The Way Of Christ - The Way Of Unity

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                          "THE WAY OF CHRIST"

                            The Way Of Unity

INTRODUCTION

1. Thus far in this series we have seen how The Way Of Christ is...
   a. The way to God    c. The way to truth     e. The way of joy
   b. The way to life   d. The way of love      f. The way of peace

2. The Way Of Christ is also the way of unity...
   a. Christ did much and continues to do more to attain unity
   b. Christians have the duty to maintain unity

[Let's begin by reviewing...]

I. HOW CHRIST ATTAINS UNITY

   A. JESUS FORETOLD OF UNITY...
      1. He spoke of there being one flock and one shepherd - Jn 10:16
      2. Those "not of this fold" that would be brought in are likely
         the Gentiles

   B. JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY...
      1. He prayed fervently that His believers be one - Jn 17:20-23
      2. That the world might believe and know He came from God

   C. JESUS DIED FOR UNITY...
      1. His death on the cross broke the wall of division - Ep 2:13-16
      2. So that Jew and Gentile can be one new body

   D. JESUS SENT THE HOLY SPIRIT...
      1. As promised, to guide the apostles into all truth - Jn 16:12-13
      2. Thus they taught of "the unity of the Spirit"- Ep 4:4-6

   E. JESUS ADDS THE SAVED TO HIS ONE BODY...
      1. When people obey the gospel, they are added by the Lord to His
         Church - Ac 2:38-41,47
      2. As the Church, they become members of His one body - Ep
         1:22-23; 4:4

   F. JESUS GAVE GIFTS TO HIS CHURCH...
      1. Various offices or function designed to lead to the unity of
         the faith - Ep 4:11-16
      2. Inspired apostles and prophets, to reveal the truth of God
      3. Evangelists, pastors and teachers, to teach the truth of God

   G. JESUS CULLS THE UNFAITHFUL...
      1. Disciples who do not bear fruit are cut off - Jn 15:1-2,6
      2. Churches that do not remain true are removed from His presence
         - Re 2:5

[Christ has done much to create and ensure unity!  But we also have a
duty to do our part...]

II. HOW CHRISTIANS MAINTAIN UNITY

   A. BY HEEDING HIS PRAYER ...
      1. Disciples should take Jesus' prayer for unity seriously - Jn
         17:20-23
      2. The apostle Paul certainly did - 1Co 1:10-13
      3. Thus we should discard any reality or semblance of division
         a. Such as creeds and traditions of men that divide
         b. Such as denominational names and organizations

   B. BY ABIDING IN HIS APOSTLES' DOCTRINE...
      1. That is what characterized the early church - Ac 2:42
      2. The apostles' doctrine was accepted as the Word of God - 1Th
         2:13; 1Co 14:37
      3. Thus we should be content with abiding in the apostles'
         doctrine
         a. Not latter day revelations by self-professed prophets
         b. Not new enlightenments by church councils or decrees

   C. BY KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT...
      1. The oneness of the body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism,
         God - Ep 4:3-6
      2. Doing so in the bond of peace - Ep 4:3; cf. 2Ti 2:23-26
      3. Thus we should strive for unity, but in a peaceful manner
         a. Not compromising the truth of the Spirit
         b. Not compromising the spirit of Christ

   D. BY DEVELOPING THE MIND OF CHRIST...
      1. Being of one mind through humility and respect for others - Php
         2:1-4
      2. Having the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself for us - Php
         2:5-8
      3. Thus we should work hard for unity, remembering Jesus
         a. Who died that we might have unity in Him
         b. Who did so with humility and love for the lost

   E. BY AVOIDING AND WITHDRAWING FROM THE UNFAITHFUL...
      1. Especially those who cause divisions - Ro 16:17; 1Ti 6:3-5; Tit
         3:10-11
      2. Also those who refuse to repent of their sins - 1Co 5:11-13;
         2Th 3:6-14
      3. Thus we should do our part together with what Jesus does
         a. Avoiding churches that contribute to religious division
         b. Withdrawing from Christians who refuse to follow Jesus

CONCLUSION

1. The Way Of Christ is the way of unity because it is important to
   Jesus...
   a. He prayed and died to make such unity possible
   b. His apostles charged His followers to preserve that precious unity

2. Those who respect Jesus' efforts will follow the way of unity...
   a. By abiding in His word, developing His attitude
   b. By preserving His truth, withdrawing from those who do not

   "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
   together in unity!" - Psa 133:1
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