United in Christ
Speaker: Peter Harris
Notes
Paul draws a parallel between a husband - wife relationship and the church's unity with Christ (Eph 5:31-32). It is a profound mystery!
A reading from The Call by Rick Joyner - three armies; the first disciplined and united, not too bothered about rank or status, restoring the earth; the second ragged and distracted; the third directionless, wounded, in-fighting, leaving devastation.
Selfishness destroys. It is possible to have unity like th efirst army because the Holy Spirit enables us. Three keys:
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Eph 4:3-6. Be full of the Holy Spirit
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Eph 6:18. Prayer
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Eph 5:29-30. Love one another
Beware judging one another; denominational boundaries (1 Cor 1:10-13); not following the Holy Spirit. Christianity without the Spirit is empty religion.
We're like custard(!). Leave it still in the bowl and it forms a skin to stop it leaking out. Stir it and it flows. Don't sit still or you'll get stuck and your faith won't leak out to others.
The Holy Spirit is the oil of unity (Psalm 133)
Application
Look at Ephesians 4:1-6. Where does unity come from and what would it look like in an ideal world? What is God's part in making the church united and how much is up to us? What should we aim to do and what are the enemies of unity?
Ephesians 6:18 says to pray in different ways on all occasions. What does that mean and how do you go about praying "for all the saints"?
How sticky is your pot of custard?
Posted: 24 May 2009
