The early church knew why they existed, and they were unified about that purpose. "Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul . . . And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them" (Acts 4: 32, 33). Jesus had enlisted these followers, not to a life of leisure, but to a life of service. While each had a different task, they all had the same calling: to fulfill the Great Commission in their generation. They had one leader - Jesus, one purpose - to communicate the gospel to all people. These early disciples did more for the spread of Christianity than any generation of followers since. What was their secret?
They had unity in the church of God (Acts 4:32). All the believers shared in this unity. Not just the apostles. Not just the leaders. All the believers were unified. There was a fundamental solidarity of love and purpose. To be one in heart and mind is to be unified in every fiber of their being:
They were family in relationship. They shared the same spiritual father - God Almighty. They shared a spiritual birth - they were born again into the family of God. A song Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote describes this family relationship: "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God - I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod; for I'm part of the family, the family of God."
They were friends in fellowship. They shared their lives and their possessions with one another. It went beyond a kind word and a pat on the back. They gave priority to meeting the physical and practical needs that were evident in the community. Chuck Swindoll wrote, "Churches need to be less like national shrines and more like bars . . . less like untouchable cathedrals and more like well-used hospitals, places to bleed in rather than monuments to look at . . . places where you can take your mask off and let your hair down . . . places where you can have your wounds dressed." The early disciples found that in their community of faith.
They were followers of Christ in partnership. These men and women shared an enterprise together. They did not assemble merely for family gatherings, or for making sure their physical needs were met. They came together in order to attain an objective. These men and women were partners in reaching the world for Christ. They linked arms, not just for their convenience and their comfort and their support, but to reach out to those not yet linked up with them.
I read of a three-year-old girl that became lost in an open field with grass and weeds waist high. Once her family realized her predicament, they frantically began searching for her. They called their family and friends to help in the search. They went in all different directions searching for her. But to no avail. Finally, just before dusk one of the children in the group offered a suggestion, "Let's join hands and walk together up and down the field to see if that helps." Because of their linking arms they girl was found.
The members of a church are a group of people from various backgrounds with different interests and different perspectives who have been called together for a purpose. That purpose is to cooperate together in reaching out beyond our walls so others can know the love of Jesus Christ. We are in the life-saving business. That endeavor is accomplished best when we understand that we are a family of friends in partnership with each other.
In his book “All In”, Mark Batterson defines the word consecrate. He says; “by definition consecration demands full devotion. It’s dethroning yourself and enthroning Jesus Christ. It’s the complete divestiture of all self-interest. It’s giving God veto power. It’s surrendering all of you to all of Him. It’s a simple recognition that every second of time, every ounce, and every penny of money is a gift from God and for God. Consecration is an ever-depending love for Jesus, a childlike trust in the heavenly Father and a blind obedience to the Holy Spirit. Consecration is all that and a thousand things more. But for the sake of simplicity, he says, let me give you my personal definition of consecration. Consecration is going all in and all out for the All in All”.
Nowhere, by the way, are we told to build unity. We are instructed simply to keep unity. From God's perspective there is but ". . . one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). Unity does not need to be created; it simply needs to be protected.
How do we do that? How do we make every effort to keep the unity? Does that mean we compromise our convictions? No. Does that mean we abandon the truths we cherish? No. But it does mean we look long and hard at the attitudes we carry. Unity doesn't begin in examining others but in examining self.
Unity begins, not in demanding that others change, but in admitting that we aren't prefect ourselves. Unity grows as we learn to accept others differences and to forgive when wronged. Unity continues as we humbly serve those who are different. Unity is fulfilled as we focus on who we believe in, rather than what we believe in. Unity is favored as we loving take the message of Jesus Christ to a divided world.
That's our purpose. Let's be unified in it and be “All in”.
We hope and pray that we will continue to be unified as we give honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory.
Pastor Hill