Sunday, October 24, 2010 pm
CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? (8)
Hindrances to Unity (1)
The past several lessons in this series have addressed proper
attitudes that promote unity.
Today I want to notice some things that hinder unity.
a.
We have
spent 4 lessons dealing with proper attitudes.
We have noted many passages, and examined in detail a few of
them. I have tried to show
how important proper attributes are in a godly attitude which promotes
unity. We have mentioned on
many occasions the result of the lack of various attitudes.
b.
So I can
summarize this point by saying: Take the opposite of any of the godly
attitudes we have discussed and you have a hindrance to unity.
If one is unwilling to possess a
proper attitude he WILL hinder unity.
a.
Having
emphasized throughout the importance of EVERYONE involved having a
proper attitude, it becomes clear to notice that the reason many FAIL to
achieve unity is because they are self-centered.
2 Cor. 10:12, Rom. 12:3
b.
Ways in
which ego hinders:
i.
Arrogance – when one
thinks too highly of himself OR when he looks down upon his brother in a
condescending way he is building a wall that is difficult to tear down.
NOBODY likes to be looked down upon.
Furthermore, such an attitude is STRONGLY condemned in scripture.
1
Tim. 6:3-5 describes the arrogance of one who rejects the truth
– in this text is associated with an arrogant attitude.
Prov. 21:24 says, A proud
and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
What chance did the hypocritical Pharisee have of resolving his
differences with the tax collector in Luke 18:9-13?
ii.
Selfishness – usually a
product of arrogance. One
who is selfish doesn’t care how something turns out, as long as he gets
his way. That attitude goes
against everything in the Christian life.
Phil. 2:3-4 challenges one
to achieve unity by NOT being selfish.
iii.
Being unreasonable, demanding your way
– Similar to Phil. 2:4, we read, “Let
no one seek his own, but each on the other’s well-being.”
(1 Cor. 10:24)
Eph. 4:2-3 describes the
proper attitude noting that we need to be “bearing
with one another, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.”
How often do problems remain unresolved because both parties are
unwilling to budge on anything?
In fact, at times, where there is ego that has been hurt – the
demands for resolution become ever greater (i.e. they begin looking for
faults with a microscope).
iv.
Unwilling to respect the liberties of others,
a particular way in which ego causes strife is one who binds his
liberties on others. This is
continually examined in scripture - Rom. 14:19, Rom. 15:1-2, 1 Cor.
9:22, etc.
v.
All
of these things lead to strife
–
Rom. 13:13 challenges us
to not walk in strife and envy.
Prov.
13:10 says, “By pride
comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.”
a.
One of the
things I have observed when problems arise within a congregation is the
tendency to take sides. One
group will line up on one side and another group will oppose whatever
the first group says or does. Whether
family members, close friends or the preacher,
these physical ties often become more important than scriptural
unity. When the problem
arises, they decide where to stand based upon who is there.
AND equally tragic is when one tries to remain neutral, he is
often attacked and villainized by both parties.
Often these lines are drawn based upon PRIOR relationships.
b.
The Bible
condemns one demonstrating loyalty to men over God and His word.
i.
The book
of 1 Corinthians addressed this as its first problem (1:10-13). 1 Cor.
4:6 says, “now these things,
brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your
sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written,
that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”
ii.
Acts 20:29,30 – Paul warned the
elders at Ephesus that wolves would come in to draw away disciples (also
Matt. 7:15 – wolves in sheep’s clothing).
iii.
Matthew
10:37 warns us not to put even our families over the Lord. Cf. Luke
14:26-27, 18:29-30.
iv.
Galatians
1:10, Paul said, “For do I now
persuade men or God? Or do I
seek to please men? For if I
still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
v.
It was
loving the praise of men that caused many to fail to follow after Christ
– John 12:42, etc.
a.
We are
continually reminded that to be pleasing to God we have to care.
And this is not just about caring for God, but it applies to our
dealings with others.
b.
The church
at Laodicea was condemned because of their apathetic attitude – Rev.
3:15-17.
IN Matt. 22:5 we find in the midst of a parable where a king arranged a
marriage feast. When
invitations were sent out, many who were invited “made
light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his
business.” We are then
told that others actually abused the king’s servants and killed some of
them. As a result, these
individuals were rejected and faced consequences.
c.
If we
don’t care unity is in danger because: 1) we will be less likely to
sacrifice for the good of our brethren, 2)
we will not pay attention to problems (make light of them) until it too
late, 3) we will simply not work
as hard at achieving peace as we ought to, and many other things which
are detrimental to the health of a congregation.
a.
As the
church we are described as a body in which every part must do its share
to promote growth (Eph. 4:16).
1 Cor. 12:12-27 describes the importance of each part of the
body. Implied is not only
the necessity of each part but the need to work together.
In essence, that is what Paul desires, which leads to a discourse
about love (1 Cor. 13).
Furthermore, there are references to us being a family – 1 Tim. 3:15,
Ephesians 2:19 – members of the household of God, we are brothers and
sisters in Christ, we are children of God and He is our heavenly Father,
etc. Jesus in challenging us to
leave the world noted that we will receive in this life, “houses and
brothers and sisters and mothers and children…” (Mk. 10:29-30) – that
is, a spiritual family. The
point being, we need to act like a family.
b.
When we
act like a family we are going to love each other and prefer one another
as we ought to. We are going
to defend one another and cherish our time together.
There is a relationship and BOND that will develop.
We will be there for one another.
Our love will not simply be AGAPE love, but also brotherly love
(Philadelphia - 2 Pet. 5:7, Rom. 12:10, Heb. 13:1, 1 Pet. 1:22 – “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit in sincere love of the
brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart”, etc.).
Understanding and developing this bond is key to peace within the body.
What makes discipline work? It is the removal of such a bond between
brethren (but it is only effective if the bond is there in the first
place).
What causes us to prefer one another over the world? It is the
development of this family bond.
HOW HARD DO WE WORK to develop this bond with our brethren?
c.
Friends:
if the church is not meaningful to one’s life (and a top family
priority), great effort will not be made to keep it intact.
We will desire to work out our differences.
We will grieve at disharmony and seek to do something about it.
The point: When it comes to problems in our midst, we need to be asking
what it will take to preserve the church, both within and without
(usually when one leaves, they take their accusations and complaints
with them).
a.
“My people
are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
I realize this text actually
applies to their ignorance of God’s word.
Bet we also find in that text a willful rejection of God’s word.
If truth be known, the people of Israel did not WANT to know the
truth which is why they failed to attain knowledge.
How tragic such an attitude is.
But sadly, it also describes a fundamental truth far too
prevalent in our age – ignorance can destroy.
Ignorance of eating poison will not stop its effects on your
body. Ignorance of the law
will not excuse it.
b.
We must
always take measures to overcome ignorance.
That means that we seek knowledge.
Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I
might not sin against You.”
We need to consider this in dealing with others as well -
“He who answers a matter before he
hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” (Prov. 18:13)
“The first one to plead his cause
seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.” (18:17)
Even James 1:19 tells us to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to
anger.
ALL these texts call for us to take measures to make sure we know ALL
the facts before we make a decision.
c.
Unity
within a congregation is often endangered due to ignorance.
Truly people can be destroyed.
Some times it is ignorance of the truth itself (whether willful
or “innocently”) which divides.
However, others fail to learn from the past, reaction based on
misinformation of a situation, a refusal to completely investigate
before reaching conclusions and acting, trying to discern motives based
upon incomplete information, etc.
Regardless, damage is done!
And thus we can see some things that hinder unity among brethren.
In our next lesson we will examine some more hindrances to unity.
My goal in presenting these things is to provoke serious
examination in each of our lives to ensure that we are doing everything
we can to keep the Lord’s church what God wants it to be.
If we all have this goal in mind, perhaps we can avoid actions
that will increase the likelihood of division and dissention.
If I were to summarize these things, I would simply say – truly
desire to put God first and we will be fine.
Think about it.