Sunday, May 9, 2010 pm
CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? (4)
Attitudes necessary for unity (1)
In the pursuit of unity in the Lord’s church, as you study the
Bible it is imperative that we have a proper attitude.
In fact it is essential that everyone understands what their
attitude MUST be if we are to properly deal with our differences and
address problems as they arise to a God pleasing resolution.
Today we want to begin studying about these necessary attitudes.
In our study thus far we have examined the need for true unity,
what it is and the Biblical concept of fellowship.
These lay the groundwork for practical application in striving to
be the church of Christ in all things.
Let us build on these things.
a.
Attitude
is always important!
That becomes clear very early in scripture.
Recall when Cain’s offering was rejected by the Lord.
Gen. 4:6-7 says, “Why are you angry and your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you
not be accepted? And if you
do not do well, sin lies at the door.
And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
1 Cor. 13:1-3 – without love we cannot please God; Heb. 11:6 – without
faith we cannot please God; The attire that matters is “the hidden
person of the heart….” (1 Pet. 3:4)
Acts 17:11 speaks of the fair
minded Bereans
2 Cor. 7:10-13 describes the proper attitude of repentance
Romans 12:1-2 calls for us to be transformed by renewing our minds.
You can hardly read a page of the Bible without finding something about
attitudes - good and bad, AND the reactions and consequences of their
attitudes.
b.
The Bible
heart is governed by attitude.
Prov. 4:23, “Keep your heart with
all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.”
Acts 8:21 – Simon’s heart was not right with God.
Matthew 15:8-9 hearts far from me renders worship vain
Psalm 51:10, create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast
spirit within me.
c.
Where
there are problems someone always has the wrong attitude!
And the key to brotherly harmony begins with understanding and
application of the proper attitudes mentioned in the Bible.
d.
Attitudes
listed: So where do we begin examining these attitudes? As I was
preparing this lesson I began considering the number of lists recorded
in the New Testament that deal with our attitudes.
These lists not only mention attitudes that are essential for
brethren to dwell in unity, but often they describe a pattern that
transforms one’s life or summarize something greater than a single
attitude. So I have decided
that for the next few lessons in this series we will examine some of
these lists and apply the specific attitudes mentioned toward treating
one another the way we ought to.
We will begin this portion of our study on brotherly unity by
noting some lists to consider.
In time we will examine SOME of these lists and make the
necessary application.
a.
Matt. 5:3-10 – the
Beatitudes. The first
recorded sermon of Jesus (Matt. 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount) was all
about attitude. 5:20 is the
theme. Jesus began with a
list of attitudes (i.e. needed character traits) necessary to enter the
kingdom of God (the blessed state that will lead one there).
A close examination of the order shows that they do build upon
one another.
b.
Romans 12:9-21 - How to
treat one another. In my
Bible (NKJV) this section (pericope – pe-ri-ko-pay) is entitled “Behave
like a Christian”. It
describes many attitudes and actions necessary to behaving as we ought
to toward one another as brethren, as well as those of the world.
NOTE the purpose of the book is to tell Jewish and Gentile
Christians how to get along with one another.
c.
1
Corinthians 13:4-7 – in
another epistle designed to challenge brethren to get along with each
other and to work out their problems, Paul says in
1 Cor. 12:31, “And yet I show you a more excellent way.”
It is the way of Christian (agape) love. After speaking of the
necessity of this love, he describes the attributes demonstrated in
love. Since our love for one
another is at the foundation of TRUE unity, this list is essential to
understand and master if we are to get along with one another.
d.
Galatians 5:22-23 – the
fruit of the Spirit. After
describing the works of the flesh, Paul contrasts them with this list
that demonstrates we are governed by the Spirit and His word.
It is a list that describes what one will be like IF we have the
fruit of the Spirit in us.
e.
Ephesians 4:1-3 –
attitudes of unity. We have
mentioned this text several times in this study.
Paul is dealing head-on with some attitudes necessary for true
unity.
f.
Ephesians 4:25-32-5:2 –
Paul mentions here conduct in word and deed which will unite us (note
vs. 25, “for we are members of one another”)
g.
Philippians 4:8 – a list
of adjectives that describes what our minds ought to meditate upon
(think about or seriously ponder).
h.
Col. 3:12-15 – as the new
man, these are character traits that we are to PUT ON.
The context clearly deals with our interaction toward one another
as brethren.
i.
1
Thess. 5:14-22 – Paul
begins to conclude this epistle with several exhortations among
brethren. It describes
overall conduct that maintains purity within the church and each of our
lives. These are things we
will do for one another if our attitude is right.
j.
James 3:17-18 – We find
here a straight forward list that describes the conduct and attitude of
one governed by God and His word.
It is described as “the wisdom that is from above” and it is
contrasted with an ungodly list.
k.
2
Peter 1:5-11 – described
as “the Christian graces” this list of character traits is clearly
describes in the context as a progression.
These things build upon one another and lead to one reaching a
state in which, “if you do these things you will never stumble.” (vs.
10)
a.
There is
another set of lists that describe how NOT to behave.
The New Testament writers often clarified proper behavior by
describing how NOT to act.
Even Jesus did this on occasion.
Many of these lists are directly correlated with some of the
above lists of proper attitudes.
Worthy of note is that most of these lists describe BEHAVIORS
or the results of failing to apply godly attitudes.
WE will address some of these in time as we note attitudes and actions
that hinder unity.
b.
Some of
these lists include:
i.
Mark 7:21-23 – Jesus
Himself described some things that proceed from the corrupt heart and
that defile a man.
ii.
1
Corinthians 6:9-11 – those
who will not inherit the kingdom of God
iii.
Galatians 5:19-21 – the
works of the flesh in contrast to the fruit of the spirit.
iv.
Eph. 5:3-7 – unfitting
language and behavior that we are to avoid.
v.
Colossians 3:5-10 –
putting off the old man in contrast to the new man we are to put on.
vi.
2
Tim. 3:1-5 – the list of
selfishness which could have been published in an editorial column
yesterday and most would not think of it as “ancient literature” or from
the Bible.
vii.
James 3:14-16 – Demonic
wisdom in contrast with the wisdom that is from above.
viii.
Rev
22:8 – those who will not
inherit the kingdom of God.
In addition to the myriads of passages that deal with various
individual attitudes and character traits we see these lists (and
others) which magnify the need to behave.
They also demonstrate that proper behavior begins with a proper
attitude. Let us never
diminish or dismiss this fact.
Truly we can see the importance of a proper attitude in dealing
with one another. Let
us seek to apply these, both in future studies AND in toward one another
as brethren, as we seek to get along.
Think about it.