Marks of Unity

1
Marks of Unity

• Philippians 23-5

2
Appeal for Unity, Phil. 21-2

• Jesus prayed for unity, Jno. 1720-23
• Basis The word of the apostles (1720-21)
• Benefit World may believe in Christ (1721, 23)
• Commanded described, 1 Cor. 110
• Evidence of love, 1 Cor. 134-7
• Guard unity keep peace, Eph. 41-3

3
Philippians 23-5

• Necessary marks of unity
• Enable our unity
• Enhance our unity

4
Unity Demands Humility, 23

• Unity is destroyed by evil motives
• Selfish ambition (faction) denotes ambition,
  self-seeking, rivalry, self-will being an
  underlying idea in the word hence denotes party
  makingderived from erithos, a hireling hence
  the meaning of seeking to win followers (Vine,
  II68)
• The result of envy, Phil. 115-16 (Jas. 314)
• Refuse the factious person, Titus 310

5
Unity Demands Humility, 23

• Unity is destroyed by evil motives
• Conceit (vainglory) groundless self-esteem,
  empty prideadj., glory without reason,
  conceitedeager for empty glory (Thayer, 343)
• Caused by companion of selfish pride
• Warned of danger, Gal. 526, 14-15

6
Unity Demands Humility, 23

• Sense of our own smallness, 1 Sam. 1517 (921)
• Humility serves unites, 1 Pet. 55
• Consider others better than ourselves
• In order to receive each other, Mk. 933-37
• Yield to brethren before self, Eph. 521

7
Unity Demands We Look Out for the Welfare of
Others before Ourselves, 24 (3)

• Dont be a busybody, 1 Pet. 415
• Interests of others is to be our first priority
• Members of same body, 1 Cor. 1225-27
• Eliminates conceit, Rom. 1216
• Help each other, Gal. 61 Jas. 519-20

8
Unity Demands We Have the Mind of Christ, 25

• Sacrifice, Phil. 26-7 (Jno. 175)
• Give up pride Be humble
• Submission, Phil. 27
• To will of God each other (Eph. 521 1 Pet.
  55-7)
• Steadfastness, Phil. 27-8 (Eph. 42-3)
• Gentle, longsuffering, forbearance, diligence

9
Unity Demands We Have the Mind of Christ, 25

• The mind of Christ eliminates
• Petty complaining (encourages genuine care)
• Driving wedges (promotes oneness)
• Speaking against one another (speak up, Col.
  313)
• Unity results from the agreement of minds,
  Amos 33 Jno. 1030

10
Marks of Unity

• Unity is not easy, but possible, Eph. 41-3
• Tremendous blessings, Psa. 1331
• To our brethren, Eccl. 49-12
• To the world, Jno. 1721
• Be likeminded toward each other, Rom. 155-7