By the grace of God today, we would like to speak on the conclusion of the kingdom love among the body of Christ. we would like to combine two chapters of the bible to give us the accurate view in Ephesians 4 as touching the gospel of oneness that God has committed into our trust by his special grace. the truth is that since we know that we are meant to be one in Christ, we need to know what areas we are to express or expect the message of oneness among the body of Christ. the true gospel from apostle Paul as regards the church in Corinth is a huge blessing to the kingdom of God today..God commanded us to speak the same thing, with the same mind for the same judgement or truth..the question is our is it possible to speak the same thing? by the grace of God, we have exposed us to the four cardinal commands of God for the church through the mystery of the grace of Christ..we see that to be firm in the grace of Christ and not to be moved to another gospel as said by apostle Paul in Galatians 2 is to make sure that we are under the grace of God and not under law. for Christ to profit us, we must be under the grace of God made available to us through him. Galatians 5:1-4, APul said we should stand fast in the liberty that Christ has made us free and never be entangled again with any yoke of bondage.he said boldly to those who were trying to be lured into the law that Christ shall rpofit them nothing because they would not be in line with his covenant kingdom plan..he justification by the law would bring no gain from Christ to anyone who is trapped therein. now, what are we saying? we are justified by grace through faith. we are also to speak the same thing from the angle of hope of righteousness of the coming of the Lord as we wait by the Spirit of God - Galatians 5:5 and finally, we said saying the same thing is having the faith that works by or through love since divisions or fashion is nothing to God. we are bound to apply our kingdom faith with love to one another in the same body of Christ..since we have been called into liberty, we should not use the liberty for an occasion to the flesh but serve one another in love. the truth and the key of the whole matter is our faith must be operated with love towards God, others and ourselves..when we read further in the same Galatians 5 from 13 to the end, we shall see that what God requires from us is to love him with the whole of our heart, our neighbours(other denominations) as ourselves.. this is living by the Spirit and walking in the Spirit for the sake of love of God. Galatians verse 6 says further the kind of love we should have towards people, ourselves and the household of faith(the body of Christ). in all these expositions, we see that keeping the commandment of God is the key point that connects us together as one in the body of Christ..of course we have different ministries and giftings but the same Spirit in the same body. 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 is combined together in Ephesians 4 that is specif about the five fold ministries in the body of Christ but for the sake of one thing and it is unity of faith and unity of the Spirit for the perfection of the saints and the church till we all come to the full stature of in the body of Christ..i will love to be posting the verses one after the other immediately after this message. Now, that we have known the four major basic doctrines, we need to know others too that are seven in number to make us one in words and thoughts towards the hope of the righteousness of God in the end. Ephesians 4:1-6, the apostle told us that we should walk worthy of the vocation we are called as different denominations in their callings. with all humility, endurance and caring for one another in love to ensure the keeping of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace..it means when love is expressed, there will be no reason for division or fashion of any kind for we are one in Christ.Now, i want us to walk out some things here that are very important to God and Christ for the sake of the same bridal body of Christ and the same Spirit.we shall be taking the areas of oneness one after the other,verses 4-6. 1. one BODY - the bible says we are saved into one body through the blood of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:4-6, Galatians 3:28, 1 Cor. 12:27..we are of one body though many members of departments or denominations. this was a mystery done on the cross and it should be a reason for our same talk, same mind and same truth. there is no denomination that is out of the the body, all the denominations do not have equal capacities, some are lacking in some areas and they are lacking so that those denominations God has called into their areas of lacking should supply their needs..the same thing applies to all the members of the bridal church. there is no one that can say to another that i dont need you, your materials or your ministers..and if they are one member or denomination, where can will see the body of Christ that must have many members or denominations? the truth is that those members that are not as strong as the other are very useful too and we cant just cut them off from the body or put them aside because the body of Christ is not meant to be disembodied or deformed in any part. Jesus is coming for complete bridal body that he is the foundation, the cornerstone and the head..the truth is that those we think they are not up to as such, God have bestowed much honour and glory and so, we need them in all issues. we are to enjoy the flow of oil from the head together according to the plans of God because of the same sure foundation and certain cornerstone. when Jesus is taking care of the body, it must be by the same mind and judgement of truth because the sanctification of the church is purely by the word of truth that connects us together and when those word are not honoured, the church will be lacking adequate care..i want to tell you that Jesus care for the body and love her just as the husband loves the wife..the body is part of Christ ad Christ is part fo the body and Christ is part of God and so we are part of God because we are of one body. so, one of the areas of oneness beliefs is we are of one BODY. amen. 2. one SPIRIT - another area in the area of one Spirit self same Holy Spirit. the ministration of the Holy Spirit given to the church by God through Christ is one..we are saved through the Holy Spirit. he has work in the salvation package..now, no matter what we believer about the Holy Spirit as denominations, the truth is that there only one Spirit. many do not see him as a life giving Spirit, many say he is only the power of God, some say he is Comforter, some say he is a teacher, a guide but the truth remains that the Holy Spirit does all these good works in the kingdom. now, based on the differences iour beliefs on the ministration of the Spirit of God, we say the Holy Spirit is the saving Spirit and the Living Spirit..these two functions are majored in one..he sees to our salvation process, he is the living water in us that flows like the rivers, he is the makes the church alive by the spiritual gifts ministrations and he is in charge of the our proper walk with God to the end no matter the any offices we operate - Ephesians 1:3, 2 Thess. 2:13, Galatians 3:4, 1 Cor. 12:5-13...so, we say in one voice and one mind that the Holy Spirit is part of eternal life process, kingdom power force and giftings, the ministration of sanctification till the end. we are saved by by the Spirit and if we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit - Galatians 5:24-25...beloved, we should not at any time underrate the ministry of the Spirit of faith, Spirit of hope, Spirit of love by the Spirit of grace for the Spirit of truth and holiness. thank you gracious Spirit of God.amen. 3. one HOPE - we are saved by hope, being saved by hope and shall be saved by hope..this is a divine process of the hope of our calling..whatever hope that is seen is no hope ad if it is not seen, we shall patiently wait for it..beloved, as i said in the four cardinal basic doctrines that we have one single hope after salvation and it is the hope of the righteousness of God assessed by faith - Galatians 5:5. we have this living hope. 1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus..our hope from the beginning to the end is to focus on the cross for the coming of the Lord..this is what the bible says Christ in us is the hope of glory..what glory? the glory of Christ that will appear to us for our own glorification..hope saves and that is the truth..it operates with our faith to hope for what is not seen and if hope is part of faith than hope is very essential in our daily kingdom living till the end, the hope of the righteousness and glorification in the end..amen. Romans 8:22-25, 1 Peter 1:3, Titus 3:7, Galatians 5:5...glory be to the gracious God. amen...
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:34:51 +0000
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