IS THE CHURCH STILL RELEVANT TODAY?

“When It Radiates Unity”

Pastor Duane Cross | 11.13.2011

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God’, yet hated his brother he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command; whoever loves God must also love his brother.” I John 4:19-21(NIV)

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together in peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.” Ephesians 4:3-6(NLT)

HOW DO WE FOSTER UNITY?

I. BY AFFIRMING EACH OTHERS WORTH

* With acceptance

“Accept one another just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7(NIV)

* With attention

“Give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10(NCV)

* With affection

“Love one another with brotherly affection as members of one family...” Romans 12:10(AMP)

* With appreciation

“Brothers and sisters, appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.” I Thessalonians 5:12(NCV)

II. BY PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER

“Epaphras...always prays for you that you will grow spiritually mature.” Colossians 4:12(NCV)

“I pray...you’ll be able to feel and understand, how long, wide, deep, and high Christ’s love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves...” Ephesians 3:18-19(LB)

“I pray...you will always be eager to do right.” Hebrews 13:21(CEV)

“I pray God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him.” Romans 15:13(NCV)

“I pray God...would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation.” Ephesians 1:17(GW)

"I pray the Lord will guide you to be as loving as God and as patient as Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5(CEV)

“I pray God...may strengthen you with power through his Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16(NIV)

“May...God develop maturity in you, so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all.” Romans 15:5(MES)

III. BY ADMITTING OUR OWN BROKENNESS

“Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other.” Ephesians 4:25(NCV)

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16(LB)

“If we live in the light, then we have fellowship with one another.” 1 John 1:7(TEV)

4 COMMITMENTS

1) I commit to love

2) I commit to affirm

3) I commit to pray

4) I commit to live