Uniting on Biblical Truth
1998057
I. Introduction.
A. Presently over 1000 different denominations in the US.
1. All claim to be part of or “the” church of Jesus Christ.
2. While insisting that their church is the best, they also accept people from other “faiths” into their fellowship b/c we are all trying to get to heaven – we’re just taking different roads to get there.
B. Even members of respective denominations admit the confusion that exists presently in the religious world. BUT smooth it over by rationalizing that we can’t understand the Bible alike.
1. Man on plane on way back from BZE – “confusing, hard to know which church is right.”
2. Some get so confused/frustrated/etc., that they give up on religion all together – or they go to a church not knowing why they are doing what they are doing.
3. Sad state of affairs.
C. We need to be finding these people and letting them know that they don’t need to be part of a denomination to be saved.
1. Must become part of the body of Christ!
2. Must be a Christian and a Christian ONLY!
3. This is the plea of our congregation – non-denominational – Biblical Christianity!
4. People blinded by confusion & seeking simplicity in religion.
a. Scriptures reveal the simple plan by which we can serve God!
b. Must follow God’s plan and His only!
D. What we wish to discuss today is how all people can unite and work together as ONE for Jesus Christ.
1. This is the plea that we need to use w/everyone we come into contact with.
2. People around us looking for simple truth. We’ve got it! Let’s use it/follow it/tell others about it.
3. Our plea needs to be to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the bible is silent.
4. This is the safe way in religious matters.
II. Unity is something that Jesus Christ prayed for!
A. Jhn. 17:20-21
1. Jesus in final hours/minutes of life. About to be crucified for sins of men.
2. Can imagine – a very earnest prayer.
B. Is the prayer of Christ being answered in the present religious world?
1. religious leaders condone practices of sectarianism and some even thank God in prayer – thank you for letting us worship at the church of our choice.
2. They pray for, work toward the very OPPOSITE of that which Christ desires of His believers – UNITY!
3. To be pleasing to God – must work toward that which Jesus prayed – b/c one! We b/c one by restoring the church to that which is found in the New Testament!
C. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 – the exhortation of Paul.
1. v. 13 – is Christ divided?
a. certainly not!
b. Eph. 1:22-24 – one body; one faith; one baptism.
2. denominationalism defined:
a. a group of religious congregations having it’s own organization and a distinctive faith.
b. Identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others.
3. v. 10 – wait! What did Paul command?
a. very definition goes against what Paul prays for; yet many are comfortable w/this?
D. The body of Jesus Christ is NOT to be divided!
1. who is man to tell God that he wants to do otherwise?
2. who is man to specify how he is going to worship God?
3. Simply boils down to how one respects the word of God.
E. Foundation for coming together is the Bible.
1. Jhn. 17:17 – it is truth! The ONE truth by which mankind can be saved. The one truth by which we learn how to worship God in spirit & truth!
2. Jhn. 8:31-32 – what sets us free? TRUTH. The Bible!
3. Eph. 5:17 – we can understand the Bible! Since truth is contained therein – we can understand the Bible alike!
a. to say anything different is to make God the author of confusion – which the present religious world does!
b. 1 Cor. 14:33
III. How Can All People Unite & Serve God Acceptably?
A. By following Bible and the Bible only!
1. source of religious division/confusion over creeds and doctrines of men!
a. division over what we should be called (Name) {Meth/Pentecostal}
b. division over what day we should meet {SDA’s/Baptists)
c. division over plan of salvation.
2. Just unite w/spirit of speaking where Bible speaks and being silent where Bible is silent would take care of that.
B. FC Christians instructed to follow apostolic example. Apostles inspired of by God. Must follow in the apostles doctrine!
1. Jhn. 14:26 – HS was to help apostles by bringing into remembrance that which Jesus taught.
a. 16:13 – HS would guide apostles into all truth.
b. Mt. 28:20 – apostles to teach what Christ taught them.
2. Acts 1:3 – following resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days teaching apostles things concerning Kingdom of God.
3. Acts 2:42 – FC Christians devoted themselves to apostles teaching.
4. Corinthians exhorted not to exceed that which had been written. See 1 Cor. 4:6
a. 1 Cor. 11:1 – told to imitate Paul b/c he imitated Christ.
b. 1 Cor. 14:37 – things that I write are the Lord’s commandment.
c. Phil. 3:17 – must walk according to pattern. Who is “us” here? The apostles.
d. 2 Thess. 3:14 – if anyone did not follow pattern set by apostles – FC Christians not to associate w/them.
5. 2 Jhn. 9 – one who goes too far does not abide w/Christ.
6. 1 Jhn. 4:6 – He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God does not listen to us!
C. How can we restore the NT Church?
1. by doing the will of God!
a. Js. 1:22 – must follow/do the commands of the apostles.
b. Where is the pattern? The Bible!
2. Mt. 7:21-23 – notice importance of DOING the will.
a. hell not only for unrighteous/evil persons
b. some religious persons will be there as well. Day of judgment to be shocking to many. Why? Went out of the pattern set by the apostles.
3. Col. 3:16-17 – EVERYTHING done in word/deed to be done in the name of Jesus Christ.
IV. Commandments of Men WILL NOT Save!
A. Mt. 21:21-27 – two sources of authority in religion!
1. Jesus teaching disciples & confronted by Pharisees.
a. by what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you authority to do as you do?
b. Jesus inquires of them as to the source of John the Baptist’s authority.
1. from heaven or men?
2. Which has power to save? Doctrines of men? Doctrine from heaven?
3. Answer: Mt. 15:9 – doctrines of men = vain.
2. Must ask ourselves – does what I practice religiously come from heaven or men?
a. not in Bible? From men! Worth nothing.
b. In Bible – must practice it b/c it is from God.
B. Many religions impose manmade rules/regulations. No saving power in such.
1. Col. 2:20-22
a. Colossians being influenced by teachers who were imposing man made regulations over them.
b. No power b/c of their source.
c. Remember Mt. 15:9 – doctrines of men not profitable in eternity.
V. What Does God Think About All of This?
A. Those who serve/worship God must do so in spirit and truth.
1. Jhn. 4:23-24
2. Source of truth? Jhn. 17:17 – the plan of the Bible.
B. Gen. 2:16-17 – notice commandment of God.
1. 3:4 – what did Satan do? Added one word to God’s command.
2. What happened to Adam/eve? Just a little thing; only 1 little piece of fruit. Humans rationalize: what’s the harm? WAS IT A BIG DEAL W/GOD?
C. Gen. 4:1-4 – story of Cain & Abel.
1. Abel’s offering accepted; Cain’s rejected.
2. Why? Many theories as to why. Answer given as to why in Heb. 11:4.
a. Abel’s offering was via FAITH!
b. FAITH is the difference between acceptable worship/service to God and that which is unacceptable.
3. How does one acquire faith? Rom. 10:17
a. by the word of God.
b. Do what is in Scripture – can be pleasing to God. Go outside bounds of authority – can’t be pleasing.
D. Religious world today paints the picture of a wide road to heaven.
1. People of many faiths, etc.
2. Contrary to Mt. 7:13-14. Way = narrow – will take effort to get to heaven. Must do it God’s way to get there. Often people see what they think an easier way and go that way – to nowhere!
E. Lev. 10:1-2 – actions of Nadab/Abihu.
1. there were sincere! They were doing it for God! Surely they didn’t want to disobey God!
2. Must understand we serve/worship God TO PLEASE HIM! Not for our benefit and then His!
3. Lev. 16 – their sacrifice not by faith! Instructions had been given on how to properly offer sacrifice.
4. Heb. 13:8 – application/lesson learned is that this still applies to us today!
5. It is SERIOUS that we follow God in the way that He has prescribed.
F. Who is man to decide how he will worship/serve God?
1. principle laid down in Rom. 9:20-21
a. I have no right to tell God how I am going to serve Him.
b. Just as clay has no right to demand how it is going to be shaped.
c. However…isn’t this what we witness in the rel. world today?
2. I must/all men must submit to God’s commands in order to be pleasing to Him!
VI. Conclusion.
A. Jhn. 17:20-21 – how can we fulfill the will of Christ that we all speak the same thing & act as God would have us to?
1. by putting away man made creeds and using Bible and bible only!
2. By seeking to satisfy God and not only our needs/wants.
B. We all can understand the Bible alike! The bible is not truth and is only a lie if we can’t understand it all alike!
1. Let us seek to tell others how they can be free of religious confusion that confronts many today!
2. Let’s tell them what we have here at Southside.
C. Are you here today and outside the body of Christ?
1. want to be a Christian and a Christian only?
2. Bible can show you how. Right now. YOU can be added to the Lord’s body today.
D. I N V I T A T I O N
