September 28, 2025 - The Strong Are To Build Up The Weak - United As One - Part 2

Build up the weak - with God's help.

The God of comfort = “paraklesis” = encouragement and strengthening the believer

The Holy Spirit will comfort you, guide you, guard you, and encourage you to go farther – If you let Him, if you yield to Him!

Since we are image bearers of God, patience and comfort we give to one another

Unity in the body is the goal (verse 6); the body of Messiah is to be united as one!

Why is God passionate about unity in the body?
- God is a complex unity; Father, Son, Holy Spirit are united as ONE - Deuteronomy 6: 4

The Name Jehova Echad means: THE ONE GOD

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD

Three Persons - Elohim

Father - ONE GOD - Son - ONE GOD - Holy Spirit

ECHAD (verb)
1) Oneness and strength derived from twisting and binding together. (Example: the threads of a rope, although varying in size and thickness, when twisted together form a single continuous rope which derives its strength from its fibers twisting against themselves.)

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastics 4:12

Man and Wife: Two humans become “echad”, united as ONE
Genesis 2: 24

Tabernacle: Many curtains together become “echad”, ONE - Exodus 36: 11-13

Peoples and nations: Multiple individuals become “echad”, ONE - Genesis 11: 6

United as ONE, the people of God – Jeremiah 32: 38-39

The Godhead is united as ONE, “echad” - God desires His people to be united as ONE, “echad”!

Satan’s strategy is clear and successful = divide and conquer, create offense and divide!

Satan preys on our fallen nature, our depravity, which is prone to offense!

Satan's Trap of Offense: SKANDALON

Be aware of Satan’s schemes, don’t fall for his traps! - Ephesians 6: 11

United as ONE, we are stronger together; a formidable enemy of the powers of darkness

How do we promote unity?
- Be a grace-giver
- Doggedly pursue peace!
- Have thick skin and a soft heart; fragile spirits are easily offended

(Photo of many hands on top of one another in unity)

KNOW THIS TRUTH:
- One day we will be ONE with our God! United with and under the Godhead – 1 John 3: 2

NOW THAT IS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

THAT INDEED IS HEAVEN!!