Philippians 1:27 reads in the Amplified Bible “ Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you; that you are standing firm in UNITED SPIRIT and PURPOSE, striving side by side and contending with a SINGLE MIND for the faith of the glad tidings (the gospel).”

One Spirit ~  ‘ONENESS’

UNITED SPIRIT simply means ‘oneness’. We find from the examples of Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 14 that these two had a different spirit. They were willing to fight together in the times of trouble and see as God showed them whether what God said was popular or accepted by the people or not.

We are called to be a people WITH A UNITED SPIRIT, With a SPIRIT OF ONENESS!  WHERE WE STAND FIRM TOGETHER, believing together

One Mind ~ ‘LIKE-MINDED’; ‘OF ONE MIND’

1 Peter 3:8 reads “Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tender-hearted and humble)”

Philippians 4:1-5 Speaks of Paul having to correct two people who were causing dissension.   We are not to cause dissension in the Church. Paul tells them they need to settle their differences and he asks in verse 3 that the church and others to help these two people work things out.  We need to remember that differences in personality should not separate us from unity in Christ. We are not trying to make clones or replicas of ourselves; we must honour the uniqueness of each person. Unity in Christ means setting aside issues like denominational differences or cultural patterns. Agreement on the basics is what is important. Most important is mutual forgiveness. We need to get together with those we are having differences with and ask for the mind of Christ to permeate us so that we can see each other, as God sees us.

We may not agree on everything, but we can still be of one mind. For it is about Christ and not about us.

Verse 16 of Romans 12 reads, “ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

One Purpose ~ our purpose is to imitate Christ, in character, in mission, and to walk in His footsteps which results in reflecting Him, and knowing Him

“ Christ in me and among me the hope of glory.” Col 1:27

Striving (side by side) in covenant relationships

Commitment to A TEAM

There is NO “I” in TEAM!!!!

Together Everyone Accomplishes More!!

We are not out for gain or selfish ambition

We are to be united in Spirit, in mind & in Purpose (action)

Committed to A Cause

1. We are committed to Christ (to know Him)
2. We are committed to each other
3. We are committed to share the hope we have with others in practical & spiritual ways

 Committed to a strategy

1. Committed to stand firm & steadfast together, believing the good news
2. Committed to love God the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit
3. Committed to love others

We will not be swayed or tossed to and fro.  We are committed to Christ and His Body.  We are Committed to a team, committed to a cause, and committed to a strategy.

How can we arrive and maintain this kind of unity.

1)       Clear Vision    

           Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision my people perish(walk about unrestrained or walk around naked)

Our Vision here is to be a centre of hope releasing the Spirit of Revival with the Love of the Father, the Power of the Holy Spirit through the restoration of Jesus Christ to Kincardine and the surrounding regions.

2)       Measurable and obtainable goals.

            The one plus one.  If everybody reaches one person we will double in one year. 

             Believing to be debt free personally and corporately. 

3)       Good communication

      We must learn to communicate the Gospel in a relevant way.

      We must learn to communicate to one another when we are struggling instead of hiding.

4)       Trust, Loyalty, and faithfulness

       Trust more in the Lord, to go into a greater dimension of Him.

        Trust in each other more.  Speaking the truth regardless of the cost.

        Loyalty regardless of the circumstances,

        and Faithful regardless of our failures.

5)  Love/Appreciation for One Another- and our differences.

      Jesus called us to Love one another.  We understand that Love is not a feeling but a choice.  Love is not always  easy.  Love can be hard at times.  We understand that at times we must endure Tough Love.   We must learn to appreciate one another and the gifts that each of us may have.  We must grow in our gifts, we must learn to flow in our gifts, and we must learn to give of our gifts.

6)        Walk in the Spirit of reconciliation

            Must be a people of that forgive and repent regardless of the pain.

7)       Willing to Change

            We must be willing to change no matter the cost.   We must be willing to renew our minds to the Mind of Christ.  We must be willing to change our speech, our attitudes, and our actions in order to move from strength to strength, from faith to faith, and from glory to glory.  

Prayer:

   Lord I desire to be one with you, and your body.  Lord, I choose this day to be of one spirit, one mind and of one purpose.  I will be committed to a team(a local church) I will be committed to a cause, and I will be committed to a strategy.  Lord, I am committed to you and I choose to live in covenant with you and your body this day.  Lord, change my heart, my mind and my purpose and make my heart burn for you and like you, Lord cause my mind to burn so that I live from the Mind of Christ, and burn my purpose that I may burn for your purpose as a flame of Fire.  I declare this in the Mighty Name of Jesus, In Jesus name. Amen