NJ - Unity with Jesus

Walking in Unity with Jesus

Good morning and welcome to Oasis, It is great to have you with us. If you are visiting today, we would love to catch you after our service for morning tea and get to know you. Gongradulations to those that participated in the child dedications last week and thank you to Monica, Chris and Dingi for sharing the word. The last time I shared on (Purposing unity in our lives and relationships) and today we will focus on: “WALKING IN UNITY WITH JESUS” and the importance of having Jesus at the centre of all we do. He brings a peace in our hearts and lives, gives us wisdom in times of need and loves us with an everlasting love.

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Open in Prayer:

Father we pray that our hearts are open to receive all that you have for us today. We thank you for your Holy Spirit and the revelation that He brings to us. Amen

Ephesians 4:1-6

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 here is one body and one Spirit, just as also 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 over all and through all and in all.

Introduction:

Walking in unity is not the easiest thing for us to do. This is a battle that we need to fight everyday. To walk in unity with Jesus, it is to put aside our agenda and walk in what is best for all. The prophet Amos asked this question. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3.) This is a question that must be faced up to in our fellowship with other believers. Unity is a vital part of walking worthy.

Point 1

The Church, Gods design

The church is more than a physical structure, it is not bricks and mortar, we are the church the children of God (Ekklesia).

Ekklesia is a Greek word defined as “a called-out assembly or congregation.” Ekklesia is commonly translated as “church” in the New Testament

1Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

We are a chosen generation just as the scripture tells us, we are the body of Christ. Christ is the head of His church and we are His body, we continue the work of Jesus, doing His will, for His purposes. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit and through His authority we minister in Jesus name.

Point 2

God loves community

God loves community; He set this in His design of the church before the beginning. It is as we walk in Unity with Jesus that He helps us build community together. He never meant for us to be alone, it is in the community of the church body that our faith grows stronger and we are nourished.

Jesus prays that we would be one

John 17:20-23

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Acts 2:46-47

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.

We are the example for the world today, people are looking for community. Whether they join a club or a sporting group, the real need is connection with other people.

Gods design for the church is to meet the need of community. Many people were added to the early church because of the relationship and the lifestyle the church modeled.

As the church today we are called to show the world Gods design for relationships, community and to be unified in love.

Our Unity with God points us in the right direction, it helps us to stay focused on His leading and not on our own trajectory. As we follow His direction we are brought close with the same focus and purpose.

If we focus on our own trajectory, it naturally causes a separation.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Point 3

The power of unity

There is power in unity. The enemy will always come to divide and conquer, he does this because he knows the power of unity. When we the church and as individuals are in Unity with Jesus it is there that the Kingdom God is advanced.

When we are unified as the Church we are blessed!

Psalm 133:1-3

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.

Let us be people thar allow the anointing oil flow over our lives , when the enemy comes to offend us, let us let it slip right off.

It is dificult to do things on your own

We need to be in Unity with Jesus

He leads others into our lives so we can help each other

There is power in a group of people who are unified under one cause, That cause is Jesus and seeing others come into relationship with Him. We need to serve beyond ourselves and hold the hands of others beside us. We are the Church, called by grace, saved from sin and living to bring light to the world, by the power of Jesus and His word, be a good example.

Conclusion

In concluding today, it is important that we understand that there is power in unity. The bible tells us in Deuteronomy 32:30 that one being able to put 1000 to flight and two can put 10000 to flight. Were there is unity there will always be victory in God. As we walk in all that God has called us to, it is than that we are truly blessed.