1. Scripture references are from the New King James Version
We're in this
Together!
Scripture references are from the New King James Version

2. Intro – We're In This Together
We're called to be in one accord – but why?
What can be accomplished if we are in unity?
How are we supposed to function when we are together?

3. Groups and Individuals
As human's we're used to doing things in groups – small and large
Football
Production Line
Build Buildings
Perform Surgery
Military Campaigns

4. Groups and Individuals
There are things that we do individually
Send text messages
Receive surgery
Command a Ship
Read a Book
Eat Cereal
Give Birth

5. Groups and Individuals
As “the love of many will grow cold” we see more and more selfishness surfacing, and since there is shortage of people who give, everyone must take for themselves.
Matt. 24: 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

6. Groups and Individuals
In the Kingdom of God, there are also things we tend to do as groups, and things we do as individuals.
We don't always get this right. Sometimes we do individually what should be done as a group, and as a group what should be done individually.

7. Groups and Individuals
Most of the time in church, and in the Kingdom of God, we should be functioning as a group, but we choose to function as an individual. Why?
Religion says so
Groups are expensive
Group behavior denies self
Group behavior is against selfishness

8. Groups and Individuals
Some important areas where we need to get this right:
Living in Unity
Counseling
Worship
Prayer

9. Living in Unity Much can be accomplished if it is done in unity
Tallest structure in the world is the m (2,722 ft) tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Genesis 11:1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

10. Living in Unity Much can be accomplished if we work together in unity
The Burj Khalifa is 2,722 feet tall – more than four times as high as the Space Needle
This building is an example of what can be accomplished if we work in unity. And it is an imperfect example – one construction worker actually jumped to his death because he was denied time off.
Many probably worked only for the paycheck, some for the prestige of working on the highest building in the world – but regardless of their feelings, it was accomplished.

12. Living in Unity
In addition to accomplishing things, we need to take care of one another:
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:15-17
Notice that it says “brother or sister” - that implies a family – a group. Perhaps that brother or sister will become someone who next week will be supporting you!

13. Living in Unity
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Ephesians 4:11
One of the reasons we come together is because individually, we don't have all of the gifts. We need to bring all of those gifts into one place, like a potluck, so all can be well fed.
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Matt 18:20

14. Counseling
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Prov. 11:14
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Prov 27:17

15. Counseling
In the book of Job, he experiences much suffering, so he invites four men to give advice. They are:
Elphaz
Bildad
Zophar
Elihu
Elihu Contradicts Job’s Friends
Job 32:1 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job.[a] 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused. 6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, ‘Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ 8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. 9 Great men[c] are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.

16. Counseling
When they are through, God rebukes three of them. He did not rebuke Elihu.
If Job had only invited three, he would have missed on the correct counsel of the fourth.
More counselors are usually better.
Job 42:7 And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; for the Lord had accepted Job.

17. Worship
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. - John 4:23
Notice that “worshipers” is plural.
When we gather together, it is likely that some will be excited in things of God, and others are suffering or maybe even having low faith. When we get together, we can influence one another.

18. Worship
Parable of
The
Candles
Show video

19. Worship
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matt 18:20
Gathered?
How can we be gathered if we are separate?
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

20. In My Name
A quick diversion

21. Prayer
Although there are times when we should pray by ourselves, praying with other believers is what is important and is what God wants.
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matt. 6:9

22. Prayer
Corporate Prayer: Prayer to God as a group, not as individuals.
There is no “I” or “me” in Group
There is no “I” or “me” in Corporate Prayer
We pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
When we gather for Corporate Prayer, it is totally appropriate and normal to start with a time of individual reflection and repentance, because we need to get right first as individuals so that we can gather corporately without distraction.
Psalm 24:3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,Nor sworn deceitfully.

23. Prayer Agreeing together in prayer is vital
Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matt 18:19
It doesn't say that two people in the same room have this promise – rather, “agreement” is required. This is more than just mumbling a prayer in a church setting.

24. Prayer
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
James 5:14
It doesn't say to call the “Pastor” or the “Prophet” - it is the “prayer of faith.” And his sins are forgiven, how wonderful.

25. Prayer So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17
Our faith is also built up by hearing testimonies of what God has done in the lives of other people. It's harder on your own.