"THE WAY OF CHRIST"
The Way Of Unity
INTRODUCTION
- Thus far in this series we have seen how The Way Of Christ is...
- The way to God
- The way to life
- The way to truth
- The way of love
- The way of joy
- The way of peace
- The Way Of Christ is also the way of unity...
- Christ did much and continues to do more to attain unity
- Christians have the duty to maintain unity
[Let's begin by reviewing...]
- HOW CHRIST ATTAINS UNITY
- JESUS FORETOLD OF UNITY...
- He spoke of there being one flock and one shepherd - Jn 10:16
- Those "not of this fold" that would be brought in are likely
the Gentiles
- JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY...
- He prayed fervently that His believers be one - Jn 17:20-23
- That the world might believe and know He came from God
- JESUS DIED FOR UNITY...
- His death on the cross broke the wall of division - Ep 2:13-16
- So that Jew and Gentile can be one new body
- JESUS SENT THE HOLY SPIRIT...
- As promised, to guide the apostles into all truth - Jn 16:12-13
- Thus they taught of "the unity of the Spirit"- Ep 4:4-6
- JESUS ADDS THE SAVED TO HIS ONE BODY...
- When people obey the gospel, they are added by the Lord to His
Church - Ac 2:38-41,47
- As the Church, they become members of His one body - Ep
1:22-23; 4:4
- JESUS GAVE GIFTS TO HIS CHURCH...
- Various offices or function designed to lead to the unity of
the faith - Ep 4:11-16
- Inspired apostles and prophets, to reveal the truth of God
- Evangelists, pastors and teachers, to teach the truth of God
- JESUS CULLS THE UNFAITHFUL...
- Disciples who do not bear fruit are cut off - Jn 15:1-2,6
- 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...]
- HOW CHRISTIANS MAINTAIN UNITY
- BY HEEDING HIS PRAYER ...
- Disciples should take Jesus' prayer for unity seriously - Jn
17:20-23
- The apostle Paul certainly did - 1Co 1:10-13
- Thus we should discard any reality or semblance of division
- Such as creeds and traditions of men that divide
- Such as denominational names and organizations
- BY ABIDING IN HIS APOSTLES' DOCTRINE...
- That is what characterized the early church - Ac 2:42
- The apostles' doctrine was accepted as the Word of God - 1Th
2:13; 1Co 14:37
- Thus we should be content with abiding in the apostles'
doctrine
- Not latter day revelations by self-professed prophets
- Not new enlightenments by church councils or decrees
- BY KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT...
- The oneness of the body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism,
God - Ep 4:3-6
- Doing so in the bond of peace - Ep 4:3; cf. 2Ti 2:23-26
- Thus we should strive for unity, but in a peaceful manner
- Not compromising the truth of the Spirit
- Not compromising the spirit of Christ
- BY DEVELOPING THE MIND OF CHRIST...
- Being of one mind through humility and respect for others - Php
2:1-4
- Having the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself for us - Php
2:5-8
- Thus we should work hard for unity, remembering Jesus
- Who died that we might have unity in Him
- Who did so with humility and love for the lost
- BY AVOIDING AND WITHDRAWING FROM THE UNFAITHFUL...
- Especially those who cause divisions - Ro 16:17; 1Ti 6:3-5; Tit
3:10-11
- Also those who refuse to repent of their sins - 1Co 5:11-13;
2Th 3:6-14
- Thus we should do our part together with what Jesus does
- Avoiding churches that contribute to religious division
- Withdrawing from Christians who refuse to follow Jesus
CONCLUSION
- The Way Of Christ is the way of unity because it is important to
Jesus...
- He prayed and died to make such unity possible
- His apostles charged His followers to preserve that precious unity
- Those who respect Jesus' efforts will follow the way of unity...
- By abiding in His word, developing His attitude
- 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