Unity In Community Sermon Series
Overview
This sermon seminar is designed to help congregations build Biblically-functioning relationships that experience and express the love of God. Using the U.N.I.T.Y. paradigm, Rev. Dr. Pankau applies the concepts to how communities relate to each other..
U.N.I.T.Y. in Community
U-Unconditional/Unoffendable Love
Part 1 -
Truth #1 – Forgiveness is a command!
If we want our sins forgiven, we must forgive others. We can only live unconditionally/unoffendable if we embrace the grace of God and are willing to extend that grace to others.
Truth #2 – God’s Grace and Truth lead to Growth!
As we press into God’s grace and allow forgive one another, it provides the opportunity for us to grow in relationship with one another. Through forgiveness and repentance, we can learn how to “Fail Forward”! No Grace=No Growth
Truth #3 – God’s Grace enables us to win the Real Battle!
When we allow God’s grace to make us Unoffendable, we are enabled to live into our authority in Christ and fight the real Spiritual battle raging in the Heavenly Realms.
Part 2 - Reconciliation
Truth #1 – We are Missionaries of God’s Grace and Truth!
As we mature, we are transformed from self-centered people into others-centered missionaries. Now we focus on proclaiming the Gospel and inviting as many people as possible into God’s Kingdom.
Truth #2 – We are God’s Ambassadors of Reconciliation!
A key aspect of our new identity in Christ is that of being Ambassadors of Reconciliation. We are to model love in a completely new way to everyone we meet!
Truth #3 – We must repent of our sins and live with Holy Fear!
We honor the Spirit of Grace when we not only humble ourselves and apologize for what we have done wrong, but repent, seek His new correction, and pursue His training in righteousness.
N-Nest and Network for you and for raising the next generation
Truth #1 – God’s family shares His resources according to His will!
One of the key aspects of unity in community comes from stewarding God’s resources according to His will. When we live as God’s good stewards, He enables us to love and bless one another!
Truth #2 – We are parts of His body, designed to serve one another.
We all need to seek God’s understanding of our divine P.U.R.P.O.S.E., embrace our “lot in life”, and learn how to love and serve one another.
P - Passions
U - Upbringing
R - Resources
P - Personality
O - Original Abilities
S - Spiritual Gifts
E - Experience of Love
Truth #3 – How we love and serve one another matters!
When we are living surrendered to the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to serve others with both Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Fruit.
I-Intimacy in Community
Truth #1 – Real Biblical intimacy is only possible as we abide in Christ!
When we abide in Christ (allow the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us), we are enabled to experience and express the love of God and our lives become a blessing (God bears His fruit through us) to everyone we connect with!
Truth #2 – God’s mission is designed to build intimacy!
As we repent of our sin and draw near to God, we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to better love Him and one another!
Truth #3 – God’s plan is for us to experience His oneness!
It is God’s will to call His wayward creation back unto Himself through the Gospel. As we believe the Gospel and live on Mission with God, we will experience more life-giving intimacy with God and one another!
T-Tool for Honing our Character in Community
Truth #1 – We need one another to grow Godly character!
God will use Biblical community, and the safety of this covenant, as a tool to grow our character.
Truth #2 – Godly humility is the key to relational health!
As we humble ourselves and live into who God says we really are, we become teachable, moldable, and fillable!
Biblical Wisdom for Growth through Conflict*:
F - Face each other (Matthew 18:15-20, James 5:16)
I - Ignore distractions (Colossians 3:1-4, Philippians 3:12)
G - Guard your tongue (James 3:3-12)
H - Halt the history (Philippians 3:13)
T - Touch (1 Corinthians 7:3-5, Romans 16:16-20)
S - Stay in there (Philippians 3:14, Colossians 3:15-17)
*Adapted from Carson Pue
Truth #3 – Growth is a process toward full maturity in Christ!
We must apply God’s wisdom for helping one another grow into who He is calling us to be! If we try to help each other grow without applying God’s wisdom to the process, we will destroy each other.
Y-Yoke which Binds us to a Common Mission in Life
Truth #1 – We were created to live on Mission with God!
God created us to live life abundantly. This only happens when we surrender each day to His Lordship in our lives, live into our created purpose, and live on Mission with God as His children. This is the life that is truly life!
Truth #2 – We have been called to serve one another.
God has called and equipped each person to function interdependently with others in a concerted effort to express His love to the world!
Truth #3 – The Kingdom of God is a Servanthood!
In serving one another with our lives, we become free and express significant transforming love!