Unity & Love

Maintaining Unity and Love

Sermon Outlines from the Word An Exhortation to Unity (Psalm 133)

I. THE CHURCH SHOULD HAVE UNITY.

A. Because the church is one—The body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:12, 13; Eph. 4:4–6.

B. Since the church is one—if any member suffers, the whole body suffers. 1 Cor. 12:25, 26.

C. The church as a body can only function properly when all members are working together. 1 Cor. 12:20–24. Note v. 22. (all necessary.)

II. THE CHURCH CAN HAVE UNITY.

A. Because of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. John 14:16, 17.

1. Note the Spirit came when the church was in one accord. Acts 2:1–4.

2. After He came—Note. Acts 2:42–47. (v. 26).

B. Because Christ prayed that we have unity. John 17:20, 21. God will answer Christ’s prayer.

III. HOW THE CHURCH CAN MAINTAIN THIS UNITY.

A. By faith. Eph. 3:14–17.

B. By abiding in Christ and obeying His Word. John 15:7, 2 John 9, 1 John 3:24.

C. By putting forth an effort. Eph. 4:1–3.

IV. WHAT THIS UNITY WILL BRING THE CHURCH.

A. It will bring maturity. Eph. 4:11–13.

B. It will bring stability. Eph. 4:14.

C. It will bring love for each other. Eph. 4:15, 16.

D. It will bring rejoicing. 1 Cor. 12:26.

E. It will bring power. Acts 2:41; 4:4; 4:23–31.

5 SPECIAL MESSAGES

The church must have and maintain unity!

Ephesians 4:1–3 NKJV

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

eph

We must consider ourselves as the body of Christ. Jesus lives in us and we must respect his presence in us if we expect to benefit from him.

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 NKJV

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 4:4–6 NKJV

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

we must respect one another

1 Corinthians 12:23–26 NKJV

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

1 Corinthians 12:27 NKJV

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

1 Cor 12

we may have our differences but we can have unity in diversity through love

1 Corinthians 12:20–22 NKJV

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

1 cor 12:20

There is a blessing associated with maintaining this unity

the Holy Spirit came when the church was on one accord

Acts 2:1–4 NKJV

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

after the unity notice what happened

Acts 2:42–47 NKJV

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Act 2:42-

Psalm 133:1–3 NKJV

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

psa 133

Psalm 133:1 NKJV

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

“Good” reminds us of what God said about things in Genesis. it is God who declares that our unity is good. As a result of our unity look at verse 3. “ for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore”.

Here it is that God finds it pleasant to see us coming together as one.

The Hebrew word can mean “to sit” or “to live”. it can also mean to worship together. Such as to have a common meal together

Look at the words “it is”. they are not in the original

Psalm 133:2 NKJV

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.

this speaks to a spiritual head. Christ First then

Ephesians 4:11 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Psalm 133:3 NKJV

3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

Hermon is the highest mountain of the Eastern Syria 124 miles away from Mount Zion which is lower than it. Notice, everything flows down! This is the meaning of a covering. Everyone should be part of a church to have a covering. The covering flows down and protects all that are unified together.

life came through the Holy Spirit and with the Holy Spirit comes abundant life.

The blessings come when we unify spiritually as the body of Christ. It comes down from heaven first to the spiritual head of a church and then broadens out to every member of that church.