SERMON
NOTES
Title: Protecting the Unity
of Your Church (Part I)
Text: Ephesians 4:3 ; Colossians 3:14
Topic: Church Conflict
Teacher: Dr. Barry D. Lovett
Time: 1/30/11 FBCH
File Under: Christian Living
When Jesus knew the end of his earthly life was near, He prayed passionately for unity among believers. (John 17:20-23)
Unity in the church is so important that the New Testament gives more attention to it than to either heaven or hell.
If you are a part of God’s family, it is your responsibility to protect the unity of your church.
How are we to do this? The Bible gives us the following practical advice.
Focus on what we have in common, not our differences. Romans 14:19
What we have in common is far more important than any of our differences.
God wants us to value and enjoy our differences, not merely tolerate them. God wants unity, not uniformity.
When we’re experiencing conflict in the church it is usually a sign that the focus has shifted to less important issues, things the Bible calls “disputable matters”. (Romans 14:1; II Timothy 2:23)
If we concentrate on loving each other and fulfilling God’s purposes, harmony results. This is what Paul pleaded for. (I Corinthians 1:10 NLT)
Be realistic in your expectations.
There is no such thing as a perfect church. Why? Members are sinners.
As members of a local church we are family… Members of your family will disappoint you and let you down, but that’s no excuse to stop fellowshipping with them. Ephesians 4:2
Reconciliation is a road to spiritual maturity.
A sign for every Church: “No perfect people need apply. This is a place only for those who admit they are sinners, need grace, and want to grow.”
Choose to encourage rather than criticize.
Often people who contribute the least complain the most.
God warns us over and over not to criticize, compare, or judge each other. (Romans 14:13; James 4:11, 5:9; Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 5:9)
When you criticize what another believer is doing in faith, from sincere conviction, you are interfering with God’s business: Romans 14:4 &10
When you judge another believer, four things instantly happen: 1. you lose fellowship with God, 2. you expose your own pride and insecurity, 3. you set yourself up to be judged by God, and 4. you harm the fellowship of the church.
Satan is “the accuser of our brothers” Revelation 12:10
Any time we spend comparing or criticizing other believers is time that should have been spent building the unity of our fellowship. Romans 14:19