Posts Tagged ‘unity’
Why 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 MoreUnity Fulfilled
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/UnityFulfilled.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MorePerfected in Unity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PerfectedInUnity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 17:13-26 I. In Jesus’ final prayer to the Father before his arrest, Jesus expressed his desire that his followers be united, just as he and the Father were one – John 17:22-23 A. That “one” is not numerical, but a unity in purpose and action. II. Through this unity we…
Read MoreUnity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Unity.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreUnity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Unity.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDoes a lack of unity and integrity affect the preaching of the gospel?
Question: Does the lack of unity and integrity in the ministry affect the people to whom we are reaching out? Is this a problem only due to egos or is there some other reason for this? Answer: “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” (I Corinthians 14:8). In…
Read MoreLet Love of the Brethren Continue
by Jefferson Davis Tant Gospel Guardian – June 1, 1967 The most enduring quality in this world is that of love. The great apostle who suffered so much at the hands of false brethren, who was repeatedly imperiled by the elements, who was savagely persecuted by misguided zealots, who was forsaken by fellow workers, who…
Read MoreOne God, One Lord, One Body, Many Races?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017Spring2OneGodOneLordOneBodyManyRaces.mp3 by Frederic Gray 2017 Spring Meeting
Read MoreOneness – Jesus’ Ardent Prayer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017Spring1OnenessJesusArdentPrayer.mp3 by Frederic Gray Life Lessons from the Lord
Read MoreWhy Are There Denominations?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/WhyAreThereDenominations.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 1:10-15 I. I was asked by a gentleman in Nigeria why there were so many denominations A. A denomination simply means a division. B. Among those who call themselves Christians, there are a great number of divisions 1. Even within various divisions, there are divisions 2. The Episcopals are dividing over…
Read MoreEvery Member Working Together
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015Fall3EveryMemberWorkingTogether.mp3 by Brace Rutledge 2015 Fall Meeting
Read MoreBrotherly Love
by Doy Moyer In our modern-day, “love” has many faces. A man may see a woman for the first time and say, “I’m in love.” What he means is, “I have a strong attraction.” To some, “love” implies lust. Basically, “love” means anything we want it to mean in whatever given circumstance. Some parents think…
Read MoreChrist’s Prayer for Unity
by Jefferson David Tant In Christ’s final hours before his crucifixion, we find him in the garden in earnest prayer to the Father. Much of his prayer expressed his concern for his disciples who would be left behind to carry on the mission that Christ had been sent to accomplish. He referred to this in…
Read MoreKeep the Unity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/KeepTheUnity.mp3 Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 I. The wedding day comes and a couple joins together in a covenant due to their love for each other. A. The two become one flesh. They are united and now see everything from the same point of view. 1. Some of you are smiling out there. No? It isn’t always perfect blissful…
Read MoreI’m all alone because I can’t find anyone with the same beliefs as mine
Question: I have been searching for a group with this concept for years. I hope this is really it. I strongly believe in I Corinthians 1:10. It seems like I am all alone because I cannot find anyone with the same beliefs as mine. Answer: If you make your personal beliefs the standard by which…
Read MoreCan multiculturalism work?
Question: Can multiculturalism work? What should our attitude as Christians be toward the same? Answer: Multiculturalism is the belief that people from diverse cultures can peacefully co-exist without changing. It doesn’t work because there is no effort at uniting the groups, only a pretense of unity by ignoring the differences. Actual attempts at unity are…
Read MoreCould Jesus’ prayer for unity be about the Jews and Gentiles and not about doctrine?
Question: My question is about the Lord’s prayer for unity in John 17. We generally view that as being a unity of doctrine but what in that passage determines that? Could the prayer for unity be for unity between the Jews and Gentiles and of heart and spirit (Acts 4:32) –compare John 10:16? “And other…
Read MoreHow can people with different views on the second serving of the Lord’s Supper worship together?
Question: I was recently reading your post about the Lord’s Supper being taken on a Sunday night. I have recently joined a congregation where they serve on Sunday nights to just a few people. I do not partake because I believe the Christians assembled did not meet for the purpose of eating the Lord’s supper…
Read MoreGrains of Sand
by Sam Stinson “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in…
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