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MY NOTES
Project 320: Better Together
- Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
[20] Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem
- Nehemiah 1:2-4 NLT
[2] Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. [3] They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” [4] When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
“Send Me”
- Nehemiah 2:1-5 NIV
[1] In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, [2] so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”I was very much afraid, [3] but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” [4] The king said to me, “What is it you want?”Then I prayed to the God of heaven, [5] and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
“We Prayed and Guarded”
- Nehemiah 4:7-9 NLT
[7] But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. [8] They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. [9] But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.
“We prayed and guarded…”
Divine Partnership: We should pray like it depends on God, and serve and give and go and guard like it depends on us.
“Called Together”
Nehemiah 4:14 NLT
[14] Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
[12] Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.Nehemiah 4:14 NLT
[14] Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
God is a gatherer and a unifier. Satan is an accuser, divider and destroyer of relationship.
Unity is God’s best plan for:
- The Church
- Every Person (to be united to God’s heart and plan and Word and ways)
- Marriage and Family
- God ordained friendships and relationships
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity Amongst Us
- John 17:20-23 NLT
[20] “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. [21] 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. [22] “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. [23] I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
Unity is not total or artificial agreement. In fact, unity cannot happen without diversity – unity without diversity is just uniformity and those are two different things.
Unity in God’s Kingdom is more like a symphony – many different instruments, many different tones, many different notes, played together with one director (the Holy Spirit) and one sheet of music (The Word)
- Romans 12:16 NLT
[16] Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
God Hates Division.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV
[16] There are six things the Lord hates,seven that are detestable to him: [17] haughty eyes,a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood, [18] a heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are quick to rush into evil, [19] a false witness who pours out liesand a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
4 Promises of Unity - Provision, Power, Potential, Prayers Answered
Power
Acts 1:14 NASB1995
[14] These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.Acts 2:1 NASB1995
[1] When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
Pentecost is as much about unity as it is about power! We want more power? Pursue more unity of purpose
Provision
- Psalms 133:1-3 NKJV
[1] Behold, how good and how pleasant it isFor brethren to dwell together in unity! [2] It is like the precious oil upon the head,Running down on the beard,The beard of Aaron,Running down on the edge of his garments. [3] It is like the dew of Hermon,Descending upon the mountains of Zion;For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.
Our pursuit should be unity and God will send the provision and power! (in church, marriage, family, business)
Potential (Unlimited Potential!)
Genesis 11:1 NLT
[1] At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words.Genesis 11:4 NIV
[4] Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”Genesis 11:4 NLT
[4] Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
God doesn’t despise greatness, He resists pride.
Genesis 11:6 NLT
[6] “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!Genesis 11:6 NIV
[6] The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.
The principle of unity is so powerful that people unified around an ungodly cause can actually advance their cause.
How much more should the life-changing, hope-giving, eternally significant Kingdom message and gospel of Jesus Christ be empowered by our unity of purpose?!?
Prayers Answered
Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”1 Peter 3:7 NLT
7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
God answers prayers, releases power and provision, and unlocks potential in a unified atmosphere!
Where there is unity there is provision, power, and potential. Why?
Unity attracts the presence of God because it requires people to put and keep God first in the midst of our opinions and preferences. It must be sought for and fought for.
- Matthew 5:9 NIV
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
In God’s kingdom we labor to enter into rest, we give to receive, we die to ourselves to really live, and we fight to create and protect unity and peace.
Unity never occurs by accident. It is the result of determination dedication and intention
- Ephesians 4:1-7 NLT
1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all,who is over all, in all, and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.
1: Make allowance for one another’s faults
2: “Make every effort to keep yourselves united”
3: Understand we have an enemy.
Enemy is accuser of brethren. (Revelation 12:10)
- Revelation 12:10 NLT
[10] Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,“It has come at last—salvation and powerand the Kingdom of our God,and the authority of his Christ.For the accuser of our brothers and sistershas been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses thembefore our God day and night.
2 Cor. 11:14 satan disguises himself as an angel of light
If recognizing Satan bringing division was always obvious it would be easy to avoid.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14 NLT
[14] But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
4: Fill the gap with trust.
2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV
[11] in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.Ephesians 6:12 NIV
[12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.James 3:16 KJV
[16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.Luke 17:1 NKJV
1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
The Process of Strife and Offense
• Irritation, Hurt, or Disappointment (Expectations are often premeditated disappointments.)
• Meditation about the disappointment or irritation.
- Proverbs 17:9 NLT
[9] Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,but dwelling on it separates close friends.
• Separation (Emotionally or physically)
• Isolation (Broken relationships, separation, divorce)
• Opposition
Practical ways to help establish and guard unity.
Build each other up.
- Ephesians 4:29 NIV
[29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Refuse to participate in gossip.
Psalms 15:1-3 NLT
[1] Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? [2] Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,speaking the truth from sincere hearts. [3] Those who refuse to gossipor harm their neighborsor speak evil of their friends.Proverbs 26:20 NLT
[20] Fire goes out without wood,and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV
[11] and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,Matthew 18:15 ESV
[15] “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Create an atmosphere of Grace
- Matthew 7:1 NIV
[1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Celebrate the strengths of others and help and cover their weaknesses.
Refuse to remain offended
- 1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
[5]It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Quickly forgive those who hurt or wrong you.
- Mark 11:26 NASB1995
[26] “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”
Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping it affects the other person.
When we forgive it doesn’t make them right it makes us free.
Galatians 6:1-2 ESV
[1] Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.Ephesians 4:26 NIV
[26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Today’s anger is tomorrows bitterness.
Keep the main things the main things –
- Genesis 2:24 NASB1995
[24] For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
The reason you are married must be greater than the challenges you will face in marriage.
The reason we are together as a church family must be greater than the challenges, greater than our opinions or than our personal preferences.
MY NOTES
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