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:

  1. Apostles

  2. Prophets

  3. Teachers

  4. Those who perform miracles

  5. Those with the gift of healing

  6. Helpers

  7. Managers

  8. 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 languageJesus.

  • 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.

Patrick Jordan

Patrick is the lead guitar instructor and songwriting instructor at Rosendale’s 88 Keys Academy.

Originally from Lexington, South Carolina, Patrick has lived in several places including Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, California. Patrick now resides in Woodland, California with his family.

Patrick first began his journey with guitar when he was 10 years old, and has now been playing guitar and writing songs for 26 years. Patrick originally taught himself guitar. Patrick has performed his original music throughout the years for churches, audiences at Potbelly restaurants in Washington, DC, Sony Music talent agents, busking at the Santa Monica Pier, touring in the Los Angeles region, and throughout a musician residency with the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Patrick was also a Worship Pastor while living in Los Angeles.

Patrick began teaching music and guitar after graduating from Clemson University with a BA in Production Studies in Performing Arts. Patrick created his own guitar teaching business, was a music teacher for an alternative school, and taught music, guitar, acting, and film production at a performing arts center in Lexington, South Carolina. Patrick is also a School Outreach Educator for the Woodland Opera House and teaches Musical Theatre.

Patrick teaches guitar and songwriting for all levels, starting at age 7, exclusively at Rosendale’s 88 Keys Academy in Woodland, California. Patrick teaches lessons on Tuesday, and Thursday, as well as Music Circle on Friday evenings.

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My Testimony: How I Came to Find Christ at Age 4