CHURCH GROWTH

EPHESIANS 4:1-16

John 17:20-23 CSB

20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. 21 May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.

3 Aspects on Unity

1. RIGHT ATTITUDES FOR UNITY

Live a life worthy

Ephesians 4 CSB

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

*Have an attitude that is not ego driven.

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

*Have a willingness to work at this unity.

3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

2. THE BASIS OF UNITY

Ephesians 4:4-6 CSB

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

3. HOW DO WE PUT THIS UNITY TO WORK?

7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

Romans 12:6-8 CSB

6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

*First, keep a tight rein on your tongue.

Truth without love is brutality, love without truth is hypocrisy, and truth with love is Christianity.

*Second, agree to disagree and decide to still love each other.

*Third, Stay focused on the mission