Posts Tagged ‘unity’
Singing and Making Melody
by Zeke Flores Have you ever heard musicians practice? There’s usually a period of tuning and warming up before they start playing. Every instrument is being plinked and plucked, tapped and tweaked in order to be in tune with the others. But goodness, what a racket that is! With a variety of instruments all being…
Read MoreUnited in Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/United-in-Christ.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Acts 10:34-43 I. Our Lord and Savior prayed before his death – John 17:13-26 A. It was his desire that we would share the same oneness that he and the Father shared. B. It is a oneness based in love C. If we are committed to Christ’s idea then the…
Read MoreVital Starting Points for Unity
by Doy Moyer All believers should, at the least, accept that Jesus wants His followers to be united together. He prayed “for those who will believe in me through their (the apostles’) word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be…
Read MoreNavigating Disagreements
by Dylan Stewart When we find ourselves in the middle of a disagreement with someone, it is important that we maintain the correct attitude during these challenging situations. If we are not careful, we can escalate what started as a minor problem and turn a disagreement into something far more destructive. Whenever we disagree with…
Read MoreOne Another
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-Another.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Romans 12:9-13 I. We are an individualistic society, but we recognize the need to work together to achieve goals. A. We form companies to manufacture goods B. We have governments to coordinate society C. There are aspects of Christianity that I am responsible for as an individual, but it is…
Read MoreThe Blessing of Relationships
by Zeke Flores Paul’s words in I Thessalonians 2:8 remind us that some of the greatest blessings we receive from others are found not so much in the gifts they give but in the people they are. When lives become intertwined through fellowship in Christ, it fosters tighter relationships, deeper love, and more enthusiastic motivation.…
Read MoreGod Is One
by Doy Moyer God is one, united in triune nature, and never broken. From the Father eternally proceeds the Son and Spirit, co-equally divine, perfect, and committed in love and faithfulness. Because of who God is, we can trust that He will always act in our best interest, treat us with true justice, and invite…
Read MoreThe Romans Argument
by Doy Moyer Scripture shows that one of the earliest and potentially most devastating problems faced by God’s people in the first century concerns the question of how Jews and Gentiles should relate to one another. After Peter taught Cornelius and his household, some among the Jews demanded answers from Peter regarding why he would…
Read MoreWhat does unity look like?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I’m struggling a bit with what unity really means in light of scripture, and I’d appreciate your guidance. From my study, I understand unity to involve being “of the same mind and judgment” as in I Corinthians 1:10-11, and having the humility and love described in Philippians 2:1-5. This seems to point toward…
Read MoreTrouble on the Farm and in the Church
by Leslie Diestelkamp When I was quite young, I learned some important lessons regarding farm work. Mules were my favorite beast of burden (those were the days when there were very few tractors on Missouri farms). But I immediately learned to regard with much awe the hind feet of a mule. Yet the lesson I…
Read MoreEveryone in the Church Is Important
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Everyone-in-the-Church-Is-Important.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWere the apostles in full agreement on all doctrine?
Question: Were the apostles in full agreement on all doctrines? Answer: “Doctrine” means teachings. Jesus told his apostles, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to…
Read MoreWorking Together
by Doy Moyer The people of God are characterized by work. This is not a drudgery but a blessing demonstrating God’s fellowship with His people and His people with one another. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), yet God’s grace teaches us to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright,…
Read MoreWhen Men Disagree
Adapted by Raymond Warfel From “When We Disagree” by Mike Willis Guardian of Truth, XL:9, p. 2, 2 May 1996 Brethren do disagree from time to time despite their desire to be united in the Spirit. We are not likely to remove all areas of disagreement any more than we can remove all the sins…
Read MoreIs Jesus Equal to or Lesser than the Father?
by William J. Stewart Question: In John 10:30, the apostle pens the words of Jesus, “I and My Father are one.” Again, Jesus’ words are recorded in John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said,…
Read MorePersonal Sacrifice and Service
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Personal-Sacrifice-and-Service.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:17-18 I. Paul often discussed the topic of unity in his letters to the various churches. A. Unity based having the same goals and the same standards – Romans 15:5; I Corinthians 1:10; II Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:1-3; I Thessalonians 5:11-15 B. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is…
Read MoreWhich Church Is Right?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:4-6 I. How do we measure “right”? A. We must settle on a standard. B. If God is the only God and the Bible is His teachings 1. Then truth and error are as distinct as light and dark – I John 1:5; James 1:17-18 2. The same source tells us that we…
Read MoreUnity Among Brethren
by Sewell Hall via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2014 Jesus prayed, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:21). This prayer was not for unity among denominations, nor even for goodwill among congregations. It was…
Read MoreWhy are there multiple churches near each other?
Question: I hope you are well. I’m writing to you to ask a question about unity. The Bible speaks about unity and that his people should be united, but why are there so many churches of Christ in one city? I live in a small town with a population of 4,000 people, and there are…
Read MoreI Ordain in All the Churches
by Terry Wane Benton Text: I Corinthians 7:17 There was no such thing as each church making up the rules for themselves. From the very beginning, they “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42), and when the apostles taught something, it was meant for “all the churches” to teach the same thing and practice…
Read MoreA Call to Unity
by Matthew W. Bassford I watched a recorded worship service the other day. During it, I was invited to sing a verse of “Onward, Christian Soldiers” that I had never sung before. It reads: Like a mighty army Moves the church of God; Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod; We are not…
Read MoreNever Again Will They Learn War
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Never-Again-Will-They-Learn-War.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 65:17-25 I. King Nebuchadnezzar had enough with the rebellion of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah A. He removed the nobles to retrain them in his ways; yet, the stubborn Jews continued to rebel. Jehoakim was removed and his son Jehoachin was put in his place. B. He removed the…
Read MoreWalk Worthily
by Doy Moyer “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”…
Read MoreThe Wiles of the Devil
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Wiles-of-the-Devil.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:10-18 I. Satan is a real being A. Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted him – Luke 22:31 1. Much like Satan wanted Job – Job 1:6-12 B. Peter warned us that Satan wants to devour us – I Peter 5:8-9 C. Thus, we have to know our enemy – II Corinthians…
Read MoreThere Must Needs be Heresies
by David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Vanguard, Volume 1, #1 January 1975, pp. 21-22 After a few weeks of study at St. John’s University and Abbey, I am impressed by the perceptive Roman Catholic analysis of the weaknesses of Protestantism. They insist that Protestants are pressed between two unacceptable extremes. One extreme grows out of the…
Read MoreFalse Teaching and Fellowship
by Frank Jamerson Sentry Magazine, December 2000 The issue of false teaching and fellowship is not a new one. The following is approximately two pages from an eleven-page article, published in January 1975, that I commend for your consideration. “All of us must accept the fact that we have fellowship (live and work and worship with)…
Read MoreLabeling Among Brethren
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, September 2001 I don’t like labels. I don’t like pigeon-holing people. There are many reasons. but the chief among them is they rarely convey the message that the label is intended to articulate. Let me provide you with some f’rinstances. The word “Liberal” in the political sense would tend to…
Read MoreMaintaining the Same Love
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Maintaining-the-Same-Love.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreSolving Church Problems
by Bobby L. Graham Sentry Magazine, September 2003 Jerusalem: A Church with Problems While it is true that Corinth is probably the church that most often comes to mind in connection with problems, it is also correct that Jerusalem was the first church with problems. The chief difference is that Corinth was a “problem church,”…
Read MoreWe Are a Team
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/We-Are-a-Team.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDoes marriage mean I lose my individuality?
Question: Does marriage mean I lose my Individuality since we will be one? Is it a sin if don’t share everything on my mind with my wife? Does it mean no privacy for me? Please note that I’m not married yet. Answer: The concept of being one is found in a number of relationships in the…
Read MoreExpressing an Opinion
by Doy Moyer Image by Tumisu from Pixabay Being able to recognize one’s own opinion and the effect that the stated opinion might have is important for discernment and growth in Christ. Many times I have failed and wish I could pull back on how I’ve stated some opinions. In an environment of strife, here…
Read MoreOne in Christ
by Doy Moyer Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash If all Christians are committed to be united in Christ, then the racial and ethnic boundaries that exist in culture will dissolve as all strive to live out the culture of the Kingdom of God. Our citizenship is in heaven, and this runs counter to ideas…
Read MoreOnce is Enough
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Once-Is-Enough.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 2:1-5 I. I was giving a young pre-teen some instruction in Tae Kwon Do. I told her how the move was to be done, I showed her how it was done, and I explained why this method worked better. Exasperated with me, she put her hands on her hips…
Read MoreWhat Is Important in a Church?
What is Important to a Church? – Part 1What is Important to a Church? – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 14:1-12 I. I remember visiting a large congregation many years ago. They had asked me to do some web site work for them. A. While I was amazed at the size of the…
Read MoreA Limited Sphere
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LimitedSphere.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 10:7-18 I. Without a doubt unity is important to God and His people – John 17:17-21 A. It is something to strive for – Ephesians 4:1-3 B. Division is condemned – I Corinthians 1:10-13 C. Paul, when he entered Jerusalem wanted to join with other Christians – Acts 9:26-28 II. All…
Read MoreThe Unity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TheUnity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 I. Our Lord’s desire was that his followers would be united – John 17:20-23 A. In the intervening years, the world has accepted lies. B. They believe that as long as we agree on something, then there is unity II. The attitude of unity – Ephesians 4:1-3 A. Lowliness – humbleness…
Read MoreThe Constitution and the Bible
by Terry Wane Benton The debate over the Constitution illustrates some of the same problems in agreeing over the Bible. The problem does not come from these documents. It comes from the agenda of those who approach either one. Some are intent on making laws to fit their own will and so they are not interested…
Read MoreThe Christian’s Duty to His Brethren
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ChristiansDutyToHisBrethren.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:8-15 I. Each of us come from diverse backgrounds. A. We come together to worship B. We come together for fellowship C. Yet that coming together is not always smooth. 1. Just as a family experiences times of irritation, so it happens among brethren. 2. Paul’s desire was for the Corinthians to…
Read MoreJehoshaphat’s Peace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/JehoshaphatsPeace.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 9:16-26 I. King Jehoshaphat, in general, was a good king – I Kings 22:42-43a A. To be said by God that he did right is a high complement B. But, like most men, Jehoshaphat had some character flaws – I Kings 22:43b 1. His father, Asa, had removed many of…
Read More