Glynlea Grace United Methodist Chruch

Scripture

   Core Idea, Challenge & Summary

Core Idea: In order to accomplish its mission of making disciples of Jesus, Christian denominations must be unified in love   

Challenge: To challenge Christians to identify themselves as followers of Christ first. Then, after identifying themselves as Christians, they can affiliate themselves with a particular denomination or local church.  

Summary: Non-Christians often ask, “Is this Jesus for real?” They wonder, “Is Jesus really God in the flesh as Christians claim? Does he really love me as they claim?” If they witness loving unity among Christians from various denominations, they may think, “This Jesus might be for real” If, however, they witness disunity and strife between the denominations, they’ll think, “They’re just like everyone else. I don’t think this Jesus is for real.”

Jesus prayed to His Father for the church to become one as He and the Father are one. He stated, “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” There is no greater unity of love than this.

Take note as to why Jesus prayed this prayer. He prayed it so that non-Christians would believe what the church had to say about Him. The church can’t effectively accomplish its mission of making disciples of Jesus unless it is unified in love. On the local congregational level, Christians must submit to each other in order to create unity. On the church level, denominations must work together and show the world there is only one Jesus Christ who is Lord.  

The Sermon

I. Introduction: An example for the church to follow: A high class symphony orchestra

   playing in perfect harmony.

• The string instruments don’t try to upstage the wind
• Brass instruments and the percussions don’t play so loudly that they drown out the other instruments.
• They all play when they’re supposed to, at the right key, under the direction of the conductor.

     B. When we listen to a symphony orchestra, we hear harmony.

     C. Likewise, the church should create harmony.

II. Church harmony

     A. At the local congregational level

• All the individuals and ministries submit to each other under the direction of the conductor, Jesus Christ.
• The individuals and various ministries support each other. There’s no competition.

     B. At the denominational level

• All the various denominations need to complement each other under the direction of one conductor, Jesus Christ
• Denominations need to support each other…no competition

     C. Remember….

• Church is not a building or an organization. It’s not a denomination.
• Church is all the people who have repented of their sins and acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord. IT’S THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!
• Purpose of the church: Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world – spreading the good news of Jesus
• The church must be in harmony, like an orchestra, in order to fulfill its purpose…denominations must complement each other

• If they witness Christians from various denominations working in loving unity, they might think, “This Jesus might be for real”
• If, however, they witness disunity and strife among denominations, they’ll think, “They’re just like everyone else. I don’t think this Jesus is for real.”

     B. Real life example: KAIROS prison ministry

• Christians from various denominations spend a weekend showering inmates with God’s love.
• At the beginning of the week-end, the Christians introduce themselves and state their church affiliation. The inmates see they are from a variety of denominations.
• By the end of the week-end, hardened criminals break down in tears to repent, forgive and follow Christ.  

• “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:20-21)
• There’s no higher form of loving unity than this and this is what Jesus wants for us as a church.

     D. Notice why Jesus prayed for church unity

• “…so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
• People will not believe what we have to say about Jesus, unless we demonstrate harmony with unified in love.

IV. Church harmony: Denominations are much, much alike than different

     A. Denominations are under the same Lord

     B. Same foundation: The Trinity as described in Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds

     A. John Wesley: Leader of the Methodist Revival in 18^th century England

     B. The three non-negotiables:

• Original sin
• Saved by grace through faith
• Holiness

     C. Original sin

• We are all born with inclination to be selfish and sin
• We can not save ourselves – can not earn our salvation – our sinful nature prevents this
• Very similar to John Calvin’s view of human depravity – John Wesley said there was just a ‘hair breadth’ of difference between him and John Calvin

     D. Saved by Grace through faith in Jesus

• We are saved by grace (God’s love), nothing more and nothing less.
• It’s grace that brings us to repentance, grace that enables us to accept God’s offer of forgiveness and it’s God’s grace that changes our hearts to become more like Christ
• Very similar to Martin Luther’s view of grace

     E. Holiness

• Process of becoming more and more like Christ
• As you walk with God through faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters your hearts and changes it to become more like Jesus
• Very similar to the Roman Catholic view of holiness

VI. Conclusion: How we can promote harmony along denominational lines

     A. Start a Bible study at work during lunch – invite all professing Christians

     B. Participate in an inter-denominational ministry such as KAIROS

     C. Participate in a small group consisting of Christians from various denominations