4 Things that hurt unity

Tonight’s lesson will focus on four things that will hurt unity. Note Jhn. 17:20-21. Christ desired unity for His people. His apostles continually taught necessity of unity to FC church. Note 1 Thess. 4:9-10; Heb. 10:24; Col. 3:14-15; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:2-3. Must put our selfish wants to death and work for unity.

I. Unity is neither good nor bad in itself.

A. some things always wrong. Unity not like that.

B. Can be good/bad depending on motives behind it.

1. Num 16 – 250 men of "renown" stood against Moses.

2. Died that day b/c united in rebellion. Jhn. 17:20-21 – must unite to fulfill His prayer!

II. 4 Things that hurt the spirit of unity.

A lack of effort.

1.       good intentions not enough – must follow through!

2.       Eph. 4:3, 16

3.       Get involved w/each other.

B. Exalting self.

1.       can’t serve Christ & self at same time.

2.       3 Jhn. 9-10 – quarrelling/division result.

3.       1996 survey of 400 preachers/church leaders stated that # 1 problem contributing to conflict among churches of Christ is personality differences among members.

4.       Phil. 2:3-5 humility solves lots of problems.

C. Disorder.

1. Jud. 21:25 – no leader; no followship; no order.

2. Must learn to submit to each other.

a. Phil. 2:14; Js. 4:11. This won’t happen if submit to each other.

b. God’s plan = there to be order.

D. Lack of growth.

1.       Heb. 5:11-12 – some falling back in Jerusalem.

2.       Rev. 3:1 – would this describe you individually or us as a congregation?

3.       Step out! Do more! Get involved! Must grow up spiritually!

4.       Must anticipate growth! Is there fear of the untried?

III. 4 Things above need converting.

lack of effort into diligence
Exalting self into serving.
Disorder into followship.
Lack of growth into growth
Eph. 4:15-16 – what are you supplying for unity?
First you must be unified with Christ.



4 Things that hurt unity Tonight’s lesson will focus on four things that will hurt unity. Note Jhn. 17:20-21. Christ desired unity for His people. His apostles continually taught necessity of unity to FC church. Note 1 Thess. 4:9-10; Heb. 10:24; Col. 3:14-15; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:2-3. Must put our selfish wants to death and work for unity. I. Unity is neither good nor bad in itself. A. some things always wrong. Unity not like that. B. Can be good/bad depending on motives behind it. 1. Num 16 – 250 men of "renown" stood against Moses. 2. Died that day b/c united in rebellion. Jhn. 17:20-21 – must unite to fulfill His prayer! II. 4 Things that hurt the spirit of unity. A lack of effort. 1. good intentions not enough – must follow through! 2. Eph. 4:3, 16 3. Get involved w/each other. B. Exalting self. 1. can’t serve Christ & self at same time. 2. 3 Jhn. 9-10 – quarrelling/division result. 3. 1996 survey of 400 preachers/church leaders stated that # 1 problem contributing to conflict among churches of Christ is personality differences among members. 4. Phil. 2:3-5 humility solves lots of problems. C. Disorder. 1. Jud. 21:25 – no leader; no followship; no order. 2. Must learn to submit to each other. a. Phil. 2:14; Js. 4:11. This won’t happen if submit to each other. b. God’s plan = there to be order. D. Lack of growth. 1. Heb. 5:11-12 – some falling back in Jerusalem. 2. Rev. 3:1 – would this describe you individually or us as a congregation? 3. Step out! Do more! Get involved! Must grow up spiritually! 4. Must anticipate growth! Is there fear of the untried? III. 4 Things above need converting. lack of effort into diligence Exalting self into serving. Disorder into followship. Lack of growth into growth Eph. 4:15-16 – what are you supplying for unity? First you must be unified with Christ.