Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Greetings...

If you were to take a pole and ask the world of “Christendom” what the term “unity” means you would get a basic definition.

Stephen Curkpatrick summed up this basic definition saying unity is “…Christian denominations and movements coming together in various forums to affirm their shared Christian faith and witness...”

However, this common understanding or definition is nowhere found in the Bible.

Unity in the Bible is clearly defined and described by the apostle Paul in .

Today I want us to consider just two points on the subject at hand.

What unity is not according to the Bible.

What unity is according to the Bible.

With this in mind let us look at our lesson today.

Biblical Unity Isn’t...

Everyone is saved

The reality is there will be lost souls in eternal damnation; not everyone who was created will be saved.

Lk

Though many might wish upon a star that this be true it is not a biblical concept.

Majority rules

There is no “voting system” where in the creation can vote what is right or wrong.

However, this is exactly what we find in the denominational realm.

The Baptist vote on whether to update their “Faith & Message.”

The Methodist vote on whether to update their various creeds such as “The Apostles Creed or Social Creed.”

The Presbyterians voted on whether to update their creed the “Westminster Confession of Faith.”

The point is this, many see biblical rule as based on “majority rules” yet voting on what is right or wrong has never been a biblical concept.

The Bible is always right and we are only right if we conform our mind to that of the Word of God.

Hence you have heard me say many a time there is no such thing as biblical interpretation, i.e. alluding to the idea there can be more than one answer…there simply cannot be.

The Bible is truth.

The Bible covers every aspect of living righteous lives in truth.

Majority rule never has had a place in the Bible, nor will it ever please God for man to listen to man’s heart and tongue over the God’s Word.

Accepting of division

The word denomination literally means “divided from the whole.”

How many times have you heard “Christ is head of His body and in the body are all the different churches or denominations” or more recently I heard “while there are many fellowships (individual churches) there is one Church.”

(Bishop R.A. Nichols THD, Faithlife Sermon Unity: http://bit.ly/2qtQskq)

Jesus never prayed for division He prayed for unity.

Paul never taught division of the body of Christ, he taught unity.

1 Cor

The Bible clearly states there is only one fellowship and one church.

Summery

Unity is not saying “everyone is saved” or “majority rules” or even “division is ok.”

So what is unity then according to God?

Biblical Unity Is...

Based in love.

Unity begins by loving God above all else.

Unity is continued by loving God’s creation especially the brotherhood.

Unity is furthered by understanding loving God and His creation is based on the Word of God.

Based in God’s Word

We cannot have a relationship with God or love God without abiding in the Word.

This means we cannot be in fellowship with God without walking according to His Word.

4:

Summery

There is only one way to be unity in Christ and that is by having a love for God and His Word.

This means loving God enough to put everything behind God.

This means loving God’s Word enough to change when truth is before you and not arguing with it.

Conclusion

Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.”

Unity is not tolerating false doctrine it is correcting it and being unified in the loving Word.

Invitation

As one Family, we dwell together.

As one Body, we are joined together.

As one Temple, we are framed together.