Community // Unity Starts with You

COMMUNITY // UNITY STARTS WITH YOUJohn 13:34-35 NIV34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this EVERYONE will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 17:20-23 NIV20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them MAY BE ONE, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.1 Peter 3:8 (ESV)8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.The goal is: UNITY. The action step is: HUMILITYPhilippians 2:1-2 NIV1 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being in spirit and of one mind.<br />YOU MUST CHOOSE YOUR FOCUSPhilippians 2:3-4 NIV3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.YOU MUST CHOOSE TO BE HUMBLEPhilippians 2:5-8 NIV5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, HE MADE HIMSELF NOTHING by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—   even death on a cross!YOU MUST CHOOSE TO BE OBEDIENTQuestions:1. How has unity within a Christian community context impacted your life? How have you seen unity displayed within your circles?2. Humility plays a huge role in the life of every Believer. Describe a person in your life who displays humility on a regular basis.3. What are new ways you can engage that promotes unity within your community?