Four Things that Unify People

Our congregation is talking about the direction we need to take in the upcoming year. A key element to our success in the coming year will be our working together in a unified effort for the glory of Christ. Are we as unified as we could be? Note excerpt from Time magazine on p. 7. Compare an avalanche to unity/disunity in the local congregation. Bonds between brethren can either be strong or….be brittle & break apart. How would you describe the bond between brethren here?

I. 6 Things that avalanches teach us.

Takes time to forge bonds to one another.
Sometimes bonds are never forged.
Takes some degree of warmth to forge bonds.
Shape of ice crystals themselves is a key factor.
When conditions are right…doesn’t take much to trigger a slide
Very little warning….sound of thunder or silk.

II. 4 Things that will forge bonds of unity.

A common foe.

1.       Who = enemy of the Christian? Eph. 6:11-13; 1 Pet. 5:8-9

2.       We must see our enemy – Js. 4:7 & resist him!

3.       He out to get us through immorality; materialism; praise of men.

B. A common tragedy.

1. People unite together during times of tragedy – OKC, Columbine, etc.

2. Christians have a common tragedy – SIN!

a. Rom. 3:23; 1 Jhn. 1:8-10

b. no one better than anyone else.

Heb. 9:27 – all face a serious judgment. See 2 Cor. 5:10; Jhn. 5:28-29
Must come together to help/encourage each other.

C. A common purpose.

1.       Different people, different backgrounds.

2.       Sense of purpose should draw us together – Acts 2:42; 9:31

3.       Purpose defined: Eph. 4:15-16 – grow up in Christ!

D. A common blessing.

1.       Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 9:12-15 – what brought them together?

2.       Our blessings in Christ – 1 Pet. 1:18-23 – a common salvation.

3.       Let’s share these blessings w/others!

III. We need to appreciate:

Our foe; Our tragedy
Our purpose; our blessing.
Note Eph. 4:3-6 – must join together spiritually!
Are you standing alone?



Four Things that Unify People Our congregation is talking about the direction we need to take in the upcoming year. A key element to our success in the coming year will be our working together in a unified effort for the glory of Christ. Are we as unified as we could be? Note excerpt from Time magazine on p. 7. Compare an avalanche to unity/disunity in the local congregation. Bonds between brethren can either be strong or….be brittle & break apart. How would you describe the bond between brethren here? I. 6 Things that avalanches teach us. Takes time to forge bonds to one another. Sometimes bonds are never forged. Takes some degree of warmth to forge bonds. Shape of ice crystals themselves is a key factor. When conditions are right…doesn’t take much to trigger a slide Very little warning….sound of thunder or silk. II. 4 Things that will forge bonds of unity. A common foe. 1. Who = enemy of the Christian? Eph. 6:11-13; 1 Pet. 5:8-9 2. We must see our enemy – Js. 4:7 & resist him! 3. He out to get us through immorality; materialism; praise of men. B. A common tragedy. 1. People unite together during times of tragedy – OKC, Columbine, etc. 2. Christians have a common tragedy – SIN! a. Rom. 3:23; 1 Jhn. 1:8-10 b. no one better than anyone else. Heb. 9:27 – all face a serious judgment. See 2 Cor. 5:10; Jhn. 5:28-29 Must come together to help/encourage each other. C. A common purpose. 1. Different people, different backgrounds. 2. Sense of purpose should draw us together – Acts 2:42; 9:31 3. Purpose defined: Eph. 4:15-16 – grow up in Christ! D. A common blessing. 1. Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 9:12-15 – what brought them together? 2. Our blessings in Christ – 1 Pet. 1:18-23 – a common salvation. 3. Let’s share these blessings w/others! III. We need to appreciate: Our foe; Our tragedy Our purpose; our blessing. Note Eph. 4:3-6 – must join together spiritually! Are you standing alone?