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Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 When one becomes a Christian –
that person enters into a
relationship with other Christians
which should, by the very nature
of the relationship, produce unity,
cohesion, joint labor & joint
success.
 This unity is dependant upon two
primary things –
1) Our submission to the
authority of Jesus the Christ.
2) The application of the
attitudes commanded by
Jesus that we are to have
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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One - heis – Vine’s, (b)
metaphorically, "union" and "concord,"
e.g., Joh_10:30; Joh_11:52; Joh_17:11,
Joh_17:21-22; Rom_12:4-5; Phi_1:27;
Perfectly joined together katartizo Thayer - 1)
to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete 1a)
to mend (what has been broken or rent),
to repair 1a1) to complete 1b) to fit out,
equip, put in order, arrange, adjust 1b1)
to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare 1c)
ethically: to strengthen, perfect,
complete, make one what he ought to be
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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Peace - eiree - It
describes (a) harmonious
relationships between men, (b)
between nations, (c) friendliness, (d)
freedom from molestation (e) order,
in the State, in the churches, (f) the
harmonized relationships between
God and man, accomplished through
the gospel, (g) the sense of rest and
contentment consequent thereon,
The corresponding Heb. word
shalom primarily signifies
wholeness:
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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The Prayer of
Christ John 17:17,21-23
The Plea of Paul 1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:1-4;
Ep. 4:1-3
The Plea of James James 3:13-17
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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Eph. 4:4-6
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Don McClain
One body –
One Spirit –
One Hope One Lord –
One Faith –
One Baptism –
One God –
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 Unity by believing ONLY what the
scriptures SAY! – John 17:20,21; Eph
4:4-6, 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Tim. 3:16
 Unity by preaching and teaching
ONLY things authorized by the
scriptures – 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2
 Unity by staying within the
boundaries established by the
scriptures - Col. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:7;
Rom. 10:17; 2 John 1:9
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 Unity by developing the attitudes
COMMANDED in the scriptures –
Col. 3:12-15 (NKJV)
. . . put on tender mercies, kindness, humility,
meekness, longsuffering; [13] bearing with one
another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has
a complaint against another; even as Christ
forgave you, so you also must do. [14] But above
all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfection. [15] And let the peace of God rule in
your hearts, to which also you were called in one
body; and be thankful.
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 Unity by developing the attitudes
COMMANDED in the scriptures –
Col. 3:12-15 (NKJV)
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Don McClain
tender mercies,
kindness,
humility,
meekness,
longsuffering;
bearing with one another,
forgiving one another,
love,
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 Unity by developing the attitudes
COMMANDED in the scriptures –
Phili. 2:1-5 (NKJ)
[2] fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having
the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
[3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition
or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of
you look out not only for his own interests, but
also for the interests of others. [5] Let this mind
be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 Unity by developing the attitudes
COMMANDED in the scriptures –
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Phili. 2:1-5 (NKJ)
Being like-minded,
Having the same love,
Being of one accord,
Of one mind.
In lowliness esteeming
others better than himself.
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 Unity by developing the attitudes
COMMANDED in the scriptures –
Romans 14:1-15:6 & 1 Cor. 8-14 (NKJ)
 Respecting the conscience of others –
Rom.14:12,13,19-23; 1 Cor. 8:8-13
 Being patient while we learn & grow –
Rom. 15:1-6
 Do things that will lead to edification –
Rom 14:19; 1 Cor. 14:26
 Walk in love – Rom 14:15; 1 Cor. 13
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 God’s will is that we be
united – 1 Cor. 1:10
 God has provided a
common standard
through which unity is
possible – Eph. 5:17
 Unity depends upon our
submission to the Divine
standard – not just in
doctrine – but also in
practice!!
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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 Is your desire to know and
follow the TRUTH? Mat 26:39
 Are you willing to lay aside,
or at least NOT bind your
opinions upon others for the
sake of unity?
 Superficial approaches to
division will never solve the
problem - ONLY by truly
conforming our hearts to the
Lord’s teaching will we ever
truly achieve unity!!!!
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006
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Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ - April 9, 2006