14 Instead clothe yourself with the presence of

14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Chapters 14 -15 “Considerate” convictions Making behavioral decisions

Disunity has always been a major problem with God’s people. Even the Old Testament records the civil wars and family fights among the people of Israel, and almost every local church mentioned in the New Testament had divisions to contend with.

The Corinthians were divided over human leaders, and some of the members were even suing each other. The Galatian saints were “biting and devouring” one another. The saints in Ephesus and Colosse had to be reminded of the importance of Christian unity.

In the church at Philippi, two women were at odds with each other and, as a result, were splitting the church. W. Wiersbe (BIBLE Exposition Commentary)

Choose Un. Ity

Psalm 133 How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

EFCC Ethos In essentials, unity. In non-essential, charity. In all things, Jesus Christ.

The Situation in the Church at Rome “Certain” Christians pride themselves on their strict piety and “condemn” those who do not adopt the same standard.

The Situation in the Church at Rome “Other” Christians…flaunt their “freedom” on such matters and “judge, ” “look down on” those whom they consider to be foolishly “weak” about asserting their freedom in Christ. Moo, D. J. (1994) New Bible Commentary

Principles for Unity • • Essential prerequisite Acceptance – not judgment • Liberty – not license • Unity – not antagonism

Principles for Unity • Essential prerequisite In Christ Alone Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone,

Mathew 16 6 Simon Peter…said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. ” 18 [Jesus said, ] …on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

John 14 6 Jesus…“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

1 Timothy 2 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

Principles for Unity • • Essential prerequisite Acceptance – not judgment

Romans 14 (NLT) Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong [doubtful things].

2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.

3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.

4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand receive His approval.

5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.

6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honour Him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honour the Lord…

…since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.

7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honour the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honour the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose— to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

19 Don’t 1 Corinthians 6 you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?

You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body.

Ephesians 4 30…do not bring sorrow to [grieve] God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own…

…guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 10 So

11 For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live, ’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God. ’” [Isaiah 45: 23]

12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Reminder These are not suggestions! These are principles against which we will be judged.

What Next? Matthew 7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others.

What Next? The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

3 “And What Next? why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?

4 How What Next? can you think of saying to your friend, ‘ Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye, ’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?

What Next? Challenges Facing the Western Church Today 1. We live in a society enthralled by expressive individualism. 2. Society relegates our faith to the private sphere of personal values.

What Next? Challenges Facing the Western Church Today 3. An increasing number of people see Christian morality as not only oldfashioned but also extreme or dangerous.

What Next? Challenges Facing the Western Church Today 4. People are increasingly isolated, fragmented, polarized, and eventually isolated. Trevor Wax

What Next? Ecclesiastes 4 1 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?

What Next? Ecclesiastes 4 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

What Next? Matthew 12 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

What Next? Ephesians 4 …Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.

What Next? As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Isaiah 64 (NKJV) 8…O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.

Have Thine Own Way, Lord 371

Have Thine own way, Lord, Have Thine own way; Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mould me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord, Have Thine own way; Search me and try me, Master, today. Whiter than snow, Lord, Wash me just now, As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord, Have Thine own way; Wounded and weary, help me, I pray. Power, all power, surely is Thine, Touch me and heal me, Saviour divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord, Have Thine own way; Hold o’er my being absolute sway. Fill with Thy Spirit, ‘til all shall see Christ only, always, living in me. me

May God the Father reshape your hearts; May Christ Jesus, the Bread of Life, sustain you always; And may the Holy Spirit unite you in the bond of peace.