Sermon Notes – October 15, 2023
Date: October 15, 2023
Theme: “Reigniting Our Focus to Build the Church”
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 4:1-6
Messenger: Rev. Claude Ellis
URL: https://youtube.com/live/kMWlqJL7jL4?feature=share
Points:
- Firstly you need to recognise when it is broken!
- Can only rebuild if we are unified
- United in body, mind, spirit, purpose
- The unity that was being experienced was intentional unity
- Unity is not necessarily achieved by avoiding conflict.
- Unity: – One-ness of purpose; it is not sameness, it is distinctiveness of purpose going in the same direction. It is purpose driven NOT people driven!
- Disunity: A lack of agreement or harmony; a state of discord; a separation
- Causes for disunity (in the church):
- Disagreement over doctrine
- Personal differences
- Power Struggle
- Cultural divide
- Pride
- Lack of love and respect for each other
- Lack of focus on the central truth of the gospel
- Majoring on the minor!
- “In the end we will not remember the words of our enemy, we will remember the silence of our friends” – Martin Luther King Jr
- Causes for disunity (in the church):
- Benefits to unity:
- Fosters a sense of belonging
- Promotes spiritual growth
- Most powerful testimony you can have to a world that is disunited
- Can achieve more than if you work alone
- Unity reflects the very nature of God
Supporting Texts:
- Deuteronomy 4:1-6
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
- John 17 (vs 11 especially)