SNBS Harmony and Unity
Notes
Transcript
How Does the Church Live in Unity and Harmony?
How Does the Church Live in Unity and Harmony?
The Trinity - our PERFECT example of unity/harmony.
God’s activity in the early church. A great example for us to be encouraged by.
14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Gathered and waiting on the promised Holy Spirit, the disciples of Jesus were in unity (gathered for a singular purpose) and in harmony (in agreement with one another).
Musically
Unity - same pitch/note. No deviation. Not sharp/flat. Their wave form is identical.
Harmony - Complimentary pitch/note. Different but pleasant. Enhances the sound of each other.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
For there to be unity and harmony in the church, there must be a standard. We can neither be nor set the standard. It exists independent of us. It is the Word of God.
89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
As in music the composer sets the standard (key) so the creator does for the church.
What made the disciples ‘work’?
They were so different! Backgrounds, ages, experiences, desires. Each wanted something different from Jesus. Each had something different to offer.
They often didnt work early on. Arguments, competitiveness.
But by the time the Holy Spirit was given and the NT church was growing, their shared experience and vision/purpose united them.
A common enemy often unites. But only when we recognize the real enemy. We battle not against flesh and blood but…Eph 6
What can make our churches have the same kind of unity?
Glorify God where He put us so He can draw people to Himself. And even as small as this community is, He has put us in different places. Like PJJ were on the water, Matthew was in a different circle. At odds before Jesus but not after.
A community experiencing revival/spiritual awakening toward God. He is using each of us where we are to bring that about.
As Michael goes to get boxes from Family Dollar and shares what God is doing with them, God is glorified. As Johnnie shares Jesus with his veterans on Fridays. As Joey serves through her sorority. Justin builds relationships with people on his route… We are each in different places, with different circles of influence, standing on different platforms with a common purpose. Glorifying God. Pointing ppl to Him.
V.16 Live in harmony with one another.
If we each share toward one common purpose and vision, how does it look when we put it all together? Like a musical score sheet.
First time I ever saw the band director’s copy of what we were playing I was amazed at what all was in front of him. Woodwinds, brass, percussion (strings if it is orchestra) parts all on the same page. Some are resting while some are playing. Some are forte and some piano. But all are counting. Something is tapping for everyone. With their toe. Heel. Finger. In their head. Everyone is counting. Being a beat off ruins not only the timing, but the harmony.
So back to the church, what does this process look like when it is harmonious?
Super-natural - as in, only God could do that. I know those folks and there is no good reason for those personalities to be getting along. But they do! And it looks easy. Natural.
Natural - I dont mean the opposite of super-natural, I mean not forced.
Progress -
Members are added
Needs are met
Our shared experiences, agreement in prayer, working together toward a common goal creates this kind of harmony and unity.