“unified as one”
Ephesians 4:1 – 7
“I Will Be a Unifying Church Member” – Ch 2
In our second of a six-week sermon series, we continue to reflect on the significance of being a biblically functioning church member. Every member is vital to the body of Christ, and unity in the church is critical to the fulfilling of its’ mission in reaching a lost world.
A unified church is a force that is terrible to behold against the powers of darkness and the forces of evil. Ultimately, unity in the church will influence the culture around us. Likewise, a disjointed church is impotent, vulnerable, and ineffective.
§ In fact, disunity is detrimental to the cause of Christ because ______
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§ Time and time again, we who proclaim unity are ______
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§ At Ebenezer, we are open to learning the importance of being “united as one” and ______
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– in our text –
§ The Bible teaches that God designed the Church and the Believer to exist as one. ______
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The Relevant Question > “What is unity a big deal?”
1 – unity results from ______
§ Unity is the result of our Lord ______
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§ In John 17:21, Jesus asks for church unity. ______
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§ Unity is a reflection of the Trinity: ______
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§ Unity is an expression of our relationship with God thru Christ ______
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§ Unity is a testimony to a lost world ______
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Unity is also a product of the glory of God in us ______
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2 – unity is powered by ______
§ Unity is actually powered by ______
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§ Keep in mind, unity is not a product of ______
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§ Please note that we are to bear with each other ______
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§ In John 13:35, Jesus tells his disciple that ______
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§ In Col. 3:14, Paul tells us that ______
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3 – unity generates ______
§ Names on the church roll do not constitute unity. Unity is more than mere union. ______
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§ Gossip and idle or negative talk will destroy unity in the church. Gossip and slander are sins. Gossip is any conversation that backbites or spread rumors about another person. ______
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§ Gossip is destructive to the church and tears at the fabric of unity. How should we respond to the issue of gossip in our church? FIRST - ______
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SECOND - ______
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§ Unity can defeat gossip as it generates ______
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§ In Matt. 6:14-15, Jesus states ______
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§ That is, our unity with each other generates ______
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§ In Col. 3:13, Paul affirms that we should ______
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§ Unity in the church points people to the truth of God’s love and plan to redeem humanity. Unity enables the church to win the world. ______
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