Walking in Unity

He was a modern-day Mowgli, who’s childhood was literally “The Jungle Book.” And just like Mowgli, Marcos Rodriguez Pantoja had been taken in and raised by a pack of wolves.

Born in 1946 in southern Spain, in the city of Cordoba, Macros had been sent to live with a shepherd in the Morena mountains after His mother died. The shepherd was a nice man, unlike Marco’s abusive father, and took good care of him. However, one day the shepherd left and never returned, leaving this 7-year old boy by himself, completely alone in the mountains. Not knowing if the shepherd had died or simply abandoned him, Marcos waited hoping that he would return - though he never did.

One day a pack of wolves raided the shepherd’s hut and viciously slaughtered all of the lambs. But, for some reason, they left Marcos completely unharmed. And not only did they leave him unharmed, but they ended up adopting him into the wolf pack.

Later on Marcos described the mother wolf of the pack as having taken care of him just as if he were a cub of her own, and not a human boy. And so Marcos grew up as a feral child, adopting the same lifestyle, diet, and behaviors of these wild animals.

The wolves taught him how to shelter himself in the hallow space of an old tree during winter And they even protected him from bats, snakes, and other dangerous animals.

And so young Marcos grew up away from human society, away from proper manners, proper customs, and basic human social edicate. That is - until one day when Marcos was 19 years old, he was saved out of the wilderness by police who had accidently come across him.

Marcos was then suddenly thrust back into civilized society, which was an enormous challenge, because Marcos had even forgotten how to properly speak. And so Spanish Social Services helped Marcos as he returned to human society, by giving him a house, some money, a job, as well as teaching him basic human manners and social customs.

And though Marcos has been saved, for the rest of his days he would have to STRIVE to not revert back to his animalistic ways. He would have to control his animal-like impulses as he engaged with others He would have to be patient and gentle with them, realizing that he was, in many ways, a fish out of water. And so that was Marco’s challenge - to live properly in the new life he had been given.

Church, do you realize every single one of us who is a follower of Jesus is a feral child save from animal life just like Marcos was? Every single one of us who names the name of Jesus has been saved out a lifestyle that can be described as animalistic. Sure, we didn’t live with actual wolves, but make no mistake, our old life, our old nature, is infinitely more primitive that even that.

In fact, if all our old life was, was being raised by wolves, then that’s not actually that bad. However, we weren’t merely raised and shaped by wolves, we were raised and shaped by demons - and our father was the head of that demonic wolf pack, who was none other than the devil himself, who is the prince of demons. And you think that’s too harsh, too strong - just know you’re actually not disagreeing with me, you’re disagreeing with Jesus here on this matter.

In John 8:44 Jesus says:

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44 ESV

Just like children today imitate their earthly fathers, so too do we imitate our spiritual father. And who is our spiritual Father? It’s either The Devil - or God the Father. If you’re a Christian: it’s God If you’re not a Christian: It’s Satan Those are the only two options!

But here’s the thing: Even if God is now your father, you still have have a whole lot of behaviors you’ve picked up from your days in the wild. And so this means that for the rest of your days, you’re going to have to strive to live like your’e a child of the king, and not a child of wolves.

And so in Ephesians chapter 4, Paul begins telling us what it looks like to live like a child of the king and not a child of the devil.

What Paul is describing here is not only vitally important for us as individuals, but it is crucial for us collectively as a church - because if we don’t do this individually as Christians, we won’t do it collectively as a church, which will cause HUGE problems for us. I mean think about it - can you imagine if one of us was going around here living like a wolf? It would cause a lot of problems, wouldn’t it? Of course it would. If you and I were talking after church, and all of suddenly someone sneaks up and chomps a chunk out of your leg - that’s gonna cause some problems, isn’t it? And yet, sadly - devouring/animalistic behavior happens all the time in churches.

Now, I know we don’t literally come up and take a bite out of each other, but metaphorically we do. How often do we slander one another with our words? How often do we cut each other down with our remarks? Sure, maybe we don’t outright say, “I think brother Billy is a loser” but we treat them that way... Don’t we sometimes treat them like we are in a competition with them to be the alpha of wolf of the pack, and so use our words, our attitude, and are actions to bite and devour them.

In Galatians 5, Paul warns us not to live this way, saying:

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 5:15 ESV

Church, if we live like this: If we bring our old life’s animalistic behavior into the church, not only will we harm ourselves, but we harm each other, and that will make this church an unhealthy and divided church. And so to be a healthy and united church, we must walk a worthy walk. How? 3 Ways:

A united church walks in:

Humility

In verse 2, Paul tells us that humility is necessary for church unity. And so what does that look like? Does that mean we are a humble bunch of Eeyores? Does it mean that when someone comes up and compliments the pianists they immediately shut it down with a, “oh no, I’m terrible… I’m surprised they let me play even.” Is that humble behavior? Being an insufferable wet blanket Is that godly humility? Not according to the Bible.

See, in the Bible, humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less often. And why is that the case? It’s because you’ve “been there done that” when it comes to thinking of yourself: And what you came to realize was that you’re completely bankrupt! You’ve got NADDA! You remember back in Matthew chapter 5 don’t you? Blessed are the (what) in spirit? “POOR” - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Why are we poor in spirit? Because we recognize that before God we are completely morally bankrupt, and the new life we’ve been given is just that - SOMETHING WE’VE BEEN GIVEN. And so to brag about it is nothing but divine plagiarism. As Paul says: “Why do you boast - for what do you have that you have not been given” And not only does that apply to our salvation, but to every talent and ability that we have. They are all on loan from GOD, so it doesn’t make any sense to brag about them, now does it?!

In Philippians 2:3, Paul writes this about humility: Philippians 2:3 (ESV) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Have you ever tried that before? That’s NOT an easy thing to do!

For instance, let me talk to my fellow chatterboxes for a minute. All you type A extroverted personalities out there - why is we talk more than we listen? Why do we struggle to NOT dominate our conversations with others? Think about it for a moment....

Do you think it MIGHT have something to do with holding ourselves in HIGH significance? Might we talk so much because we think we always have the most profound thing to say because we are smarter than everyone else…? And that’s one of the reasons we insist on talking so much, because hey - we want everyone to know just how much we know! And why do we desperately want people to know how smart we are? Fear of man... Because our identities are based upon our smartness and intelligence, we are terrified that people might not think of us as being smart or intelligent! And that’s a problem because that’s our identify - that’s where we find our self worth! Instead of firmly resting our identify in Christ - we rest it in THAT. And so every conversation our identity is on the line.

And ya know what - not only makes us a bad listener - but ironically, some of the worst communicators are people who insist on dominating the conversation! And that sort of makes sense, because they never stop to really listen and see if they are being understood, or just politely put up with. One of the worse ways this manifests itself is in INTERRUPTING. Which basically turns every conversation into verbal sumo wrestling. And if that’s how we approach conversations with others, then we will not walk a worthy walk in humility.

Now for the introverts. “Hey now... I can’t help it - I’m shy!” Before you write me off - let’s talk about this for a moment. Webster defines shyness as: “The state of being timid, easily frightened, reserved, bashful, and shrinking from contact with others.”

Does any of that sound at all like New Testament language for a Christian’s life? No! - not even a little bit And that’s because in the Bible, being fearful of others is not a good thing! And so - ironically enough - for the naturally shy introverts here, make no mistake, you’re struggling with the SAME thing as the extroverts - which is FEAR OF MAN! It’s just manifesting itself in you in a different way.

Because Extroverts have fear of man they come off as ARROGANT know-it-all’s who never listen. And because Introverts have fear of man they come off RUDE people who never talk because they think they are above everyone else. But behind both of these is a pride-driven fear-of-man. But, that’s not the new life we’ve been brought into, is it? That’s The OLD WAY! The way of the carnal flesh - not The way of The Spirit!

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

“Well I don’t mean to be rude, I just can’t think of anything to say.” Alright - I’ll grant you that - some of this is personality, but don’t be so quick to think that is all of it and none of it is left over from your life in the wolf pack. What did we just read in Philippians?

Here it is again: Philippians 2:3 (ESV) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

And so to do this, Extroverts need to love others by caring about what they have to say, think, and feel While Introverts need to love others by striving to welcome them, great, them, and talk to them about the things that interest THEM.

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote this on pride and humility, and it’s brilliant: To even get near [humility], even for a moment, is like a drink of cold water to a man in a desert. Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.

In Philippians 2, Paul writes:

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4 ESV

Why do extroverted talkers dominate the conversation? Because they don’t care about the interests of others Why do shy introverts disengage from conversation with others? Because they don’t care about the interests of others

And so both talkative extroverts and shy introverts must fight against pride-driven fear of man that manifests itself in these different forms. Because if we don’t: Extroverts - if you dominate others with your words, your rudeness will bite and devour them. Introverts - if you respond in shyness to others, your rudeness will bite and devour them. And so instead, we must all walk in humility as we greet and welcome one another, and consider them more significant than ourselves!

Now - one more thing about humility before we move on. Does being humble mean we have to be humble about truth? Like we can’t ever have theological certainty, because that’s prideful? “Doctrine divides and love unites!” And so we must never fight or divide over truth. Is that what it means to be humble? Yeah - that is if we ignore the context here entirely.

Look at what Paul says in verses 4-6.

There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV

Sort of sounds like Paul thinks there’s one truth, doesn’t it? “One Lord, one faith...” “But that seems a little bit narrow...” “Surely this kind of narrow thinking is going to cause disunity and division, won’t it?” No - Not if we hold the truth firmly with humility, patience, and gentleness.

See, what unites us isn’t our shared interest in tater-tot free pot luck dinners! What unites us isn’t our shared interest in singing music together every Sunday morning What unites us isn’t even our belief in God, generally speaking. What unites us? The truth of God revealed in the Word of God! And as the book of Jude commands us, we must CONTEND FOR THIS TRUTH! Because if we don’t, not only are we without hope - but we don’t have real unity. And so for us to have TRUE UNITY, we must not only have right doctrine, but a right attitude, which means humility AND gentleness, which leads us to our 2nd point.

A united church walks in:

1. Humility
2. Gentleness

In verse 2 Paul goes on to mention “gentleness” as being a vitally important part of our worthy walk. The word the King James Version uses is “Meekness” which is a great word for what Paul is describing. But what does that mean? Well, meekness doesn’t mean weakness - it means power under control. Picture a massive warhorse with a bit in its mouth. Yes, there is certainly massive power there, but it isn’t flaring all about kicking everyone and everything - it’s power under control.

Similarly church, every single one of us has the power to help or harm others with our words and actions. We use our words to bite and devour and tear each other down, Or We can use our words to edify and build each other up. And what is the difference between the two? Gentleness! For gentleness constrains that power, by harnessing it into a nondestructive force.

Yes, we speak the truth, but we speak it in love and gentleness! We don’t harness God’s Word into a club of self-righteous pride that we bash over other people’s heads in order to make ourselves feel better. However, neither are we so gentle that our meekness becomes weakness that never speaks the truth in love.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Galatians 6:1 ESV

There are two ditches. One ditch speaks truth so boldly and harshly that no one can hear it, While the other ditch is so passive and weak its never said - not really. And so we must speak the truth in meekness and humility, out of our love or God and for the person.

Which means, when we see our brother or sister in Christ living in sin or error, we prayerfully follow Matthew 18 and we go to them and gently confront them of their sin. We don’t wink at it or ignore it because “Hey who I am to judge - after all, we are all sinners too” And we don’t skip out on doing it because we think someone else will. No, We prayerfully go to them and point out their sin in a spirit of humility and gentleness, hoping to restore them.

And you know, as a pastor, this especially applies to me as well. In the pastoral epistles, Paul writes the young pastor Timothy saying:

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

2 Timothy 2:24-25 ESV

Church, this isn’t a suggestion - this is a requirement! If my reputation as a pastor is someone who likes to hockey check people whenever they are out of of line, then I’m unqualified for the office of the pastorate. This is serious stuff.

Do you see how Paul describes it? “Correcting his opponents with gentleness” Which applies to Facebook comments To that outspoken person at work who holds to the wrong party’s politics To the unbeliever who comes into our doors attacking everything we stand for and believe. Question? Does this apply tin our homes? Does it apply to our spouses, children, and family members? Do we to walk humbly gently and with patience with them too?

Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

1 Peter 3:4 NIV

Yes, we should correct it, Yes, we must oppose it - and sometimes oppose it firmly and directly. But we must do so with a spirit of gentleness, With a spirit of sweetness that makes the truth easier to swallow, not harder.

A united church walks in:

1. Humility

When Paul tells us to be patient with one another, he means that we should forbear one another. But what does forbear mean? It basically means to put up with each other. And notice HOW we are to put up with each other. He doesn’t say to do put with each other reluctantly. He doesn’t say to just grit and our teeth and bear it How are we to put up with each other? Look at verse the end of verse 2. “In Love.”

What is love? Is love feeling all warm & fuzzy whenever you think about the person? No.

Is love enjoying the person’s company at all times? Yeah right...

What is is then? Because if I am going to put up with you and you’re going to put up with me, we gotta know: What is love?

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV

Church, Paul is simply calling us to walk in Christ’s footsteps. For in Christ, God reached out to us in perfect humility, gentleness, and patience.

How? On the cross, Christ was humbled in our place. On the cross, Christ exercised perfect meekness with His power under perfect control as He resisted calling down a legion of angels and destroying those who mocked and abused Him On the cross, Christ forbeared the sins of the entire world, upon Himself, with perfect patience - so that we might live humble, gentle, and patient lives.

And so to walk in Christ’s footsteps, we must never forget the only reason we can walk a worthy walk is because He already walked the perfect walk that we never could, as He humbly climbed that hill bearing His cross, in order to suffer and die for us.

And so the degree that we see and cherish the humble, gentle, and patient nature of Christ is the degree that we will be able to leave our old barbaric, anamalistic life behind, and instead live in the new life He gives. And the degree to which we do that, is also the degree to which we will be a united and effective church.

In John 17, Jesus prayed to the Father for our unity, with is an important reason for why our unity matters. John 17:21 (ESV) (may they) all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Not only does all of this effect our individual lives as Christians, Not only does all of this effect our collective lives as a Church, But all of this effects our gospel witness before an unbelieving world.

And so we must leave our old life behind and instead strive to walk a worthy walk in the new life we’ve been given. We must FIGHT to preserve the unity that God has given us as believers in Christ And we must do so not only for our good, but for the honor of His great name!

This is the manuscript the sermon was preached from, so the recording may differ in places.