Let’s pray…

John 17:11 – And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are]. 

In today’s topic we shall be discussing about unity. We shall consider the story of lucifer, Adam and Eve, the Tower of Babel and Pentecost.

Eze. 28:15-16 – Thou [wast] perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

1. Of whom is the above verse referred to? Lucifer.
2. Was the Universe perfectly united in God’s perfection before sin? Yes.
3. So who is the author of disunity? The devil.

Having established this point, we move to the story of tower of Babel.

Gen. 11:5-9 – And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.  [6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. [7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. [8] So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. [9] Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. 

1. Were this people united(one)? Yes
2. Then why did God destroy this union when He Himself prayed for unity in John 17:11? …Their confederacy was founded in rebellion; a kingdom established for self-exaltation, but in which God was to have no rule or honor. Had this confederacy been permitted, a mighty power would have borne sway to banish righteousness–and with it peace, happiness, and security–from the earth. For the divine statutes, which are “holy and just and good” (Romans 7:12), men were endeavoring to substitute laws to suit the purpose of their own selfish and cruel hearts.  {PP 123.1}
3. Who is the author of this unity? The devil.
4. Hmm, How can the devil be an author disunity and unity at the same time? What is the basis of true Christian unity? TRUTH, John 17:11 – And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are].

— Jesus prayed that his followers might be one; but we are not to sacrifice the truth in order to secure this union, for we are to be sanctified through the truth. Here is the foundation of all true peace. Human wisdom would change all this, pronouncing this basis too narrow. Men would try to effect unity through concession to popular opinion, through compromise with the world, a sacrifice of vital godliness. But truth is God’s basis for the unity of his people.  {RH, April 12, 1892 par. 19}

• Can Truth cause division? Yes, Matt. 10:34-35 – Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 
• How can the “Prince of Peace” cause division?— Christ said of Himself, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34. The Prince of Peace, He was yet the cause of division. He who came to proclaim glad tidings and to create hope and joy in the hearts of the children of men, opened a controversy that burns deep and arouses intense passion in the human heart. And He warns His followers, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” “They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.” “Ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.” John 16:33; Luke 21:12, 16.  {AA 84.2} 
• How can the Glad tidings(gospel truth) proclaimed by our Lord cause division?  — How, then, can the gospel be called a message of peace? When Isaiah foretold the birth of the Messiah, he ascribed to Him the title, “Prince of Peace.” When angels announced to the shepherds that Christ was born, they sang above the plains of Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14. There is a seeming contradiction between these prophetic declarations and the words of Christ: “I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34. But, rightly understood, the two are in perfect harmony. The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a system which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is in this sense–because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and strife–that the gospel is called a sword.  {GC 46.3} 
• Is this division an intentional act by a true believer to cut off complete association with others in the world or as a result of change of ideas and principles? …The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is in this sense–because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and strife–that the gospel is called a sword.  {GC 46.3} 

Now we shall consider the story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.

1. What was the first human unity? Gen. 2:22-23 – And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. [23] And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 
2. Who was the author of this unity? Gen. 2:22-23 – And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
3. What was the first human disunity? Gen. 3:9-12 – And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou? [10]And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself. [11] And he said, Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? [12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

—- Adam could neither deny nor excuse his sin; but instead of manifesting penitence, he endeavored to cast the blame upon his wife, and thus upon God Himself: “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” He who, from love to Eve, had deliberately chosen to forfeit the approval of God, his home in Paradise, and an eternal life of joy, could now, after his fall, endeavor to make his companion, and even the Creator Himself, responsible for the transgression. So terrible is the power of sin.  {PP 57.5} 

We see that separation from God by sinning caused Adam to reproach his wife, Eve, of whom he once so loved.

• Who reconciled Adam and Eve back together? GOD, Gen. 3:21 – Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.  “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8);
• How? 2 Cor. 5:19 – To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

— The religion of Christ will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is in this sense–because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and strife–that the gospel is called a sword.  {GC 46.3} 

So we see here that the foundation of true lasting unity is “GOD” Calvary shows how God takes relationship seriously. Hence if we want a lasting relationship, God must be placed at the center. This also includes marriage relationships. Let’s see the power of unity in Christ Jesus by considering the Pentecost story.

  Act 1:13-14 – And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother] of James. [14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

1. Did they receive the answer to there prayers? Oh yes! Acts 2:1-4             – And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

*Remember Christ promised them another comforter in John 14 and they all prayed in unity to the will of God.

• So what happened afterwards? Acts 2:5-12 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. [6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? [8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? [9] Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, [10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, [11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. [12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?  
•  Does this remind you of anything? On Pentecost God did the exact reversal to what happened at the tower of Babel in Gen. 11. There was unity as every man heard them speak in his own language. WONDERFUL INDEED!

Having established the fact that unity in Christ is true and everlasting and has Power. Therefore ,as Christians, truth should be the founding principle of our unification[…which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.(1 Tim. 3:15)]

Why should we endeavour to keep unity in truth?  What should be the purpose? Eph. 4:3, 12-13 – Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

1. For the perfecting of the saints,
2.  for the work of the ministry,
3. for the edifying of the body of Christ(Church or fellowship) 
4. and Ultimately, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

And we will find out that if we have all this in mind we shall then exclaim with the psalmist: Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!(Psa. 133:1)

 What are some of the catalysts of disunity?

— There are among us more who are merely nominal Christians than many suppose. These are not connected with Christ, are not one with Him, and therefore do not feel that it is incumbent on them to answer the prayer of Christ that His followers may be one. But some who are real believers catch the spirit of contention. Some are ever seeking to be original, to bring out something new and startling, and they do not realize as they should the importance of preserving the unity of the faith in the bonds of love.{14MR pg.177}

1. nominal Christians
2. real believers catch the spirit of contention
3. Some are ever seeking to be original, to bring out something new and startling.

Let’s analyze the above.

          #Nominal Christians: The standard of piety is low among professed Christians generally, and it is hard for the young to resist the worldly influences that are encouraged by many church members. The majority of nominal Christians, while they profess to be living for Christ, are really living for the world. They do not discern the excellence of heavenly things, and therefore cannot truly love them. Many profess to be Christians because Christianity is considered honorable. They do not discern that genuine Christianity means cross-bearing, and their religion has little influence to restrain them from taking part in worldly pleasures.  {CT 326.1}

Some can enter the ballroom and unite in all the amusements which it affords. Others cannot go to such lengths as this, yet they can attend parties of pleasure, picnics, shows and other places of worldly amusement; and the most discerning eye would fail to detect any difference between their appearance and that of unbelievers.  {CT 326.2}

           #real believers catch the spirit of contention: Those who are brought in controversy with the enemies of truth have to meet, not only men, but Satan and his agents. Let them remember the Saviour’s words, “Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3. Let them rest in the love of God, and the spirit will be kept calm, even under personal abuse. The Lord will clothe them with a divine panoply. His Holy Spirit will influence the mind and heart, so that their voices shall not catch the notes of the baying of the wolves.  {DA 353.3}

But when a child hears an older person constantly talking about the faults of someone else, he in turn is imbued with the same spirit of faultfinding and criticism. The seeds of contention are being sown. Oh, how can professed Christians indulge in such a work! Two nights before I left my home, I was charged, during the visions of the night, to tell the congregation that I should meet at Oakland on the Sabbath, that the wicked words coming from their lips regarding the supposed faults of God’s servants who are doing the very best they can to spread the truth and to advance His work, are all written in the heavenly books of record. Unless those who speak these words repent, they will at last find themselves outside the city of God. God will not allow a quarrelsome person to enter into the heavenly city.  {1SAT 375.2}

       #Sensational Christians: “Some are ever seeking to be original, to bring out something new and startling”. Jeremiah 6:16 – “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.“

Pro. 23:10 – Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 

After all has been said, the question then is, How can we secure unity in the Church of God? What is the solution? Prayerful and careful study of God’s word coupled with its application is the only solution (Primitive godliness) — It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker.

In Matt. 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

— Mark the words. It is Jesus Christ that is praying to His Father, “and all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them.”  {1SAT 194.2} 

     Is it truth? Are we Bible believers? Is Christ glorified in us? I want you to consider this. He is speaking of the oneness and that unity that shall exist with Christ and His disciples. In that unity, in that oneness, Christ is glorified in us. Now I would have you consider how very light a matter many of us make of seeking to preserve this unity. Why, this unity with believers in and through Christ is the great strength of the church! The oneness, the love which through their faith and unity exists with God’s people through faith in Christ, is a POWER.  {1SAT 194.3}

There is Power when we unite with God.

I pray God revive the spirit of primitive godliness and faith in us that we may be one as He and the Father are one, In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Let’s pray…