INTRODUCTION:

1. Christ desires & demands unity among Christians - Jn. 13:34-35; 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 12:24-25.

1. Eph. 4:1-3 - Attitudes which promote unity & growth.
2. Eph. 4:4-6 - Basis of unity in Christ.

2. For this we plead........

I. THE ONE BODY IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (EPH. 1:22-23). JESUS PROMISED TO BUILD ONLY ONE CHURCH (MATTHEW 16:18).

1. The church is NOT OURS! - 1 Tim. 3:15. - Not fashioned after us!
2. Are you in His church? - Act 2:37-38, 41, 47; 5:13-14.

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ACTIVE IN CREATION (GEN. 1:2); IN THE RE-CREATION (JNO. 3:5); AND IN REVEALING GOD'S WORD TO THE APOSTLES (1 COR. 2:10). HE DOES NOT OPERATE DIRECTLY IN CONVERSION.

1. He operates thru agency of the word He revealed - Jno. 16:8-13; Rom. 8:16.
2. As we obey truth we follow the Spirit - Gal. 5:19-21.

III. THE CHRISTIAN HOPES FOR AN INHERITANCE IN HEAVEN, NOT FOR AN EARTHLY REIGN OF CHRIST (1 PETER 1:3-4).

1. 1 Cor. 15:19 - We look beyond to unseen things (Rm. 8:24-25).
2. Phil. 3:20-21 - For what are you living? (Mk. 4:19)

IV. JESUS CHRIST IS LORD (ACTS 2:36). HE IS THE SON OF GOD (MATT. 16:16), POSSESSING AUTHORITY TO DIRECT US (MATTHEW 28:18). HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH (COL. 1:18).

1. Preeminence - Col. 1:14-18: Full redemption (v. 14), deity (v. 15), rank over creation (v. 15-16), power (v. 16-17), authority (v. 18).

V. THE ONE FAITH IS THE COMPLETED N. T. (JUDE 3). IT IS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST (ROM. 1:16).

1. What directs & dictates your life?
2. Are you ashamed of the gospel? - Mk. 8:38
3. Do you compromise the gospel in your life?

VI. THE ONE BAPTISM IS COMMANDED BY CHRIST (MK. 16:16); IS A BURIAL (ROM. 6:3-4); PUTS ONE INTO CHRIST (GAL. 3:26-27); IS FOR REMISSION OF SINS (ACTS 2:38).

1. Method & purpose clear: Why argue against Christ?
2. Acts 22:16 - What are you waiting on? (Acts 24:25)

VII. THIS IS JEHOVAH (PSALM 90:1-2): HE IS CREATOR, SUSTAINER, THE COMMANDER OF REPENTANCE & THE APPOINTER OF JUDGMENT (ACTS 17).

1. Rom. 9:19-21 - He is sovereign: Who will try to tell Him what to do & how to do it?

CONCLUSION:

If we support any person or thing which is against THIS UNITY, he is fighting against God! (Acts 5:29)

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