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In One Accord

Posted on 20 Sep 2020, Pastor: Tolu Makinde

Title: In One Accord

Text: Phil. 2:1-3

[Php 2:1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

[Php 2:2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

[Php 2:3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Introduction

Being of one accord, in unity is vital in the body of Christ. If it were not so, Apostle Paul, Jesus, Peter, would not have spoken about it.
Being of one accord will determine how far or how short a group will go
If you ask any couple that have been joyfully married for any significant period, what is the secret? you will discover it is unity, being of one accord with each other
Any group of people that is to achieve their goals must be united on the goal and the pursuit of the goal
The same applies to the church. We must be united, we must be in one accord if we are to achieve the purpose for which God has brought us here
Every member of the body has a part to play in the unity.
Any member that does not play their part, leaves a vacuum in the pursuit of the purpose

Main Topic

Jesus Prayer

[Joh 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.

[Joh 17:21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

[Joh 17:22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Acts

[Act 2:1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

[Act 2:2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

[Act 2:3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

[Act 2:4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Apostle Paul

[1Co 1:10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

[Php 2:1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

[Php 2:2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

[Php 2:3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Peter

[1Pe 3:8] Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

The Psalmist

[Psa 133:1] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

[Psa 133:2] It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

[Psa 133:3] As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Amos

[Amo 3:3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

We are not created to be loners. God said, “it is not good that man should be alone”
Marriages that are successful are because of unity. Marriages that failed are because of disunity.
Business partnerships that succeed are built on agreement and unity, while partnerships that fail are most likely a result of disagreement.
Friendship or relationship that lasts is because of unity. Friendship or relationship that fails is a direct result of disunity
In any area of life where there is disagreement/disunity, note that it is heading for failure.

We have too much to lose if we are not united.

We will work against each other
There will be ulterior motives that will lead to contentions and strife
There will be backbiting, gossip, lies, politics, lack of trust
We cannot achieve much
We will restrict the Holy Spirit
We will be scattered

[Gen 11:6] 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.

We have much to gain if we are united.

We will work towards a common goal and purpose
There will be love, joy, peace, goodness, trust, and faithfulness
We can achieve all that we set our minds upon
The Holy Spirit will move freely among us
Instead of being scattered, we will be gathered.

Pride and Selfishness

The root of disunity is pride and selfishness.
- My way or no way. Prov. 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction. Prov. 11:2 – When pride cometh, then cometh shame.
Jesus Christ said in John 10:30 – I and my Father are one.
- Therefore, in Phil 2:8-9 Jesus humbled himself to the point of death, and God exalted Him.
- If Jesus had not being one with the Father, He would have failed. Thank God for the unity in the Trinity.
The greatest threat to the body of Christ is disunity in the body of Christ.
- When we are supposed to stand together against the wiles of the enemy, we are too busy fighting each other for things that have no eternal value.
- Jesus knew this and prayed for the body of Christ John 17:20-23.

Factors required for unity

Love – Gal 5:13
- [Gal 5:13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
- Gal 5:13 For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. (AMP)
Forgiveness
Put the interest of the group ahead of your own personal interests
Avoid strife and contentions
Let your guard down and be vulnerable to others

Conclusion

[Php 2:1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

[Php 2:2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

[Php 2:3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

The church must be likeminded
The church must be loving
The church must be of one accord and one mind
In the church, we must esteem other better than themselves
If you want to contribute to the success of a common purpose, pursue unity with those involved, for the sake of the purpose.
If you want your marriage to work, pursue unity with your spouse.
If you want your business to be a success, pursue unity with those involved
If you want your church to progress, pursue unity with the brethren
If you want your prayer of agreement to be answered, pursue unity with those you are praying

The person to act is YOU.

Don’t point at others to pursue unity.

You must take the step to make a difference by pursuing unity because YOU are the church.

Sermon

In One Accord