4 Things that Build Unity

Introduction

We have been blessed with a great year here. Much growth. New faces everywhere.  This is a good thing. Now we are bringing in new leadership. This is definitely a time of transition and a wonderful time for our congregation. How can we continue to forge bonds that will help us grow closer to Christ & each other?

I.  6 Things That Avalanches Teach Us.

A.     Takes time to forge bonds to one another.

1.     Takes a commitment to get to know each other.

2.     key to forging bonds with each other is learning NOT to abandon others for ourselves.

B.     Sometimes bonds are never forged.

1.     Dangerous for congregation & for individual Christians as well.

2.     When bonds not forged  – someone is not making an effort.

C.     Takes some degree of warmth to forge bonds.

1.      Snow crystals do not bond together well in extreme cold.

2.      Brethren do not bond together well in a cold, unloving, unforgiving atmosphere!  1 Pet. 4:4-6, 8

D.     Shape of ice crystals themselves is a key factor!

1.     How is our personality, character shaped?

2.     Col. 3:12-14 – this how we to shape our character!

E.     When conditions are right, it does not take much to trigger a slide!

F.     With very little warning – sound of thunder or silk…

1.     Sometimes congregations rip apart w/no warning.

II. 4 Things that will forge bonds of unity.

A.     Must see our common foe.

1.       husband/wife; brother/sister fighting. Try stop: both turn on one trying to stop.  Why?  Common enemy.

2.       Who is our enemy?  Eph. 6:11-13; 1 Pet. 5:8-9

B.     We must work together to fight the devil

C.     A common tragedy.

1.       Natural disaster; family problems/death – people unite together.

2.       Christians have a common tragedy: sin! Rom. 3:23; 1 Jhn. 1:8-10.

3.       We face a serious judgment.  Heb. 9:27 – all men have this in common. 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Jhn. 5:28-29; Rom. 14:12

D.    A common purpose.

1.     Our sense of purpose should be drawing us together.

a)      See Acts 4:32.  Christians were:

b)    all together, supporting each other.

2.     Eph. 4:15-16 – our purpose is defined here.

E.     A common blessing.

1.      Acts 2:42 – what is it that brought them together?

2.      2 Cor. 9:12-15 – How did Jews/Gentiles yearn/long for each other?

3.      We share the blessing of salvation.

a)     1 Pet. 1:18-23 – we’ve been born again!

III.  We need to appreciate:

A.     Our foe; Our tragedy; Our purpose; Our blessing

B.     Eph. 4:3-6 - must spiritually join hands, hearts, go to work as His body!

C.     Are you standing alone?  Why?  Jhn 17:20-21