Peace with churches
Notes
Transcript
We all want peace
We all want peace
We all want peace, we all need peace
Peace with God, mankind, oneself, families, brethren
What about peace within church? (insert illustration of dysfunctional churches; though this is not what this sermon is about at all).
Jesus offers peace with churches there is a need for peace with churches. Co existence does not equate to peace. What Jesus desires is unity/peace.
Have everyone Turn to and read (Jn17:20-21)
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Denomination mess (why so many churches)
Denomination mess (why so many churches)
According to a live science article 2022 there are 45,000 denominations
Denomination defined by Websters: “A religious organization uniting under a single legal and administrative body a number of local congregations.”
Exampled: Churches with single pope or archbishop
Exampled united by a synod, council or convention
Exampled: subject to the oversight of other “sponsoring” churches
(Transition) I just read Jn17:20-21, Jesus prayer was for unity. Jesus formed one church (turn to Mt16:18)
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
The fracture of the body of Christ continues to happen today and the number of denominations continues to increase
Denominationalism is unscriptural. No biblical basis, no chapter, no verse showing denominations.
Denominationalism is not only unscriptural it is anti-scriptural (Turn to read Jn17:20-23)
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
Jesus prayer for for unity
Paul condemned division (denominationalism) -(turn to 1Cor1:10-13)
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul called division carnal or fleshly(turn to 1Cor3:3-4)
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?
Divisions are against what Christ did on the cross (turn to Eph2:14-16)
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Religious division, denominationalism has, is, a stumbling block to many believers “why are there so many churches, which one should I go to?”
(Transition) No disciple of Jesus can truly sanction denominationalism in any form, for Jesus formed His church. With so many denominations today, so much confusion, there is not unity, but think what Paul said (turn to read 1Cor14:33)
33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Jesus offers true peace for churches
Jesus offers true peace for churches
Jesus own example
In a time where even in the religious community he lived in there were Pharisee, Sadducee, Herodian, Essences but Jesus was just a faithful Israelite living under the law of Moses as it was intended by God and delivered through the prophets.
If Jesus came to example life today as a man under the new covenant, a Christian, what would He be? (Baptist. . . )
He would be simply a Christian (turn to read Act11:26)
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Wanting others to be Christians (ref: Act26:28) and would suffer as a Christian knowing the value of it (ref: 1Pt4:16) - just would be “simply a Christian” nothing more, nothing less.
Jesus offers peace by His apostles doctrine
The believers, the church were adherent to the apostles doctrine (Quote Act2:42)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
People received it as the word of God (turn to 1Thes2:13)
13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
Taught about church leadership, local, under elders (turn to Act14:23 ref: Tit1:5 in every city)
23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Elders (Act20:17)also under name of Pastors (Eph4:11); Overseers (Act20:28); Shepherds (1Pt5:1-2) and always a plurality of them (turn to Act20:17; ref: Act21:18)
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
There are to be Deacons who like elders were to be qualified (turn to read 1Tim3:8-13)
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The elders and deacons only have oversight to the flock they are called to serve (ref: Act20:28; turn to and read 1Pt5:1-2
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
There is no scriptural basis for any authority, hierarchy beyond the local congregation. No single pastor, bishop, shepherd, overseer, synod, council or convention.
(Transition) This is all the peace that Jesus offered through His example and the apostles teaching.
The peace with churches that Jesus offers
The peace with churches that Jesus offers
Prevents hierarchical control
By uninspired men (unlike the apostles of Christ)
By unqualified men (again must turn to the authority of the bible for there is no authority outside of it
By unspiritual men (for denominationalism is indicative of carnality/being fleshly (ref: 1Cor1:3-4)
Hinders the spread of error, false doctrine
Local church is not influenced by other bodies of believers and are protected by the eldership of the local church and false doctrine can quickly be stopped.
Remember Jesus prayer was for unity, and when we are established like Jesus did, there is unity of faith, there are no doctrinal differences that are apparent to the outside world.
Unity in the body of Christ
Jesus prayed for it (Jn17:20-23)
Jesus established the church (Mt16:18)
For God is not the God of confusion but the author of peace (1Cor14:33)
Unity in the body, starts with unity in Christ (invitation)
(Song) (prayer) (Exit)