93.3 Avoid Factions: Christ Was Not Divided

(1 Corinthians 1:10-13)

By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my brothers, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose. For some people from Chloe's family have told me quite plainly, my brothers, that there are quarrels among you. Let me put it this way: each one of you says something different. One says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another "I follow Peter"; and another, "I follow Christ." Christ has been divided into groups! Was it Paul who died on the cross for you? Were you baptized as Paul's disciples?

93.2 Unity Among The First Christians

(Acts 4:32.-35)

The group of believers was one in mind and heart. No one said that any of his belongings was his own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.  There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed to each one according to his need.

93.1 Christ Prayed For Unity Before Dying

(John 17:20-26)

"I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one. I in them and you in me, so that they ma be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me.

"Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made. Righteous Father! The world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you sent me, made you known to them, and I will continue to do so, in order that the love you have for me may be in them, and so that I also may be in them."

92.4 Thanksgiving For God's Everlasting Love

(Psalm 136)

Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal.
Give thanks to the greatest of all god; his love is eternal.
Give thanks to the mightiest of all lords; his love is eternal.

He alone performs great miracles; his love is eternal.
By his wisdom he made the heavens; his love is eternal;
he built the earth on the deep waters; his love is eternal.
He made the sun and the moon; his love is eternal;
the sun to rule over the day; his love is eternal;
the moon and the stars to rule over the night; his love is eternal.

He killed the first-born sons of the Egyptians; his love is eternal.
He led the people of Israel out of Egypt; his love is eternal;
with his strong hand, his powerful arm; his love is eternal.
He divided the Red Sea; his love is eternal;
he led his people through it; his love is eternal;
but he drowned the king of Egypt and his army; his love is eternal.

He led his people through the desert; his love is eternal.
He killed powerful kings; his love is eternal;
he killed famous kings; his love is eternal;
Sihon, king of the Amorites; his love is eternal;
and Og, king of Bashan; his love is eternal.
He gave their lands to his people; his love is eternal;
he gave them to Israel, his servant; his love is eternal.

He did not forget us when we were defeated; his love is eternal;
he freed us from our enemies; his love is eternal.
He gives food to every living creature; his love is eternal.

Give thanks to the God of heaven; his love is eternal.

92.3 I Give Thanks To God Every Time I Think Of You

(Philippians 1:3-11)

I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always sin my heat!@ And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shred with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. God is my witness that I fell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.

I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on that Day of Christ. Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.