United in Christ: A Message to Believers
Introduction
God gave me a message to share with all believers, and I am now unpacking it.
He wants me to let believers know that they have been chosen to be united with one another—built together to be under the dwelling place of God.
God’s design is for believers to be built up in the body of Christ.
Key Definitions
Believers = Those who believe in Jesus
United = A state of harmony, oneness, and love
With one another = Living in unity as God’s people
Scriptural Foundation
1 Corinthians 12:25-31 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
"God's purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other."
If one part suffers, all the others share in its suffering.
If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness.
We are Christ’s body, and each of us is an individual part of it.
Roles in the Church
God has appointed different roles in the church:
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Those who perform miracles
Those with the gift of healing
Helpers
Managers
Those who speak in different languages
Not all believers are apostles, prophets, or teachers, but each has a role to play in the body of Christ.
The Greatest Gift: Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
"I may speak in the languages of humans and angels, but if I don’t have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal."
Even with:
The gift of prophecy
Understanding all mysteries
Faith to move mountains
Giving away everything I own
Without love, I am nothing.
Love is what truly matters.
Jesus vs. Division
Right now, we see the body of Christ as "Jesus AND" something else.
Jesus AND "this and that"
If your "this and that" doesn’t match my "this and that," division happens.
We create denominations and sects that make us comfortable and supported.
The Uniting Factor
If we boil it all down to "believe in Jesus," then we all agree.
Unity Through Christ
Imagine all believers united together! There would be no stopping us, just like at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11):
When everyone spoke the same language, nothing was impossible for them.
Today, we all speak the same spiritual language—Jesus.
Jesus is the uniting factor between us all.
Scriptural Support for Unity
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)
"When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
Paul came not with human wisdom, but in the power of God.
Faith should not rest in human wisdom but in God’s power.
Wisdom of Men vs. Jesus
"This and That" = Wisdom of Men
Jesus = The Uniting Factor
Christian Denominations Today
Over 200 Christian denominations in the U.S.
45,000+ denominations worldwide
45,000+ "This and That" beliefs
Only 1 Jesus
Conclusion
Jesus is the uniting factor.
If we focus on Him alone, we can truly be one body in Christ.