Unity
ekklesia - "the called-out ones"
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaiusso no one can say that you were baptized in my name.(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
James 4:1
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
John 17:20-21
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their messagethat all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Why is unity so important?
3 Reasons to Pull Close
I. Pressures of Change
2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
Preachers come and go, but the Word of God, His Spirit, and the Church last forever.
3 Reasons to Pull Close
I. Pressures of Change
II. Power of the Church
The power of God is the message of the cross.
The Gospel is not...
...be more moral
...be happier
...succeed in life
...be nicer to old people.
Because we have a powerful message that Christ is not divided, we are one in our relationshipswith Jesus as brothers and sisters.
3 Reasons to Pull Close
I. Pressures of Change
II. Power of the Church
III. Points of Unity
Things we agree on:
1. Doctrine
2. Decision-Making Process
3. Direction of the Church
4. Everyone is a Minister
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, kindness.
Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
The shepherd of Venture Church is the Lord, Jesus; we serve Him and follow His leadership.