Unity Bible Study

Ask the world why it doesn't believe in Christianity. It's not because of a lack of historical evidence or moral and social effectiveness. For many it is simply that there are too many Christian faiths. It is the Christians apparent lack of unity that hurts our witness more than anything else.

I. Jesus prayed for unity. Jn 17:20-24

• Where? in the upper room (Jn 13:1, Lk 22:10-12)
• When? just before the garden (Jn 18:1)
• Whom? all believers (v. 20)
• What? that they all be one as he and the Father are one (v.21)
• Why? "that the world may believe you sent me" (v. 21, 23)
• How? through his glory; Jesus' death and resurrection. (Jn. 7:39; 12:16,23-28; 13:31-33; Acts 3:13)

II. Jesus has only ONE church.

• "On the rock I will build my church" church not churches (Mt 16: 18)
• Kingdom not kingdoms Mt 6:33, 9:35, 12:28; Mk. 1:15, 4:26, 9:47)
• Only ONE: body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God (Eph 4:2-13)
  How will that church be unified? By the diversity of gifts that prepare us for works of service so the body might be built up until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge and become mature.

III. Paul taught unity. (1 Cor 1:10-13)

• "all speak the same thing"
• "don't have any divisions among you"
• "be perfectly joined together"
• "be of same judgment"
• "and same mind"

IV. Warnings about those who cause divisions.

• God hates those who start trouble among brothers. (Pry. 6: 16-19)
• Keep away from them (Ro 16: 17-18)
• Stay out of their controversies, avoid them, they are self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)

V. Ministry of Reconciliation.

• We were reconciled to God in one body. (Eph 2: 11-18)
• We are ministers of this reconciliation. (2 Cor 5. 1 7-21)

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