2 | Building Unity in Great Diversity

Slides:
Slide: How do we find unity among such great diversity?

Slide: How many spiritual gifts are there?

Slide: Rom. 12:6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, [each of us is to exercise them accordingly:] if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Slide: Are there categories of spiritual gifts?

Slide: 1 Pet. 4:11 Whoever speaks, [is to do so] as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves [is to do so] as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Slide: Eph. 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. ... 11 And He gave some [as] apostles, and some [as] prophets, and some [as] evangelists, and some [as] pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Slide: Exo. 31:1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 "I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all [kinds of] craftsmanship, 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all [kinds of] craftsmanship.

Slide: How do we find unity among such great diversity?

Slide: Finding unity in diversity, some conclusions:
- “God made you special, and He loves you very much.” Bob the Tomato
- God’s plan is where we find our purpose.
- This is our greatest witness, how we love one another.

Slide: John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Slide: Finding unity in diversity, some conclusions:
Diversity produces unity only in great humility.

Slide: 1 Pet. 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to [your] elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Slide: Finding unity in diversity, some conclusions:
To the arrogant:
- be prepared to step back
- admit your need for help

To the anxious:
- be prepared to step out
- admit your need for help