Sovereign Grace Church

I. THE MANDATE FOR BIBLICAL UNITY
A. UNITY BASED IN ENCOURAGEMENT
Phil 2:1a “Therefore since there is encouragement in Christ”
(also Luke 2:25; II Cor 1:5; II Thes 2:16; John 17:20-21; 12:32; Eph 1:10)

B. UNITY BASED IN LOVE
Phil 2:1b “since there is any consolation of love,
(also I Cor 13:11; II Cor 1:3; Rom 5:8; I Jn 4:7; Gal 5:13;II Cor 5:4; Eph 5:2)

C. UNITY BASED IN THE SPIRIT
Phil 2:1c “since there is any fellowship of the Spirit,”
(also I Cor 12:3; II Cor 13:14)

D. UNITY BASED IN MERCY
Phil 2:1d “since there is any inwardly moving compassion,”
(also Is 58:5)

II. THE MANIFESTATIONS OF BIBLICAL UNITY
A. UNITED WE WILL BE LIKE–MINDED
Phil 2:2a “Overflow my joy by being like-minded,”

B. UNITED WE WILL BE LOVING
Phil 2:2b “having the same love,”

C. UNITED WE WILL BE OF ONE ACCORD
Phil 2:2c “being of one soul,”

D. UNITED WE WILL BE OF ONE OPINION
Phil 2:2d “of one opinion.”

III. THE MANNER OF BIBLICAL UNITY
A. UNITY DESTROYED
1. DESTROYED BY CONTENTION
Phil 2:3a “Let nothing be done through contention”
(also Gal 5:20)

2. DESTROYED BY CONCEIT
Phil 2:3b “or conceit,”
(also III John 9)

3. DESTROYED BY SELFISHNESS
Phil 2:4a Let each person consider merely his own interests”
(also Gen 3:6; Mt 4:8; I John 2:15

B. UNITY ENHANCED
1. STRENGTHENED BY HUMILITY
Phil 2:3c “but in humility”

2. STRENGTHENED BY RESPECT
Phil 2:3d “esteem others more important than themselves.”

3. STRENGTHENED BY CONCERN FOR EACH OTHER
Phil 2:4b “but also the interests of one another.”
(also I Cor 10:24; Psalm 133:1-3)