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Unity and Division: The Blessing and the Curse (Part One)
'Ready Answer' by Charles WhitakerUnity with Christ is a fundamental aspect of Christianity, not merely a superficial bond but a profound connection that fosters extraordinary peace. Christ Himself prayed for this unity among His disciples and all who would come to know God through their preaching, emphasizing its importance on the evening of His last Passover. This peace, which He bequeathed to us, is tightly coupled with the unity for which He prayed, as God calls us into one unified body. As it is written, let Christ's peace control you, for God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. This unity implies a lack of friction or competition among the parts that make up the whole, facilitating the peace that Christ established. The presence of many believers, all in one body, underscores the foundational nature of this unity, supporting a harmony that reflects God's truth.
Unity
Sermon by James BeaubelleDespite the natural differences among individuals, even between siblings like Abel and Cain, or between men and women as created by God, there exists a profound call to unity among His children. This unity is not about erasing our unique traits but about finding common ground through the choices we make in living as God desires. Right living and good conduct foster peace among the brethren, while wrong choices breed strife. By accepting God-given changes in our lives, we follow Christ and adapt His way of living, which unifies us into one body, one family, and one Spirit. Paul, in Ephesians 4, urges us to walk in a godly manner, bearing with one another in love, as an outward expression of our faith through works. This unity requires personal effort to maintain oneness not only with the Father and Son but also with each other, empowered by the same Spirit we all share. Unity demands active participation, not passivity, and is rooted in the common hope every child of God holds—a living hope for eternal promises from a faithful God, distinct from the fleeting hopes of the world. This unity with Christ and the Father is intimate, as God is in all of us by His Spirit, always near with His watchful care. Paul emphasizes that there is only one way into God's Family, a singular path that binds us together through shared blessings, faith, and baptism, with no one greater or lesser before God. Christ, as the head of the Body, provides diverse gifts through His grace to build up and unify His called-out ones, ensuring that each gift benefits all. Without His help, we can do nothing, but unified within the Body of Christ, we grow toward the fullness of Christ, achieving spiritual maturity necessary for maintaining unity. Speaking truth in love, we grow in all things toward Christ, reconciled with Him and each other within the framework of love. Every joint in the Body, though differing in function, works together for effective growth, building up one another. Love serves as the overarching framework for this unity, a major characteristic of God's people, evidenced by the circumcision of our hearts through His love. This outward expression of love and concern for each other is a determining factor in passing from death to life, reinforcing our unity with Christ and among ourselves.
Unity
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEach member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father
Unity (Part 5): Ephesians 4 (B)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAdopting a revolutionary stance for the sake of change, variety, or relieving boredom will systematically destroy the faith once delivered.
Four Views of Christ (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe dominant emphasis of Matthew is the kingly qualities of Jesus as a descendant of the royal house of David, representing the Lion of Judah.
Those Best Prepared to Suffer with Him
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe must learn to seek God's will and purpose for us, avoiding the temptation of Hezekiah who feared death more than trusting God to decide his expiration date.
Psalm 133 (1998)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnity comes only through the initiation of God. If we would follow the suggestions in Romans 12, we could do our part in promoting unity in God's church.
Seeking the King
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIt is common to focus on what the King gives and does, at the expense of what the King desires and requires, emphasizing God's grace over obligation.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous figures of speech describing God's body parts substantiate that God has shape and form and occupies a specific location.
All Sifted Like Wheat (Part Three)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe peace of Christ does not take place in a democratic compromise and tolerance of evil as the politics of the world advocates, but in submitting to God.
The Beatitudes, Part One: The Sermon on the Mount
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Sermon on the Mount is as vitally important today as when Christ preached it. It contains the way we are to live as God's representatives on this earth.
Offerings (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we want to follow Christ, we must sacrifice, take up our cross, and follow His example of service to God and others.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe architects of the trinity doctrine admit that it is a 'somewhat unsteady silhouette', requiring assumptions and inferences, but unsupportable by Scripture.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.