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Introduction:

If culture were to put you on trial for being a Christian, would you be found guilty or not guilty? As Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, we are known for what we believe, and we are marked by our behaviors. The question we must continually ask ourselves is do our beliefs and our behaviors match up.

“ …The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.” —Acts 11:26b

God places His seal upon our lives to show ownership and authority. We are marked as followers of Jesus Christ, and we should reflect this through our behavior in culture. Believers can have confidence because we are marked by Him and for Him.

“You were marked with him with a seal” —Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)

“13I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14This is the confidence we have before him: …” —1 John 5:13-14a

In this seven-week collection of talks, we will uncover the marks of a true believer as seen in the book of 1 John and learn how to live with confidence.

Text: 1 John 3:11-24 (CSB, New Testament)

Today’s Takeaway: Unity in Christ gives us a foundation and a future.

MARKED WEEK #5: MARKED BY UNITY

I. THE

Reveal Answer

FOR UNITY (3:11-18)

A. We now live a supernatural

. (vs 11-15)

This means:

1. You are a

   Reveal Answer
   person in Jesus.

   “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” —2 Corinthians 5:17

2. You become

   Reveal Answer
   and
   Reveal Answer
   of Jesus.

   “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. —Romans 5:5

3. You no longer look for

   Reveal Answer
   from culture, but from Jesus.

   “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” —John 15:19

4. You understand the

   Reveal Answer
   of Jesus and
   Reveal Answer
   others.

   “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” —Colossians 3:-3-4
   “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” —Ephesians 4:32

B. We now understand sacrificial

. (vs 16-18)

1. We show others the same

   Reveal Answer
   Jesus showed us.

   “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —John 13:34-35

2. According to Jesus, the greatest

   Reveal Answer
   is the greatest
   Reveal Answer
   .

   “It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:26-28

3. The greatest

   Reveal Answer
   for us on earth is to do good in Jesus’ name.

   “Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 10,Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.” —Galatians 6:1-2, 10

II. THE

Reveal Answer

OF UNITY (3:19-24)

A. We have an

of God’s best. (vs 19-20)

“I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men.” —Acts 24:16

“So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” —Matthew 5:23-24

B. We receive

to prayer in God’s timing. (vs 21-22)

“Indeed, the Lord’s arm is not too weak to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear. 2But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen” —Isaiah 59:1-2

C. We have the

to love Jesus and others. (vs 23-24)

“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest? ” 37He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38This is the greatest and most important command. 39The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” —Matthew 22:36-40

CONCLUSION: Are you marked by UNITY?

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” —Psalm 133:1 (KJV)

DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:

1. Read John 15:19. How does this verse help you understand culture and our role in it?
   

2. Read Ephesians 4:32. How can you put this verse into practice this week?
   

3. As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to do good in Jesus’ name. What can you do to do good this week?
   

4. What answers to prayer are you waiting for right now? Who else can you enlist this week to pray with you over them?
   

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