Individual Obligations

1
Individual Obligations

• in the Interest of Unity

2
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• I. Christians universally have a common faith
  and a common salvation but the greatest and
  most direct obligations in the interest of unity
  are in the fellowship of the local church.

3
1 Corinthians 110

• 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.

4
1 Corinthians 31-3

• And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to
  spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in
  Christ. 2I fed you with milk and not with solid
  food for until now you were not able to receive
  it, and even now you are still not able 3for you
  are still carnal. For where there are envy,
  strife, and divisions among you, are you not
  carnal and behaving like mere men?

5
1 Corinthians 31-3

• And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to
  spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in
  Christ. 2I fed you with milk and not with solid
  food for until now you were not able to receive
  it, and even now you are still not able 3for you
  are still carnal. For where there are envy,
  strife, and divisions among you, are you not
  carnal and behaving like mere men?

6
1 Corinthians 1223-25

• And those members of the body which we think to
  be less honorable, on these we bestow greater
  honor and our unpresentable parts have greater
  modesty, 24but our presentable parts have no
  need. But God composed the body, having given
  greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25that
  there should be no schism in the body, but that
  the members should have the same care for one
  another.

7
Ephesians 41-3

• I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
  you to walk worthy of the calling with which you
  were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness,
  with longsuffering, bearing with one another in
  love, 3endeavoring to keep the unity of the
  Spirit in the bond of peace.

8
Philippians 21-4

• Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ,
  if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the
  Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my
  joy by being like-minded, having the same love,
  being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be
  done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
  lowliness of mind let each esteem others better
  than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only
  for his own interests, but also for the interests
  of others.

9
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• II. Unity is the responsibility of all
  Christians.
• A. God condemns those who cause factionalism and
  division.

10
Proverbs 616-19

• These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are
  an abomination to Him 17A proud look, A lying
  tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18A
  heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are
  swift in running to evil, 19A false witness who
  speaks lies, And one who sows discord among
  brethren.

11
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• II. Unity is the responsibility of all
  Christians.
• A. God condemns those who cause factionalism and
  division.
• B. Such a person is walking after the flesh.

12
Galatians 519-21

• Now the works of the flesh are evident, which
  are adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
  lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
  contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
  selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy,
  murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like of
  which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told
  you in time past, that those who practice such
  things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

13
Galatians 519-21

• Now the works of the flesh are evident, which
  are adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
  lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
  contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
  selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy,
  murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like of
  which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told
  you in time past, that those who practice such
  things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

14
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• II. Unity is the responsibility of all
  Christians.
• A. God condemns the man who is the cause of
  factionalism and division.
• B. Such a person is walking after the flesh.
• C. Such is an indication of worldly wisdom.

15
James 314-18

• But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in
  your hearts, do not boast and lie against the
  truth. 15This wisdom does not descend from above,
  but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16For where
  envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every
  evil thing are there. 17But the wisdom that is
  from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
  willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
  without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now
  the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by
  those who make peace.

16
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• II. Unity is the responsibility of all
  Christians.
• A. God condemns the man who is the cause of
  factionalism and division.
• B. Such a person is walking after the flesh.
• C. Such is an indication of worldly wisdom.
• D. Gods wrath will be poured out upon those with
  a factious disposition.

17
Romans 25-8

• But in accordance with your hardness and your
  impenitent heart you are treasuring up for
  yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation
  of the righteous judgment of God, 6who "will
  render to each one according to his deeds"
  7eternal life to those who by patient continuance
  in doing good seek for glory, honor, and
  immortality 8but to those who are self-seeking
  and do not obey the truth, but obey
  unrighteousness--indignation and wrath,

Psalm 6212
Proverbs 2412
18
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• II. Unity is the responsibility of all
  Christians.
• A. God condemns the man who is the cause of
  factionalism and division.
• B. Such a person is walking after the flesh.
• C. Such is an indication of worldly wisdom.
• D. Gods wrath will be poured out upon those with
  a factious disposition.
• E. Acceptable worship is nullified by a factious
  and divisive disposition.

19
1 Corinthians 1117-19

• Now in giving these instructions I do not praise
  you, since you come together not for the better
  but for the worse. 18For first of all, when you
  come together as a church, I hear that there are
  divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
  19For there must also be factions among you, that
  those who are approved may be recognized among
  you.

20
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• III. Peace and unity cannot, however, be had at
  the expense of truth and righteousness.

21
Matthew 1034-38

• Do not think that I came to bring peace on
  earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
  35For I have come to 'set a man against his
  father, a daughter against her mother, and a
  daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law' 36and
  'a man's enemies will be those of his own
  household.'
• 37He who loves father or mother more than Me is
  not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or
  daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38And
  he who does not take his cross and follow after
  Me is not worthy of Me.

Micah 76
22
Ephesians 41-6

• I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
  you to walk worthy of the calling with which you
  were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness,
  with longsuffering, bearing with one another in
  love, 3endeavoring to keep the unity of the
  Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body
  and one Spirit, just as you were called in one
  hope of your calling 5one Lord, one faith, one
  baptism 6one God and Father of all, who is above
  all, and through all, and in you all.

The Divine Platform for Unity
23
Romans 1617-18

• Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause
  divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine
  which you learned, and avoid them. 18For 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.

24
2 John 9-11

• Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the
  doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who
  abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the
  Father and the Son.
• 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this
  doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor
  greet him 11for he who greets him shares in his
  evil deeds.

25
Titus 310-11

• Reject a divisive man after the first and second
  admonition, 11knowing that such a person is
  warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

26
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• IV. Sin cannot be tolerated for the sake of peace.

27
James 317

• But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
  then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of
  mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
  without hypocrisy.

28
Individual Obligations in the Interest of Unity

• V. The result is well worth the effort.

29
Psalm 133

• Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
  brethren to dwell together in unity!
• 2It is like the precious oil upon the head,
  Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,
  Running down on the edge of his garments.
• 3It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon
  the mountains of Zion For there the Lord
  commanded the blessing--

30
Psalm 133

• Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
  brethren to dwell together in unity!
• 2It is like the precious oil upon the head,
  Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,
  Running down on the edge of his garments.
• 3It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon
  the mountains of Zion For there the Lord
  commanded the blessing-- Life forevermore.