Part 1: Signs of Unity in the Church Part 1: Signs of Unity in the Church

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21 (NLT)

Oneness; state of being one or at one; the arrangement of all the parts to one purpose or effect; harmony Unity:

1 1 WE ARE WORKING AS A TEAM Signs of Unity in the Church:

“Unless you become a team, you can’t win. You cannot win as individuals in the sport of hockey or any other team sport, period.” ~ Phil Esposito “Unless you become a team, you can’t win. You cannot win as individuals in the sport of hockey or any other team sport, period.” ~ Phil Esposito

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)

“We must all hang together or we shall all hang separately.” ~ Benjamin Franklin “We must all hang together or we shall all hang separately.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

…He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 (NLT)

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” ~ Michael Jordan “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” ~ Michael Jordan

2 2 WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE ESSENTIALS Signs of Unity in the Church:

“True unity is not sought by pretending that there are no differences… but by recognizing and respecting those differences, while focusing on the great orthodox truths all Christians share.” ~ Charles Colson “True unity is not sought by pretending that there are no differences… but by recognizing and respecting those differences, while focusing on the great orthodox truths all Christians share.” ~ Charles Colson

“Harmony and oneness in the Spirit can be achieved only when Christians put aside their personal agendas and submit themselves to the authority of the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit, which empowers the church, can never lead believers into disunity.” ~ Charles Colson “Harmony and oneness in the Spirit can be achieved only when Christians put aside their personal agendas and submit themselves to the authority of the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit, which empowers the church, can never lead believers into disunity.” ~ Charles Colson

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 4:5 (NLT)

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)

“Fixed in the firmament like no other star, the North Star gives sailors a sense of direction and becomes their sure and constant guide.” ~ Leonard Sweet “Fixed in the firmament like no other star, the North Star gives sailors a sense of direction and becomes their sure and constant guide.” ~ Leonard Sweet

3 3 WE ARE GROWING IN OUR LOVE Signs of Unity in the Church:

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 (NLT)

“It is a true sign of the church when true Christians love one another. The church is to be a loving church in a dying culture.” ~ Francis Schaeffer “It is a true sign of the church when true Christians love one another. The church is to be a loving church in a dying culture.” ~ Francis Schaeffer

“Unfeigned, practical love has a divinely generated magnetic power far more effective than evangelistic programs which depend almost entirely on verbal communication. People do not want to hear us talk about love, they want to experience how Christian love really works.”

Part 1: Signs of Unity in the Church Part 1: Signs of Unity in the Church