Unbelievers often point to the divided nature of the Christian church as grounds for its invalidity. This sermon looks carefully at why Christian churches divide and what can be done about it.
- TEXT: Ephesians 4:1-7
- SERIES: Difficult Questions Christians Deal With
- SPEAKER: Jason Dollar
- DATE: December 5, 2010
OUTLINE
Ephesians 4:1-7 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Are there really many different kinds of churches?
(Short) List of Christian Denominations: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican / Episcopalian, Lutheran (Missouri Synod, LEPC), Reformed Churches (Reformed Church in America, Orthodox Christian Reformed Church), Presbyterian (USA, PCA, EPC, OPC, Cumberland, Upper Cumberland), Anabaptists (Amish), Mennonites, Methodists (Evangelical Methodist Church, UMC), Wesleyan, Salvation Army, Baptists (SBC, CBF, Independent), Pentecostal (Assembly of God, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy), Vineyard, Nazarene, and Quakers.
Orthodoxy – Means “to think right,” or have the right views. Christian orthodoxy includes (but is not limited to) believing rightly about the Scriptures, the Trinity, the Deity of Jesus Christ, the virgin birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and salvation by grace alone.
But in the list above, the vast majority of these churches hold to basic orthodox beliefs.
- So why are they separated from each other?
- What drives a wall between them?
- Why isn’t there just “The Church”?
1. Because there are different views concerning how churches should be governed.
Types of church government
• Episcopalian
• Presbyterian
• Congregational
2. Because there are different views about how a worship service should be conducted.
• Traditional / Contemporary
• Formal / Informal
3. Because there are different views concerning various doctrinal issues.
Two Examples
• Baptism
• Use of charismatic gifts
APPLICATION THOUGHTS
What should we do about this divergence within the Christian body?
1. Seek to understand why certain Christian groups hold to certain positions and engage in certain practices.
2. Pray for clarity and unity among genuine believers in Jesus Christ.
3. Show charity in disagreements.
“With all humility and gentleness”
4. Know that God is bringing all His people together ultimately into one everlasting society.
Revelation 22:1-5 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
CONCLUSION
Your relationship with God through Jesus Christ is more important than which type of church you choose to attend.
