The Unity Pattern The firstcentury church lived out

The Unity Pattern • The first-century church lived out Jesus' prayer • Purpose enables unity. . • Being in "one accord" • One way to begin to define biblical unity is to grasp what it is not

The Unity Pattern • Matthew 18: 19 • Unity is allowing everyone to contribute his or her unique sound toward a common purpose • Unity is not similar sensitivity • An eye is effective for seeing • Unity is not everyone having the same sensitivity. Unity is serving toward common purpose

Unity is a Decision • I have decided to disconnect • What is the basis of unity? • When difference and distrust overshadow purpose, unity is not possible • It is unity for a moment and a specific purpose

Unity is a Decision To connect or disconnect is always a choice • Abraham and Lot separated over their shepherds' quarrel • David and Jonathan separated over a king's insecurity • Paul and Barnabas separated over a different reaction to John Mark's failure.

Unity is a Decision • Samuel and Saul separated over Saul's egotism and lack of control. • Diotrephes separated from John because he valued position over connection. • Demas separated from the church because he loved this present world.

Responding to "Disunifiers" • A disunifier overrides or takes precedence over the bigger purpose • The first disunifier is a perception of prejudicial behavior based on culture • The Grecian widows were being neglected. . • The second was consistency • The apostles aggressively responded to the concerns.

Responding to "Disunifiers" Overcoming the Disunifier of Prejudice and Unfairness 1. Treat the problem as a real problem that will not just go away. 2. Perception is reality 3. Keep the purpose a priority. 4. Act intentionally. 5. Do not let cultural heritage negate your priority.

In the apostles' response… four things are evident: 1. They spoke directly with the man whose behavior was being talked about 2. Peter's report of having received a vision was listened to and accepted as fact 3. They trusted their brother, his vision, conduct, and report 4. Their perspective changed

Overcoming the Disunifier of "I Heard" 1. Speak directly to the party who is being accused 2. Trust your brother's vision, behavior, and conduct 3. Do not become so entrenched that what happens outside your comfort zone becomes something you view with disdain

The third disunifer is competitiveness. • Their basis is pride • Proverbs 13: 10 • Paul taught that nothing should be done for the purpose of proud exhibition • Intentionally replace pride with humility

The fourth disunifier is majoring in the minors. • losing sight of what is important.

Overcoming the Disunifier of Majoring in the Minors 1. Is your community being aggressively evangelized? 2. How many Home Bible Studies are being taught? 3. Does the congregation reflect the cultural diversity of the community? 4. How many were converted last year? 5. How many graduated from a discipleship class and are now involved in an active role

Unity Is a Verb! § Unity is never inactive. • When you take hold of something bigger than you are it takes hold of you. • (Matthew 5: 23 -24; 18: 15 -17 • The Bible said that in working out our differences, we win our brother. • The problem is usually in our tongue.

A Covenant of Ministerial Unity • Facts were commonly misrepresented by itinerant evangelists. • Financial accountability was a problem. • Moral misconduct was a problem. • Itinerant preachers were commonly critical of efforts of pastors in an area in which they ministered.