This document outlines how Christians should conduct themselves in a way that is worthy of the gospel and maintain unity. It discusses that true unity involves being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and esteeming others above oneself. Maintaining unity through humility and mutual care allows Christians to work towards common goals and reap the fruits of harmony. The document encourages examining one's own conduct and unity based on these principles.
2. I.SET INDUCTION: ON UNITY
-Definitions: unity vs uniformity
-Unity essential for a church [1Co12:27]
-Jesus’ plan for church [Jn17:21-23]
-Exhorted to remain united [Ps133:1]
-Do not fear because… [Ro8:28]
-Keep in mind “In essentials, unity, in
non-essentials, liberty, in all others,
charity”
3. II.Ph1:27-30: CONDUCT WORTHY OF THE
GOSPEL
[KJV1:27] “conversation” means to
behave as citizens [GK]
Philippians as citizens of Rome are to
behave as if they were Romans,
Christians as citizens of heaven are to
behave worthy of the Gospel!
Conduct not worthy of the gospel?
Malaysians misbehaving overseas
reflect poor image.
4. Now away from heaven, our conduct
must be worthy of the gospel with
or w/o presence of other Christians
Eg: Praying, studying, in public but not
privately [environmental faith]
Worthy conduct involves
A. Standing fast in one spirit [27]
B. Striving together for the faith [27]
C. Not terrified by adversaries [28-30]
5. III. [Ph2:1-4] JOY IN UNITY
3 aspects of such unity
1st aspect: Motivation for unity [2:1]
revolves round 4 questions:
Do we not have
Q1. Consolation [comfort] in Christ?
Q2. Comfort of love?
Q3. Fellowship of the Spirit?
Q4. Affection and mercy?
6. 2nd aspect: Nature of joyful Unity [2]
A. Involves being like-minded
B. Involves having the same love
C. Involves being of one accord
D. Involves being of one mind
7. 3rd aspect refers to Attitudes
needed to attain Unity [2:3,4]
A. Do nothing through selfish
ambition [2:3]
B. Have a lowness of mind [2:3]
C. Esteem others better than self
[2:3]
D. Look out for interest of others
[2:4]
8. IV. Exhorted [a] Be united always
[b]Help from other verses
a. Word as unifying standard
[Ph3:16]
b. Be agreeable and like-minded
[Ro12:16]
c. Be at peace with fellow-workers
[1Th5:13,Ro14:19]
9. d. Have love/concern for others
[Pr10:12]
e. Be kind, gentle, courteous
[Ep4:32, 2Tim2:24]
f. Accept others as they are
[Ro14:1]
g. Avoid offending people
[1Co10:32, Pr18:19]
10. h. Be careful what you say
[Pr17:9, 2Tim2:23, Tit3:2]
i. Control your temper
[Pr14:29,15:1,18,Ph2:3,Ja1:9]
j. Humbly discuss disagreements
with elders [1Tim5:1]
k. Avoid playing favourites
[1Tim5:21]
11. l. Value peace
[Ro14:19,21, Ro12:18]
m. Share unselfishly
[Ac4:32]
n. Return good for evil
[Mt5:44, Ro12:21, 1Th5:15]
o. Do not retaliate
[Pr20:22, Ro12:17,19, 1Pe3:19]
12. V. FRUITS OF UNITY
a. Facilitates working for common
goal [Ph1:27]
b. Strength in Unity [Ec4:9,10,12]
c. Harvest of good fruit [Ph2:1,2,41]
13. VI.SUMMARY:QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1.Is our present conduct worthy of
the Gospel?
2.Are we united, standing fast in
one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the gospel, not
terrified by adversaries?
3.Do we feel privileged to suffer for
the gospel?
14. 4. Do we have the correct attitudes
for unity: humility, lowness of mind,
esteeming others better than self,
looking out for the interest of
others[2:3,4]?
5. True Christian unity involves a
unity of mind, of love, a lack of
rivalry and vain conceit.
Do we have it?