Philippians 2:1-8 – 1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (New Living Translation)

How To Have Unity

☞ Defuse ______________________________

Philippians 2:3 – Never act from motives of rivalries . . . (Phillips Translation)

1st cause of conflict is competing ____________________

James 4:1-2 – 1 Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you. 2 You want things, but you do not have them. So you are . . . jealous of other people, but you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. . . . (New Century Version)

☞ Eliminate ____________________

Philippians 2:3 – Never act from motives of . . . personal vanity, . . . (Phillips Translation)

2nd cause of conflict is personal ____________________

Proverbs 16:18 – First pride, then the crash – the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. (The Message)

Proverbs 13:10 – Pride leads to arguments; . . . (New Living Translation)

☞ Reduce ____________________

Philippians 2:3 – . . . in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (King James Version)

3rd cause of conflict is failing to __________________ other people

James 4:11 – Don’t criticize and speak evil about each other, dear brothers. If you do, you will be fighting against God’s law of loving one another, declaring it is wrong. But your job is not to decide whether this law is right or wrong, but to obey it. (The Living Bible)

☞ Show ______________________________

Philippians 2:4 – And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own. (Good News Translation)

4th cause of conflict is ________________________ of others

1 Peter 3:1-2, 7 – 1 The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated 2 by your life of holy beauty. . . . 7 The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God’s grace, you’re equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don’t run aground. (The Message)

☞ Develop ____________________________________

Philippians 2:5 – Let your attitude to life be that of Christ Jesus himself, . . . (Phillips Translation)

5th cause of conflict is living ________________ ______________

Ephesians 4:3 – Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. (Good News Translation)