1 00:00:00,026 --> 00:00:05,363 Do you know it is a massive mercy of God 2 00:00:05,363 --> 00:00:07,797 that this church has not suffered 3 00:00:07,797 --> 00:00:10,383 any major split. 4 00:00:10,383 --> 00:00:12,525 It's the mercy of God. 5 00:00:12,525 --> 00:00:16,306 But I'll tell you this, 6 00:00:16,306 --> 00:00:18,543 it being a mercy of God does not mean 7 00:00:18,543 --> 00:00:22,224 that we should take any other posture 8 00:00:22,224 --> 00:00:23,996 than what Paul's calling for, 9 00:00:23,996 --> 00:00:25,473 to fight for it. 10 00:00:25,473 --> 00:00:26,858 Because I'll tell you this, 11 00:00:26,858 --> 00:00:29,614 the Spirit of God works through your fight, 12 00:00:29,614 --> 00:00:32,126 and you don't fight this battle with sword. 13 00:00:32,126 --> 00:00:35,345 You fight this battle with all humility 14 00:00:35,345 --> 00:00:38,346 and gentleness with patience, 15 00:00:38,346 --> 00:00:40,946 bearing with one another - bearing! 16 00:00:40,946 --> 00:00:42,236 We're not thin-skinned. 17 00:00:42,236 --> 00:00:46,787 Thin-skinned Christians ruin and wreck churches. 18 00:00:46,787 --> 00:00:51,746 You're people who are tolerant. 19 00:00:51,746 --> 00:00:55,664 You're people who have thick skins. 20 00:00:55,664 --> 00:00:57,585 You're not easily offended. 21 00:00:57,585 --> 00:00:59,317 You're not squealing 22 00:00:59,317 --> 00:01:01,105 and running around all the time. 23 00:01:01,105 --> 00:01:04,696 You're not wagging your tongues all the time. 24 00:01:04,696 --> 00:01:07,607 This excerpt was taken from the full sermon: 25 00:01:07,607 --> 00:01:09,476 "The Unity of the Spirit"