We're in this Together!

1. We're in this Together! Scripture references are from the New King James Version

2. Intro – We're In This Together • We're called to be in one accord – but why? • What can be accomplished if we are in unity? • How are we supposed to function when we are together?

3. Groups and Individuals • As human's we're used to doing things in groups – small and large • Football • Production Line • Build Buildings • Perform Surgery • Military Campaigns

4. Groups and Individuals • There are things that we do individually • Send text messages • Receive surgery • Command a Ship • Read a Book • Eat Cereal • Give Birth

5. Groups and Individuals • As “the love of many will grow cold” we see more and more selfishness surfacing, and since there is shortage of people who give, everyone must take for themselves.

6. Groups and Individuals • In the Kingdom of God, there are also things we tend to do as groups, and things we do as individuals. • We don't always get this right. Sometimes we do individually what should be done as a group, and as a group what should be done individually.

7. Groups and Individuals • Most of the time in church, and in the Kingdom of God, we should be functioning as a group, but we choose to function as an individual. Why? • Religion says so • Groups are expensive • Group behavior denies self • Group behavior is against selfishness

8. Groups and Individuals • Some important areas where we need to get this right: • Living in Unity • Counseling • Worship • Prayer

9. Living in Unity • Much can be accomplished if it is done in unity • Tallest structure in the world is the 829.8 m (2,722 ft) tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

10. Living in Unity Much can be accomplished if we work together in unity The Burj Khalifa is 2,722 feet tall – more than four times as high as the Space Needle

12. Living in Unity • In addition to accomplishing things, we need to take care of one another: 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.James 2:15-17

13. Living in Unity • And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; • Ephesians 4:11

14. Counseling • Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. • Prov. 11:14 • As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. • Prov 27:17

15. Counseling In the book of Job, he experiences much suffering, so he invites four men to give advice. They are: • Elphaz • Bildad • Zophar • Elihu

16. Counseling • When they are through, God rebukes three of them. He did not rebuke Elihu. • If Job had only invited three, he would have missed on the correct counsel of the fourth. • More counselors are usually better.

17. Worship • But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. - John 4:23

18. Worship Parable of The Candles

19. Worship • For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. • Matt 18:20

20. In My Name • A quick diversion

21. Prayer • Although there are times when we should pray by ourselves, praying with other believers is what is important and is what God wants. • In this manner, therefore, pray: • Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. • Matt. 6:9

22. Prayer Corporate Prayer: Prayer to God as a group, not as individuals. • There is no “I” or “me” in Group • There is no “I” or “me” in Corporate Prayer We pray to the Father,in the name of the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

23. Prayer • Agreeing together in prayer is vital Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matt 18:19

24. Prayer • Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. • James 5:14

25. Prayer So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 • Our faith is also built up by hearing testimonies of what God has done in the lives of other people. It's harder on your own.