Focus: Be About Serving

Foundation Scripture: Luke 22:24-27 (TPT)

Prayer Points:
1. Don't be obsessed with how others see you, be obsessed with how Jesus sees you!
2. Follow Jesus, follow His model!
3. Most important in the Kingdom are those who lead by serving others!
4. Pray for a Powerful Sunday Service!

Foundation Scripture
32 All the believers were one in mind and heart. Selfishness was not a part of their community, for they shared everything they had with one another.

Acts 4:32 TPT

Unity Is His-Story!
Unity within our churches and communities has been stretched and challenged over the past few years. The world has become more polarizing, causing people to take sides on many issues.

For God to move in churches and communities, we need to be united, no matter what is happening in the culture or around the world. I am convinced that when we have the unity demonstrated by the church in Acts, we will have the same power the church had in Acts. We will then be able to set aside our differences and unify around one thing: the Lord Jesus Christ.

So how can we maintain unity when the surrounding forces are trying to tear us apart?

Here are five ways we can have unity in our community:

FIVE WAYS FOR UNITY
1. Develop an attitude of acceptance.

o Accept people where they are, not where you want them to be. Do not major on minor issues. You do not need to insist that everyone agrees on every minor detail.

o Notice that Paul recognizes there are “disputable matters.” You will not agree on everything, and you do not need to have mutual agreement to achieve unity in our community.

o Focusing on a common purpose leads to unity.

o Do not let gossip fester in our community.

o When you listen to it, you become a partner in it.

o What is gossip? Gossip is when you are sharing a problem or criticism with someone who is neither part of the problem nor the solution.

a. Spiritual leaders.

b. Natural leaders.

15 “If your fellow believer sins against you, you must go to that one privately and attempt to resolve the matter. If he responds, your relationship is restored. 16 But if his heart is closed to you, then go to him again, taking one or two others with you. You’ll be fulfilling what the Scripture teaches when it says, ‘Every word may be verified by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 And if he refuses to listen, then share the issue with the congregation in hopes of restoration. If he still refuses to respond, even to the church, then you must disregard him as though he were an outsider, on the same level as an unrepentant sinner.

Matthew 18:15-17 TPT

o What happens if the person still does not listen? You treat them like an unbeliever. You still love them, but do not treat the person like a believing member.

Conclusion:
1) What will you do to practice unity in your community?
a. Accept people, focus on a common purpose, control your tongue, encourage and support leadership, and grow in conflict resolution

2) Let’s prove to the world we are His true followers.