Unity in AdversityUnity in Adversity

1 Peter 4:12-161 Peter 4:12-16

Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 4:9-124:9-12

AdversityAdversity

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Unity in AdversityUnity in Adversity

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Overcoming Adversity Overcoming Adversity to Keep Unity to Keep Unity

Requires…Requires…•Faith in Christ, Jno 16:33; 1 Jno 5:4–Peace and joy, Jno 16:22 (15:18; 12:31-33)–“Bond of peace” – uniting principle, Col 3:15–Continue in the faith, Acts 14:22–Endurance, 2 Tim 2:11-13–Walk in love, Jno 13:34-35; Col 3:14 (“bond”)

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Overcoming Adversity Overcoming Adversity to Keep Unity to Keep Unity

Requires…Requires…•Unwavering commitment to truth,

Eph 4:20-24; Gal 5:7-9–Uncompromising allegiance, Jude 3-4•Reject all lesser “norms” (unity in

diversity)

–Unflinching support of faithful brethren, Gal 4:11-16 (2 Tim 4:16)

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Overcoming Adversity Overcoming Adversity to Keep Unity to Keep Unity

Requires…Requires…•Putting a high value on our unity in

Christ, Jno 17:20-21 (tirelessly guard it)–Enjoy the goodness of unity, Psa 133:1–Preserve the integrity of unity, Gen 13:8–Endurance maintains unity, Matt 24:13; Heb 12:1-2

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ADVERSITADVERSITYY

•Discord and rivalry, Gal 5:19, 20-21–Hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy–Failure to lovingly serve, Gal 5:13-15

IN THE LOCAL CHURC

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ADVERSITADVERSITYY

•Things that disrupt unity:–False teachers/teaching, 2 Tim 2:16-18; Titus 1:10-11

–Factiousness (binding opinions), Rom 14:1-5

–Power plays, 3 Jno 9-10 (Phil 2:3-4)

–Hidden sin, Josh 6:18; 7:11-15, 25; Matt 18:15-17

–Demand for “new things”, Jer 6:16-17

IN THE LOCAL CHURC

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ADVERSITADVERSITYY

•Special occasions–Holidays, birthdays, weddings, funerals, etc.

–Yield to each other, Gen 13:8

•Finances, Matt 6:25-34; Phil 4:11-13

•Marital “bliss”, Eph 5:31, 33

IN FAMILIE

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Unity in AdversityUnity in Adversity

-United in faith and obedience to Christ

-Marks us as people of God, 1 Pet 4:12-13

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