Church Issues (Unity - The Lesson)

Remember in the prelude, the greatest impact the church has made on the world is our lack of togetherness. The body of Christ (the church of Jesus Christ) is divided, denominationally, racially, and probably economically. The tragedy of the matter is that we put more emphasis on our denomination, our pastor, and our church over the Bible. Some churches and/or denominations (or folks within their congregations) swear up & down they are the right church and every other church is the wrong church. This goes to show that we are taking pride in our division!

Now because of all this division, it’s easy to assume that those who are antagonistic will not attend church. And if they’re smart enough, they’re probably thinking, “Why do I need to go to church where there’s division; I can stay home and be divided.” It’s our division and attitude within the church why the rest of the world is going to hell first class. Consider, we as the church have talked the talk, but have not walked the walk. We have not demonstrated to the world by our actions, togetherness. In fact, we’re the greatest perpetrators of division in the world! We have got to come together. Here’s a great example of how we create division among ourselves. Once you start talking about denominations with certain people, they will get so indignant over that (I was born this denomination, and will die this denomination) than they do over Jesus & the Bible. God instituted a plan and is allowing us to be a part of it. We have an awesome responsibility but we’ve been playing church (being about the denominational business instead of the Kingdom business). I’d like for us all to do some independent thinking for a moment. Just because you were raised a certain way doesn’t mean you were raised correctly! Don’t forget, that judgment must begin with the house of God? How do you think our report card as a church would look?

Note that I’m not saying to leave the denominational church; I just want you to think about how divided we are. Here are some thoughts:

1. Some of us in our respective churches have become so worldly, that no one can tell the difference between saved people and worldly people. In fact, we have forgotten about a dying world, but we tend to those within our own church and/or denomination.
2. Now this will offend some people, but think about this. Some people will have the audacity to put our denominational doctrine over the scripture that we become overbearing and judging those who don’t measure up to the denominational doctrine. To me, this really a tragedy.
3. There are missions who are really preaching the Bible, Jesus & the cross. And there are some who are bent on missions to get people to their respective church and/or denomination that we lose the real purpose of missions. Again, adding on to the division (and lack of unity).
4. Sometimes leaders in churches are tuned to the spirit of God; but will avoid heeding what God is trying to say to them for it not measuring up to the doctrine of the church. What happens is God’s plan is subverted to the local church and we’re not leaning on the spirit of God. Leaders can place such emphasis on another man’s doctrine, whether it’s Calvinism, Lutherism, and so on. Again, I’m not saying that’s wrong, but everything needs to be subject to the Bible, not the Bible being subject to us.

Another problem in some churches is this: everybody wants to “be,” but not everybody wants to “be obedient.” It’s because people want to be leaders, but we won’t have followers. In fact, if the leaders can’t come together on one accord, what chance does the church have?

If you have a bible, look at 1 Corinthians 1:10; 4:6 and Ephesians 4:11-13. The section in Ephesians is crucial; unfortunately, many churches lack this. If you back up to the book of Acts, you’ll find multiple times within the first 3 chapters that the disciples were on one accord. When that happened, miracles & blessings came. Many people were saved. We need a shake-up in our respective churches. I also understand that within this time, there were some coming with strange teachings, and as a result, wars would erupt. I believe this is a result of our division and us (as human beings) being downright selfish! We need to go back to the basics: where is your relationship with God (just between you and Him)? And I’m talking about, you studying the Bible and not based on what another person (whether it be a fellow church member, or your church leader)! The Bible is to be our standard, not the other way around.

All we have to do is put our personal agenda’s aside, and decide to agree to agree! Remember we need “U” in Unity!