Why Can’t We Get Along?

▸ Not all truths are __________________

▸ Personal relationships affect _______________________

Psalm 1:1 – Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. (Good News Translation)

Proverbs 4:14-15 – 14 Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed in the way of evil ones. 15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by. (Christian Standard Bible)

1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (New Revised Standard Version)

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (New King James Version)

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 – 9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. (New Living Translation)

▸ Religious practices aren’t necessarily ___________________ practices

1 Timothy 6:3-5 – 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. (New King James Version)

2 John 9-11 – 9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. . . . 10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work. (New Living Translation)

Three Areas Where True Christians Can and Should Cooperate

▸ We are to be united in the _____________________ of Jesus – our doctrine

Ephesians 2:13-14 – 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. (New Living Translation)

Ephesians 4:4-6 – 4 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. 5 You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. (The Message)

▸ We are to be united in the _____________________ of Jesus – our practice

John 13:34-35 – 34 [Jesus said,] “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (New Living Translation)

1 John 3:10 – You can tell God’s children from the devil’s children, because those who belong to the devil refuse to do right or to love each other. (Contemporary English Version)

▸ We are to be united in the _____________________ of Jesus – our service

1 Corinthians 3:9 – For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. (New Revised Standard Version)