The Unity Of The Faith

Larry Siegle
12/17/23 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: The Unity Of The Faith - L Siegle

Faith Fulfilled:  Forever From First to Last

(Romans 10:17)

INTRODUCTION

1.  The title of this series is, “Faith Fulfilled:  Forever from First to Last”

2.  This third part of the series is, “The Unity of the Faith”

3.  Question: “Has the concept of UNITY become so meaningless that we no longer

      believe that such a notion is even possible?”

      a.   What is the difference between “union” and “unity”?

      b.  You can tie two cats tails together and create “union” but certainly NOT “unity”

            (oneness).

            1)  People will “unite” and create an artificial alliance in support of a particular

                   issue or proposition—but later have distinct disagreements on many other

                  issues.

            2)  The Bible tells us that genuine “unity” is good in God’s sight (Psa. 133:1-3).

            3)  Genuine “unity” includes thoughts, words, and actions (I Cor. 1:10).

      c.   We have all seen congregations and divisions that have occurred over a variety of

            issues, and practices, (some based upon matters of “faith” and others rooted in

            matters of “opinion”)—and unless these things are handled with the utmost

            prayer and concern for truth, people tend to just go in opposite directions.

4.  As it pertains to “the faith”—Paul mentions two instances of “unity”—one that was

      a present reality, and one that was to become a future objective (at the time he

      wrote) (v. 3, 13).

      a.   MAINTAIN—“unity of the Spirit”

      b.  TILL WE ALL COME—“Unity of the faith”

THE FIRST CENTURY ISSUE OF UNITY AND SEGREGATION

1.  The “seven” aspects of “unity” are listed by the apostle Paul in the context (Eph. 4:4-

      6).

      a.   There was a division between Jews/Gentiles at this time in history.

      b.  Jesus sent his disciples on a “limited” commission (Matt. 10:5-7; 15:24).

      c.   AFTER the Cross, the gospel spread systematically (Acts 1:8).

2.  Paul in terms of the “unity of the Spirit” explains that there was NEVER a separate

      plan of salvation—one for Jews and the other for Gentiles (Acts 11:15, 17; 15:8, 9).

3.  The “people of the nations” (Gentiles) were being “grafted into” the root of the

      Abrahamic promise (Rom. 11:13-25)

      a.   The contribution from the Gentiles was proof (Rom. 15:27)—they were entering

            into Israel’s “spiritual things”

LACK OF UNITY LEAD TO A GRAVE MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE RESURRECTION

1.  The Gentiles somehow thought they had ousted the “promises” made to Israel and

      somehow replaced them and had become prideful to the point of denying that

      those who had lived and died prior to the Cross would not be saved or resurrected (I

      Cor. 15).

2.  The “unity of the Spirit” was supported and sustained through the impartation of

      spiritual gifts and those who stood in them (Eph. 4:11, 12).

      a.   Jesus promised His apostles would be “guided into all truth” (John 16:13).

THE END RESULT OF DIVINE GUIDANCE WOULD BECOME THE ESSENCE OF “THE FAITH”

1.  “THE FAITH” involves the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

2.  “THE FAITH” has been “once for all time” delivered (Jude 3).

3.  The “unity of the faith” (Eph. 4:13-16) is that which holds the entirety of the “body

      of Christ” together to accomplish the spread of the gospel to the world.

CONCLUSION

1.  FAITHFULFILLED is a complete revelation of God’s will and purpose of the ages (Eph.

      3:11).

2.  In the first century the “unity of the Spirit” was to produce the “unity of the faith”

3.  Our love and relationship with one another is rooted in our appreciation for all that

      God has provided to equip and empower the church to do the work of ministry.