Unity

Unity

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psa 133:1 ESV)

  • Def: condition      of being one, forming one complete whole, singularity
  • Syn: agreement,      harmony, accord, union, unanimity, coherence, consonance

 Foundation for Unity

as a single solid dwelling requires a firm foundation...

  1. One      God -- and our focus and love on Him (~Mark 12:28-34~)
  2. the      Truth -- content of teaching & faith (~Eph 4:4-6~)
  3. Love --      devotion to the well-being of brothers (~Eph 4:1-3~)

basis for One-ness must exist before we can really have it.

 Modes of Unity

areas of church life where unity is experienced...

  1. Doctrine      -- teach same > thinking alike (~1 Cor 1:10~ / ~1 Cor  4:17~)
  2. Heart      -- affection and 'feeling' for each other (~Phil 2:1-2~ / ~1 Pet 3:8~)
  3. Activity      -- engaged in common tasks / work (~Acts 1:14~ / ~Acts 2:42-47~ / ~Acts 4:24~)

 Enemies of Unity

  1. Error      / False Doctrine (~2 Tim 2:18~ / ~2 Jn 9-11~)
  2. Human      Ego / Pride (~Phil 2:3-4~ / ~3 Jn 9-11~)
  3. Inactivity      / Lethargy (~Phil 4:15~)

these things affect the basis and the activity required for unity

 Promoters of Unity

  1. The      Father and Son (~Jn 17:11~ / ~Eph 2:16~)
  2. Truth      and Faith (~Jn 17:17-20~ / ~Eph 4:13~)
  3. Kindness      and Forgiveness (~Col 3:12-14~ / ~Eph 4:32~)

as God works for unity, godly people also must work...

 Results of Unity

  1. World      know God's virtue & love >> Faith in Jesus (~Jn 17:21-23~)
  2. Lifting      all Brothers > joined together > Glory to God! (~Rom 15:1-6~)
  3. Grow      up like Christ >> strong, healthy body / church (~Eph 4:15,16~)

all that can be gained by unity -- is also lost without it!

 ...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...

(Eph 4:13 ESV)

  

notes by David Teel Monday, July 22, 2013

  


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