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The Oneness of the Church

Reasons to Rejoice - #2

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John 17:20-21

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all

be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that

You sent Me.”

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Philippians 1:23-27

“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with

you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my

coming to you again. …”

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Philippians 1:23-27

“…Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that

you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith

of the gospel;”

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Oneness is seen in who we are

•The Scriptures know of only one church.–Matthew 16:18

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My

church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

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1 Corinthians 1:10-13

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have

been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are

quarrels among you. …”

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1 Corinthians 1:10-13

“…Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of

Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or

were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

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1 Corinthians 1:10-13

“…Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of

Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he?

Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

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Ephesians 1:22-23

“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills

all in all.”

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Ephesians 4:4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all

who is over all and through all and in all.”

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Ephesians 4:4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all

who is over all and through all and in all.”

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Ephesians 4:4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one

baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in

all.”

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Ephesians 4:4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all

who is over all and through all and in all.”

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Oneness is seen in who we are

•The Scriptures know of only one church.

•Much of what we see in the religious world is confusing and contradictory.–Not from God

•1 Corinthians 14:33

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1 Corinthians 14:33

“for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the

saints.”

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Oneness is seen in who we are

Our goal as a Christian family is to be separate from all the confusion that is in today’s

religious world.

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•John 17:20-21

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John 17:20-21

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all

be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that

You sent Me.”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Jesus hands out a mandate.–We are to be united with each other

–… so that we may reflect the light of Jesus.•Matthew 5:14-16

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Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does

anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives

light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that

they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Jesus hands out a mandate.–We are to be united with each other

–When all is said and done, our sole purpose is to be one•Philippians 1:27

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Philippians 1:27

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one

mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Consider how we should unite in oneness of truth.–John 18:38

“What is truth?”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Consider how we should unite in oneness of truth.–John 17:17

“Sanctify them in the truth;Your word is truth.”

–Truth … is the word of God.

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Verses that identify the truth:

•Acts 13:49“And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole

region.” •Acts 2:42

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles'

teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

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Verses that identify the truth:

•Galatians 1:6-8“I am amazed that you are so quickly

deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some

who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached

to you, he is to be accursed!”

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Verses that identify the truth:

•Jude 3“Beloved, while I was making every

effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to

you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once

for all handed down to the saints.”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•2 Corinthians 13:8“For we can do nothing against the

truth, but only for the truth.”

•What we teach should be consistent with Scripture.

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Consider how we should unite in oneness of service.–Acts 2:45-47

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Acts 2:45-47

“and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by

day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

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Acts 4:32-35

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and

not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all

things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord

Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. …”

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Acts 4:32-35

“… For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay

them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had

need.”

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Acts 6:1-7

“Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were

being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the

congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word

of God in order to serve tables. …”

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Acts 6:1-7

“… "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we

may put in charge of this task. "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the

ministry of the word." The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and

of the Holy Spirit, …”

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Acts 6:1-7

“…and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from

Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem,

and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Consider how we should unite in oneness of service.–What did service produce?

•Acts 2:44

“And all those who had believed were together and had all things in

common;”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Consider how we should unite in oneness of service.–These brethren met the needs of others.•Acts 2:47

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Acts 2:47

“praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was

adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Oneness can be seen in our Edification.–1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also

are doing.”

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Matthew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that

I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the

age."”

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Not only should we “teach” what Jesus

commanded, but we need to teach each other to “observe”

His commandments.

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In our spiritual education, let us focus

not only on the perspective that

emphasizes knowing but focus also on doing!

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Oneness can be seen in our Edification.–We can edify each other by building up each other spiritually •Ephesians 4:14-16

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Ephesians 4:14-16“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by

waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to

grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, …”

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Ephesians 4:14-16“… from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building

up of itself in love.”

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Oneness is seen in what we do

•Oneness can be seen in our Edification.–We can edify each other by building up each other spiritually

–When we build up our spiritual lives together – we grow together!

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