Philippians 2:1-4 NIV – Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

John 17:21 CSB – 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.

John 12:32 CSB – As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”

Ephesians 4:3 CSB – making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Matthew 7:13-14 CSB – “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

Ephesians 4:3 CSB – making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

  1. Diagnosis – What Causes Division?

Philippians 2:1 CSB – If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete…

Jesus is the Solution bc/ the human heart is the problem

  1. S. Lewis, I believe that in all men’s lives… one of the most dominant elements is the desire to be inside the local Ring and the terror of being left outside… Of all passions, the passion for the Inner Ring is the most skillful in making a man who is not yet very bad do very bad things.

James 4:1ff CSB – What is the source of wars and fights among you?   2 You desire and do not have.

You do not have because you do not ask [God].

“If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them.

But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”– Alexander Solzhenitsyn (From The Gulag Archipelago)

James 4:1 CBS – “What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you

Solution – Experiencing Jesus

Jesus is the sufficient motivation for unity.

Philippians 2:1-2a CSB – If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete…

  1. Jesus is the sufficient example for unity.

Philippians 2:2 CSB – make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose

  1. Jesus commands the sufficient action plan for unity

Philippians 2:3-4 CSB – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Jesus’ Proven Track Record

Ephesians 2:14 CSB – For He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

Galatians 3:27-29 CSB –  For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.

The Key to Unity is Discipleship

John 15:12-13 CSB – “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.

Acts 13:1 CSB – Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Action: What Must We Do to Bring Unity

Humility– Lift up Christ ABOVE our Personal Injuries. Forgive.

Philippians 2:3-4 CSB – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Ephesians 4:31-32 CSB – Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

1 Peter 4:8 CSB – Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins

Romans 12:19-21 CSB – Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.

21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Luke 17:3 CSB – If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Mark 11:25 CSB – if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.

Galatians 5:14-15 CSB – For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Humility – Lift Up Christ Above Our Opinions

Humility – Lift Up Christ by Practicing Christlike Acceptance

Philippians 2:4-5 CSB – Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:7, Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.

Don’t argue

2 Timothy 2:23 CSB – But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels

Be Peacemakers

Philippians 2:4-5 CBS – Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,