How to
bring Unity in the Church
Romans 15:1-13
Unity and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
I. Does God
Really Care about Unity in the Church? (v.6)
A. Paul’s
Desire: “That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ” (v.6)
B. What are some
other reasons that unity is important?
II. What Can We
Do to Achieve Unity in the Church? (v.1-2)
Matthew 22:37-40
A. We are not
“to please ourselves” (v.1)
o Our first question should not be:
“What do I like or prefer?”
o Our first question should not be:
“What do I have the right to do?”
** Key point:
Unity is not achieved by putting the focus on ourselves!
B. Instead, “Let
each of us please our neighbor” (v.2)
o “bear with the failings of the weak”
(v.1)
- “bear with”
does not simply mean tolerate, but to sympathize and enter into their concerns
- Also means we
refrain from activity that causes our sister to stumble
o “build him up” (v.2)
- This goes
beyond merely tolerating our sister, but looking for ways to encourage and
edify her
- What are ways
that we can build a person up?
** Key point:
focusing on doing good to those you disagree with is
the key to unity
III. What
Empowers/Motivates Us Toward This Unity? (v.3-13)
A. The
Example of Christ
Philippians 2:1-8
1 Peter 5:1-4
o “Christ did not please himself” (v.3)
- Christ did not defend his own
rights or seek his own pleasure
- Paul quotes Ps 69:9 to show
how he endured reproach
o “Christ has welcomed you”! (v.7)
- Christ exemplified Paul’s
point by enduring our own weaknesses and failings
- Why does seeing our own
weaknesses and failings help us seek unity?
o Christ has broken barrier between Jews and Gentiles by bringing
them both into the church (v.8-13)
- Christ’s work is perfect
example of how to bring unity between two opposing groups!
- Paul then proves Christ’s
mission of unity from the Scriptures
B. The
Teachings of Scripture (v.4)
o The Bible provides “instruction” and “encouragement” for those
who have given up their rights and are looking to please others
o How does the Bible encourage us in the midst of our giving up our
lives for others?
**Key question: Are you looking
to God’s Word as the guide for your pursuit of unity?
C. The
Power of God (v.5)
o The endurance needed to live in unity is something God must
“grant” to you (v.5)
- In other words, you don’t
have the strength in yourself to really pursue unity!
o The key to getting this power is turning to God and asking for it
- Paul’s statement is a prayer of sorts: “May the
God of endurance…grant you”
Have you been mean to someone in the church? Do you
think this study was helpful so it will not happen again?