1) VISION; 2) MISSION; 3)WORD of God; 4) biblical WORSHIP; 5) EVANGELISM (world & personal); 6) A commitment to DISCIPLESHIP; 7) A commitment to UNITY.
ILLUS- POLITICS? What do you think? Remember 9-11-01
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Ps. 133:1 John 17:20-23- Jesus’ prayer is that we demonstrate unity.
POINT 1- POWER of UNITY
A. When people are united, they can do ANYTHING (Genesis 11:1-6).
B. When people lack unity, they can do NOTHING (Matthew. 12:22-26).
C. The power of the Holy Spirit is obvious when we are ONE (Acts 4:20-37).
It is important for us to understand the power that comes through UNITY and the power of the Holy Spirit in honoring that unity.
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
ILL- Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.AW Tozer
POINT 2- PROBLEMS that prevent UNITY
A. Hindrances to unity come from FALSE TEACHING (Rom. 16:17-18).
B. Hindrances to unity come from EGOTISM (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3 Jn. 1:9).
C. Hindrances to unity come from SELFISHNESS (Philippians 2:1-4).
D. Hindrances to unity come from SLANDER (James 3:2-12).
We cannot be ignorant of the Devil’s schemes to bring discord (2 Cor. 2:11).
“These six things the LORD hates…one who sows discord among brethren” Prov 6:19
POINT 3- PROTECTION of UNITY
“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:3
A. Pray for unity just as Jesus did (John 17:21)
B. Don’t be selfish, but think of others better than yourself (Phil 2:3).
C. Appreciate the gifts that other people bring into the body (1 Cor. 12:12-27).
D. You must forgive others if you expect to be forgiven (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:35).
E. If you have something against someone, you go to that person directly in a spirit of love and for the purpose of reconciliation (Matthew 18:15-20).
God has called us to peace and unity. We will be a light and salt to our community if we maintain the unity of the Holy Spirit!