Unity of The Spirit - Part One

A sermon given by Larry Whiston ("Still-Free"), Jul 16, 2007

I am tired of running from that which I know God has called me to do! Over the past few years I have sought to give the task over to others who have been quite willing to undertake the call. I have done everything but hand the entire ministry of Off-Broadway Family Outreach over to them, and have allowed the enemy access through a continual "Absalam Spirit" in our ranks (see 2 Samuel Chapter 15). Startling? You bet!

Today, through a message preached by Marty McKinney, of Truth Ministries (a man of God I fully love, trust, and appreciate) I have been restored to where I should have been previously! Like Moses of old (see Exodus 4:10-17), I too have been handing over my calling, asking God for an Aaron. No more! Thank you Father for revealing the truth in a way I cannot refuse!

How innocently we fall into the deceptive hands of darkness by which many have fallen prey! I know I'm not the most intelligent man among my peers. Somehow, however, I have been elevated time and again above those whose giftings, skills, and talents, have been far superior to mine. It used to bother me when I would enter a new place of employment and be lifted into a place of leadership above those who had dedicated many years of faithful service to the company before I ever stepped foot through the door. God has richly favored me in this manner time after time through the years. Why? Only because of the gifting and calling He has chosen by His own Will for me to follow.

What have I done with this? I have run to the nearest escape. Oh, I gave a good presence, but I ran nonetheless! Why? I was afraid to disappoint those who were expecting me to succeed. I played the game of pretending it didn't matter. But it did! Today I have made the choice to run no longer. And so, I take my stand and boldly speak to the enemies of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, "God, the Almighty Father of all that lives, says to you right now: 'Let MY People Go!'"

Without further ado, I submit the following.

Unity of the Spirit - Part 1 of 3

I believe in the Body of Christ today, that there is a fools-gold type of Unity which is guarded well & protected fervently by well-meaning and sincere Believers all across the globe. It is a "Unity" that causes Believers to "Overlook" and "Excuse" sin in its own name (Unity). This is why I believe so many in the Body of Christ today refuse to confront other Believers who are "Overtaken in a Fault" (See Galatians 6:1). Brethren are caught up in divisive church & ministry splits, and it appears that there are skelatal few who are willing to intervene! I have personally been involved with such a split. And, I grieve for what I have experienced... and for what I continually see in ministry!

Here in Spokane, WA. (as in various places across the world) we develop programs and/or ministry outreach events. Gathering people from churches, ministries, agencies, communities and businesses, we set out in the name of Untiy & Christlike Love. Nothing wrong with that. And, when the program or event has been completed, we label it a success. The sad truth, however, is that in order to "Pull it off" we had to climb down each others throats! We violate one another's dignity, respect, boundaries, and drag down each others reputation. Then, we dare to call it "Unity!" When all has been said and done, we write books about it, we send e-mails with pictures, we post it on our websites so that everybody can see what "We" have accomplished. Even worse, we document 1) who we were who did it 2) What it is "We" did 3) How "We" did it. And, as if we truly knew something of value 4) we testify that if others would purchase our books, and mimick what we have done, they too would be able to do the same thing!

Well, I have news for you. I have a three step plan for what I believe will guaratntee success! Here it is:

1) Get on your knees and pray, asking God to show you clearly what He would have you to do.

2) Do whatever it is you believe He has told you to do.

3) Whenever you make mistakes (and, you will) repeat steps 1-3

If we continue to follow these steps until Jesus returns, or until we leave this earth heading for Glory, I believe we cannot help but to experience true success! And, since there is no room in these steps for arrogance, bitterness, or pride, I further believe that true Unity, the Unity of the Bible, will at long last be realized in the Body of Christ!

As I mentioned in the first section above, I am tired of running away from what God has ordained for me to do. Maurice Smith, of the Parousia Network of House Churches, has often Prophetically stated that we are in dire need to submit ourselves to a "Season of Repentance." I wholeheartedly agree! I speak for where I am at today when I say that I cannot participate in any program or event where the Spirit of Unity and Love are not honored above the details of the program or event. In prison (where I spent six years of my life) I experienced what genuine Unity is all about. Today, this that I call "Fools-Gold" type of unity tastes like gravel in my mouth! Brethren, many of you do not know what you are missing! You have no idea! The road to get there, however, is extremely difficult because it involves concepts like: death, surrender & humility. It is not a path which many will choose to take. However, it is a path that once committed, the riches of Unity and Love will at last be realized in the Body of Jesus Christ!

Let us begin today, by asking God our Father to reveal very clearly what He would have us to do.

Thank You, Father! In the name of Your son, Jesus Christ, my Savior and my Lord.

Amen