TEXT:  John 17:20-23

INTRODUCTION:

A.      RELIGIOUS WORLD DIVIDED - HUNDREDS OF DISTINCT BELIEFS.

B.      DIVISION IS NOT PLEASING TO GOD.

          1.       Discredits our faith.

          2.       Keeps us out of fellowship.

          3.       Violation of God's express will.

I.      UNITY IS DEMANDED BY THE LORD.

A       JESUS PRAYED FOR IT( John 17:20-21 ).

B.      UNITY IS DEMANDED BY PAUL( 1 Cor. 1:10 ).

          1.       Demanded in the name of Christ.

          2.       Speak the same thing.

          3.       Perfected together in the same mind & judgment.

C.      WE ARE TO GIVE DILIGENCE TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT AND

          THE BOND OF PEACE( Eph. 4:3 ).

II.     WHAT SHOULD BE THE BASIS FOR OUR DOCTRINAL

        UNITY?( Eph. 4:4-6 ).

A.      THERE IS ONE BODY( Eph. 1:22-23;  2:16;  5:23 ).  ONE CHURCH.

B.      ONE SPIRIT( 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Phil. 1:27 ).

C.      ONE HOPE( 1 Pet. 1:3-5;  Acts 24:15 ).

D.      ONE LORD...ONE SOURCE OF AUTHORITY, ONE STANDARD.

          1.       Jesus is head of the church( Eph. 1:22-23;  Mat. 28:18 ).

          2.       We must respect his authority( Col. 3:17;  2 John 9 ).

          3.       His teachings are the standard for all( John 12:48 ).

E.      ONE FAITH - WHAT IS MEANT BY "ONE FAITH?"( Jude 3;  Acts 24:24 ).

F.      ONE BAPTISM

          1.       One mode of baptism - immersion.

          2.       One way to get into Christ.

          3.       One in common. Water, remission( Acts 2:38;  8:36;  10:47 ).

G.      ONE GOD, EMPHASIZING THE PREEMINENCE OF THE FATHER.  AS

          OPPOSED TO PAGAN GODS OF EPHESUS.

H.      PETER WOULD ADD TO THIS LIST ONE NAME( Acts 4:12; 1 Pet. 4:16 ).

          1.       To wear another would signify division( 1 Cor. 1:10-13 ).

          2.       Why not be just a "Christian?"( Acts 11:26 ).

III.    WHY IS THERE NO UNITY IN THE RELIGION?( 1 Cor. 4:7 ).

A.      PAUL'S ANSWER( 1 Cor. 4:6 ).  GOING BEYOND!

          1.       Ignorance of God's will.

          2.       No respect for his authority.

B.      2 John 9.  IF WE CAN STICK TO THE BIBLE AS OUR SOLE SOURCE OF

          AUTHORITY, WE CAN ACHIEVE UNITY!

C.      COMPROMISE IS SIN( Jude 3;  2 Tim. 1:13-14;  Prov. 23:23 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      TO ACHIEVE UNITY WE MUST SUBMIT TO GOD'S WORD.

B.      IT SAYS THE SAME THING TO YOU AS IT DOES TO ME.

C.      WON'T YOU BECOME ONE WITH US?  "SEE HERE IS WATER!"