Level Up
Antonette Weatherly
Level 4 – Unity in Community
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and [a]prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, [b]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. –Ephesians 1:7-10 NKJV
*Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore. -Psalm 133 NKJV
*CONNECTS-
*Just because you’re in the same room, doesn’t mean you’re in community
*Connection requires vulnerability
Because unity is such an intrinsic part of experiencing Heaven on earth we have to dare to be vulnerable in order to realize it.
*Jesus washes the disciples feet JOHN 13:1-8
*In the washing of the disciples feet, not only does Jesus demonstrate what it is to be a servant leader, but Peter demonstrates what it requires to experience being united to the body of Christ.
*“We will only experience unity to the degree that we are willing to be vulnerable toward and trust in the Holy Spirit in other believers.”
* Connection must be guarded
- Major on the majors, minor on the minors
- Become unoffendable
*If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
-Romans12:18 NKJV
*1 Cor. 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no division among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
*”THERE’S NO COMPETITION AROUND THE THRONE. EVERYONE JUST WANTS TO SEE MORE OF FATHER’S FACE.” JOHN HELSER
*Connection happens by the power of Holy Spirit
*While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook.They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence. The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! -Acts 4:31-33 MSG
*Kingdom connection is not something we accomplish after the flesh, it is a supernatural work of the Spirit. When we yield to the Spirit in loving well and receiving love, he makes manifest in our gatherings the binding work already accomplished by Christ in our spirit.
*CULTIVATES
*Partner Pollinators
* Cultivation in the body of Christ reveals purpose
*Community doesn’t create purpose for you, it reveals the purpose that is already within you.
* By their fruits you will know them.” -Matt. 7:20 NKJV
*“4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” -Romans 12:4-5
*It is impossible to realize Kingdom purpose in isolation
* Conferences, books, and classes can’t cultivate you like kingdom community can; only iron sharpens iron
*CATAPULTS
*BE OTHER’S ANANIAS Acts 9:10-19
*NO MATTER WHAT YOU’RE CALLED TO DO, NO MATTER HOW LEFT FIELD YOUR GIFTS SEEM, THERE IS ONE THING WE ALL HAVE IN COMMON; OUR KINGDOM GIFTS WILL ALWAYS REQUIRE PEOPLE AND WILL ALWAYS SERVE PEOPLE
* “WANT TO GO FAST, GO ALONE. WANT TO GO FAR, GO TOGETHER.”
*We are all here because of another faithful believer
*And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:24 NKJV
*Community connects us to the body, cultivates the purpose of the Father in ours lives, and catapults us into our destiny.
*The strategy Holy Spirit has given this house for experiencing community outside of services is through life groups.
*UNITY PRECEDES REVIVAL
*Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore. –Psalm 133 NKJV