Tonight we are continuing our series on the things that unite us. When you think about the church of Christ, it is all over the world. What is it that unites each of the churches, the congregations around the world?
We speak different languages, cultures and customs. What is it that unites te church around the world? It hjas to be the common faith that we share, one faith in Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 4:1-6
Tonight we're going to talk about the one faitht hat we must endeavor to maintian. Endeavor is an active verb that is a challenge to maintain. We must work at it . One way in which we are unitied is the one faith in the teachings and doctrines of Chrsit.
I have faith, you have faith, is that two faiths? Yes, int hat it's two people who have faith, but it is to be a common faith, a one faith in the same doctrine.
It is to be in Jesus Christ Himself, but also His teachings His Doctrine and the teachings of His Apostles and disciples found in the New Testament in the first century.
- Romans 1:16,17
Out of the common faiht, into a personal faith. It is not only what Ibelieve but encompasses what is taught. It si both the teachings, characer and life of Jeuss but also what He taught.
- Galatians 2:20
- Acts 6:7
We have to be obedient to the gospel in order to be steadfast in the faith.
How Can we Have Unity in the One Faith?
Being steadfast in the faith
- 1 Corinthians 16:13
"Gentlemen... the 83rd Pennsylvania, 444th New York, and 16th Michigan will be moving in to our right. But if you look to our left, you will see that there is no one there. It's because we're the end of the line. The Union army stops here. We are the flank. Do you underestand, gentlemen? We cannon retreat. We cannon withdraw. We are going to have to be stubborn today..." — Co. Josuha L. CHamberlain, Gettysburg, PA July 2, 1865
We too need to be stubbor in our faith. We mus remain steady and steadfast in the faith of the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13
We are to behave like men, standing firm in the faith and acting upon htat faith in right living and teaching.
- Acts 14:22
There will be testing of our faith. Times and struggles what will test our faith, and in those times we must remain steadfast and continue in the faith.
- Colossians 1:23
We are to continue in it, be grounded, and not willing to be moved away.
- 1 Timothy 3:9
We must hold onto it with a pure conscience.
- James 2:1
We cannot have respect of persons. we owe the gospel to everyone. We have to hold to the faith with a pure conscience.
- 2 Timothy 4:7
We have to stand in the faith being steadfast. There is a kind of progression, being united in one faith, when we stand in it.
We Hold the Unity of the Faith by Not Falling Away from It
- 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
There are reasons why some people fall away. They hear, but don't study, don't learn, they get led away and fall, being convinced by a false teacher.
- 1 Timothy 4:1
A false teachign is a doctrine that does not come from God. It comes from men, who perhaps have departed from the faith.
- 2 Timothy 2:18
Adam and Eve, they knew the Word of God. Yet, the serpent added one word, and they were swayed by false teaching and thus they fell.
- 1 Timothy 6:20-21
- 1 Timothy 5:8
- 1 Timotnhy 1:19
- 1 Timothy 6:10
Some fall because they dont' put their fiath into practice. And others are self-deceived thinking when everything goes well I am fine. We keep the unity of the faith by not falling away.
We Can Have Unity of the Faith by Being Encouraged by It
The foundation of the gospel is built in the Old Testament, that which God gave to prophesy of the coming of Christ, that God Means what He says, and to give us hope.
- One Hope, Ephesians 4:4
The gospel centers us on Christ.
- Galatians 2:20
Theh faith gives us the nourishment, and spiritual sustenance that we need.
- 1 Timonthy 4:6
- Acts 16:5
The Word exhorts us and helps us to be established int he faith. The word of God rebukes us from time to time.
- Titus 1:13
- Philippians 1:25
- Galatians 1:3
If we preach the gospel the one faith is encouraging.
We Can Have Unity of the Faith by Contending For It
- Jude 1:3
What is the best way to build unity in an army or football team? It is a collection of individuals, and you want to integrate everyone together. eVeryone has to learn their part and their job. They begin to play the games suddenly they have a common cause. To get the victory, wind the game, but it takes everyone doing their part.
A team is stronger because of unity. We're to earnestly contend for the faith.
- Philippians 1:27
When we work and strive together for the gospel you find a church that is unified in the one faith.
- 1 Timothy 6:12
The world is tryign to crush our faith. That's what the world wants, to destroy faith. The prince of the world is out to ruin people.
We've got to stand strong in the faith, to be unified in the faith. The early church was troubled, persecuted on every side... yet they stood fast and had that great unity that is not seen in the religious world today.
We can be encouraged because others have fought the good fight.
In order to be a part of the one fith, it must first beng with belief that Jesus is the Son of God. It is our faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Are you united in the one faith that unites us back to God?
If we beleiive that Jesus Christ died for our sins, repent of our sins, change our lives, and confess Christ before men, and have our sins washed away in baptism, youc an join ght eone faith and live unified with Christ.
If we can assist you in learning more about the one faith, please contact us.
