3. Volume 1: 1. Offer Consistent Bible Truth 2. Offer Loving Fellowship 3. Make Prayer the Priority 4. Trust God to Do Supernatural Things 5. Maintain Unity

4. God creates unity among individual Christians; healthy churches maintain it. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common…” Acts 2:42-44

5. How the Bible DESCRIBES unity. 1

6. Jesus PRAYED for it. “That they may they be brought to complete unity…” John 17:23

7. God GIVES it. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus…” Romans 15:5

8. Love KEEPS it together. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14

9. 4 Unity MATTERS to God. 2 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

10. Unity is not the same as UNIFORMITY. 3 Unity exists in DIVERSITY. Uniformity expects SAMENESS.

11. Unity is not the same as man- made UNION. 4 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

12. Only GOD can create unity. 5 MEETING together is not the same as unity. Unity is an ACT of the Spirit. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3

13. Two Choices About the Unity of Your Church 1. We can DISRUPT unity. 2. We can MAINTAIN unity. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Eph 4:29-30

14. Be KIND to one another. (Ephesians 4:32) 1

15. Please OTHERS instead of ourselves. (Romans 15:2) 2

16. Carry each others BURDENS. (Romans 15:1) 3

17. PRAY for unity. (John 17:23) 4

18. PRAISE God together. (Romans 15:6) 5

19. “Glorify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3 “So that with one heart and mouth, you may glorify the God and father of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:6

20. Unity is What Matters Most “There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6