Understanding the building blocks of Church Unity
Notes
Transcript
Intro: I hear that the biggest and most iconic building projects in the world seldom have a problem retaining their construction workers. Those workers know what they are doing will be admired by many. It is said that there is most often a unity in the job sight that presses the project forward.
The church is called to a similar unity - just with different building blocks. The unity the church is commanded to keep, has its basis in seven Iconic unities which were established as building blocks in the church, and should exist in all ages.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
A. Unity of the one Body - the Church.
A. Unity of the one Body - the Church.
The Apostle Paul tried hard to explain the Church as the Body in Ephesians.
The Apostle Paul tried hard to explain the Church as the Body in Ephesians.
16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Also in Chapter 5.30
Ultimately "there is one body'' - the church, the body of Christ; not a Gentile body and a Jewish body; Not a Baptist body and a Uniting body and an Anglican body; Not a European body, American Body, Asian Body, Australian body. The Church is one body.
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
1 Cor 12:12-13; says a very similar thing.
It does not matter if this is my preference or not! It is God’s design and His intent.
B. Unity of the Spirit
B. Unity of the Spirit
This is the indwelling, helping, power giving, life sustaining Spirit of God! It personally hurts me when some Charismatics say I deny the Spirit and His involvement today. If they are part of the True Church, I have exactly what they have - I just believe from Scripture that He is working differently than they do! I’m not destroying the one unity.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
The same Spirit given to every Christian! It is interesting to me that the Spirit is the first of the Triune Godhead to be mentioned. He helps us understand all this better.
C. Unity of hope.
C. Unity of hope.
Our hope of a relationship with God.
Our hope of a relationship with God.
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
This is core, and that is why we refer to it week after week.
Our Hope while Living
Our Hope while Living
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Of course we also have our church theme verse, 1 Peter 1.3
Our Hope of Glory
Our Hope of Glory
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
*Wherever called and from whatever status, all were filled with one hope - a future with God in heaven.
D. Unity of the Lord as head.
D. Unity of the Lord as head.
1 Co 1:13; Php 3:8; Eph 1:10
* One Lord. All believers have one Master - The Lord Jesus Christ and He alone.
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
Master might be loosing its usage these days. They are even trying to rename the Master Bedroom to the “main” or “primary” bedroom. However, as Christians, we willingly accept Jesus as Lord and Master when we accept His forgiveness of sins.
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
E. Unity of faith.
E. Unity of faith.
Eph 2:8-9 Ro 3:30; Tit 1:1,4; Jude 1:3
Not a creed but saving faith as in
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Not just any faith will do. Their is only one faith that unifies and it also brings us to God on His terms. One act of trust in the finished work of Christ, the same for all (Jew or Gentile), one way of being saved.
I will also say that this is why we hold to a saved church membership for voting rights in our church.
F. Unity of baptism.
F. Unity of baptism.
Acts 2:38, Rom 6:3-4; 1 Cor.12:13
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
This Unity is not from the symbol, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation. All have been baptised into the "one body" upon the profession of the "one faith".
We will get into baptism in another sermon soon as we look at the two ordinances of the church.
G. Unity of the one Father.
G. Unity of the one Father.
Mal 2:10; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph 6:23; 1Jo 3:1-3
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
One God. Not many gods, but one God for all; Not a separate God for each nation or religion. One God for all mankind.
"Who is over all and through all and in all" Paul has endeavoured to express the universal sweep, authority, and power of God in people’s lives.
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
You can never know and understand the church without knowing God! We have one God and Father! He is not only the reason everything exists, He is also the reason we seek a better life in His “Called Out group” and an even greater eternity. Any church that looses this building block is in danger of becoming lost in going through the motions.
Conclusion: The church is built on seven blocks of unity. These things should always unite us and should help us understand who is in the church and who is not.
Conclusion: The church is built on seven blocks of unity. These things should always unite us and should help us understand who is in the church and who is not.
q1. Can you remember the seven things?
q2. Which is most precious to you and helps you feel you belong?
q3. Can you think of a practical way you can help others in our church feel united in one of these 7?