1. “Let The CHURCH Be UNITED”

2. INTRODUCTION The song writer pens: “It is hard for me to understand, why we pull away from each other so easily – even though we are walking the same road…” I want to suggest to us this morning that it is full time that we unite – that we actively seek to deal with the “walls” that so easily divide us and could be stopping the “visitation of God” in our lives, in our Church and in the nation.

3. Why Do We Pull Away? 1. We identify other people as our Enemy. They are seen as a threat to our very existence; hindrances to us meeting our needs and fulfilling our goals, etc. Ephesians 6:12 - We are not wrestling against flesh and blood BUT…. 2.We have a strong instinct for SELF-preservation rather than Divine intervention. If I don’t protect myself, who is going to protect me? Psalm 7:10 - My DEFENCE is of God (depends on God), Who saves the upright in heart. (59:9; 62:2; 89:18; 94:22)

4. 3. Inheritance from Eden - SIN. We play the “blame-game” so easily. We even blame others for our spiritual progress. It is because of him / her… Psalm 75:6, 7 - For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion. But God… 4. We listen to the “lies” of the Enemy – the “Accuser of the Brethren”. (Rev. 12:10) It seems so much easier for us to embrace the negative thoughts about others than the positive (the good). 1 Cor. 13:7 - Love… is ever ready to believe the best of every person… (Amp.)

5. United Marriages plus United families = a UNITED Church! Husbands and wives… Parents and children Siblings and extended family members… We must get it together. UNITY!! Forgiveness must now lead to an Active Plan for Unity. Eccl. 11:4-6 – (It is not right conditions that will bring unity but we must unite to bring about the right conditions in our lives)

6. What Must We Plan To Do? 1.Agree on the non-negotiables. We are walking the same road - it leads us to heaven. My brother, sister, husband, wife, etc. is NOT the ENEMY!! John 17:21 - this prayer of Jesus, “That they may all be one” can never go unanswered.

7. 1.Agree on the non-negotiables, contd. My house / Church divided against itself will not continue to stand – will be brought to desolation (Matt. 12:25) Divisiveness, unforgiveness, resentment, etc. will threaten my eternal security (Rom. 16:17-20)

8. What Must We Plan To Do? 2. Agree to disagree - but do so peaceably still loving one another. Unity is not uniformity (sameness, conformity). It is accord, harmony, symphony, the type of agreement that will attract God to us and will bring answers to prayer (Ps. 133; Matt. 18:19) God is not changing us so that we all look like carbon copies of each other and neither should we try to change others to be carbon copies of ourselves / what we would like to be.

9. What Must We Plan To Do? 3. Actively deal with the “dividing walls” between me and my brethren. Take practical steps to break the malice, forgive the past, let bygones be bygones, leave God to judge situations. 4. Gently but firmly “block” those who come with malicious talk, gossip, accusations regarding the brethren. Remember, a family / Church divided against itself will ultimately fall – will not effectively work together to reach its common goal.

10. What Must We Plan To Do? 5.Commit to dealing with everything within me that pushes me away from the brethren. Seek counselling and deliverance from bad habits developed in relating to others; deal with insecurities / fears in relation to dealing with people. 6. Consistently work towards being an agent / CONDUIT (instrument, channel) of unity in God’s Body. CONCLUSION I believe that God has indeed commanded “a blessing” (His divine favour) upon us in 2011 but it will only come if we “heed His voice” and cooperate with Him in truly building His Church – in UNITY.