Love Keeps Unity

GRACE THROUGH FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH

TEXT: Matthew 5:7-9
THEME: The Citizens of the Kingdom of God – Christians are the Bearers of Love and the Keepers of Unity
TITLE: Love Keeps the Unity
PROPOSTIONAL STATEMENT: The 3 Motivations of Being the Bearers of Love and Keepers of Unity
PURPOSE: To remind the church the responsibility

I. INTRODUCTION
A. The Monarchial Period in Israel
• The Causes of Division
o Moral Impurities
o Hatred
B. The Imperial Period in Israel
• Division of Judaism
o Essenes, Pharasees, Zealots, Saducees
• Love Had Grown Cold because of Oppression of the Empire
C. The Intercessional Prayer of Jesus
• Jesus prayed for Love that will make His People to be United with Them. (John 17:20-26)

II. BODY
A. THE GIVER OF PARDON ( In Relation to Those Who Offended Us ) v.7
1) Mercy Is Always Identified With Forgiveness
• To hunger and thirst for righteousness is asking God to have mercy on him so that he will have a righteousness that will save him (Luke 18:13 “God have mercy on me, a sinner”)
• Matthew 18:27, 33 (The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant) ; Isaiah 63:9; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:4
2) God Wants Us to Be Merciful – to Forgive Others
• Peter asked the Lord “How many times shall I forgiv my brothers” - 70 times 7
• The Parable of Unmerciful Servant
• In the Lord’s Prayer
• Joseph Forgave His Brothers
• The First Word of Jesus Christ at the Cross
• Stephen While He was Stoning
3) What Happened if We Do Not Forgive Others?
• The Joy of Salvation will be Lost
• There will be Chastening
Note: Without showing mercy by forgiving the church is in chaos, or it may result to division
Challenge: Do not hold grudges against others, Forgiving means that we love them and it will keep the unity

B. THE BEARER OF PURITY ( In Relation to God Whom We Offended ) v.8
1) Definition of the Heart
• Heart is the totality of man
• The heart is where the mind rest (Proverbs 23:7)
• The heart is affects your will and your emotion and your behavior
Note: If emotion and behavior do not match with the content of the heart that is HYPOCRISY
2) Examination of the Heart
• The Heart is Deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9)
• The Inclination of Heart is Wickedness (Genesis 6:5)
3) Transformation of the Heart
• Before a man enter to the Kingdom of God, his heart must be changed first – Pure Heart
• And this is the the reason why you are blessed because God made your heart pure – (Ezekiel 36:26)
4) Sanctification of the Heart
• God sanctifies us through His Word (John 17:17)
• God sanctifies us through our Responsibility out of Pure Heart (James 4:4-8)
Challenge: Examine your heart before God. If you find it not pure, Ask the Lord like King David (Psalms 51:10)

C. THE MESSENGER OF PEACE ( In Relation to Others Who are at War ) v.9
1) Worldly Peace – Against God and Truth
• The Tower of Babel – Signifies World Peace (Genesis 11)
• In the Last Days there will be a Worldly Peace under the Governance of Antichrist.
2) Godly Peace – Against World’s System and Lies
• It does not compromise the truth
3) God Wanted Christians to be Peacemakers
• During the Roman Empire, Christians were called troublemaker (PAX ROMANA)
• God wanted us to mediate with others who are in conflict
o Conflict between Men – Paul serves as mediator between Onesimus and Filemon
o Conflict between God and Men – God uses the Christian bring others to God through Christ

The 3 Motivations of Being the Bearers of Love and Keepers of Unity

1) Consider the Event of Crucifixion
• Through Crucifixion We Received Mercy
• Through Crucifixion We Possess a Pure Heart
• Through Crucifixion We are at Peace with God
2) Consider the Example of Christ
• Christ Showed Us the Mercy of God
• Christ Died for The Purity of Our Hearts
• Christ Serves as the Mediator Between Us and God
3) Consider the Extent of Crown
• We Receive God’s Mercy
• We See God’s Character, Plan, Rulership
• We Have a Privilege to be Called Sons of God (His sheep, His ambassadors, His people, His bride, His friend)

III. CONCLUSION
We are the bearer of God’s love and the keepers of unity.
Let us forgive one another as God forgave us from all our sins
May our hearts be purfied by His Word and be a peacemakers at all times
Remember what Jesus had done on the cross and the crown that we received from His death.
May all these motivate us to live a godly way while living in God’s Kingdom.
You are in God’s Kingdom live according to what the Bible tells you.
For God’s Glory
06/26/11