In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.

Congregational disagreement is an opportunity for fellowship and growth in Christ rather than separation and ostracism.

Our identity in Christ transcends all earthly divisions.

Our goal should always be reconciliation because Jesus is worthy.

Things We Can Learn:

What we experience may be best described as "one-fifth of reality." We are often enamored with what we can experience with our five senses. Yet, there are "four-fifths of reality" that we are missing. God is always acting and moving. He invites us to experience true reality; all five-fifths, through faith in Him.

Only Jesus can (1) unite people to Himself and one another and (2) build His Church.

If you are far from God or feel far from God, Jesus’s invitation is to draw near to Him in faith because He has drawn near to you!

If your response to those far from God (and different than you) drawing near to God is critical, you need to repent and believe the good news of Jesus. You too were once far from God.

Jesus is the only One who can unite diverse people eternally.

Whether we face persecution from those in power or our neighbor, Jesus is worthy and building His Church. We can stand firm.

As Christians, we WILL share in Christ’s suffering. There is no avoiding it.

Hospitality is one of the most powerful witnesses to the good news of Jesus because it entails welcoming, caring for, and loving others based on Christ’s love for them and us.

The front door of Multiply Church is your front door!

Hospitality is a dialogue. When we make space for others, the gospel has a place to land!

How are you being a hospitable neighbor?

Tips for Loving Your Neighbors Well

Get to know them. Eat, drink, and play with them.

Genuinely seek their good without ulterior motives.

Tell them your story and how Jesus has changed everything.

Pray for them and serve them.

Invite them to MC or to a Sunday gathering.

Do you know God conceptually, or have you been personally called into relationship with Him?

Is your conscience bound to God’s will or your own? What areas of your heart and mind are more bound by your conscience than God’s Word and will? How does that/could this keep you from being a faithful witness?

The Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, brings clarity to our confusion and unbinds our conscience to pursue God’s glory above our own. Have you asked Him to renew your heart and mind for His glory above all else?

God’s Spirit moves us to glorify Him through loving our neighbors and the nations well! How is the Holy Spirit currently moving you to embrace your neighbors and the nations with the Gospel for His glory?

1. Have you truly placed your faith in Jesus?

2. Are you living like it?

Are you a giver or a taker?

Are you living or dying?

What prevents you from pursuing life in Christ?

Jesus lived, died, and rose for God's glory and our salvation. Stephen lived and died for God’s glory and the good news of Jesus. Do you truly believe Jesus is worth living for and dying for? If so, repent and surrender your life to Jesus.

Do you fear God?

The Christian life is one of simultaneous joy and suffering in and for Christ.

The apostles rejoiced in their suffering because they saw it as an honor to endure hardship for Jesus’ sake; showing us that suffering for Christ can be a source of great strength and joy.

Suffering with Christ is normative for the Christian life. We will suffer. By God’s grace, may we suffer well.

No matter the obstacles, the apostles were determined to spread the word of Life, the Gospel. And the Church is called to continue sharing the Gospel message with the world.

Main Thing:

We should pray (as a body of believers) for the power to endure for God's glory instead of seeking our own comfort.

Application: