February 24, 2019 | Tom Dunham
Passage: John 13:34-35
Love and Unity
The Core - Part 4
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34,35
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians. 4:3
Love. It is crucial that we understand and have the bedrock conviction that God loves us. Two real-life stories illustrate the love of God:
- From Parenting Today’s Adolescent by Dennis Rainey ….
- From Daylights (Faithwalkers) – a devotional by Rick Whitney …
This church is full of examples of acts of love! May those acts be multiplied until Jesus returns!
Unity. Unity and love were essentials of Jesus’ high priestly prayer in the upper room.
- “… that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:22,23
- The early church demonstrated this unity – being of ‘one accord,’ which is mentioned multiple times in The Book of Acts …
- ‘homothumadon’ – ‘of one passion/mind/spirit’ … ‘rushing in unison’ …
We don’t lose our identity …
It’s like an orchestra: different instruments each playing a part to produce one grand symphony ...
- Genesis 11 illustrates the power of unity … see vs.4-6 …
- God has wired humanity in such a way that when we are united, we can accomplish great things.
- God has already united us (Eph. 4:3) – we are commanded to keep it!
- Psalm 133 is the Psalm of unity … … …
It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.
Richard Braunstein
‘Co-operating’ is tougher than simply ‘operating.’
Joel Hunter
The Christian who tugs on the oars hasn’t time to rock the boat! A.A. Lewis
God unites. The devil divides.