this how we to shape our character!

E. When conditions are right….doesn’t take much to trigger a slide!

1. slide happens b/c no bond there.

2. How many congregations of Lord’s people have experienced same thing – b/c they not united as they should have been?

a) must change from inward focus to outward focus.

b) Unite together & combat false teaching that may come our way.

c) Must unite together and learn as much about the truth as we can….

3. if we don’t b/c close knit then….

F. W/very little warning – sound of thunder or silk…

1. we could be ripped asunder by the devil.

2. Sometimes congregations rip apart w/no warning.

3. All goes back to their being a lack of togetherness to start.

II. 4 Things that will forge bonds of unity.

A. Must see our common foe.

1. hus/wife fighting. Try stop: both turn on one trying to stop. Why? Common enemy.

2. Bro/sis….common foe.

3. Who = enemy of the Christian??? Who = enemy of our congregation?

a) Eph. 6:11-13

b) 1 Pet. 5:8-9

1) Satan’s goal: to divide & conquer.

2) Loves it when brethren lose focus & bite/devour each other.

c) Max Dawson: the greatest threat to churches of Christ face today is not liberalism, not FT on MDR, not issue of fellowshipping FT, but that of brethren tearing each other apart!

d) We must see our enemy – Js. 4:7 RESIST HIM!

4. He out to get us! Through:

a) immorality

b) materialism

c) glory, power of men, prestige.

5. work together to fight the devil. Join hands, fight together in the Lord’s army!

B. A common tragedy.

1. Nat disaster; Columbine High, OKC bombing; families when loved one passes away – people unite together.

2. Christians have a common tragedy = sin!

a) we all at some point rejected God. Turned back on a loving God.

b) Rom. 3:23; 1 Jhn. 1:8-10.

c) All can relate to sorrow, pain, suffering that sin brings along.

3. all face a serious judgment. Heb. 9:27 – all men have this in common.

a) 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Jhn. 5:28-29; Rom. 14:12

b) must realize that each one of us will be there.

1) must understand destructiveness of sin.

2) Come together to help/encourage each other.

C. A common purpose.

1. football team/basketball team. Common purpose draw them together!

2. Look at us here. Different occupations, interests, cultural background.

a) despite backgrounds….our sense of purpose should be drawing us together.

b) Acts 4:32 – note that probably former Pharisees/Saducees together….w/former publicans and prostitutes. All in same group.

1) all together, supporting each other.

2) What brought them together? Jesus Christ.

c) Acts 9:31 – following persecution: what was their condition? Peace!

1) despite persecution,….how could they grow?

2) How could they mature, get stronger?

3) By following direction of the HS.

3. Eph. 4:15-16

a) here = purpose defined. To grow up! To grow together, b/c stronger in the Lord.

b) Not here today to fill time – but to worship God & to spend time w/those of like precious faith.

c) Must b/c strong b/c trials will come.

1) devil will seek to divide us.

2) Seek to grow in our influence for good. Must be a top priority!

3) Sick of division! Not just talk like being a FC Church – Let’s do it!

4) Grow in ability.

D. A common blessing.

1. Acts 2:42 – what is it that brought them together? Imagine many different people from all walks of life.

2. 2 Cor. 9:12-15 – what is it that made Jews/Gentiles year/long for each other?

a) remember how gentiles/Jews viewed each other in past.

b) What brought this sense of closeness? What forged this bond?

3. A common blessing.

a) 1 Pet. 1:18-23 – we’ve been born again! Been given a gift that none of us deserve!

b) Must learn to appreciate what God has given us & share that w/others!

4. Been redeemed w/faith/hope & a new life.

5. Let us rejoice that we can share these blessings w/others!

III. We need to appreciate:

A. Our foe.

1. must realize who the foe is & stand up & fight Him. The devil is real!

2. Are we fighting the devil or ourselves?

B. Our tragedy.

1. we are all sinners – no one better than the other.

2. We all face the same judgment.

C. Our purpose.

1. to be a group of happy people who love God & one another.

2. To be a group that desires spiritual growth.

a) not to simply pay the preacher/fill the bldg., but to keep on growing through faith/hope/love.

D. Our blessing – salvation/hope/faith.

E. Note Eph. 4:3-6

1. must spiritually join hands, hearts, and go to work as His body!

2. we’re here to represent his body as best we can!

F. Are you standing alone? Why? Jhn 17:20-21 – not what Christ would have.

G. I N V I T A T I O N



4 Things that Unify People 1999062 Introduction A. Approaching new year in 47 days = 2000. 1. This congregation talking about goals for upcoming year. Budget; getting into the community; importance of numerical growth. 2. One thing we must seek as we have renewed effort in this area – is unity. Things we seek will never materialize if not together as one. 3. Must learn to work together for good. B/f any significant progress is to be made – must learn to do this. B. Think we do fairly good job in this now – but can we do better? Are we as unified as we could be? C. March issue of time magazine entitled “Eluding the White Death.” Talks about avalanches and the often deadly force associated w/them. 1. quote from article. 2. Think about quote. Sounds like congregations just a bit. 3. Sounds like bonds b/t people. Bonds w/each other can either b/c strong or…can be brittle & break apart w/little effort. 4. How many congregations do you know w/a warm loving bond b/t brethren? 5. How many congregations do you know where just a little stress could weaken/break bond? 6. How would you describe the bond b/t brethren here? I. 6 Things That Avalanches Teach Us. A. Takes time to forge bonds to one another. 1. takes growth together, working w/each other. 2. Takes a commitment to get to know each other. a) older brethren taking time to get to know young Christians; to help encourage them,…etc. b) involves a commitment to get together outside the CB. Opening up homes. Celebrating/congratulating one another during happy times. 3. key to forging bonds w/one another is learning NOT to abandon others for ourselves. a) get caught up in personal problems; personal differences; can lead us to block others out. b) As a result: B. Sometimes bonds are never forged. 1. this = dangerous for congregation & for individual Christians as well. 2. How so? a) no one to turn to during hurt, sorrow, temptation, problems. b) No one to turn to help to grow. c) Why many fall away – get discouraged – “give up” on the church. 3. When bonds not forged b/t brethren – it b/c someone not putting forth the effort. a) often: we ourselves NOT doing the part. b) How actively are you trying to grow closer to your brethren? C. Takes some degree of warmth to forge bonds. 1. Avalanche: snow crystals do not bond together well in ext. cold. 2. Brethren do not bond together well in a cold, unloving, unforgiving atmosphere! 3. 1 Pet. 4:8 a) note context (v. 4-6) they under persecution, problems, uncertainty. b) What was prescription for endurance? c) 4:8-9 – grow closer together! d) (problems brethren face here.) we must draw closer to help each other through. e) Need someone b/h us – takes warmth to make that happen! D. Shape of ice crystals themselves is a key factor! 1. Crystals could be compared to each individual Christian. 2. How is our personality, character shaped? Do you, do I, have some rough edges that need to be smoothed out? 3. Col. 3:12-14 – this how we to shape our character! E. When conditions are right….doesn’t take much to trigger a slide! 1. slide happens b/c no bond there. 2. How many congregations of Lord’s people have experienced same thing – b/c they not united as they should have been? a) must change from inward focus to outward focus. b) Unite together & combat false teaching that may come our way. c) Must unite together and learn as much about the truth as we can…. 3. if we don’t b/c close knit then…. F. W/very little warning – sound of thunder or silk… 1. we could be ripped asunder by the devil. 2. Sometimes congregations rip apart w/no warning. 3. All goes back to their being a lack of togetherness to start. II. 4 Things that will forge bonds of unity. A. Must see our common foe. 1. hus/wife fighting. Try stop: both turn on one trying to stop. Why? Common enemy. 2. Bro/sis….common foe. 3. Who = enemy of the Christian??? Who = enemy of our congregation? a) Eph. 6:11-13 b) 1 Pet. 5:8-9 1) Satan’s goal: to divide & conquer. 2) Loves it when brethren lose focus & bite/devour each other. c) Max Dawson: the greatest threat to churches of Christ face today is not liberalism, not FT on MDR, not issue of fellowshipping FT, but that of brethren tearing each other apart! d) We must see our enemy – Js. 4:7 RESIST HIM! 4. He out to get us! Through: a) immorality b) materialism c) glory, power of men, prestige. 5. work together to fight the devil. Join hands, fight together in the Lord’s army! B. A common tragedy. 1. Nat disaster; Columbine High, OKC bombing; families when loved one passes away – people unite together. 2. Christians have a common tragedy = sin! a) we all at some point rejected God. Turned back on a loving God. b) Rom. 3:23; 1 Jhn. 1:8-10. c) All can relate to sorrow, pain, suffering that sin brings along. 3. all face a serious judgment. Heb. 9:27 – all men have this in common. a) 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Jhn. 5:28-29; Rom. 14:12 b) must realize that each one of us will be there. 1) must understand destructiveness of sin. 2) Come together to help/encourage each other. C. A common purpose. 1. football team/basketball team. Common purpose draw them together! 2. Look at us here. Different occupations, interests, cultural background. a) despite backgrounds….our sense of purpose should be drawing us together. b) Acts 4:32 – note that probably former Pharisees/Saducees together….w/former publicans and prostitutes. All in same group. 1) all together, supporting each other. 2) What brought them together? Jesus Christ. c) Acts 9:31 – following persecution: what was their condition? Peace! 1) despite persecution,….how could they grow? 2) How could they mature, get stronger? 3) By following direction of the HS. 3. Eph. 4:15-16 a) here = purpose defined. To grow up! To grow together, b/c stronger in the Lord. b) Not here today to fill time – but to worship God & to spend time w/those of like precious faith. c) Must b/c strong b/c trials will come. 1) devil will seek to divide us. 2) Seek to grow in our influence for good. Must be a top priority! 3) Sick of division! Not just talk like being a FC Church – Let’s do it! 4) Grow in ability. D. A common blessing. 1. Acts 2:42 – what is it that brought them together? Imagine many different people from all walks of life. 2. 2 Cor. 9:12-15 – what is it that made Jews/Gentiles year/long for each other? a) remember how gentiles/Jews viewed each other in past. b) What brought this sense of closeness? What forged this bond? 3. A common blessing. a) 1 Pet. 1:18-23 – we’ve been born again! Been given a gift that none of us deserve! b) Must learn to appreciate what God has given us & share that w/others! 4. Been redeemed w/faith/hope & a new life. 5. Let us rejoice that we can share these blessings w/others! III. We need to appreciate: A. Our foe. 1. must realize who the foe is & stand up & fight Him. The devil is real! 2. Are we fighting the devil or ourselves? B. Our tragedy. 1. we are all sinners – no one better than the other. 2. We all face the same judgment. C. Our purpose. 1. to be a group of happy people who love God & one another. 2. To be a group that desires spiritual growth. a) not to simply pay the preacher/fill the bldg., but to keep on growing through faith/hope/love. D. Our blessing – salvation/hope/faith. E. Note Eph. 4:3-6 1. must spiritually join hands, hearts, and go to work as His body! 2. we’re here to represent his body as best we can! F. Are you standing alone? Why? Jhn 17:20-21 – not what Christ would have. G. I N V I T A T I O N