The Heart of Church Unity
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Finding the solution to one of the church's most pernicious problems-- discord that leads to disunity and division.
Text: Phil. 4:2-3
Date: 02/02/2025, the Evening service.
Series: "Evenfall; Sunday Evening Worship" Part 29
Description:
One of the most persistent and pernicious problems that faced the church at Philippi still faces the church today-- and that is the problem of discord within the body of Christ. Paul addresses what appears to be a serious problem between two women of the church and calls upon virtually everyone he knows there to help solve the disagreement and restore the unity of the church before it grows. The enemy of the Gospel knows that one of the quickest ways to destroy an otherwise healthy church is by creating contention and discord among the members-- especially among the leadership. So in these verses, Paul will identify the source of the problem and at the same the solution. For the problem occurs when we stray "from Christ" and the solution is found when we are "in Christ". To have the mind of Christ-- especially in His most humble and vulnerable moments, is the heart of true church unity.
View:
Options:
I. Introduction, 1Cor. 11:19.
II. Exposition of the text, Phil. 4:2-3.
A. Context
B. Paul's appeal for church unity.
1. The disagreement between two women, vs. 2.
a. Looking at the words.
i. A strong request.
ii. The mystery of their identity.
iii. The nature of the word "agree", Phil. 1:27, 2:2,14.
iv. The heart of unity.
b. The significance of the disagreement.
c. The nature of the disagreement, Rom. 16:17-18.
2. The helpers, vs. 3.
a. The true companion, Philem. 11; Phil. 1:1.
b. A personal reason for the appeal.
c. The other workers.
III. Application
A. A unity between Christians.
B. Calling on the mature brethren.
C. Finding unity in Christ, Phil. 1:27, 2:3-5.
1. The centrality of Christ-likeness to unity.
2. A step further, Mark 15:34.
IV. Conclusion
