A United Church

A United Church

Week 3: Relate in Unity

Series Theme Scripture: John 17:20-24

1. The Power and Path of Unity

2. Live in unity (marriage, children)

3 .Relate in unity (church)

4. Pursue unity (Holy Spirit)

The solidarity, confidence, endurance, unity, and stability in all our relationships come only from our solidarity, confidence, endurance, unity, and stability in our relationship with God.

Our ability to be the body of Christ has the POWER to unlock purpose and vision that conquers even the gates of Hell.

1 Corinthians 1:10 TPT

I urge you, my brothers and sisters, for the sake of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree to live in unity with one another and put to rest any division that attempts to tear you apart. Be restored as one united body living in perfect harmony. Form a consistent choreography among yourselves, having a common perspective with shared values.

Acts 2:42-47 TPT 

Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.

The Mildly Devoted Version

They were devoted to their comfort, happiness, personal goals, dreams, and bucket lists. No one really noticed the Christians because they focused on themselves. Very few of the believers were together, and when they were, they fought about stupid things. If they sold anything, they used the money to buy something better for themselves. They claimed to love God, but they didn’t even love each other. So they felt empty, alone, and depressed. As a result, most people disliked them and very few lives were changed. Acts 2:42-47 MDV

The first-century believers desperately needed each other, and they knew it.

Believers today desperately need each other, and they have forgotten it.

divisions: schisma (skhis’-mah); a split, a division, a schism, a ripping or tearing apart.

People are intentionally pursuing a life that destroys their mental health and robs them of real joy and lasting fulfillment. – God never intended it to be that way.

John 17:20-21, 23 NIV 

“… I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message… that all of them may be one … so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” 

WHAT WILL UNIFY THE CHURCH?

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 

1. HAVING ONE ENEMY 

Ephesians 6:12 NIV 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

John 10:10 NIV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy …

Our fight is not AGAINST one another but WITH one another – against one enemy.

2. HAVING ONE MISSION 

Matthew 28:19 NIV 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

John 13:34-35 NIV 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” 

Unity with one another is the church’s primary expression of Christ.

We are not spiritual consumers. We are spiritual contributors. The church doesn’t exist for us. We are the church. And we exist for the world. 

The church is not a place we go – it is who we are!  {INSTRUMENTS}

Romans 15:5-7 NIV

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.  

Church is who we are, and we are…

…a gathering of grace.

Philippians 1:7 TPT

You have a permanent place in my heart! You have remained partners with me in the wonderful grace of God.

Because of God’s grace we create a safe place for those least like us to belong, believe and become. (Transformed) 

We make it a place where others are welcome with their questions, their doubts, their hurts, their addictions, their baggage, and their depression. It’s a gathering of grace.

…a gathering of healing.

Confess to God for forgiveness. Confess to people for healing.

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

You come, you confess, you pray, and you are healed.

We are a gathering of grace, and a gathering of healing…

…a gathering of mission

Acts 2:46-47 NIV

Every day they continued to meet together … They ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God … And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We are a gathering of grace, a gathering of healing, and a gathering of mission.

Additional Scriptures

Serve one another. Galatians 5:13

Show hospitality to one another. 1 Peter 4:9

Be kind to one another. Ephesians 4:32

Encourage one another. 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Carry one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2

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