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The Bitter Cup

The word spoken (A Promise Made)

Genesis 3:15 NKJV

And I will put enmity

Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head,

And you shall bruise His heel.”

Isaiah 9:6-7

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

Isaiah 53:1-12

Who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

The Space Between

The waiting….

In the space between there is a temptation to….

Give up!  

Matthew 7:7-8 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

Lose Focus! 

Matthew 15:8-9

These people honor me only with their words,

for their hearts are so very distant from me.

They pretend to worship me,

but their worship is nothing more

than the empty traditions of men. 

Make it happen! 

Genesis 16:1-2

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. 

1 Samuel 13:11-13a

And Samuel said, “What have you done?”

Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”

And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. 

Over time, God’s people had become “Unfaithful.”

Hosea – Salvation

Hosea 1:2 

When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:

“Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry

And children of harlotry,

For the land has committed great harlotry

By departing from the Lord.”

Harlotry – spiritual adultery 

Israel began to look to other Gods as their source of blessing

Hosea 2:16

“And it shall be, in that day,”

Says the Lord,

“That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’

And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’

God says, “Call me My Husband!”

Hosea 2:19-20 

“I will betroth you to Me forever;

Yes, I will betroth you to Me

In righteousness and justice,

In lovingkindness and mercy;

I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,

And you shall know the Lord.

God Declares His faithfulness to us despite our unfaithfulness to Him. 

What emotion do you fell when someone is unfaithful to you?

Deuteronomy 32:16 NKJV

They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods;

With abominations they provoked Him to anger.

Jealousy – intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness. 

God is a jealous husband!

Numbers 5:11-31

The Law of Jealousy 

Number 5:12 

Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him,

Numbers 5:14-15a

if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself— then the man shall bring his wife to the priest. 

Numbers 5:17-18

The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse.

Numbers 5:24

And he shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that

The New Man

IT IS DONE The New Man

Established – SalvationExecuted – Baptism of the Holy SpiritCaused To Be – The Fullness of Your Salvation

Start at the end of the Nicodemus Story:

John 3:16 NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

The Back Story

John 3:1-2

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” ‘

The Conversation

John 3:3-15

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked. Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in

the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

God’s presence was reestablished (“Finished” – Solomon) God’s promise was executed (Finished – Cross)God’s power was now certain (It is Done – Revelation)

In other words the presence, promise, and power of GRACE was what was established executed and made to be with all certainty.

The reborn man by faith in Jesus’ Finished work at the Cross and his full promise being done at the end of days was given an entirely new perspective.

The new man explodes because of what is done, not what is happening! If you are now in Christ, you are not what you were…YOU WERE, but God, by graceEphesians 2:1 NLT

Once, you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

You won’t see your need for a savior until you see yourself as a sinner.

Ephesians 2:3 (NLT)

All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. ‘

Stop calling the bad life good just because we are trapped by our own inability to admit it is bad.

To become this new man we have to have a BUT GOD moment.

You were, BUT GOD, by grace

Ø Searching, confused—But God will show the way through Jesus. Ø Hurting and empty—But God will fill your void by Spirit.Ø Addicted and in bondage—But God will set you free by Truth.

Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

You were, but God, BY GRACE

Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things

It Is Done

The deepest love poured out of the greatest sacrifice in history. A love that heals. A love that forgives. A love that welcomes. That love shattered our brokenness and death. Let’s ready our hearts and our minds to celebrate the greatest divine intervention of all time.

It is Finished – It Is Done!

John 19:28-30 NLTJesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Whatever stopped you was finished.

Your victim mentality was finishedYour hopelessness was finishedYour aimless life came to an endYour fear – that was finished tooAnything that prevented you from the fullness of life now and life eternal was defeated and put aside. Once for all time.

Hebrews 9:25-28 TPTUnder the old system year after year the high priest entered the most holy sanctuary with blood that was not his own. But the Messiah did not need to repeatedly offer himself year after year, for that would mean he must suffer repeatedly ever since the fall of the world. But

now he has appeared at the fulfillment of the ages to abolish sin once and for all by the sacrifice of himself! Every human being is appointed to die once and then to face God’s judgment. But when we die we will be face-to-face with Christ, the One who experienced death once for all to bear the sins of many! And now to those who eagerly await him, he will appear a second time; not to deal with sin, but to bring us the fullness of salvation.

He crafted something from nothing! The Finished becomes the Done!

Revelation 21:6-7He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Revelation 21:1-5Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

It all become inevitable when Jesus started the chain of events at the cross.The fullness of every promise and statement was now inevitable.

Your new man begins when you accept the inevitability of His promises.Jesus presented the beginning of a new life at the cross. He presented an inevitable decision that your old life was finished, your old thinking was finished, and not even death could stop you from stepping into this incredible life.

Week 4: The Unity of the Spirit

The Story of NicodemusJohn 3:5-6 TPTJesus answered, “I speak an eternal truth: Unless you are born of water and the Spirit, you will never enter God’s kingdom. For the natural realm only gives birth to things that are natural, but the spiritual realm gives birth to supernatural life!

The Sweet Harmony of A Life in the SpiritEphesians 4:3-6 TPTBe faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace, being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny. For the Lord God is one, and so are we, for we share in one faith, one baptism, and one Father. And he is the perfect Father who leads us all, works through us all, and lives in us all!

“Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Our glorious hope and divine destiny depend on our being born of the spirit and living in His unity!

THE SPIRIT IN THE SPIRIT OF UNITY

The Greek definition uses the word ligament (the translation of ‘bond’ in verse 3) to refer to the special tissue that wraps about the bones so that the joint can function smoothly.

To live in unity, a smooth and peaceful life with others, and in the most important relationships of our lives, we have to understand that true unity is a result of being born of the Holy Spirit and being made aware of the Spirit’s governance in our life.

WHY ARE MANY LIVING A SPIRITLESS LIFE?


SOME AREN’T AWARE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 19:1-3 NIVWhile Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:1-3

SOME RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 7:51 NLTYou stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Acts 7:51

JESUS NEVER PROMISED WITHOUT PURPOSE

To Peter – “you will be my disciple” (Promise). “Upon this rock, I will build my church” (Purpose).

John 14:16-17 NIV

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The Consequence of Jesus’s Intercession

You are introduced to the Holy Spirit. (Lives with you – on)

You are made aware of the Spirit living inside you (Lives in you – Spirit-man – in)

The Consequence of the Spirit’s Intervention

Genesis 1:2 (NIV)

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

ruwach (roo’-akh); wind; breath, a violent exhalation; blast of breath. pneuma (pnyoo’-mah): a current of air, blast of breath, a strong breeze; or

spirit.

dunamis (doo’-nam-is): a force; a miraculous power, the explosive power of God.

On (breath) AND in (power)

THE BREATHTHE HOLY SPIRIT WILL…

…COMFORT YOU
John 14:16 KJVAnd I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever…

…COUNSEL YOU 
John 16:13 NIVBut when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

Isaiah 30:21 NIV


“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

…CONVICT YOU (NIV)


John 16:8 When (the Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

The Holy Spirit comforts, counsels, and convicts by holding us to living in His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

His fruit are the qualities of God that we most need to live in the power and path of unity -with Him and others.

THE POWER

HOLY SPIRIT GIVES YOU THE POWER… 


…TO SHARE CHRIST BOLDLY
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIVMy message and my preaching were n

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LIFE COLLEGE WEEK 15 – I AM A THREE-PART BEING – SESSION 2 

The internal warfare

HEBREWS CHAPTER NINE, VERSES ELEVEN TO TWELVE 

A QUICK THREE-PART SUMMARY

There are three parts that makeup who we are. The ______________, the ____________, and the _________________.  

The spirit is the vital part in each one of us that has been saved, ______________, and through which we _______________ with God. The spirit manifests through the soul to the body. The spirit is made up of awareness, sensitivity, understanding, and motivation. The nature of a person’s spirit determines how they behave.

The soul is an integration of three parts, ______________, _____________, and ________________. The soul is the valve between the spirit and the body. The soul regulates and controls that which is manifest from the spirit into the physical world. The soul is what governs the body’s reaction to the physical or spiritual environments.

The body is the physical _________________ of a person, which we use to relate to the environment. Hearing, feeling, seeing, smelling, and tasting all _________________ the body.

THREE-PART WAR

Many of the personal battles we face today, like depression, setbacks, worries, anxiety, and fear, have to do with the battle between body, soul, and spirit. The battle that wages continually changes our behaviors, moods, and our reactions to the actual and imagined circumstances of life.

Here is what we face every day: Your body is the receiver of information through what we can see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. The information the body receives transmits the information to the soul. The soul analyses and believes it. (Seeing is believing – right?) The soul passes its beliefs, ideas, dreams, imaginations, and thoughts that result from the information from the body onto the spirit. The spirit conceives and analyses the information on the deepest possible level that we have. The spirit gives the soul direction for the body’s reaction and response.  

The Battle: Sometimes, the Body does not want to respond in the way the spirit dictates.

Now the soul is in a dilemma as it tries to adjust between the spirits direction and the body’s cravings.

You are in dangerous territory if your body and your unsaved spirit are always in agreement. The deterioration of mankind is directly linked to the deterioration of our spirit’s authority.

WHEN YOU OPERATE WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD  

When a born-again spirit comes into contact with the selfish cravings of the body, it will always be in disagreement with what the body is telling the soul to grant it permission to do. The information the flesh gives is unrighteous.  Because God is present in the born-again believer’s spirit and sees only that which has been redeemed to Him, He sees our righteousness made possible through the born-again process that occurs in each of us through faith in Jesus.

The spirit then has the freedom to inform the soul of its righteousness and govern the flesh by releasing it from blame and shame, changing its base responses from selfish natural flesh-based living to super-naturally redeemed spiritual obedience.

WHEN YOU OPERATE WITHOUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD 

You can be saved and born-again but still train your soul to respond more readily to the flesh than to your spirit. Even though the spirit disagrees with the requests from the flesh, the soul chooses to justify rather than Jesus’ justification. The soul chooses its source of truth, and doubts the opposing source. 

The soul tells the body that the information it is receiving from the body is unrighteous, and it needs to align with the truth that the spirit has given it. The body rebels and tells the soul that it prefers how the flesh stimuli feels and invites the soul to agree by justifying and resolving to excuses and gives in to the feelings of the moment. 

We know

Week 3: Relate in Unity

Series Theme Scripture: John 17:20-24

1. The Power and Path of Unity

2. Live in unity (marriage, children)

3 .Relate in unity (church)

4. Pursue unity (Holy Spirit)

The solidarity, confidence, endurance, unity, and stability in all our relationships come only from our solidarity, confidence, endurance, unity, and stability in our relationship with God.

Our ability to be the body of Christ has the POWER to unlock purpose and vision that conquers even the gates of Hell.

1 Corinthians 1:10 TPT

I urge you, my brothers and sisters, for the sake of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree to live in unity with one another and put to rest any division that attempts to tear you apart. Be restored as one united body living in perfect harmony. Form a consistent choreography among yourselves, having a common perspective with shared values.

Acts 2:42-47 TPT 

Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.

The Mildly Devoted Version

They were devoted to their comfort, happiness, personal goals, dreams, and bucket lists. No one really noticed the Christians because they focused on themselves. Very few of the believers were together, and when they were, they fought about stupid things. If they sold anything, they used the money to buy something better for themselves. They claimed to love God, but they didn’t even love each other. So they felt empty, alone, and depressed. As a result, most people disliked them and very few lives were changed. Acts 2:42-47 MDV

The first-century believers desperately needed each other, and they knew it.

Believers today desperately need each other, and they have forgotten it.

divisions: schisma (skhis’-mah); a split, a division, a schism, a ripping or tearing apart.

People are intentionally pursuing a life that destroys their mental health and robs them of real joy and lasting fulfillment. – God never intended it to be that way.

John 17:20-21, 23 NIV 

“… I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message… that all of them may be one … 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.” 

WHAT WILL UNIFY THE CHURCH?

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 

1. HAVING ONE ENEMY 

Ephesians 6:12 NIV 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

John 10:10 NIV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy …

Our fight is not AGAINST one another but WITH one another – against one enemy.

2. HAVING ONE MISSION 

Matthew 28:19 NIV 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

John 13:34-35 NIV 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love

We had such a deep time of worship and celebration as chains were broken, freedom set alight in the hearts of God’s people and the fire of the Holy Spirit commissioning us to spread the Gospel!

RIGHT CAN’T BE WRONG

Matthew 12:25

Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

Isaiah 5:18-21

What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart!

They even mock God and say, “Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do.

Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is.”

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

You are good. 

Made good by goodness itself. 

It is time to stop calling your goodness something that is not.

Useless, not worthwhile or that will not amount to anything!

There is a difference between being informed of the goodness in you and being transformed by it.

Ephesians 5:6-10

Don’t be fooled by those who speak their empty words and deceptive teachings telling you otherwise.

This is what brings God’s anger upon the rebellious! Don’t listen to them or live like them at all.

Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him.

Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light!

And the supernatural fruits of his light will be seen in you—goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Then you will learn to choose what is beautiful to our Lord.

Together 2 – Live In Unity

TOGETHER 2 Living in Unity

Series Concept: When our world is divided, and people are hurting, what’s our responsibility as followers of Christ? Where do we even start? In this series, we’ll learn how to embrace the role God wants us to play in key areas and relationships that will bring unity and healing.

Series Theme Scripture: John 17:20-24

“And I ask not only for these disciples, but also for all those who will one day believe in me through their message. I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me. For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me. “Father, I ask that you allow everyone that you have given to me to be with me where I am! Then they will see my full glory— the very splendor you have placed upon me because you have loved me even before the beginning of time.

Week 2: Unity of Family

The unity of your family is directly related to the family being in unity with GOD.

WE ARE NOT JUST A CHRISTIAN HOME. WE ARE A CHRIST-CENTERED HOME.

Psalm 63:1

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
You God are our God, earnestly we seek you; we thirst for you, our whole family longs for you… (edited toward the family) 


HELP YOUR FAMILY SEE GOD AS LOVING, APPROACHABLE, AND INVOLVED. 


THREE WAYS TO CREATE HUNGER FOR GOD1) INVOLVE GOD IN YOUR DAILY CONVERSATIONS.

2) MAKE CHURCH NON-NEGOTIABLE.
3) SHOW HOW SEEKING AND SERVING GOD IS FUN.

Joshua 24:15

…then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

The Pressures of Family Disunity:

The irreverence of the marriage covenant

The desecration of the gift of life

The disregard of our God-given characters

When the going gets tough… We give up on what matters the most. The world wants to make it tough so that we will give up on the most fundamental building block of unity – family.

Unity Starts At Home

IF YOU ARE A CHRIST-CENTERED FAMILY, YOU WILL FACE PERSECUTION

Matthew 5:10-12 
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven… 


YOUR FAMILIES UNITY WILL BE CHALLENGED 1 Peter 4:12-13, 16

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ… 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

TO ENDURE PERSECUTION – YOUR FAMILY NEEDS A MISSION1 Corinthians 4:12…When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.

When family identity is strong, the pressure to break apart is weak. 
 When family identity is weak, the pressure to break apart is strong. 


What is the purpose of your family? To worship God together.

PREPARING YOUR FAMILY FOR THE CHALLENGES OF THE WORLD (PERSECUTION).2 Timothy 3:12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…

John 15:18-20

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you ou

Together 1 – Detailed Notes

Series: Together

Why This Series?

The world is trying to rip us apart.Protest groups, promotion of self-identifying thoughts, critical race theories, binary vs. non binary, gender descriptors, all in the name of acceptance crush life giving unity. Humanity has produced some of the most divisive regimes ever known.

When our world is divided, and people are hurting, what’s our responsibility as followers of Christ? Where do we even start? In this series, we’ll learn how we can embrace the role God wants us to play in key areas and relationships that will bring unity and healing. In the realm of God’s direction both diversity (all nations and tongues) and unity co-exist to produce harmony.

Jesus knew that true peace and harmony would only happen in the natural if we were united supernaturally TOGETHER with God.

Series Theme Scripture: John 17:20-24

“And I ask not only for these disciples, but also for all those who will one day believe in me through their message. I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me. For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so

that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me. “Father, I ask that you allow everyone that you have given to me to be with me where I am! Then they will see my full glory— the very splendor you have placed upon me because you have loved me even before the beginning of time.

This Week:

1. The Power and Path of Unity

The weeks that follow:

2. Live in unity (marriage, children)3 .Relate in unity (church)4. Pursue unity (Holy Spirit) _____________________________________________

The Power and the Path of Unity

1 Corinthians 15:58 TPT

So now, beloved ones, stand firm, stable, and enduring*. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures#.

The Power* The Path#

THE POWER OF UNITY

Unity is a common topic in the Bible, promoting the peacefulness of living unified in harmony.

The solidarity, confidence, endurance, unity, and stability in all our relationships comes only from our solidarity, confidence, endurance, unity, and stability in our relationship with God.

The world works in connection with the enemy by offering a fabricated sense of community, or unhealthy forms of community that render us powerless and broken.

PROVERBS 18:1

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

This is why the enemy attacks community in an outright assault to push you into isolation, or tries to distract us with a fabricated sense of community, or perverts our desire and need for community by getting us into unhealthy forms of community.

The enemy uses every tactic and temptation he has against us to push us away from God and disconnect you from healthy community.

When the community of family fails, when the community of friends fail, when a community of the church fails, we carry deep seated hurt and we pull back, retract and isolate our heart burying our vision and purpose in unforgiveness and hurt that most often results in us blaming God.

Satan attacks our community with one another to distort our purpose and blur our vision by undermining our relationship with God. __________________________________________________ The world calls God non-existent and community crumbles. We call God supreme and our unity surges!

God has put it into the fabric