Lively Church in Lee’s Summit | Unity Pt.One

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We are a lively church in Lee’s Summit because we believe that the church should not be dead and boring! Jesus is alive and so should we be. A church that is unified walks in power, authority, and excitement! Speaking of being unified…

I want to talk about the culture of unity.  It’s more than us just getting along. The release of God’s power is only attained when we are united in unity.

Unity as defined by Merriam-Webster is,

The quality or state of not being multiple, a condition of harmony, the quality or state of being made one.

This is not easily attained.  Just tune in on the news. There is no unification.  Sometimes our pride gets in the way. At other times it’s our upbringing.  At times it’s just the enemy doing what he does.

In the USA there is such racial and economic division.  A child of God is not to participate in this. We must hold to unity in the body of Christ.  We are to set aside our differences and hold fast to forgiveness and love.

I understand why the world functions as it does. There is a lot of finger pointing but the answer for the world is Jesus.

We have all heard this statement,

United we stand divided we fall.

Patrick Henry spoke these words as he urged the people to trust in God and stay united.

And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Mk 3:25 NKJV

Jesus spoke these words.  We are not to be lone rangers.  God loves people. He is touched by us loving Him.  However, He is also touched by us loving each other. Good things happen when we are unified.  But the opposite is also true and the devil understands that. Disunity, a divided spirit, makes way for demonic strategy.

 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic.  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.  James 3: 13-16 NKJV

The culture of the kingdom is peace-loving and willing to yield.  Peacemakers ensure there is no division between family members and this includes the church family.  You can’t be a peacemaker with bitterness in your heart. We need people who will sow seeds of peace wherever they go.

Unity equals power.  Disunity equals destruction.  We want a culture of unity that makes way for the power that touches people the minute they walk through the church doors. Churches that lack unity lack power.  

The purpose is to build a body not a body part.  We have to make every effort in this process. Sometimes the five-fold ministry has to referee the body and remind us to keep forgiving and loving each other.

You are limited if you are one that holds grudges.  If you are one that continually complains and gets offended you will not come to the fullness of what God has.  

When we finally come together to worship Jesus it will be every color and people group. Don’t you think you should practice that now?  You are not betraying the history of your personal culture by obeying the Word of God and living in love and unity with everyone.

Unity does not mean uniformity.  There will be differences. There will be different likes and dislikes, racial backgrounds, economic differences, and testimonies.  But we all have a common purpose in Jesus Christ.

When people see the church not loving each other then they begin to hate the church.  The key to unity is the lack of selfishness. There are miracles that just won’t happen without unity.  It takes corporate anointing to see the power of God. True Biblical blessing only comes with unity.

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—

Life forevermore    Psalm 133: 3 NKJV

Breakthrough in marriage, healing, and deliverance comes from breaking barriers and walking in one mind and one accord.  

We want a culture of such love and unity that when people get saved we are all rejoicing.  We want those who fall to feel safe to return so they can be restored. We want a culture where people feel loved, free, and accepted.

PRAY THIS

Father, I pray not just for myself but for your body.  May we walk in such unity that the world will wonder at the love we have for each other.  Help us to lay down our lives and choose what is best for the kingdom. Help us to give others the love and acceptance that we ourselves desire to receive. Help us to be of one mind, one accord, one spirit, and one vision.  In Jesus name,

Amen.

MEDITATE ON THIS

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic.  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.  James 3: 13-16 NKJV