Keep the Unity of the Spirit
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TITLE: Keep the Unity of the Spirit
SUBJECT: God’s Commands
PROPOSITION: We must keep the unity of the Spirit by 1) Speaking the Same Things 2) Not have division, 3) Have the same Judgment.
OBJECTIVE: Each listener should be able to explain how to have unity.
AIM: Each Christian should be committed to maintaining unity by doing these things.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Ephesians 4:1-3
2. About the Text:
1) We are urged to “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
2) How do we do that?
3) We are given a simple answer in 1 Corinthians 1:10.
4) “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 1:10).
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: We keep the unity of the Spirit by . . .
I. Speaking the Same Things
1. Speaking the Same Things Requires One Standard
1) Jesus is our standard – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
2) The Bible is the Revelation of Jesus – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2. Speaking the Same Things Requires Humility
1) “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).
2) “…fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:2-3).
3. Speaking the Same Things Requires Patience
1) “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
2) “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).
II. Not Having Division
1. We must not allow false teaching to go unchecked.
1) “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
2) “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For 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” (Romans 16:17-18).
2. We must not force opinions on others.
1) “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).
2) “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
3. We must practice forgiveness.
1) “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
2) “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13).
III. Having the Same Judgment
1. We must not agree for the sake of agreement – going along to get along.
1) “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).
2) “But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).
2. We must communicate with one another.
1) “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
2) “Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).
3. We must agree on what is an opinion and what is not.
1) “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things” (Romans 14:1).
2) “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:22).
CONCLUSION:
1. We keep the unity of the Spirit by . . .
1) Speaking the Same Things
2) Not Having Division
3) Having the Same Judgment
2. Invitation