Often we notice the differences that exist among us as members of the church

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• Introduction
• Often we notice the differences that exist among
  us as members of the church
• How are we supposed to deal with the differences
  that are present among us?
• This was a concern that existed and was dealt
  with among the saints in the 1st century church
  (I Timothy 314-15 51-2)
• We are not dealing with differences among
  Christians and unbelievers nor will we be
  discussing those in sin and error. We are talking
  solely about personal differences.

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• We Should Expect To Have Differences
• Our uniqueness is seen in our differences
• We are a group of people who have come into the
  house of the Lord from various backgrounds,
  cultures, styles, etc. (Isaiah 22-4 1923-25)
• People who would naturally be enemies are
  brought together in the Lord to love each other
  while working to reach other souls to save.
  (Isaiah 116-10 Rom 1512)
• The predator laying with the prey has nothing to
  do with the calm among the animal kingdom, but it
  is rather the peace that will exist amongst
  natural foes in the kingdom of God (Heb.
  1222-24)

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• We Should Expect To Have Differences
• Our uniqueness is also seen in our unity
• Even though this may seem like a contradiction,
  the fact remains we are different but unified
  (Galatians 326-29)
• We are instructed as Christians to continue in
  unity without seeking to harm one another
  (Galatians 515 I Cor. 33)
• As long as we are preaching the gospel, we will
  face our differences. People come from various
  backgrounds (religiously, socially, physically
  etc.) God gives us talents and places us in the
  church where He desires when we are saved. Are we
  all supposed to be the same? Not at all.

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• We Must Build Bonds With Differences
• Our differences vary from person to person
• People in the flesh develop their own character
  (body, mind, spirit etc.) (Luke 240, 52)
• EXAMPLE
• We need to learn how to prevent difference
  damage while settling and resolving any harm
  that has already been done. Failing to address
  difference issues is to avoid the word of God.

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• We Need Wisdom On Differences
• Our desire should be to know Gods will
• Gods people have always been destroyed for lack
  of knowledge (Hosea 46)
• We need to know biblical love, care, hospitality
  etc. in order to avoid issues with our
  differences
• When we have our differences, we need to make
  educated decisions in handling each situation
• When we find a difference that exists between
  ourselves and someone else we should seek to deal
  with the difference according to Gods will
• Too many congregations are plagued by cliques
  that only associate with those who are like they
  are

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• We Desire Confidence In Our Differences
• Our need is to be confident in one another
• Many congregations do very little with their
  ability to function together spiritually due to a
  lack of confidence in one another on a personal
  level
• If one has differences with us, it seems a whole
  lot easier to ignore them than it does to know
  them
• These brothers and sister are assembling together
  and occasionally will be together on a social
  level, but they will not find a solid spiritual
  confidence in one another so as to work together
  spiritually.
• Our differences can hinder us from growing
  together spiritually, lacking confidence in others