Mount Isa Baptist Church

Church Unity

Philippians 2:1-3

The Philippian Church had very few problems, which is quite unusual for a church. But the Philippian church found themselves in this position. There was no doctrinal heresy or immoral conduct. However, there is always a “however”, isn’t there? In the church at Philippi, there were some foolish, unwise forms of fighting and feuding among the congregation, so that their testimony to the world was being hindered. The world would look at them and ask what sort of Christians they were because of the in fighting among themselves. In chapter 1:27, Paul appeals to these Christians to stop quarrelling and “stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.” Christian unity is not an option but a necessity if the local church is going to make an impact in the world for Jesus. As much as we Christians intellectually know we should be striving for unity, many of us are not doing much about it. There is sometimes more bickering and fighting in the church than outside. That’s why you hear of church splits, one lot of people going their own way because they can’t come together as Paul is pleading in this passage before us. To be united and to “stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.” We sometimes rationalise our critical attitude that we have is all right, our negative spirit is acceptable, and our gossip is not so bad if we are doing it and if somebody else is not saying something about us. Unity comes when there is one mind, one spirit, one heart and one bond together for the cause of the gospel. Fighting within the local church destroys the power of Christ in the midst of His people, and the outside world mocks Christ because of the carnal actions of Christians. Verse 1 starts, “If” Normally, the word “if” conveys doubt. A better translation would be “since”. “Since you have encouragement from being united with Christ.” The word “encouragement” means “to come alongside to support and help.” It has the idea of coming alongside someone to encourage them, to counsel them, to help them. He is saying here is, “Because the Lord Jesus has so consistently and faithfully helped you, this is how you should respond, by being of the same mind.” If the great blessing, encouragement of the Lord Jesus, if the great blessing of His constant forgiveness and constant strength, wisdom and blessing means anything, certainly you should respond by endeavouring to be of the same mind as Christ. What is Paul saying? He's saying this: Because you have received such continual, gentle encouragement, because you have received so much counsel, and help from the Lord Jesus since the moment of your salvation, since you have been given so much, does that not spur you on to give back to the Lord Jesus that which is precious to His heart? Does the influence of Christ in your life move you to obedience, or are you so ungrateful that you will take, take, take but never give? That's the issue before us in the passage. If you have received -and you have- constant encouragement, counsel, exhortation, wisdom from the Lord Jesus, Paul is asking, “Is that not motive enough that you should give back to Him what is precious to His heart?” When you bring discord into His church you violate not so much the church and not so much the doctrine of unity as the relationship with Christ. Paul is saying here, are you not stimulated by the influence of Christ in you? Are you not so stimulated by His outpouring of encouragement to you, His gentle, gracious, constant blessing? Are you not so moved by that you will not respond by maintaining the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace? If you won't, then know where your sin is placed. It is not a sin against the church. It is not a sin against doctrine. It is not a sin against moral law. It is a sin against your relationship to Christ. It is an act of ingratitude that disregards His personal desire for His church.

2. The second principle - Since you have comfort from his love. The word “comfort” simply means the “alleviation of suffering and misery.” Paul is saying, “Since the loving tenderness of God in the Lord Jesus Christ has been all of our experience as Christians. Since in salvation and sanctification, we have known His love and the comfort of His love. We have known that comforting, loving forgiveness and mercy and grace - and it has been so abundant to us - shouldn't we be constrained to seek that which is precious to His heart, namely the unity of His people?” That's the same idea. Knowing that He lavishes His love on us should give us great comfort and security because He will never abandon us as He has promised. The verse goes on to say, “Since you have fellowship with the Spirit.” The local church, which pleases God, must have a spirit of oneness, the spirit of unity, and harmony. This is a oneness around the gospel and the work of Jesus Christ. If all are submitted to Christ, there will be submission to one another. Paul is calling for unity of thought, unity of feeling, unity of Spirit and unity of purpose. This can apply to spiritual activity as well. Christians should be very active in spiritual works such as praying, studying the Bible, teaching, visiting, witnessing, and socialising. Socialising to talk about things of God, what is God doing in your life? Today, Christians are too busy doing everything but the Lord's work. The verse goes on and says, “Since you have tenderness and compassion.” The word “compassion” literally refers to feeling something in your gut, to be moved in your innermost being, if you will. Recognising that the Lord Jesus is compassionate toward us, and this should fill us with that same kind of compassion and tenderness toward others. Every Christian has been blessed way beyond what we deserve. But Paul goes on in verses 2 to verse 4: “Fulfil the expectations of what we must do.” We must do something with what we have. Verse 2 begins with the word “Then” The previous verse says, “Since you have all these blessings.” Since you have all of this which had been graciously given to you, “Then” do the following... What kind of church pleases God? A church where there is harmony, love and fellowship among the Christians. We should have the attitude that is thankful and not critical. It’s easy to be critical of things around us, of things in the church, how people act and react; it’s easy to be critical. It’s not so easy to be thankful, but we should have this attitude of thankfulness. We should have the attitude that is selfless and not selfish. We should have the attitude that is humble and not prideful. How can we change our attitude? Well by doing certain things. By seeing others as God sees them will change our attitude towards them. By seeing situations as God sees them. By seeing ourselves as God sees us. That’s also quite difficult because maybe we see ourselves as whatever, but when God looks at us, what does He see? Sometimes, He sees the mess that we have made and the sin and everything else that comes with it. By seeing our future as God sees it. Then we need to resolve to pull together. We need to be “same-souled” with other believers. We have shared heads, hearts and hands. Our thoughts should be on the same page. Our feelings should move us toward each other, and then we must reach out and walk hand-in-hand. It's not enough to just think good thoughts or even to have warm, fuzzy feelings; we must also have our souls joined together in one purpose; that of bringing glory to God by getting the gospel out. vs.3b: “...but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” As we go into this week, let’s try to do just that, for the rest of today, if we can get it right. And if we get it right today, then tomorrow, “in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Pastor Erik Sitati – From Kenya – connected through our YouTube channel.

I received an amazingly encouraging email from Kenya, which I shared parts of at the church meeting, and I encourage you to be in prayer for this church and also our YouTube ministry that we have the privilege through it to reach people across the world. We serve an amazing God.

About my church and the ministry

It is called CHRIST FELLOWSHIP CHURCH. We are located in continent of Africa in a country called Kenya. We have a small ministry, but we thank God it is growing and touching lives of others in a mighty way. We are blessed serving God with my family and brethren here. We have a heart for the ministry, our heart's desire, hunger, and thirsty is dedicated in Christ work, and we are glad being Christ's witness and ambassadors. We don't preach about ourselves, but preaching only the message of Jesus Christ as the author and finisher of our faith.

I'm much blessed being in touch with you and your beautiful church family! I just want to encourage you that we are, and we have been praying for you all as Christ coworkers in His vineyard especially in these dreadful days we are living in.

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

I replied to the email that was sent, and below are some prayer requests that he has asked for:

Pastor Erik Sitati - Christ Fellowship Church prayer requests,

(1) Pray for our ongoing door to door evangelism and outreaches.

(2) Pray for ongoing church construction, pray for open doors we need iron sheets.

(3) About my community pray for thousands who are in devastating situation and starving due to lack of food and water

(4) Pray for God to provide bibles so that we may give to new converts. Below photo show our outreach meeting held recently, and the hunger people have God's Word.