Preserving Unity — Alan Martin

Preserving the Unity of the Spirit

We've been speaking about the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace and I just want to speak a little bit more today. About what we're to preserve. Ephesians chapter 4 the very first part of Chapter 4 in verse 1.

Does I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk worthy of the calling which which You were called with all lowliness. And meekness was long-suffering bearing with one another in love. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Dean and Dina showed me something this Week where the writer pointed out that it's interesting. Unity is not something that you have to create. It already is. It's something you have to preserve. Everything that Christ has done is one.

It's one church one faith one Lord one baptism, but what has happened once it's gotten into the hands of men. You know men break it apart and and and and restrict it down to here. We've got the perfect doctrine here, and this is the perfect way here.

But they've created the division. Christ creates unity. Then there's one spirit one faith and one Lord and one baptism. And I want to speak a little bit more about preserving the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Peace as the Bond That Preserves the Church

When peace is not present. It's not a pleasant place. Look with me if you will. Proverbs 17 1. Someone. If you don't mind when someone read that nice and loud for us. Proverbs 17 1. I know what the NIV says it.

And most of us could could testify to experiencing this. Right, I Think the NIV says better a dry morsel where there is peace than a house full of feasting with strife looking. Flip back to. Same book of Proverbs chapter 14 verse 30.

Proverbs 14 Verse 30 says a heart at peace is what? Life to the body. A heart at peace is life to the body. But envy or a broken spirit dries up the bones. Envy rots the bones. It's not Strange then it shouldn't be strange to us that The way that the life of the body of Saints the body of Christ is going to be preserved by the bond of peace.

And I just want to talk about some of the things this morning that If we're not careful can unsettle others when we're not at peace now. There are many many things that can disturb your peace, but I really want to talk about.

Not that not the things that can disturb your peace. I Really want to talk about the things you can do to keep your peace. From being disturbed you haven't you don't have to be Disturbed if you learn to look to Christ and the Father in all situations.

Finding Perfect Peace by Trusting God

Turn to Isaiah chapter 26. Isaiah chapter 26 and verse 3. Perhaps some of you have memorized this as a Bible memory verse at one time. Isaiah chapter 26 verse 3. Would someone read that for us, okay? You will keep in perfect peace.

Who's the you who's being talked to here the father. God will keep in Perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast. How is a person's mind steadfast according to this verse? Because he's trust or it stayed upon God.

What happens to you and I when our mind is no longer stayed upon God? But we begin to look at that source of pressure we're feeling pressure from because that's what disturbs often your peace is. There is you feeling pressure from someone someone has a conviction or an understanding and they're exerting a pressure on you or You're just feeling pressure and when you begin to look at them when you even if it's just comparing yourself with them if You're not looking to God the father if you're not finding all of your hope in his favor in being pleasing unto him if you begin to Be concerned about what that other person is thinking about you, what's going to happen to your peace?

It's gone. You will not have peace and and you know sadly Experience has taught me that some of the most destructive people in the church are insecure people insecure their insecurity is a source of disturbance because they an Insecure person does is not looking to God to protect them.

If they're insecure, they're fearful. And if they're fearful they see Others that are pressuring them as a threat instead of a need. There is. I wish we could eliminate all sources of difficulty when we relate to other people.

But I believe as long as we're going to live in this life because we can only see in part. We can only prophesy in part. We can only know in part according to the the Apostle Paul. That we are going to have a different understanding from others around us.

Receiving Those Who Differ in Faith

We're actually told they just go to Romans chapter 14. We're told that that's going to be Romans chapter 14 the first part of the chapter. Verse 1 of Romans 14 receive one who's weak in the faith. But not to disputes over doubtful things.

A Little more literal translation of that would be now the one being weak in the faith received but not unto judging through in Dialoguing people want to dialogue about things that especially if they.

If they are weak in the faith It some things are it's very important to them that you see it exactly their way. That's very important to someone weak in the faith. Because he's concerned that if you think differently than him He feels threatened by that.

This source of insecurity among Saints is a great disturbance to the bond of peace. Let me encourage you. The only person that you need to be pleasing in the eyes of are the Lord it. If there is a godly person that of course you would one that is very mature in the Lord.

I mean, it does make sense to to those who walk with the wise become wise. But only those who have really found their security in Christ and you are secure in your faith. You're you are assured that God loves you you are going to be a ministering spirit of peace.

In your family in your church from family to family because here's what happens. Let's take it. Let's just Create it a scenario That might speak to why Jesus would say blessed are the peacemakers for they are the children of God when the father wanted to Reconcile the world to himself.

He sent his son the people that were in sin and Deceived and living according what was right in their own eyes. He came to them and what did he preach? He came and preached peace To them who were near peace to those who are far away for he himself is Our peace and that's what he came to do is to bring about peace now.

Becoming Peacemakers Through Security in Christ

Look at the opportunity you have to be a peacemaker. When if you have strength in the Lord you can bear with the failings of the weak because what happens when you're insecure and. And you run into situations where you're feeling the pressure from someone.

Pressuring you about their convictions. We'll just say this one directly you're challenged in some area. About the other conviction if you're insecure. What do you do usually? What's your normal reaction?

You defend yourself, well, who do you people don't normally defend themselves from friends. So what has happened in your mind when you're insecure? How do you see a brother as an enemy? You've already the bond of peace is already broken.

When suddenly that person because of your insecurity is a threat to you instead of a needy person. Are you following that do you see me? You're they are pressuring you. They're not they're not right in an area, but your Insecurity is every bit as bad as their idea.

And you're no more a help to a situation when you turn around and say to your friend that you are secure with. What that's not making peace. That's not preserving the unity of the spirit. A secure person secure in the love of Christ blessed with a sense of God's love.

Can can take pressure from the outside like that and become a peacemaker? By bearing with. Because they're secure in Christ. They're secure in the love of Christ, they know that they're okay, and they're not they're not concerned.

Overcoming Insecurity Without Becoming Hardened

Do you realize that insecure people do not even have to be pressured? Directly to be disturbed if you're insecure about the way you dress and. Someone comes in in a cape dress with a head covering on all the time.

How do you feel? They're dressed and you know, you know what a cape dress is it goes all the way down to your ankles. It usually has an apron on top of that. And they have a head covering on covering their head.

How do you how do you feel? You shouldn't feel anything if you're secure. Does it make you feel immodest if you're insecure it does. Did they say anything to you? No. You we need to come to the place to where you're at peace if you before God have weighed carefully.

What bodice D is? And you're seeking to honor the scripture. Then do not be intimidated by Someone who's not even trying to intimidate you in the first place. They're seeking to do what is right before God and in the same passage in Romans.

What does it say let everyone be fully convinced? Where in their own mind. And If you allow yourself to allow the enemy to begin to draw you into questions About whether you are acceptable in their eyes.

It's your insecurity that the Lord is drawing out. He's wanting to draw that out and deal with it. Do you find your security in him? Have you ever noticed in the world God likes variety and Diversity.

He did not make us all the same color he did not give us all the same culture. And We need to learn to find our security in Christ. And when we do so the bond of peace will be preserved as we Receive one another it's it's easy to receive someone who in your mind believes exactly like you do.

What challenge is that? That's not a challenge. But when when there is someone who you can tell with your eyes. They obviously believe differently than I do. Can you receive them? Can you receive them without being threatened.

Can you receive them secure? Can you receive them knowing you know what they're pretty good. They must be convinced of a way a little bit different than I am. If you're able to do that the peace in your heart Will be life to this body.

You see that? But your insecurity Your insecurity will be a source of trouble. That the enemy will use to exploit you by creating Divisions that only exist in your mind. There is not Division in the mind of Christ and from the head the whole body is joined together.

Now when is the last time for you that your foot told your hand what to do. I don't think it ever works that way and It doesn't it doesn't work that way in the body of Christ you receive your instructions from the head who is Christ and You do not allow yourself to be intimidated by.

The Difference Between Peace and Emotional Hardness

Now does that that that's not an invitation for you to be a stone wall to say I do not care. What other people think I wish I wish we were Of a nature that we're not so flesh and blood because you know what one of the things what flesh and blood has the ability to feel pain and many people Because they do not want to feel pain develop a hardness.

And you know in their hardness they mistakenly use the terminology. Well, I don't care. That's the wrong thing because the ability to not feel pain conversely or Consequently Reduces your ability to experience joy.

Do you realize that the the Some of some spiritual men have said that how God enlarges our capacity to experience his joy is Through the process of experiencing pain joy is an intense feeling, isn't it?

Pain is an intense feeling and Sorrow is an intense and we don't want to get to where there is. There is a tendency in the world to to isolate yourself to insulate yourself from pain to begin to associate only With those who never challenge you with him you feel very secure.

Christ’s Example of Welcoming Different People

I Want to come to a place and I this is someplace that I've been in the past myself as I have been insecure. I wanted my family to be around only certain ones and I because I was concerned about the influence and we do want it.

We we have to avoid all extremes. There are there is some wisdom in guarding who we're around, but our Lord Jesus Could be as comfortable dining it at Zacky is his house. Or the home of Mary Martha and Lazarus.

You know if he was invited to the Pharisees house for dinner he went. And if it was if it was one of his close friends, he went and we need we need a maturity in Christ. To where our heart is so filled with his peace.

That we ourselves are not Unsettled by others around us then we become peacemakers. Okay peacemakers. Instead of being affected wrongly now one of the let's look at one other passage real quick. I don't have a lot more on my heart this morning, but let's I do want to look in Philippians a very common passage here Philippians chapter 4 let's start with verse 4.

Practicing Peace Through Prayer and Forbearance

Philippians 4 verse 4. Rejoice in the Lord always and again. I will say rejoice. Let your forbearing spirit is the way I like to see that word translated or your gentleness is another way a good translation.

Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men the Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing. But in everything through prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Let me give you a practical application of that.

Because you're going to find believers of all kinds if if. If you're really open you're going to find believers of all kinds now that may surprise you but I. It's been my experience that we have all kinds of believers come and stay with us at our house.

Where they come in short shorts, and they come in cape dresses. And we'll have them in the same room at the same time sometimes. We have Sabbath keepers that believe it. Sabbath is today. We have Sunday keepers that they're in the house at the same time.

Work, huh. And no keepers. Yeah, we have some that don't believe you should ever meet at all. We have some that don't believe it should be any pastors you know and of all kinds. And it's this is let me give you a practical example about being anxious for nothing in this great diversity that we run into and.

Someone shares an idea that might actually cause me to be seen not in a very good light. You know like sitting up here. You know I've been told that sitting up here is exalting myself over the people.

I Didn't that's not what I intend to. I just intend to stand before the people like the Bible says it's gonna. What it says to do, but I have one option in that. I mean I'd say more. I have an option when I hear something like that.

What what do I do if I'm insecure? I'm threatened by that. If I'm secure in the Lord's love I say Lord. I sure didn't know that if that's true Lord show me. And if it's not true show them that's peaceful.

No way, I'm not threatened by anything. I'm willing to learn. I can listen. I can hear. You know some of you ladies look I can see some of you have short hair, so maybe long hair which one's right. Can't you just say Lord show me.

Should we teach me you don't have to be intimidated by the lady who has hair all the way down to her bottom. You know some of you have jewelry some of you won't you you do not have to be anxious about that.

If you are looking to him who can keep you in perfect peace. Then you take that situation and you know your first calling is as members of one body. We were called to peace. And you don't let the enemy suddenly come in and unsettle you and cause you to feel threatened by other people.

Growing in Humility and Openness to Correction

You just look to Christ. You know he loves you, and you know he will teach you. He will guide you in what is right and do so and walk in that. And if you walk lowly. You know if you if you're a person lowly in their mind.

They say well. This is what I think now, but I know I only know in part. I know I only can understand in part and so It's possible. I'll have more understanding come in this area, but I am not threatened and Dina and I have Gone through Big changes you know some of you would hopefully would say even since I've been here.

You know big changes. And a lot of that has been your patience and giving me time to learn and to grow but we really. Both of us when we look back and when when we remember days when we were I know some of you probably think we still Are but in our it when our zeal was even more intense than it is somewhat moderated.

Hopefully it's mellowed a little bit, but in days when we were so convinced that we had it. We knew it and you needed to know it and we were going to stand in front of you and make sure you knew it. Now and you need to decide today.

I mean it's so out of love of course. All of this was very sincere. When that we wished at that time that we had met more people so full of grace. That they weren't threatened by us. You know that they could come alongside us and kind of like Priscilla and Aquila did with Apollo's and recognize his sincerity and his genuineness and come alongside and and.

And instruct him in the way even more adequately I think without trying to show him where he's wrong but add just add that missing element because it is a person with the with full of the peace of Christ.

Really preserves unity. We've seen it. We've and when you're in you each of you will have your opportunity because you will meet insecure people. And if they're weak that day if they're struggling that day or they've had an experience.

Where that security in Christ is tested by the interaction they're having with someone else. Be a peacemaker observe the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. You find that when you yourself are secure the Bible says in.

Righteousness, Peace, and Confidence in God

Look at this last passage, and then we'll close in Isaiah Chapter 33 actually 32 Isaiah 32. 17 Isaiah 32 verse 17 the fruit of righteousness. And we in it those of you who've been here a while. We know how does righteousness come.

Righteousness comes only one way how's that? By faith. So he's talking about the fruit of someone who really knows God loves them. Okay believes in God's love. The fruit of righteousness will be what?

Peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and confidence. Forever my peaceful my people excuse me my people will live in peaceful Dwelling places in secure homes and in undisturbed places of rest now the Bible says No matter how many promises God has made in Christ Jesus.

They are yay and amen there is one Undisturbable place of rest in the world today. Where is that place in Christ? These things Jesus said to his disciples these things I have spoken unto you that in me.

You might have peace in this world you shall have Tribulation. So where are you looking? If you're if you are not experiencing this undisturbed peace ask yourself. Have you taken your eyes off of? Christ who loves you and If are you suddenly wondering about whether you're okay with brother Alan or?

With this family or with this individual don't do that. You find your peace in Christ, and if you look to Christ and you you you will in him. Have an ability to be challenged to interact with others different than you.

Convinced of something in their mind different than you are in yours without feeling threatened. Without being just without having your peace disturbed in those kind of Saints. Or have a beautiful effect on those around them.

Just like the Bible says about the unfading beauty of a meek and quiet Spirit which is of great worth in the eyes of God this same quality of life spiritually is beautiful. When you are full of peace the peace of Christ and your effect in interacting with others is a quiet calming Preservation of the unity that is Christ and is in Christ.

It's a wonderful thing and we need more of it and so would you let's search our heart just close our eyes and just search our hearts and just say Lord search us out and In those areas where we are insecure.

Resting in the Assurance of God’s Love

Help us not look to our own weaknesses to try to shore them up and and see others as threats. Let's Ask the Lord when you feel that insecurity. To bring you into the assurance of his love. So that you can say like the Apostle John.

Therefore we know and rely on the love God has for us and you can say this with me. Because in love what is cast out? Fear in perfect love. Fear is cast out and peace is preserved so let's just be still a moment or two if you would and Ask the Lord to Continue as in his loving ways that he is able to train us to cleanse us from any self-defensiveness.

Insecurity any sense of seeing others as threats and just Bring us into that beautiful place of rest. Where we really know? And we are very assured of his love. All right, let's live that this week stand with me and I want to read one passage to On how to do.

Pressing Toward Maturity Without Dividing Over Differences

How do you deal with others? When you think differently listen to the experience of the Apostle Paul. This is right after the passage where he says He he forgets what lies behind and he strains forward to what lies ahead.

Because he wants to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings in that same passage. Where he right after he says I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

He says therefore let as many as are mature. Have this mind that mind of pressing on and then he adds and if in Anything you think differently? God will reveal even this to you. Only Let us live up to what we have all attained.

Let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind. You know what the same mind is. Peace be to you brother. Peace to you grace and peace to you. You don't have to think the same thing as I do and everything grace and peace to you.

Let's preserve the unity of the Spirit in that way. Okay, brother Ray. Why would you close in a word of prayer? You.