United in Christ

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 multitude of ways that we divide ourselves would dissolve

            D.        Our citizenship is in heaven. It is a nation whose beliefs and practices run counter to those focused on this world - Philippians 3:17-21

II.        Equal Opportunity

            A.        God wants everyone saved - I Timothy 2:4

                        1.         Ideally, none would perish - II Peter 3:9

                        2.         We who love God ought to desire the same thing

            B.        God’s aim was to bless all nations - Genesis 12:3

            C.        God indicates that no one is to be called unholy or unclean (common) - Acts 10:28

                        1.         Everyone is special in God’s sight

III.       Equal Treatment

            A.        There is no partiality in God - Acts 10:34-35

                        1.         Acceptability or unacceptability is based on personal choices and actions

            B.        Showing partiality is violating the command to love your neighbor - James 2:8-9

            C.        Your ethnic, economic status, or gender does change how you are treated - Galatians 3:28

            D.        We are all baptized into one body - I Corinthians 12:13

IV.      Without Division

            A.        Jesus broke down the barriers between Jew and Gentile - Ephesians 2:11-22

            B.        Separating from brethren is condemned when not based on their actions - Galatians 2:11-14

V.        Equal Requirements

            A.        Salvation is for everyone who believes - Romans 1:16

            B.        Jew and Gentiles are justified by faith - Romans 3:28-30

            C.        All are to repent - Acts 17:30

                        1.         Declared to all nations - Luke 24:47

                        2.         One’s past doesn’t matter - I Corinthians 6:9-11

            D.        All are to be baptized - Matthew 28:19

VI.      God is impartial - Romans 2:11

            A.        The Lord’s church is the true inclusive organization. But there are boundaries.

            B.        Either we become united with Him and with each other, or you die separated from the life that is in Christ

            C.        Which will you choose?