Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• The Servant King
• Disunity amongst the disciples - Jesus said the need to be united, to serve one another
• When we put others first, there is a strong bond of unity
• God commands His blessing where His people dwell together in unity
• Example of the dedication of the Temple
• A great sense of unity and joy at the baptism this morning
• The Church knew great unity after Pentecost
• Unity is something to be highly prized
• Recap of v1-2 from two weeks ago
• The Meaning of Unity (v1)
• The Motives for Unity
• The Marks of Unity (v2)
• Tonight - the Means to Unity (v3-4)
• Causes of disunity: selfish ambition or conceit, pride, self interest [negative]
• Means to unity: esteem others better, look out for the interests of others [positive]
• Overview:
• Causes of Disunity
• Means to Unity

Causes of Disunity

Selfish Ambition & Conceit

• Naturally we are concerned with self, follow our own ideas, put ourselves first
• In the times of King David - we see the tragic consequences of those that lived for self:
• David showed great humility and love for God
• Contrast with Saul
• Example of David's behaviour
• Example of Saul's behaviour
• An unrepentant proud heart / selfish ambition - caused the breakdown in relationship between David and Saul
• David's family knew disunity
• Example of Absolom
• God hates one who sows discord amongst brethren
• He faced God's judgment
• Example of Adonijah
• Paul - speaking to Synthicae
• Example of our Government
• James

Means to Unity

• As Christians we have a power to subdue the old nature
• We have a renewed heart
• We know what it is to have great fellowship
• Yet challenges will come
• Illustration and examples
• Paul writing to the church in Philippi
• What to do?
• Do not meddle
• Speak to the leadership
• Do not judge motives
• Be quick to forgive
• Seek to have the mind of Christ
• Consider the facts - illustration
• Paul - compares himself: the worst of all sinners, the least of all the saints, he esteems others better than himself (v3)
• Esteem others better than yourself
• If we only saw ourselves in the light of how God sees us - this would humble us in how we deal with each other
• Quote from John Stott
• Do not be concerned with race, place, face or grace
• Our boast is to be in Christ
• Look out for the interests of others (v4)
• Examples
• Example of F.B. Myer
• Are we other people centered?
• Example of Doug Nicholson
• Jesus first, other next, yourself last

Reading v3-4
Closing Remarks