Unity
What a wonderful commodity in the community of believers.
What a powerful concept
What an enabling principle – what we can do as a united body of believers.
Unity is a priority.
Genesis 11:4-6 says this
4Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
5But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building.
6The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.
Unity is a major theme in the New Testament.
2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Phil 4:2-3 (NIV)
2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, 3for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly?
Maturity is proven in relationship.
Maturity is proven in not quarreling
Maturity is not acting in jealousy toward another
Unity is the focus and action of mature believers.