Unity In Diversity
A. UNITY EXTOLLED - LIFE EVERMORE.
B. DIVISION - DEATH EVERMORE!!
1. Luke 11:17. A house divided.
2. 1 Cor. 1:10, 13. Jesus is not divided.
C. UNITY IN DIVERSITY - Ketcherside, Fudge, Dawson - Harrell and Bowman.
A. DIVISION OKAY IF: "you are sincere." "love is present." "the spirit of the law is emphasized."
B. Romans 14. SQUARE PEGS IN ROUND HOLES.
1. Has to do with liberties, where God has not legislated( vs. 1-6 ).
a. meats( see 1 Cor. 8:4-8; Rom. 14:14 ).
b. days( vs. 6-7 ).
2. Has to do with influence( vs. 7 ).
a. Do I embolden one to do what he thinks is wrong?( vs. 21-23 ).
b. Do I drive a wedge and harm the cause( 1 Cor. 9:14-15; 10:23 ).
3. Does not involve areas where God has legislated( 2 John 9-11 ).
C. JUSTIFIED ON THE BASIS THAT IT WORKS.
1. What does God say?
2. Does it work? Does not someone end up ruling?
A. JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY( John 17:20-21 )DOCTRINAL UNITY.
B. PAUL DEMANDED IT( 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:5 ).
C. SANCTIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO DISRUPT UNITY( Rom. 16:17-18 ).
1. Commanded( 2 John 9-11 ).
2. Exemplified - Hymenaeus( 2 Tim. 2:16-19; 1 Tim. 1:19-20 ).
D. IS DIVISION EVER ACCEPTABLE?
1. In matters of opinion, liberty where God has not legislated.
2. As we are striving for unity( Eph. 4:13 ). Until when?
A. REJECTION OF THE STANDARD( Rom. 1:21-22, 28 ).
1. Divided in their sin.
2. United in their sinfulness.
B. GOING BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN( 1 Cor. 4:6-7; Heb. 8:5 ).
1. The exaltation of human wisdom( 1 Cor. 4:6 ).
2. Warning( Rom. 11:33-35; Col. 2:8 ).
C. A DISLOYAL HEART( Col. 3:15 ).
1. How many masters?( Matt. 6:24 ).
2. What is precious?
A. PLACE A PROPER VALUE ON THE TRUTH( Prov. 23:23 ).
B. STICK TO THE BLUE-PRINT( 1 Cor. 3:10; 4:6 ).
C. REJECT THE HERETIC( Titus 3:9-10 ).
