Lessons for Disciples – The Real Enemy
A disciple is called to live at peace with other believers, focusing on rooting sin out of their own life rather than criticizing their brothers and sisters.
Mark 9:38-50
The Church – The Temple of God
The Church is God’s Temple, where He dwells by His Spirit as His people gather to worship and live in holiness and unity.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV2011
The Beautiful Community – Blessing
The Church is the community of blessing, where those who are in Christ and walking in unity receive every spiritual blessing promised by God.
Ephesians 1:3-14
The Beautiful Community – Unity
All humans are descended from Adam and are the image of God, but there The Church has been given a unity that flows from the life of the Trinity, but we must work to maintain this unity in practice.
Ephesians 4
United By Blood
Sin alienated us from God and one another, but Christ’s blood has purchased our unity with God and one another.
Ephesians 2:11-22
The Trinity
The Trinity, One God in three distinct Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is the foundation of the Christian faith and life.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Praying For the Church To Be Unified
Christians should pray and work to walk in visible unity, both with the local and the universal church.
John 17:20-23
The Local Church and the Universal Church
Christians are called to embrace a local church where they live out their faith, and the universal Church, which is the fulness of Christ and the focus of God’s great promises.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Our More Perfect Union
After Jesus’ body was broken on the cross He formed One new body. He called this body The Church. It now looks and acts exactly like Jesus. Because it is Jesus’ body.
Ephesians 4:1-3
Communion
As we partake of Communion in faith, Christians are united in fellowship with Christ and His Body, the Church.
Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
A Thriving Union
As Paul learned on the road to Damascus, we thrive not through our own righteousness, but because we have a vital unity with Christ and His Church.
Acts 9:1-6
Vines That Choke the Church
Churches can not grow, produce fruit and multiply if they are divided by pride, walk in disunity with other believers, lack compassion for the lost, or are not willing to pay the cost to follow and serve Christ.
Luke 9:46-10:2
Church Planting and the Power of Prayer
The Church moves forward only by the power of the Holy Spirit, and our connection to the Spirit is based upon the power of our prayer life.
Colossians 4:2-6
The Call to Live in Community
Paul urges believers to walk in community so that they can stand for the Gospel in the face of opposition.
Philippians 4:1-3
Unity Through Humility
As citizens of heaven who have been blessed by God, we are to walk in humility before God and each other, which leads to unity in the church.
Philippians 2:1-4
Unity and Courage in the Face of Opposition
As citizens of the heavenly Kingdom believers must live worthy of the Gospel, walking in unity with each other and standing with courage when faced with opposition.
Philippians 1:27-30
Where God Commands a Blessing
God commands a blessing upon those who are in Christ and walk in unity with their fellow believers.
Psalm 133
Paul and the Other Apostles
Paul and the other Apostles were united in their understanding of the Gospel and supported one another in their call.
Galatians 1:13-2:10