Handling Disunity on the Sidewalk (Part 1)

WEBVTT100:00:02.000 --> 00:00:07.870I Am Yours, I am yours, I am yours and me, Lord.200:00:08.310 --> 00:00:12.390I welcome to the Gospel Center prolife podcast. This is part one300:00:12.429 --> 00:00:16.230of a two part episode about thisunity on the sidewalk at the abortion center.400:00:16.469 --> 00:00:19.309This is a really important subject,so stay with us for this episode500:00:19.429 --> 00:00:29.059and for next week's episode. Godbless Lord. I felt show passish touch600:00:29.539 --> 00:00:41.329your heart. Use Welcome to theGospel Center pro life podcast. Guys,700:00:41.369 --> 00:00:45.770we appreciate you joining us. Weappreciate you guys listening to these podcasts and800:00:46.649 --> 00:00:52.240appreciate sharing these podcasts. Appreciate thatyou guys share these podcasts and they're really900:00:52.280 --> 00:00:56.920designed focused on encouraging people who areon the sidewalks out their abortion center.1000:00:57.600 --> 00:01:00.960But the hope is that they'll reachpeople who are maybe doing ministry and a1100:01:02.000 --> 00:01:04.629pregnancy center, people who are maybepraying about doing ministry on the sidewalk,1200:01:06.069 --> 00:01:08.950whatever context you're involved in, speakingfor those who can't speak for themselves,1300:01:08.950 --> 00:01:14.150speaking for the preborn. We won'tencourage you guys, but this podcast is1400:01:14.269 --> 00:01:18.430going to be particularly focused on thosewho are on the sidewalk and it's going1500:01:18.430 --> 00:01:22.780to be talking about unity. Nowthese principles apply. I would say to1600:01:23.379 --> 00:01:27.299any ministry that you're involved in,there's always the potential for DIS unity with1700:01:27.420 --> 00:01:30.620people. Any relationship on usly,Oh yeah, not even ministry, any1800:01:30.859 --> 00:01:34.890human relationship there sideways the potential fordisunity. Well, I mean I was1900:01:34.969 --> 00:01:41.090just having a conference session with oneof my sons last night about some disunity2000:01:41.250 --> 00:01:45.370within our family at little contention betweenhim and his brother. So disunity is2100:01:45.450 --> 00:01:48.560a reality. It is that weall have to deal with, but especially2200:01:48.599 --> 00:01:53.480in ministry, and I would sayin particular ministry on the sidewalk at an2300:01:53.480 --> 00:01:59.959abortion center because, like we say, the abortion issue is the devil's pride2400:01:59.959 --> 00:02:02.030and joy right, and when wecome against that, the devil is going2500:02:02.069 --> 00:02:07.349to try to do everything he canto divide and conquer and to distract us,2600:02:07.389 --> 00:02:10.469to get us focused on other thingsrather than what's going on inside of2700:02:10.550 --> 00:02:14.789that place. And so we've gotto be real cautious, we've got to2800:02:14.870 --> 00:02:17.259be real. I mean we shouldnot be ignorant of Satan's devices. I2900:02:17.379 --> 00:02:22.340got to be really cute into whatthe devil does in bringing this unity out3000:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.419there. So we're going to talkabout this unity, we're going to talk3100:02:24.419 --> 00:02:30.050about how we can strive for unityout there and you know, just kind3200:02:30.090 --> 00:02:32.090of set the stage and many ofyou guys know if you're at an abortion3300:02:32.169 --> 00:02:38.090center, you guys are involved inministry out there and you see there's different3400:02:38.129 --> 00:02:44.289groups, right, there's Catholic groups, there's Protestant groups, there's pro abortion3500:02:44.400 --> 00:02:46.919people, for sure, we're certainlynot unified with them, but there can3600:02:46.960 --> 00:02:51.400be different Protestant groups that are outthere. They could end and there can3700:02:51.439 --> 00:02:53.639be some contention. And listen,over the years, I've been doing this3800:02:53.759 --> 00:02:57.120for like fifteen years, I've seena lot of contention, I've seen a3900:02:57.199 --> 00:03:00.710lot of disunity and I seen alot of things that don't honor the Lord4000:03:01.310 --> 00:03:05.069as it pertains to Ministry at anabortion center. So we're going to talk4100:03:05.069 --> 00:03:08.789about that stuff and hopefully encourage youguys and give you some of our experiences4200:03:09.469 --> 00:03:13.259and some of the principles that theLord has shown to us. And so4300:03:13.340 --> 00:03:16.620let's jump into it. Yeah,and you're on a public sidewalk if you're4400:03:16.620 --> 00:03:21.139in front of an abortion center,and so you can't just say go home,4500:03:21.500 --> 00:03:23.259you're not as good as we are. Yeah, we know that's always4600:03:23.300 --> 00:03:28.370true. Yeah, but we stillcan't say all right, we're kitting so4700:03:29.530 --> 00:03:34.810so our way of doing things wecan't enforce right with other groups that are4800:03:34.849 --> 00:03:38.169out there, and I think it'sone of the biggest issues that we have4900:03:39.090 --> 00:03:43.840heard from new missionaries. Yeah,there's all this division, there's obvious this5000:03:44.000 --> 00:03:50.879unity, and it never really promotesthe goals of the mission, yeah,5100:03:50.919 --> 00:03:54.520or of the ministries. So it'sdefinitely something worth talking about. Yeah,5200:03:54.599 --> 00:04:00.669figuring out is their biblical help andin how to deal with this issue,5300:04:00.750 --> 00:04:04.669and fortunately there is. There is, there's a lot of biblical principles things5400:04:04.830 --> 00:04:10.419and there's some one story in particular, which you have here in this wonderful5500:04:10.460 --> 00:04:13.340article that you put together, thatyou wrote, like you often do,5600:04:14.379 --> 00:04:16.139and you guys know, the storyof Paul and Barnabas. Yeah, how5700:04:16.259 --> 00:04:20.100things went there. Yeah, probablyone of the most famous examples biblically of5800:04:20.660 --> 00:04:27.129disunity between two Godly and yeah,right, yeah, absolutely. So let's5900:04:27.129 --> 00:04:30.129jump into that story again. Wekind of set the the stage for you6000:04:30.250 --> 00:04:32.370guys and kind of just what we'retalking about. In particular. We're talking6100:04:32.449 --> 00:04:39.680about different pro life groups and let'stalk in particular about groups who are maybe6200:04:39.759 --> 00:04:44.199theologically aligned with one another, becausethere is again, there's Catholic groups out6300:04:44.240 --> 00:04:50.000there and there's obviously theological differences betweenus and the Catholic groups, but there's6400:04:50.279 --> 00:04:55.350groups that are of the same theologicalstripe, so to speak, or at6500:04:55.350 --> 00:04:58.870least, you know, Evangelical orGospel Centered. And yet there can still6600:04:58.870 --> 00:05:01.310be some contention. That certainly wasthe case with Paul and Barnabas, right.6700:05:01.709 --> 00:05:05.670They were proclaimers of the gospel ofJesus. Yeah, and and yet6800:05:05.709 --> 00:05:11.899there was some contention there. Yeah, I know, just like, as6900:05:11.980 --> 00:05:15.620far as you know, you gotthe Arminian and the calvinist. There can7000:05:15.660 --> 00:05:18.300be some contention there and people.I've seen people and listen, I've fallen7100:05:18.740 --> 00:05:24.410pray to this myself and arguing theologyout there on the sidewalk. So I'll7200:05:24.449 --> 00:05:28.370just say right away one of theprinciples is keep the main thing, the7300:05:28.490 --> 00:05:32.170main thing. Right. Yeah,that's focused Ed, maybe focused on want7400:05:32.209 --> 00:05:36.279while you're out there, on what'sactually happening in front of you. We7500:05:36.399 --> 00:05:42.079can listen. I'm a theology Geek. I Love Talking Theology. I'm pretty7600:05:42.079 --> 00:05:46.600well versed in theology, I guess, to some degree, but there's a7700:05:46.680 --> 00:05:49.589time and a place for it.Yeah, and out there on the sidewalk7800:05:49.629 --> 00:05:53.790where they're murdering babies inside of thatbuilding. To me is not the time7900:05:53.870 --> 00:05:56.750of the place for it. It'smore to put that right out there.8000:05:57.230 --> 00:06:00.589But let's jump into this story.If we can real quick with Paul and8100:06:00.629 --> 00:06:01.910Barcauls, I think it would begood, and then it at the end8200:06:01.990 --> 00:06:05.060of the article and at the endof our podcast we're kind of going to8300:06:05.220 --> 00:06:12.060discuss what the takeaway from that article. Yeah, or from that that passage8400:06:12.100 --> 00:06:15.620of scripture. But I think it'sa really good passage for us to begin8500:06:15.939 --> 00:06:21.370because it really sets the stage forwhat disunity can look like. Yeah,8600:06:21.490 --> 00:06:26.449yeah, yeah, I agree.And so this is a acts, Chapter8700:06:26.569 --> 00:06:30.610Fifteen, and start in verse thirtysix, and I've got the new King8800:06:30.649 --> 00:06:33.600James Bible here it says. Then, after some days, Paul said to8900:06:33.720 --> 00:06:38.759Barnabas, let us now go backto visit our brethren in every city where9000:06:38.800 --> 00:06:41.480we have preached the word of theLord and see how they are doing.9100:06:41.879 --> 00:06:45.279So he's he's telling Barnabas, Hey, man, let's go back and check9200:06:45.360 --> 00:06:48.069on those people that got saved andthose churches that were established, where the9300:06:48.350 --> 00:06:53.509and noble goal. Yeah, absolutely, okay. Now, Barnabas was determined9400:06:53.550 --> 00:06:56.829to take with him John John calledMark. So this is the guy,9500:06:56.870 --> 00:07:00.149apparently, that wrote the gospel ofMark Actually. But Paul insisted that they9600:07:00.189 --> 00:07:03.860should not take with him the onewho had departed from them and Panphilia and9700:07:04.699 --> 00:07:08.379had not gone with them to thework. So he's like, we shouldn't9800:07:08.379 --> 00:07:10.860take this guy with us. Hehad deserted them once. He let it9900:07:11.060 --> 00:07:13.939yeah, let them down. Yeah, and so Paul was like, man,10000:07:13.980 --> 00:07:16.529I don't want this guy with usbecause he deserted US last time.10100:07:16.569 --> 00:07:20.689He's might do it again again.A valid Y, absolutely okay. And10200:07:20.769 --> 00:07:26.250then the contention became so sharp.So there's contention there that they parted from10300:07:26.290 --> 00:07:30.360one another. And so Barnabas tookmark and sell to Cyprus, but Paul10400:07:30.480 --> 00:07:33.600chose Silas and departed, being commendedby the brethren to the grace of God,10500:07:33.759 --> 00:07:40.160and he went through Syria and Ceciliastrengthening the churches. So there was10600:07:40.240 --> 00:07:43.560some contentions, okay, and there'sand and even yet division. They went10700:07:43.639 --> 00:07:47.029their separate ways and and my versionsays there were wrote of such a sharp10800:07:47.230 --> 00:07:51.910disagreement. I think years was twodifferent words. But but so they're there10900:07:53.029 --> 00:07:59.259was certainly discord contention between these twogodly men. Yeah, with with one11000:07:59.379 --> 00:08:03.019purpose there. Their purpose was thatthe Gospel would go forth. Right.11100:08:03.220 --> 00:08:07.100Absolutely, they had very they hadsharp disagreement, about which I mean these11200:08:07.139 --> 00:08:09.779were not two men that were stuckon kind of building their own kingdom,11300:08:09.779 --> 00:08:13.250right, you know, they werebuilding the Kingdom of God. Yeah,11400:08:13.290 --> 00:08:16.970and yet there were still some contentionthere. And so, yeah, both11500:08:16.050 --> 00:08:20.290of these men, I would saywithout a doubt, had pure motives.11600:08:20.610 --> 00:08:22.410Yeah, they wanted to do theright thing, they wanted to bring glory11700:08:22.490 --> 00:08:26.199to the name of Jesus, right, but there was some contention, especially11800:08:26.240 --> 00:08:30.240over mark, in allowing mark,John Mark, to be a part of11900:08:30.519 --> 00:08:35.519the party there. And so theseguys part ways and, like I said,12000:08:35.960 --> 00:08:39.840in this version, verse thirty nine, it says then the contention became12100:08:39.960 --> 00:08:43.029so sharp. There was, youknow, the Bible kind of holies,12200:08:43.110 --> 00:08:46.190this sharp contention. This is notjust a lighthearted little bit of a tussle12300:08:46.190 --> 00:08:50.230or whatever like that, right,this was a sharp contention that and and12400:08:50.269 --> 00:08:54.389we're not going to yet go intowhat happened as result of that contention.12500:08:54.429 --> 00:08:56.299We're going to save that for theend. But there's just because there's so12600:08:56.379 --> 00:09:00.259many valuable lessons in that. Butthe first thing, I think, is12700:09:00.340 --> 00:09:03.139just to take heart. If youare facing contention on the sidewalk. I12800:09:03.259 --> 00:09:07.779think we all shrink away from thatand say we got to solve but we12900:09:07.820 --> 00:09:11.210got to get rid of it,and maybe there is a reason for it13000:09:11.330 --> 00:09:13.769being there, and that's I thinkwhat we want to do is kind of13100:09:13.850 --> 00:09:22.690delve into the sources and the issuesaround that contention. That maybe can help13200:09:22.809 --> 00:09:28.519us to be better ministry out there. Yeah, so I think it's in13300:09:28.600 --> 00:09:33.440all cases, it is always bestkind of identify your terms. So identify.13400:09:33.879 --> 00:09:41.870The first thing when you're facing contentionis to identify the main factors that13500:09:41.909 --> 00:09:48.269are causing this disunity. Yeah,and that's important. I think often our13600:09:48.309 --> 00:09:52.580first responses I'm right and they're wrong. Right, and that's that's what's us.13700:09:52.899 --> 00:09:56.379Yeah, there's contenting because they're inthe wrong. That's right, and13800:09:56.500 --> 00:10:01.539it seems like Paul may have beentaken that that perspective. It does,13900:10:01.899 --> 00:10:03.460and so we're going to say we'regoing to first of all point out I14000:10:05.139 --> 00:10:09.210came up with seven that I havepersonally seen that I believe or the causes14100:10:09.570 --> 00:10:16.649of contention. Yeah, and thefirst one is territorial tendency. Yes,14200:10:16.690 --> 00:10:18.690yeah, you know what I meanby that. I know exactly what you14300:10:18.769 --> 00:10:22.440mean by that, and you know, even myself experience that because I've been14400:10:22.480 --> 00:10:26.759out here at the latrobe abortion centermyself for fifteen years. Yeah, it's,14500:10:26.799 --> 00:10:31.200I feel like side exactly. Imean I feel like that sometime they14600:10:31.320 --> 00:10:37.669when somebody knew comes along. I'mkind of territorial actually, and not because14700:10:37.110 --> 00:10:41.269it's my ministry or the sidewalk belongsto me or anything like that, but14800:10:41.470 --> 00:10:45.629because I've seen some people come alongand create problems. Yeah, and so14900:10:45.669 --> 00:10:50.259I understand that territorial tendency. However, I have to remind myself that it15000:10:50.379 --> 00:10:54.179is a public sidewalk and it doesn'tbelong to me. Right. And one15100:10:54.259 --> 00:10:58.179thing that I've shared with you,I thought was a pretty cool phrase that15200:10:58.299 --> 00:11:01.779the Lord dropped into my heart,is don't try to control things of which15300:11:01.820 --> 00:11:05.809you have no control, or you'llfind yourself responsible for things of which you're15400:11:05.809 --> 00:11:09.009not responsible. Right. So ifI try to control that sidewalk, right,15500:11:09.090 --> 00:11:11.809and I have really no control,as much as I want to pretend15600:11:11.850 --> 00:11:13.370to have control over that song,I really have no control because it is15700:11:13.409 --> 00:11:16.409a public sidewalk. Yeah, butif I start trying to manage people that15800:11:16.490 --> 00:11:20.279are not under my charge. I'mnot talking about people who are volunteers of15900:11:20.399 --> 00:11:24.440love life or anything like that,because I certainly do have at least some16000:11:24.519 --> 00:11:26.919authority over that. But people justcome along. If I try to manage16100:11:26.919 --> 00:11:31.759that, I'll find myself just tryingto herd cats or something. I'll find16200:11:31.799 --> 00:11:35.509myself responsible because if I'm managing peopleare trying to oversee people that I'm not16300:11:35.909 --> 00:11:39.470in charge of and they start doingthings that are just completely off the rails,16400:11:39.909 --> 00:11:43.750then I've got to give an accountfor that. Right and kind of16500:11:43.870 --> 00:11:46.659on the flip side, this hashappened to me before where I am territorial.16600:11:46.860 --> 00:11:50.379It's like, okay, well,I know what we do is effective,16700:11:50.539 --> 00:11:56.100and so you people get in lineand listen, and I have been16800:11:56.139 --> 00:12:01.809humbled by them doing something so welland so right that that you know,16900:12:01.649 --> 00:12:09.370you see a baby saved. Andso that territorial nature can work against you17000:12:09.730 --> 00:12:13.929and and dampening the spirit of peoplewho really are called by God. Yeah,17100:12:15.009 --> 00:12:18.480subsolutely there. Yeah, so that'sfirst of all, can identify and17200:12:18.679 --> 00:12:22.799be aware. Are you being territorial, or maybe is are you the new17300:12:22.919 --> 00:12:28.039person and it's the group that you'recoming alongside? Being territorial? It's just17400:12:28.200 --> 00:12:33.149good. First as a basis tounderstand. If that's the case. Okay,17500:12:33.230 --> 00:12:39.669the second one and insistence that oneapproach is superior. Yeah, none17600:12:39.669 --> 00:12:45.340of us do that. Well,I do feel like we've done podcast about,17700:12:45.779 --> 00:12:50.019not bragging but just honoring what theLord has done. We've learned a17800:12:50.139 --> 00:12:56.340lot. We've learned what is effective. We've learned some pretty effective and well17900:12:56.460 --> 00:13:01.009balanced methods to reaching abortion minded MOMSat an abortion sir. I think we18000:13:01.090 --> 00:13:05.009have a very good balance of graceand truth. We don't compromise the Gospel,18100:13:05.049 --> 00:13:09.929but we're not just out there justyelling at people and calling a murderers18200:13:09.970 --> 00:13:13.039or whatever, although we don't backaway from saying that abortion is murdered.18300:13:13.120 --> 00:13:15.960We certainly are more than willing tosay that. Yeah, but I think18400:13:16.000 --> 00:13:18.519we have a good balance and Ithink, like you said here, I18500:13:18.759 --> 00:13:24.480think personally that our approach is superior. But again, I have to remember18600:13:24.039 --> 00:13:28.149that's from my perspective, right,right. If I would think that only18700:13:28.230 --> 00:13:33.429my approach is superior, only myapproach is effective, then I'd really get18800:13:33.470 --> 00:13:35.389into an area of pride and that'ssomething to have to let the Lord keep18900:13:35.429 --> 00:13:39.750me save me from. Really isgetting into pride, because God can use19000:13:39.750 --> 00:13:43.220all kinds of people. There's nolike perfect method. And now I will19100:13:43.299 --> 00:13:50.100qualify that to say that God's method, the biblical method, is the best.19200:13:50.500 --> 00:13:54.899Right. And so we need toget the methods that we employ from19300:13:54.980 --> 00:14:00.649the scriptures. But even from thescriptures there's different method is, different perspectives19400:14:00.730 --> 00:14:03.970to come from. Right. Iwill say, though, it all needs19500:14:03.009 --> 00:14:07.169to be censored in the Gospel.Yeah, it does. And the other19600:14:07.289 --> 00:14:09.919thing, though, we if there'sthis an insistence that your approach is superior.19700:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.919That's very off putting. Yeah,to to other grips. It instantly19800:14:13.039 --> 00:14:20.159puts someone's hackles up if they're sensingin in any of US pride as opposed19900:14:20.159 --> 00:14:26.789to a true desire to to justhave a unified goal in reaching the the20000:14:26.870 --> 00:14:31.950unborn. So so the third one, and I'm very important, do you20100:14:33.110 --> 00:14:39.379have differing goals out there? Yeah, and so the the the one thing20200:14:39.419 --> 00:14:43.179I thought of right away was theevangelistic approach versus the prophetic approach. Both20300:14:43.259 --> 00:14:48.740God the groups that maybe are theologicallyin the same place, but their goal20400:14:48.980 --> 00:14:54.690out there is different, right.Yeah, so can you kind of expect?20500:14:56.049 --> 00:14:58.210Yeah, so, and that's Iguess I kind of laid that out20600:14:58.370 --> 00:15:03.889in times past in some of ourtrainings. Just thinking this thing through and20700:15:03.009 --> 00:15:07.320just from observation, I see reallytwo different ministries that take place out an20800:15:07.320 --> 00:15:11.639abortion center. I see the PropheticMinistry, which is just the way I20900:15:11.720 --> 00:15:16.360say it is. We're called todeliver God's mail, right, we're called21000:15:16.440 --> 00:15:20.519to deliver the truth. Yeah,the prophetic kind of angle just delivers the21100:15:20.600 --> 00:15:22.029mail, puts it on your doorstep, could care less whether or not you21200:15:22.110 --> 00:15:26.549open it, and that's valid.That's delivering the mail. It's bringing the21300:15:26.590 --> 00:15:30.669truth, bringing the reality that abortionis murder, that God loves these babies,21400:15:30.750 --> 00:15:33.269that he has a good plan forthese children. But the prophet just21500:15:33.350 --> 00:15:37.659kind of delivers the mail. Yeah, where as the evangelist, I look21600:15:37.659 --> 00:15:41.500at Philip, the evangelists, andwas it acts chapter eight where he meets21700:15:41.500 --> 00:15:46.419the Ethiopian Eunuch, you know thatstory, and he perceives that this guy's21800:15:46.500 --> 00:15:50.970reading from Isaiah and he walks alongsideand so, like the male's delivered,21900:15:52.090 --> 00:15:54.570he's actually walking alongside and trying tohelp this man open the mail. So22000:15:54.690 --> 00:15:58.769it's like evangelist separately and read itprobably and understand what's being said. Yeah,22100:15:58.929 --> 00:16:03.970and so that's kind of the roleof a sidewalk counselor. Yeah,22200:16:03.169 --> 00:16:08.559now, I don't say that tolike invalidate either ministry. I don't.22300:16:10.279 --> 00:16:14.240Maybe maybe I do have more ofa tendency toward the prophetic ministry, toward22400:16:14.320 --> 00:16:18.080the in your face and just justcoming at it and who cares, what22500:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.149are the you know whether I'm not. You deliver the man and see.22600:16:19.149 --> 00:16:22.629It's be my natural tenanty. Butpersonally, what I've seen and when I22700:16:22.710 --> 00:16:27.029believe to be the most effective isthe evangelistic type of ministry where I'm actually22800:16:27.389 --> 00:16:30.590trying to take time, get amom to come over and talk to me,22900:16:30.789 --> 00:16:33.899do a oneonone conversation with her orwith a dad and really open the23000:16:33.940 --> 00:16:37.019mail and see what God's plan isfor her and for her baby. But23100:16:37.100 --> 00:16:41.220again, I'm not invalidating the PropheticMinistry. I've seen it be very effective.23200:16:41.220 --> 00:16:45.500I've seen baby safe. I meanprobably hundreds, maybe thousands of babies23300:16:45.539 --> 00:16:51.490that have been saved because there's somebodyon the sidewalk with that prophetic angle that's23400:16:51.610 --> 00:16:55.330just preaching the Gospel, just preachingthe truth about what abortion is and what23500:16:55.450 --> 00:16:57.610it does and God's love for theseMOMS are for their babies and I've seen23600:16:57.649 --> 00:17:00.840baby safe from yeah, so Idon't invalidate you the ones, but I23700:17:00.960 --> 00:17:06.440do think that we need to understandthat there are different modes and types of23800:17:06.519 --> 00:17:10.720ministry that are biblically valid that takeplace in front of an abortion center,23900:17:10.759 --> 00:17:14.240and so finding out truly, Ithink asking questions of that other group.24000:17:14.359 --> 00:17:17.509What are your goals? Be Verydirect. What are your goals out here,24100:17:17.589 --> 00:17:22.269because you probably will hear the propheticvoice give a different goal than the24200:17:22.390 --> 00:17:30.339evangelistic voice. Yeah, so Ithink it's really important to delineate what the24300:17:30.380 --> 00:17:33.099goals are different groups that are outthere. All Right, here's here's one24400:17:33.140 --> 00:17:37.220that really it's an issue of theit has to be dealt with. Yeah,24500:17:37.819 --> 00:17:44.059and that's faulty or differing theology.Now, different theology? Of course,24600:17:44.220 --> 00:17:48.890we would not be out there proclaimingthe theology we proclaim unless we believed24700:17:48.890 --> 00:17:52.009it was true. Yeah, andso if someone comes with the different theology,24800:17:52.490 --> 00:17:56.410that would be of concern for USabsolute, but even of greater concern24900:17:56.849 --> 00:18:04.240would be if you here just outright faulty or twisting of truth. Yeah.25000:18:04.279 --> 00:18:10.160Yeah, and you personally said Iwas going to share some some personal25100:18:10.200 --> 00:18:15.069experiences there there is a time todivide or disunify. In one sense.25200:18:15.069 --> 00:18:18.869I still do think, though,like we're I'm not a Catholic. I25300:18:18.990 --> 00:18:23.910have some some deep problems with Catholictheology, but I still am not going25400:18:23.910 --> 00:18:26.940to stand on the sidewalk in frontof the abortion center and argue with the25500:18:27.019 --> 00:18:32.099Catholics, because it's not a goodlook if we're trying to convey to a25600:18:32.220 --> 00:18:36.900mother that we have help available tohelp calm the chaos and confusion in her25700:18:36.980 --> 00:18:41.299life and yet we're on the sidewalkputting forth an air of chaos and confusion.25800:18:41.690 --> 00:18:47.450It's not helpful. Right now.I've had conversations with with Catholics on25900:18:47.569 --> 00:18:51.369the sidewalk about theology and all that, but always make sure there I'm not26000:18:51.769 --> 00:18:56.359getting some contentious argument. I havegood relationship with them. I certainly can26100:18:56.519 --> 00:19:00.240respect the Catholic Church's commitment to beout there on the sidewalk. Yep,26200:19:00.400 --> 00:19:03.640to be faithful out there. Imean in the reality to the Catholic Church26300:19:03.920 --> 00:19:07.880has put the Evangelical Church or ProtestantChurch to shame. Yes, as far26400:19:07.880 --> 00:19:11.589as the issue of abortion and dealingwith that issue. So that's that's that's26500:19:11.710 --> 00:19:15.470one thing. So but even even, maybe even a step further than that,26600:19:17.230 --> 00:19:21.269because we're not necessarily unified with theCatholics in the sense that we're in26700:19:21.309 --> 00:19:23.819the same ministry or whatever. Therecan still be a sense of unity where26800:19:23.819 --> 00:19:26.740there's not content. But there hascome a point. I don't know.26900:19:26.819 --> 00:19:32.420At one point we had a groupof family of Mormons that came out on27000:19:32.539 --> 00:19:36.980the sidewalk, okay, and ifyou know anything about Mormon theology, it27100:19:37.539 --> 00:19:44.049is abhorrent. It is ridiculously abhorrentand not in line with the scripture at27200:19:44.089 --> 00:19:48.769all from beginning to end. Andthere did come a point where I had27300:19:48.849 --> 00:19:51.970to be contentious and I had totell him, listen, you're you're not27400:19:52.089 --> 00:19:56.599welcome to come out here and tryto have any air of connection with us27500:19:56.640 --> 00:20:00.720right because I don't want to putforth any kind of approval of that,27600:20:00.839 --> 00:20:03.079that false theology and some of thethings that can be conveyed to that.27700:20:03.559 --> 00:20:10.390But even in that situation I didn'tdo it loudly and obnoxiously. I addressed27800:20:10.430 --> 00:20:14.430it in a oneonone sort of scenario. And so, like you said,27900:20:14.670 --> 00:20:17.430the theological issues, they need tobe addressed, yeah, but there's a28000:20:17.470 --> 00:20:19.390gracious way to address them. Sothat we're not putting forth an air of28100:20:19.589 --> 00:20:25.460disunity, because the reality is,from the view of a mom going into28200:20:25.460 --> 00:20:29.500an abortion center and she looks outon that sidewalk, she sees one group.28300:20:29.700 --> 00:20:33.019She didn't see to do three differentgroups. You didn't see Protestants and28400:20:33.140 --> 00:20:36.970Catholics and this group in that group. She sees us all as one group.28500:20:37.009 --> 00:20:40.450Right, and even though it's nottrue, we have to understand from28600:20:40.490 --> 00:20:45.569that perspective and we have to actbased on what's what's being put forth right,28700:20:45.609 --> 00:20:48.049and that certainly can work against us. For example, our approach I28800:20:48.130 --> 00:20:53.799would call gentle. Yeah, andtruthful, but but gentle. And we28900:20:55.160 --> 00:21:00.720have other groups that have come outthat are much more aggressive and we don't29000:21:00.880 --> 00:21:07.829really want to be lumped in withthem because we feel it it keeps people29100:21:07.950 --> 00:21:11.670from coming and talking to us.So it's I'm not saying this is not29200:21:11.750 --> 00:21:17.029a difficult issue to deal with.It is, but I think the first29300:21:17.029 --> 00:21:19.740step in dealing with it is figureout. So what's the cause of that29400:21:21.339 --> 00:21:26.299disunity and if it's faulty or differenttheology, that's a big it can become29500:21:26.339 --> 00:21:30.819a major issue and it's good tounderstand that. That's what's causing the division29600:21:30.819 --> 00:21:34.890out there. Okay, here's whenthe differing motivations and I listed as some29700:21:36.089 --> 00:21:38.130specifics, just off the top ofmy head, of different motivations for why29800:21:38.210 --> 00:21:41.730people out there. Some people areout there because they are in a pro29900:21:41.849 --> 00:21:45.210life ministry and they need a goodstory for fundraising. Yes, seriously,30000:21:45.250 --> 00:21:48.440I mean we've seen that, sowe know that that happens. Some are30100:21:48.519 --> 00:21:53.759out there because they know that thosepeople are lost and their primary motivation is30200:21:55.240 --> 00:21:59.720save those souls. Yeah, bringJesus Christ and the such of salvation to30300:21:59.799 --> 00:22:03.029them. Some are out there becausethey really did their primary motivation is there30400:22:03.069 --> 00:22:07.190are babies that are dying by thedozens or more every day and we are30500:22:07.309 --> 00:22:11.349called to do something about that.Yeah, so they're out there to deal30600:22:11.390 --> 00:22:15.380with that. Some are out therethat are truly seeking favor with God.30700:22:15.539 --> 00:22:21.460They're out there because they think ifthey do this good work they're earning their30800:22:21.500 --> 00:22:23.339way to heaven. Some are outthere out of guilt, yeah, with30900:22:23.539 --> 00:22:30.289pasted abortions or whatever. So themotivation that brings people out there can sometimes31000:22:30.569 --> 00:22:37.289cause division because their methods are sometimesat odds. But if their motivation is31100:22:37.410 --> 00:22:44.089one that is suspect, that canimmediately cause nition. Yeah, yeah,31200:22:44.089 --> 00:22:48.079I've seen people over the years whocome out because maybe they've had an abortion31300:22:48.160 --> 00:22:52.400in their past and they want tosave the women that are going into the31400:22:52.440 --> 00:22:56.799abortion center from the destruction that waswrought in their life, and I understand31500:22:56.839 --> 00:22:59.950that right. But they might come, and this is what I've seen a31600:22:59.990 --> 00:23:03.109lot of times, people that aremotivated by that. They will come in31700:23:03.309 --> 00:23:07.109kind of an angle where these poorinnocent women are victims of their circumstances and31800:23:07.309 --> 00:23:11.190I need to come and save themand I know how because I've been there31900:23:11.230 --> 00:23:15.180and done that. Right, andit's really if you bully it, bull32000:23:15.299 --> 00:23:18.099it down. It's a selfish motivation. Yeah, we always say our primary32100:23:18.180 --> 00:23:22.220motivation must be a love for God. Now, should we love people and32200:23:22.259 --> 00:23:26.779should we want to save them fromthe destruction that we've been involved and yeah,32300:23:26.779 --> 00:23:30.049absolutely, but that desire should flowout of a love for God first,32400:23:30.369 --> 00:23:33.490because if it's a love for peoplefirst and want to rescue these poor32500:23:33.569 --> 00:23:36.609innocent people, I mean one ofthe things is you're going to find out32600:23:36.650 --> 00:23:40.210real quick these women are not poor, innocent victims of circumstances. We did32700:23:40.250 --> 00:23:45.000a whole podcast about that some monthsago. Yeah, many of these very32800:23:45.039 --> 00:23:48.440dissolutioned and dishearten. Yeah, ifyou think that they're just wounded victimson,32900:23:48.640 --> 00:23:52.559you just need to just provide theright banding. Yeah, and you can33000:23:52.599 --> 00:23:55.750make them well. All they needis is you to come and rescue and33100:23:55.829 --> 00:24:00.390save them. The fact is thatthese women, for many of them,33200:24:00.470 --> 00:24:03.190are not victims but victimizers of theirchildren. Now, certainly, like our33300:24:03.230 --> 00:24:07.470podcast said, about victims, thereare some that come that are victims and33400:24:07.509 --> 00:24:11.099ultimately all of us are victims ofbelieving the lives of the devil and of33500:24:11.180 --> 00:24:14.859our own sin. Yeah, butI say that to say that if our33600:24:14.940 --> 00:24:17.700motivation is we're going to come andwe're going to save the world through our33700:24:17.819 --> 00:24:21.859awesome approach or whatever, it's justa wrong motivation. We've got to be33800:24:21.980 --> 00:24:26.329motivated by love for God first,and so differing motivations can cause conflict.33900:24:26.329 --> 00:24:29.369Yeah, now, we're not sayingand we're not going to solve all of34000:24:29.450 --> 00:24:30.930this in this podcast. We're notsaying we have the solutions for all of34100:24:32.009 --> 00:24:34.089the these things, even though we'rewe are going to be talking about solutions.34200:24:34.210 --> 00:24:37.049Yeah, but we need to beaware of these things so that we34300:24:37.089 --> 00:24:40.680can bring these things before the Lordas those who are going to try to34400:24:40.720 --> 00:24:44.119minister effectively out there. We wantto be aware of what are some of34500:24:44.200 --> 00:24:47.680the issues of contention, some ofthe things that can bring this unity out34600:24:47.680 --> 00:24:51.000there. Yeah, and wrong motivescan be that and we have to judge34700:24:51.039 --> 00:24:53.150the motives their own heart. Right, Bible says if we judge ourselves,34800:24:53.269 --> 00:24:56.910will not be judged of God.The first finger need to be needs to34900:24:56.950 --> 00:24:59.990be pointed at us make sure ourmotive is pure. Yeah, they we're35000:24:59.990 --> 00:25:03.190out out there out of a lovefor God first, and then out of35100:25:03.230 --> 00:25:07.109that flows a love for our neighborand we kind of lay out a progression,35200:25:07.180 --> 00:25:10.099not that some people are more valuablethan others, but the way we35300:25:10.259 --> 00:25:12.380think of it's okay, we're outthere for God first, then the babies35400:25:12.740 --> 00:25:17.299and then the moms and then thedad's and then the workers, and so35500:25:17.380 --> 00:25:19.420we have this kind of progression andamount it helps us to keep our focus35600:25:19.579 --> 00:25:22.410where it needs to be. Right, right. Yeah, so definitely.35700:25:22.529 --> 00:25:27.250And when you're examining motivation, checkyour own motivation first. That's really valuable.35800:25:27.369 --> 00:25:33.490Yeah, because you can expose yourown motivation being off. If it's35900:25:33.569 --> 00:25:37.839off, you need to correct yourselffirst, for you try and correct everybody36000:25:37.880 --> 00:25:41.200else's innovation. So we've been accusedof kind of the the latter point that36100:25:41.279 --> 00:25:44.880you made here. Yeah, thewe're out there to seek favor with God.36200:25:44.920 --> 00:25:48.359We're out there to whatever, earnpoints with God or whatever. Such36300:25:48.440 --> 00:25:51.430good Christians. Yeah, proven it, or we want to try to make36400:25:51.470 --> 00:25:53.750ourselves better Christian or whatever. Youknow. Yeah, get more points with36500:25:53.869 --> 00:25:57.549God, Brownie points or whatever.Yeah, and that's just not true.36600:25:57.549 --> 00:26:02.950Yeah, I already have favor withGod, like, I'm already in.36700:26:03.349 --> 00:26:07.500I don't have to get in toChrist, I'm already in. Right,36800:26:07.700 --> 00:26:11.779I'm out there serving. I lovehim and show my love for him through36900:26:11.140 --> 00:26:15.099the works that I do, becausehe first loved me and it's an outflow37000:26:15.099 --> 00:26:18.369and that should be our motive,our motive to be a pure motive in37100:26:18.410 --> 00:26:22.410the sight of God, should beone of I love him, but because37200:26:22.410 --> 00:26:25.170he first loved me, right,and I'm out here just to display his37300:26:25.329 --> 00:26:26.569love, the love that he's shownto me, to these MOMS, to37400:26:26.690 --> 00:26:33.279these babies. Yeah, yeah,okay, pride or lack of love for37500:26:33.400 --> 00:26:37.519others. Yes, Christ loves USGOES RIGHT INTO WIT. What. Yeah,37600:26:37.559 --> 00:26:42.400we're you were just saying that Christloved US first. And if we're37700:26:42.440 --> 00:26:49.309out there because we think we're sowonderful, which pride, arrogance, well,37800:26:49.990 --> 00:26:59.589that's not reflecting what Christ would haveus do. Yeah. But if,37900:26:59.990 --> 00:27:03.380if lack of love for others asChrist has loved us, can make38000:27:03.420 --> 00:27:10.299us look at others that are outthere as lesser beings, and that can38100:27:10.380 --> 00:27:14.900be very that can create disunity.If if we start named calling other groups38200:27:14.940 --> 00:27:19.730or start labeling other groups, hasjust worse. Yeah, in any way38300:27:21.450 --> 00:27:25.130that can cause disunity because they're goingto perceive that you're going to know that38400:27:25.210 --> 00:27:27.769that's how we feel about them.Yeah, whether we outright say it or38500:27:27.849 --> 00:27:33.599not. So, so be carefulto check our own pride. Yeah,38600:27:33.640 --> 00:27:37.440and are we loving others out thereas Christ loves them? That's that's,38700:27:37.480 --> 00:27:41.119I think, a critical point.Is there anything you want to add with38800:27:41.319 --> 00:27:45.190no? No, okay. Thethe next one, I think, is38900:27:45.190 --> 00:27:47.950one of the most important. Okay, because I think it's it's one of39000:27:47.990 --> 00:27:56.630the hardest sometimes to truly discern.Is it truly disunity or is it diversity39100:27:56.109 --> 00:28:00.980of spiritual calling and gifts? Yeah, and I think we'll go back later39200:28:02.099 --> 00:28:07.019to that Paul and Barnabas passage,because I think that might be an example39300:28:07.220 --> 00:28:14.210of not true disunity but diversity.Yeah, and diversity is good. Yeah,39400:28:14.289 --> 00:28:18.529absolutely critic and it kind of hearkensback to that whole idea that there39500:28:18.569 --> 00:28:22.170are two kinds of ministries that takeplace and we don't want to think just39600:28:22.569 --> 00:28:27.440because our ministry is what we're involvedin and anything else is invalid. We39700:28:27.920 --> 00:28:32.839have to understand there are diverse giftsin the body of Christ and we even39800:28:32.880 --> 00:28:37.559see that within our sidewalk counselors.I mean we train them right, we've39900:28:37.599 --> 00:28:41.789trained them, we've trained them allthat have come through, but there's some40000:28:41.109 --> 00:28:45.069that are more gifted in they've takencertain areas of the training and applot it40100:28:45.470 --> 00:28:49.710more than others have. And so, for example, you might have people40200:28:49.829 --> 00:28:55.190in their diversity, that are morelikely to be effective in calling out to40300:28:55.309 --> 00:28:56.940the MOMS going in and others whoare more likely to be effective in a40400:28:57.019 --> 00:29:00.660one on one conversation. And that'sjust a little picture of diversity. Had40500:29:00.740 --> 00:29:06.940One of her more shy, quiet, very reserved sidebalt counselors, brand new,40600:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.940she suddenly been out there I thinkthree times. I believe she gave40700:29:10.049 --> 00:29:14.410out between ten to twenty pieces ofliterature yesterday. I mean that's unheard.40800:29:14.809 --> 00:29:19.609Wow. So that's an example ofsomeone who unexpectedly has this gift that is40900:29:21.210 --> 00:29:25.920amazing and and different from most ofmost of us out there. Yeah,41000:29:26.440 --> 00:29:30.880so, so right, very important. Is it truly dis disunity or is41100:29:30.920 --> 00:29:36.920it diversity of calling and gifts?Okay, so, once you've identified the41200:29:37.039 --> 00:29:44.430main factors that might cause disunity,secondly you want to identify the effects of41300:29:44.589 --> 00:29:48.549disunity. And what I'm what Imean by that is if you have groups41400:29:48.829 --> 00:29:52.660that are out on a sidewalk dayafter day and you know they've they've got41500:29:53.259 --> 00:30:03.660zeal, passion, commitment and andso are they are they aware of maybe41600:30:03.900 --> 00:30:11.450how the disunity that maybe they arepartially responsible for causing? Are they aware41700:30:11.490 --> 00:30:17.769that that has a negative impact andif those negative impacts could be delineated,41800:30:17.849 --> 00:30:23.200might that in and of itself helpto remove some of that apparent and and41900:30:25.240 --> 00:30:30.839or maybe most the most egregious disunity? So number one. One of the42000:30:30.880 --> 00:30:34.750effects of disunity. We see itall the time. Abortion minded women will42100:30:34.789 --> 00:30:40.990not listen or approach in the faceof the chaos and the mixed messages,42200:30:41.710 --> 00:30:44.990which is I mean seriously, andthat's kind of the point I was making42300:30:45.069 --> 00:30:48.789earlier that they've got chaos going onin their lives. If we've got it42400:30:48.910 --> 00:30:52.380on the sidewalk, we got nothingto offer them. Right. So that's42500:30:52.380 --> 00:30:56.180why we need to examine the ministrythat we're involved in make sure we try42600:30:56.220 --> 00:31:00.180to minimize this unity as much aspossible, that we're not a part of42700:31:00.259 --> 00:31:03.259the problem, but we want tobe a part of the solution. Hopefully42800:31:03.460 --> 00:31:06.250what we're doing in this podcast willhelp you guys with that. Yeah,42900:31:06.410 --> 00:31:10.410yeah, okay. Secondly, wentabortion minded women. Do not you mention43000:31:10.569 --> 00:31:15.130this earlier. do not differentiate thegroups, but identify all those supporting life43100:31:15.170 --> 00:31:18.279as a monolithic group, one group, and they will brand us, usually43200:31:18.680 --> 00:31:26.559with the least flattering aspect of thatPROLELA. Absolutely the and that becomes the43300:31:26.160 --> 00:31:33.150mantra of the whole pro choice groupthen, is we're all the nasty,43400:31:33.349 --> 00:31:38.269lowest common denominator, really, insteadof looking at the positive. Yeah,43500:31:38.390 --> 00:31:44.549the group. That's a very badeffect. Yeah, is of disunity.43600:31:45.150 --> 00:31:48.380They they're looking at us and theyjust see a sidewalk of pro life people.43700:31:48.460 --> 00:31:53.259They don't they don't see the differentgroups. Yeah, I fewer interactions.43800:31:53.500 --> 00:31:56.299Have you noticed that? Oh yeah, when there's chaos and disunity.43900:31:56.819 --> 00:32:00.529Yeah, I mean it's the again, that same dynamic that they see chaos.44000:32:00.849 --> 00:32:05.049They've got chaos. What do wehave to offer them? Right,44100:32:05.289 --> 00:32:07.849but chaos. That's why we muststrive for unity as much as we can.44200:32:08.009 --> 00:32:14.049We're not pretending that the unity isalways going to be achieved and the44300:32:14.130 --> 00:32:16.680disunity is going to be squashed byjust applying some of the principles of the44400:32:16.759 --> 00:32:21.680Bible. It's a constant battle thatwe need to have. But there's a44500:32:21.759 --> 00:32:24.319good reason that we need to strivefor unity. Is Because, ultimately,44600:32:24.359 --> 00:32:30.230I beyond just have a more interactions. We want to see Jesus glorify.44700:32:30.430 --> 00:32:34.309That's the ultimate goal, right.Yeah, fewer baby saved? Yeah,44800:32:34.509 --> 00:32:37.509if you've got that that if youhave fewer interactions and all likelihood you're going44900:32:37.509 --> 00:32:42.549to probably see if you were,fewer baby saved. Yeah, justification in45000:32:42.589 --> 00:32:45.940the pro choice caricature of pro lifepeople. Yeah, that they feel justified45100:32:46.019 --> 00:32:50.700then and saying all the awful thingsabout it's because they see it in one45200:32:50.940 --> 00:32:54.380person may be out there and that'sused to brand all of us. So45300:32:55.180 --> 00:33:00.970the misery and loss of willing volunteers. Yeah, disunity is hard on the45400:33:01.089 --> 00:33:07.289soul. You're out there doing yourbest and right next to you is someone45500:33:07.329 --> 00:33:12.920who you know is ruining all thegood you're doing. That can be very45600:33:13.039 --> 00:33:16.759wearying because it's such a hard you'refighting a battle already. There's already the45700:33:16.799 --> 00:33:22.160spiritual battle with the the women andthe demonic forces, and then to be45800:33:22.319 --> 00:33:29.069battling your your own supposed supporter rightnext to you, is is really difficult45900:33:29.109 --> 00:33:31.309to be discouraged. People will giveup? Yeah, some people will leave46000:33:31.349 --> 00:33:37.670because of that. Churches. Weall need church support out there. And46100:33:37.509 --> 00:33:42.380does the church want to come outand support if they come out and view46200:33:42.460 --> 00:33:47.460us, they come out and watchand all they see is bickering and to46300:33:49.299 --> 00:33:54.099disparate groups buying for that woman's attention, and some in ways that are really46400:33:54.700 --> 00:34:00.529not at all biblical or or arenot honoring to God. Are we going46500:34:00.529 --> 00:34:02.569to get church support? Yeah,well, we I think we knew.46600:34:02.569 --> 00:34:09.039The answer to that is no.Right. So church support is very important46700:34:09.440 --> 00:34:14.000and we're not talking about financial support. We're talking about the backing of pastors46800:34:14.039 --> 00:34:19.119because we want more volunteers out there. Right. Well, those volunteers are46900:34:19.159 --> 00:34:22.280typically going to come from local churches. I mean, for us, we47000:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.869only allow people to volunteer if they'rea part of a local church, right,47100:34:23.909 --> 00:34:30.190because that itself shows someone who's willingto be in unity with others.47200:34:30.230 --> 00:34:34.030Yeah, proverbs eighteen one speaks ofthis very thing. It says a man47300:34:34.110 --> 00:34:39.219that isolates himself rages against sound judgmentand seeks his own and so people need47400:34:39.260 --> 00:34:43.099to be a part of a localchurch. We want volunteers that come from47500:34:43.139 --> 00:34:49.099local churches and pastors come out andobserve just complete chaos and disunity in listen,47600:34:49.179 --> 00:34:52.010chaos is a direct result of disunity. Now they're on the sidewalk in47700:34:52.090 --> 00:34:58.329most other areas of life and ministry, we're not going to get these pastors47800:34:58.369 --> 00:35:00.969on board. I mean, ultimatelywhat we want is the church to rise47900:35:01.010 --> 00:35:07.000up in these cities, to seereally not just sidewalk missionaries but church is48000:35:07.159 --> 00:35:14.440activated and coming out and pray inand offering them their resources. And what48100:35:14.639 --> 00:35:17.159we say is we want these womento stop running to the abortion clinic and48200:35:17.239 --> 00:35:21.949start running to the local church.That's how it should be. But we48300:35:22.030 --> 00:35:25.670can't get a pastor's hard and gethim engaged in engaging his conferention a congregation48400:35:25.829 --> 00:35:30.550out there if there's this unity onthe sidewalk. It's really difficult. And48500:35:30.710 --> 00:35:35.070what the news people are going toshow when they come with their cameras and48600:35:35.349 --> 00:35:42.179be you know, and their recordings. If there's a lack of unity on48700:35:42.219 --> 00:35:45.219the sidewalk, they're going to goto that, they're going to be showcasing48800:35:45.619 --> 00:35:51.329that and that becomes them the public, which is the last point of decreased48900:35:51.369 --> 00:35:54.449public support. That becomes the imagethat is presented to the public. Yeah,49000:35:54.889 --> 00:35:58.570because the news people are out there. We see them all a time,49100:35:58.650 --> 00:36:02.610right. Oh, yeah, andthey will pick up on the kind49200:36:02.610 --> 00:36:07.440of the most colorful thing that theysee out there and oftentimes that's some point49300:36:07.519 --> 00:36:15.639of contention or someone that is acaricature of what a pro life ministry should49400:36:15.639 --> 00:36:20.230be. Yeah. So, sothose are kind of the negative effects and49500:36:20.230 --> 00:36:22.989I think sometimes, if they're pointedout, that can help, that can49600:36:22.070 --> 00:36:27.869help slute, help groups that aretruly truly their goal is for the right49700:36:28.190 --> 00:36:30.869purpose, in the right motivation,if they know that the disunity that that49800:36:31.309 --> 00:36:36.099they are a part of is ismaking it less likely that they're going to49900:36:36.219 --> 00:36:42.099meet their important goal and maybe theywill decide to drop that disunity, that50000:36:42.300 --> 00:36:45.539those disagreements and and try to reachthem are unified approach. Yeah, does50100:36:45.579 --> 00:36:50.809the Bible Talk About Unity? Yeah, absolutely it does. It does all50200:36:50.889 --> 00:36:52.610through the scripture. We see itdoes, and we we picked up for50300:36:53.210 --> 00:36:58.809there's plenty more, but the firstones is efficients, for okay, versus50400:36:58.969 --> 00:37:01.760one through six. Yeah, soyou will good and yeah, cool.50500:37:02.880 --> 00:37:08.920Ephesians, for wonders, is onethrough six. All right. Therefore,50600:37:09.719 --> 00:37:15.119I therefore, the prisoner of theLord, Beseech you to walk worthy of50700:37:15.199 --> 00:37:19.590the calling with which you are called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with50800:37:19.710 --> 00:37:22.750long suffering, bearing with one anotherin love, endeavoring to keep the unity50900:37:22.829 --> 00:37:27.630of the spirit, in the bondof peace. There's one body and one51000:37:27.750 --> 00:37:30.860spirit, just as you were calledin one hope of your calling, one51100:37:30.980 --> 00:37:34.780Lord, when faith, when baptism, one God and father of all,51200:37:34.820 --> 00:37:37.300who is above all and through youall, in in you, all.51300:37:37.340 --> 00:37:45.889Amen. We actually remember memorize thatscripture as a family because of the disunity,51400:37:45.050 --> 00:37:47.889the potential for DIS unity. Imean, wherever you put a group51500:37:47.889 --> 00:37:54.010of human beings you're going to havepotential disunity. And so we memorize the51600:37:54.769 --> 00:38:00.400part in verse three endeavoring to keepthe unity of the spirit and the bond51700:38:00.480 --> 00:38:04.840of peace. And notice the wordendeavoring. Endeavoring that is not easy towards51800:38:04.920 --> 00:38:08.280it's we're really working. Mine sayseager, my I. I actually don't51900:38:08.280 --> 00:38:13.190know which translation I use, butit but eager to maintain the unity of52000:38:13.309 --> 00:38:19.590the spirit. Again, there's thisintentional eagerness to promote unity and and the52100:38:19.670 --> 00:38:23.269bond of peace. So these areworthy callings that God has has called us52200:38:23.349 --> 00:38:30.099to one body. All right.The next one is John Seventeen, verse52300:38:30.300 --> 00:38:34.619twenty one. Yeah, this verseactually is a verse that we use within52400:38:34.739 --> 00:38:39.860love life as one of our motivations, right, of getting churches involved and52500:38:40.300 --> 00:38:46.210and ultimately, what will say isunity is evangelism, and this is where52600:38:46.210 --> 00:38:50.289Jesus talks about that they might beone, as you and I are one,52700:38:51.050 --> 00:38:54.050so that the world will believe thatyou sent me. So we want52800:38:54.090 --> 00:38:59.280the world to believe, won't peopleto embrace that Jesus is the Messiah,52900:38:59.320 --> 00:39:01.360that he's the Lord right and theyneed to put their trust in him.53000:39:01.360 --> 00:39:07.079And part of that unity, orpart of the motivation of unity, is53100:39:07.159 --> 00:39:08.800so that the world will believe,like if they see a divided church,53200:39:08.840 --> 00:39:12.989and that's one of the things thatyou, if you talk to godless people,53300:39:13.190 --> 00:39:15.230started to atheist. One of thethings they'll point to. Is it53400:39:15.829 --> 00:39:20.550true? Christians argue all the timeabout certain points of doctor and all that,53500:39:20.630 --> 00:39:23.110and other they music or whatever andthe right. Sometimes they're right.53600:39:23.150 --> 00:39:30.059Yeah, yeah, and you know, there are reasons to honestly argue.53700:39:30.539 --> 00:39:35.139But have conversations about theology. Wecertainly should. Theology is important. Like53800:39:35.179 --> 00:39:37.099I said, I'm a theology Geekand I study theology and it's important.53900:39:38.010 --> 00:39:45.889But are peripheral issues that we havedenominations and things over should not divide us54000:39:45.889 --> 00:39:49.530in such a way that we can'treally unify around something that is so close54100:39:49.610 --> 00:39:53.400to the heart of God like thekilling of the unborn. Hey, it54200:39:53.559 --> 00:39:57.960really should not be that we're disunifiedin that way, is a matter of54300:39:57.960 --> 00:40:00.400fact. One of the things thatI think is really awesome that we've seen54400:40:00.440 --> 00:40:07.789here in Charlotte is we've seen ahundred and seventy plus churches rally here at54500:40:07.829 --> 00:40:13.989the abortion center. And we're talkingPRESBYTERIANS, we're talking methodist, baptist,54600:40:13.989 --> 00:40:19.349pentecostals, nondenominational and anything in between, right and these pastors standing next to54700:40:19.349 --> 00:40:22.059a pastor that they never, neverotherwise would have be fellowship with. But54800:40:22.260 --> 00:40:25.739really are unified around that which isvery close to the heart of God,54900:40:27.179 --> 00:40:30.940which is the innocent, these babiesthat are that are killed. And so55000:40:31.179 --> 00:40:37.929unity in that scripture is evangelism,it's showing forth the glory of Jesus,55100:40:37.969 --> 00:40:43.329and that's why we should endeavor orstrive to maintain unity. Yes, the55200:40:43.369 --> 00:40:46.889Bible says. Yeah. So it'sa great rallying cry for for the love55300:40:47.010 --> 00:40:52.639life churches and members and missionaries.So how about this one? First,55400:40:52.719 --> 00:40:58.159Corinthians, one, okay, versusten to twelve. Now I plead with55500:40:58.239 --> 00:41:00.960you, brethren, by the nameof our Lord Jesus Christ, that you55600:41:00.199 --> 00:41:05.389all speak the same thing and thatthere be no divisions among you, that55700:41:05.510 --> 00:41:08.150you be perfectly joined together in thesame mind, with the same judgment,55800:41:08.949 --> 00:41:12.989for it has been declared to meconcerning you, my brethren, by those55900:41:13.030 --> 00:41:15.750of chloe's house, that there arecontentions among you. Now this I say56000:41:16.070 --> 00:41:20.980that each of you says, I'mof Paul, I'm of Apolos, I'm56100:41:21.059 --> 00:41:24.099of CEPISTS, I'm of Christ.Is Christ divided? Was Paul Crucified for56200:41:24.179 --> 00:41:27.820you? Were you baptized in thename of Paul? I think, God,56300:41:27.860 --> 00:41:31.260that I baptize none of you exceptChristmas and Gaius, lest any should56400:41:31.300 --> 00:41:34.650say that I baptize them in myown name. And he gives on to56500:41:34.730 --> 00:41:37.929talk about right, he baptized afew, but the point is that I'm56600:41:38.010 --> 00:41:42.369not the one that saved you.Yeah, Paul saying, I listen,56700:41:42.610 --> 00:41:45.570you guys are saved by Jesus.Why are you divided? And you know,56800:41:45.650 --> 00:41:51.880we do have these divisions in denominationsbecause of different theological points. We're56900:41:51.920 --> 00:41:55.599not pretending to solve that in thispodcast. Those have to be acknowledged,57000:41:57.159 --> 00:42:00.320but there is a point in whichwe need to strive for unity even in57100:42:00.519 --> 00:42:04.150spite of those differences that we hold. That's what he says, but that57200:42:04.429 --> 00:42:07.110you be united in the same mindand the same judgment, and that's in57300:42:07.230 --> 00:42:13.429the root issues of the truth ofthe Gospel. Be United. And so57400:42:13.670 --> 00:42:17.460again that that message, that unity, is very critical if we are going57500:42:17.579 --> 00:42:22.500to promote Jesus. Yeah, we'regoing to promote the truth of WHO Jesus57600:42:22.659 --> 00:42:24.059is in the Gospel. Yeah,okay, and the last one that I57700:42:24.179 --> 00:42:29.619have here is ecclesiastes twelve, andI have that right here. Do you57800:42:29.659 --> 00:42:32.050want need to read it? Andthough a man might prevail against one who57900:42:32.050 --> 00:42:38.090is alone to will withstand him.A threefold cord is not quickly broken.58000:42:38.889 --> 00:42:45.719So that's the positive truth of whenthere are three united, even to where58100:42:45.800 --> 00:42:50.159two or more ye gathered, absolutelythere, I among them. So unity58200:42:50.280 --> 00:42:55.480is powerful, yes, and andobviously biblical. So does the Bible Guide58300:42:55.519 --> 00:43:00.670us in addressing disunity? And itdoes. Yeah, absolutely. Thank you58400:43:00.710 --> 00:43:05.349for listening to the Gospel Center perlife podcast this week. This is actually58500:43:05.349 --> 00:43:07.710going to be a two part episode. This is part one and we'll take58600:43:07.750 --> 00:43:15.500up next week with part two,so stay tuned. Give me our love58700:43:15.699 --> 00:43:28.969for love, give me our lovefor gratitude. I know it will cost58800:43:29.090 --> 00:43:37.090me my love. Nothing's too preciousin some you