Read Romans 15:5-6
Unity and oneness in our churches is vital. It’s a non optional mandate not an extra that we can try and discard if we dislike it. In fact, one of the biggest turn-offs for the non believing world is the disunity among and within churches. Non church goers talk about the hypocrisy of the church. When they see disunity within the church they automatically conclude, rightly or wrongly, that the church is filled with hypocrites.
Put yourself in the shoes of a non church goer. You’ve been invited to church by a Christian friend. As you enter the church building, you notice that your friend is greeted with a grimace, a half smile that communicates dislike rather than love. Over morning tea you hear a group of people bagging and putting down another church goer. You witness one person being rude to another and even another person stomping off and leaving because they didn’t get their own way. Would you in all honesty come back to this church? Would you be attracted to Christ
In fact, unity is so important and so highly regarded that Paul tells the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Can you see the absolutes that Paul is using? In 1 Corinthians 6:7-8 he warns them that it’s better to accept being ripped off and cheated than to go to court and to be disunified.
In Romans 15:5-6 Paul pronounces a mini-benediction. He prays that God would grant endurance to those who are suffering or have been hard done by. He prays for encouragement for those who are discouraged and down in the dumps. It’s the same God who gives endurance and encouragement that Paul appeals to for unity. He wants the church to be given a spirit of unity among themselves. For this to happen, each individual needs both endurance and encouragement. Let’s face it, not all believers are as nice and easy to get along with as we are!!! The purpose of Paul’s benediction/prayer is that the church might, in heart and voice, bring glory to God the Father by singing out His praises. Paul’s heart felt desire is that the church stand united under the Lordship of Christ. It’s his desire that each individual within the church have an inner desire to bless and edify others.
If that non church goer attended church for the first time and saw her friend greeted warmly and lovingly, if she heard a group blessing and singing another’s praises, if she witnessed godly conflict resolution not huffing and puffing and storming off, if she saw unity and oneness, she may well have visited again and she may have eventually given her life to the Lord. Unity is a powerful testimony. No wonder Paul prayed for church unity.
Prayer:
Use today’s Bible reading and notes to pray along the following lines.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray for a growing unity within your church and your denomination. Pray that God would be growing unity across your city/town among various churches and denominations.
Unity witnesses volumes to a lost and drowning world. Dealing with potential disunity in a godly, and biblical way is an even greater witness to them.
1. Discuss the meaning and application of 1 Corinthians 1:10 and the absolutes that are contained within it.
2. Why do you think unity is so important in the church?
3. What steps can be taken by the church if disunity should arise over
· an elder to be elected to the leadership?
· proposed building plans?
· the style of the Sonday service?
Intro: It’s very easy to like those who are like us and to dislike those who are different. Christians are called to be unified even if they belong to different congregations or even different churches/denominations. Unity is a mark of the indwelling of the Holy spirit.
Discuss: ways in which you have seen unity bless the church and the wider community.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:16
What is Paul referring to when he says ’God’s temple’?
Who dwells in God’s temple according to this verse?
Pray together that God would bring unity in your church and the churches across the city.
Intro: It’s common to be weary of those who are different to us. But Christians are called to be unified even if they belong to different congregations or even different churches/denominations. Unity is a mark of the indwelling of the Holy spirit.
Discuss: how God has led you to see as brothers/sisters in the Lord other churches that you once were weary of.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:16
What is Paul referring to when he says ’God’s temple’?
Who dwells in God’s temple according to this verse?
Pray together that God would bring unity in your church and the churches across the city.
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