Be of one mind
Romans 15:4-13 “ Likeminded”
“….now the God of endurance
and encouragement grant you to be likeminded toward one another according to
Christ Jesus that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God”
Instead of unity within the Church of Jesus
Christ, our history has been one of splits, confusion, insensitivity and false
doctrine. This has had untold effects
upon people----our fellowship should be one of unity, and the power of
like-mindedness can help us. Philippians
2 says the same : “ If there be any encouragement in Christ , if any
consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassions,
fulfil my joy , that ye be of the same mind, the same love , having , joined in
one thing the soul minding….”
What is the basis for being of one mind and
being likeminded as Christians? It is
none other than the Christ of Advent! We
heard Isaiah 11 ,” there shall be a Root of Jesse; And He shall rise to reign
over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
I.
Christ’s Prayer
for Unity
John 17:11- “ Now I am no
more in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name
those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are”
Why is this so
important? 17:20 -23 “ that they all may be one, as thou Father art in
me: and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe
that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest meI have given them;
that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they
may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me,
and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
When non-Christians see unity
and true oneness, their hearts cry out to be a part of that love. We are not talking about the color of the
carpet, or where the Advent wreath is located.
We are talking about true unity in the real Christ whose presence we are
in in this place. We have a true
presence of Christ in the Sacrament , a real spiritual presence that we “ feel”
and we “know” as take part of His blessed body and blood, the spiritual food of
the Holy Communion----the blessed Lord “ who hast caused all holy Scriptures to
be written for our learning; that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark ,
learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy Holy
Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which we have been given by God in our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
II.
A Great and
Dynamic Example---the Jerusalem Church
“ And all that believed were
together, and had all things common…and they continuing daily with one accord
in the temple breaking bread from house to house eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people.”
Acts 2:44 -
That does not mean there were
no problems. Acts 6 ‘ there arose a
murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were being
neglected in the daily ministration.”
The result of working on this problem 6:7 “ and the word of God
increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem
III.
Lastly, this was
the Apostle’s concern as well
Romans 12:16 “ Be of the
same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of
low estate. Be not wise in your own
conceits.”
Romans 14:9 “ Let us therefore follow after the things
which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Ephesians 4:3 “ endeavouring
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Philippians 1:27 “ Only let
your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come
and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in
one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”
Conclusion- A unified Church is a church that works
together to be a witness to Jesus Christ . Unity is not automatic. It takes work and maturity in Christ, not
like the world.
“NOW MAY THE GOD OF PATIENCE
AND COMFORT GRANT YOU TO BE LIKE-MINDED TOWARD ONE ANOTHER, ACCORDING TO CHRIST
JESUS THAT YOU MAY WITH ONE MIND AND ONE MOUTH GLORIFY THE GOD AND FATHER OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
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