Can’t we all just get along?

True Biblical Unity

What is True Unity?• ἑνότης (henotes)•Ephesians 4:3, 13• “a state of oneness”

(Louw & Nida)

“unanimity” (Strong’s)

What is True Unity?• The state or quality of

being one, singleness

• The state or quality of being in accord, harmony

American Heritage Dictionary

What is True Unity?• The combination of

arrangements of parts into a whole, unification

• Singleness or constancy of purpose or action, continuity

• American Heritage Dictionary

What is True Unity?• It is NOT:

• Agreeing to disagree

• Compromise

• Toleration of one another

• Always getting your way

What is True Unity?•Ephesians 4:3

“unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

• Bond - Akin to linking together, as in a chain.

How Important is Unity?•Psalm 133:1-3

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”

How Important is Unity?•Amos 3:3

“Can two walk together unless they are agreed?”

How Important is Unity?•Prov. 6:16-19

“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him … one who sows discord among brethren.”

How Important is Unity?•Matthew 20:24-28

“…but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—…”

How Important is Unity?•John 17:20-21

“…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

How Important is Unity?•Acts 2:1

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

How Important is Unity?•Acts 2:44-47

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,...”

How Important is Unity?•Acts 4:32, “Now the

multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.”

How Important is Unity?•Romans 12:10, “Be

kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another”

How Important is Unity?•Romans 12:16, “Be of

the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

How Important is Unity?•Romans 14:19,

“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

How Important is Unity?•Romans 15:5-6, “Now

may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,…

How Important is Unity?•Romans 15:5-6, “…

that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

How Important is Unity?•1 Cor. 1:10, “Now I plead

with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

How Important is Unity?•1 Cor. 10:16,17, “The cup

of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?...”

How Important is Unity?•1 Cor. 10:16,17, “…For

we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.”

How Important is Unity?•1 Cor. 12:12-27, “…that

there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. …Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

How Important is Unity?•1 Cor. 12:31-13:8a, “But

earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way…Love never fails”

How Important is Unity?•1 Cor. 16:20, “Greet one

another with a holy kiss”

How Important is Unity?•2 Cor. 13:11, “Finally,

brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

How Important is Unity?•Galatians 5:13-15, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another…”

How Important is Unity?•Galatians 5:13-15, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

How Important is Unity?•Ephesians 2:14-18, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, …so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,…”

How Important is Unity?•Ephesians 2:19-22, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,…

How Important is Unity?•Ephesians 2:19-22, “…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,…

How Important is Unity?•Ephesians 2:19-22, “…in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

How Important is Unity?•Philippians 1:27, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, …I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”

How Important is Unity?•Philippians 2:1-4, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, …

How Important is Unity?•Philippians 2:1-4, “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind…”

How Important is Unity?•Philippians 3:16, “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”

How Important is Unity?•Colossians 2:2, “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,”

How Important is Unity?•Colossians 3:13-15, “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection...

How Important is Unity?•Colossians 3:13-15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

How Important is Unity?•Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

How Important is Unity?•Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting…”

How Important is Unity?•1 Peter 3:8-9, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;…”

How Important is Unity?•1 Peter 3:8-9, “…not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

How Important is Unity?•1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”

A Call for Unity•Ephesians 4:1-16, The Call (1-3)“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

• Proper disposition for each of us; Something we work on!

A Call for Unity•Ephesians 4:1-16, Extent of unity (4-6)“There is ONE body and ONE spirit…”

• Based upon agreement of God’s word – His church, teachings, plans and vision.

A Call for Unity•Ephesians 4:1-16, Direction toward unity (11-12) “He Himself gave some to be… for equipping of the saints for the work of ministry…”

• Leaders promote unity; Plain and whole teaching!

A Call for Unity•Ephesians 4:1-16, Maturity of unity (13-15) “till we all come to the unity of the faith…”

• Maturity that keeps us from being deceived and splintering

A Call for Unity•Ephesians 4:1-16, Results of unity (13-15) “from whom the whole body joined and knit together…”

• Growth of the body, building her up in love. How long is this emphasized? Until perfect!

Is true Biblical unity

our Goal?