Here are a few notes on series of talks by a gentleman called Alan Baker.
God Desires Christian Unity
Eph 1:10 Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.
God’s purpose is to reconcile us in Christ
Jesus Work Prayer for Our Unity
Joh 17:20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me.
Joh 17:21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.
Joh 17:22 I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one.
Joh 17:23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.
Just before the cross, Jesus prayed for our unity.
The Power of Unity
Gen 11:6 he said: These people are working together because they all speak the same language. This is just the beginning. Soon they will be able to do anything they want.
When people work together, their capacity to achieve is greatest.
The Results of Unity
Psa 133:1 (A song for worship.) It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace.
Psa 133:2 It is as beautiful as olive oil poured on Aaron’s head and running down his beard and the collar of his robe.
Psa 133:3 It is like the dew from Mount Hermon, falling on Zion’s mountains, where the LORD has promised to bless his people with life forevermore.
Unity results in:
- anointing
- blessing
Objections
Q. Isn’t unity is a spiritual thing.
A. Yes, but it has a physical manifestation
Q. Aren’t we already one?
A. Why, then, did Paul say:
Eph 4:3 Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united.
Q. But isn’t it impossible?
A. Possibly, but that does not mean we should not try. Progress is possible.
Q. There are limits (e.g. Only amongst penticostals), aren’t there?
A. John 17 says “All”.
Q. Can’t unity only be achieved through sovereign work of God in revival.
A. Unity leads to outpouring of the Spirit, not the other way around.
Q. Isn’t it a lowest-common-denominator fudge?
A. No, it is based on love and honesty. It is a matter of the heart, not doctrine.
Q. What about doctrinal issues?
A. It is loving people despite differences.
Tools for Achieving Unity
From Ephesians 4
- humility
- gentleness (power under control)
- patience
- bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit.
Phi 2:1 Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others.
Phi 2:2 Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person.
Phi 2:3 Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.
Phi 2:4 Care about them as much as you care about yourselves
Phi 2:5 and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:
Phi 2:6 Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God.
Phi 2:7 Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.
Phi 2:8 Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross.
- Interest factor (v4). 2 visions – yours and mine. What is on your heart, brother?
- Servant factor (v6). How can I serve you brother?
- Death factor (v8): 2 crosses – Jesus’ and mine. What do you need from me, brother?
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