Spiritual Unanimity
The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual unanimity, a unity in spirit and disposition given by the Spirit of God, and the fruits of genuine Christian unanimity.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of spiritual unanimity as described by the Apostle Peter, who encourages the early Christian church to embody qualities such as compassion, love, pity, courtesy, and forgiveness. Tozer clarifies that this unity is not about enforced uniformity but rather a genuine expression of God's love through the Holy Spirit, which fosters a deep connection among believers. He concludes that true unity among individuals can only be achieved through the love of Christ, which transforms hearts and minds.
Text
The Holy Spirit knew what He was doing when He moved the Apostle Peter to write to the early Christian church about the reality of being "of one mind" in their fellowship. Peter was not asking all the brothers and sisters to settle for some kind of regulated uniformity. He was recommending a spiritual unanimity-which means that the Spirit of God making Christ real within our beings will also give us a unity in certain qualities and disposition. Peter leaves little doubt about the fruits of genuine Christian unanimity within: "Be alike in compassion. Be alike in loving. Be alike in pity.
Be alike in courtesy.
Be alike in forgiving!" Then he sums it all up: "Finally, be ye all of one mind!" God's love shed abroad in our heart compassion and love which can only be found in Jesus Christ-these are the only elements of true unity among men and women today!
Sermon Outline
- The Reality of Spiritual Unanimity
- The Fruits of Genuine Christian Unanimity
- The Call to Unity
- God's Love and Heart
- True Unity Among Men and Women
- Forgiveness
Key Quotes
“Be alike in compassion. Be alike in loving. Be alike in pity. Be alike in courtesy. Be alike in forgiving!” — A.W. Tozer
“Finally, be ye all of one mind!” — A.W. Tozer
“God's love shed abroad in our heart compassion and love which can only be found in Jesus Christ” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should strive to cultivate compassion, love, and forgiveness in our relationships with others.
- True unity among men and women can only be achieved through God's love shed abroad in our heart, which can only be found in Jesus Christ.
- We should aim to be 'of one mind' in spirit and disposition, not just a regulated uniformity.