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"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort      from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and   sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind,     having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." Philippians 2:1-2 (ESV)

1.         THE FOUNDATION OF UNITY IS HUMILITY

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort      from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy." Philippians 2:1 (ESV)

A. ENCOURAGEMENT (IN CHRIST)

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify     the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6 (ESV)

B. COMFORT (FROM LOVE)

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not      love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)

C. PARTICIPATION (IN SPIRIT)

D. AFFECTION (AND SYMPATHY)

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10 (ESV)

2.         THE FULFILLMENT OF UNITY BRINGS JOY

"Fulfill my joy by . . ."  

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy."                                                                                        Philippians 1:3-4 (ESV)

"For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."                                                                                                   3 John 1:3-4 (ESV)

Action Plan: Take a moment to experience the joy of unity. Imagine a brother or sister in Christ that you deeply disagree with on some issue. Despite your disagreement, if they are in Christ, they will one day be embraced by Jesus. Imagine that moment, imagine their face when they are welcomed into Jesus' arms. Let that moment bring you joy.

3.         THE FOCUS OF UNITY IS THE MIND OF CHRIST          

A. BEING OF THE SAME MIND
            "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus     Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions   among you, but that you be united in the same mind and       the same judgment."                                  1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

B. HAVING THE SAME LOVE
            "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is   not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing   but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all            things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

C. BEING IN FULL ACCORD

D. AND OF ONE MIND

Verse 1                                                    Verse 2
there is encouragement in Christ,          so be of the same mind                   
there is comfort from love,                     so have the same love
there is participation in the Spirit,         so be in full accord
there is affection and sympathy,            so be of one mind

Action Plan: Do you have a Christian friend that, during the pandemic, you have disconnected with because of a division in opinion on the vaccine or other issue?  Reach out to that person and ask to watch this message together.  Focus on what you have in common, the love of Christ. Write down your foundational truths of your friendship.  Keep your focus on your unity in Christ and not your different opinions.