The Imperative of Unity 5, Motivations to Stand

Unity is an Imperative To walk to the praise of His glory To show the wisdom of God to rulers and authorities To walk worthy of the invitation to be His rich and glorious inheritance With appropriate attitudes Having defined the unity of the Spirit

Three things about Biblical Unity Real unity is not outwardly controlled Real unity is motivated inwardly Tough jobs demand motivation

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose Philippians 2:1-2, NASV

 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. …7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, …8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. …19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers … I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm …

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27, NASV 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose Philippians 2:2, NASV

Therefore if there is any (since /because there is…) encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose Philippians 2:1-2, NASV

Four Motivations to Stand in Unity Because we have received encouragement in Christ encouragement; to come alongside and help, counsel, stand beside, exhort

Jhn 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love, a sign to all men Jhn 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. Unity, causes the world to believe

Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; Gal 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Four Motivations to Stand in Unity Because we have received encouragement in Christ Because we have received comfort from love Comfort; persuasive words, address of consolation…from LOVE

Rom 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Comfort and consolation when we are in distress who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. Comfort and consolation when we are in distress

Understanding sympathy for mercy and grace when needed Heb 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Understanding sympathy for mercy and grace when needed

Four Motivations to Stand in Unity Because we have received encouragement in Christ Because we have received comfort from love Because there is the participation of the Spirit

Gen 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Gen 2:7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living fnbeing.

The Father is the Divine Architect, Eph 3:14-16 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, The Father is the Divine Architect, Jesus, the Divine Creator, the Holy Spirit is the Divine Energizer

Four Motivations to Stand in Unity Because we have received encouragement in Christ Because we have received comfort from love Because there is the participation of the Spirit Because we have received affection and sympathy from the Spirit

Eph 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 1Th 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; …

Tit 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Rom. 8:25-27 in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Four Motivations to Stand in Unity Because we have received encouragement in Christ Because we have received comfort from love Because there is the participation of the Spirit Because we have received affection and sympathy from the Spirit Be of the same mind Same love United in spirit Intent on one purpose