Sermon Outline for Sunday, June 7 AM, 2009

Pastor Peter

THE SIXTH BIBLICAL BUILDING BLOCK FOR THE TRANSITION PROCESS:

Colossians 3:1-17 “What Does Unity Look Like?”

Introduction:

As we are completing the first Phase of the Transition Process, in which we have been looking at the past, the ONE word which comes to the fore most often is UNITY. Let’s be clear that unity is not the same as uniformity.

According to our Scripture, there are three things that will help us achieve unity:

I. FOCUS

a) We tend to focus on externals, judging on appearances,

b) Or on our teachings as the “three forms of unity,”

c) Or on having the same Church Order.

d) But it is a Person who unites us: Christ (vs.1).

II. FORBEARANCE

a) We tend to be impatient, intolerant, and judgmental.

b) “Bear with each other.” (vs.13)

c) “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (vs.13)

d) “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (vs.13)

III. FORESIGHT

a) We tend to focus fondly on the safely navigated past.

b) “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” (vs.15)

c) “Be thankful.” (vs.15)

d) “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you admonish one another with all wisdom.” (vs.16)

Conclusion:

Our UNITY to be genuine must focus on the person of Jesus. A. Scott Peck, in his book A World Waiting To Be Born says that a body, to get to true community must move from pseudo-community, through chaos, and to emptiness, before it can achieve true community. The church despises chaos and would prefer to go back to pseudo-community believing that that’s as good as it gets. Jesus is praying that we may be ONE (John 17:20,21).