God’s Vision For His Church: United In Love

God knows that a DIVIDED church is a DOOMED church.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25 (NIV)

God knows that a UNIFIED church is an UNSTOPPABLE church.

“Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! Genesis 11:6 (NLT)

GOD’S CHURCH VISION: THAT WE WOULD BE UNIFIED BY LOVE!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 (NIV)

“I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. You must go on living in my love. John 15:9 (Phillips)

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13 (NLT)

I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:23 (NLT)

Be devoted to one another in love. Romans 12:10 (NIV)

I WILL STRIVE FOR LOVING UNITY BECAUSE…

1. My Love For Other Disciples PROVES MY OWN DISCIPLESHIP.

Your love for one another will be the proof to the world that you really are my disciples.” John 13:34

• It Makes Me MORE LIKE GOD.

Holy Father, protect them by the power of[a] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11b (NIV)

• JESUS’ PRAYER Was That We Would Live In Love & Unity.

My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me. John 17:21 (TLB)

• I Don’t Want To WASTE THE GIFT OF GOD’S GLORY.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.” John 17:22 (NLT)

• It Helps Us RESCUE A LOST & DIVIDED WORLD.

May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:23b (NLT)

• It REMOVES FEAR & It CREATES BOLDNESS.

Then all the believers united in this prayer… 31 After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly preached God’s message. Acts 4:24, 31 (TLB)

• When We Are Truly United, EVERYONE’S NEEDS ARE MET.

The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. Acts 4:32 (MSG)

• It Is What I COMMITTED TO WHEN I WAS BAPTIZED.

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] 1 Corinthians 12:12-13a (AMP)

• Being United FOCUSES US ON OUR REAL PURPOSE.

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)

• Jesus Never Meant For Me To FIGHT THIS BATTLE ALONE.

Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other… 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:20-21, 25-27 (NLT)

• I Know JESUS DIED TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God. Ephesians 2:16 (GNT)

• Jesus Expects Me To WORK HARD TOWARD THIS GOAL.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. Philippians 1:27-28 (MSG)

Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 (NCV)