The Power of Unity
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
The world is reeling from anger and mistrust.
Coven 19 and the riots in our cities serve as evidence that people need hope, assurance, and peace.
Today is Pentecost. On the liturgical calendar the Church celebrates the day in which the Holy Spirit empowered the church for a purpose.
I find it interesting that one of the evidences of Holy Spirit empowerment on that day was that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was supernaturally proclaimed in many different languages.
God was demonstrating that He loved the world and wanted every ethnic group to experience the right of hearing and responding the the hope that is found in Christ.
There is an important key for the church to fulfill its mission unhindered. We need unity.
So, as we continue with the theme of Loving One Another, I want to talk with you about the necessity of cultivating and protecting the unity found in the Body of Christ (the Church).
Text: Acts 2:1-4
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Unity and the love for one another are significant attributes for a strong and effective Christian assembly.
And, it begins with this truth:
Jesus gives His Church power with a purpose.
Jesus gives His Church power with a purpose.
Pentecost—seven weeks after Jesus death and resurrection is often associated with power.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Power from the Holy Spirit (ability, authority, boldness, alignment)
Power with a purpose: to be Christ’s witnesses (proclaimers of the Gospel; personal testimony of His power in our lives.
Power to connect the Gospel with the World—every ethnic group.
The purpose of the Church is integrally connected to unity.
The purpose of the Church is integrally connected to unity.
Unity was an act of obedience demonstrated on the day of Pentecost.
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
“All together in one place.” I know that we are in many difference places this morning.
But essential for the church is not merely a geographical location—but a unity in obedience to the word of Christ.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of unity.
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Unity takes work, effort, and a determination of follow the words of Christ.
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
In Ephesians, we see important action steps to foster unity in the church:
Humility.
Gentleness.
Patience.
Love.
Eagerness.
Peace.
Church unity is facilitated through love.
Church unity is facilitated through love.
Unity can only be maintained through genuine love (otherwise it is a false unity maintained by authoritarianism).
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Without love, the spiritual gifts are worthless.
Empowerment of the Holy Spirit—and the willingness of operate in the spiritual gift—must be done in the context, atmosphere, and rule of love.
Love involves compassion, empathy, and respect.
Love involves compassion, empathy, and respect.
The world needs an empowered Christian who speaks the truth in love.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Question: Christian. Do you want to experience the power of the Holy Spirit?
Conclusion
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift—and gift from God.
It is available for every believer.
Worship, ask, receive, obey.
The world desperately needs a church empowered by the Holy Spirit—a church with boldness to proclaim the Gospel.
Will you be that church?