"The Church United By Love": Class 4 - "Ever Closer Union", Chris Birtles, Thames Valley churches of Christ

• Establishing the Kingdom: Col 1.20; Eph 1.8-10; 2 Cor 5.19
• Koinonia - Love and Unity: Phil 1.3-6
• Called to Love and Unity: Eph 4.1-6
• Ever Closer Union: 1 Cor 1.9-10
• Paul calls for unity in Galatia: Gal 1.6-7
• Paul’s call to unity: Gal 5.13
• Paul’s call for greater unity in Philippi: Phil 1.3-4
• Love, unity and holiness: Phil 1.27-28
• New v Old: Phil 1.27-28; Acts 16.12; Phil 3.20

 

Swimming against the tide: 

• Cities of men v City of God
• In Jesus new creation has come to life within the old
• The ekklesia must demonstrate what it means to be part of new creation within an often hostile environment
• Leaving behind destructive behaviour
• Phil 1.27-28

 

Paul’s call for greater unity in Philippi: Phil 2.1-2

• The comfort we take when the Spirit acts through our koinonia should lead us to greater unity

 

The Way of Jesus: Phil 2.3-8 (See also, Phil 1.1 - Paul and Timothy as examples of this Christ-like attitude)

 

Love is a Virtue: Gal 5.22

 

Love is Practical: John 3.16; 1 John 3.16-17

• Love leads to action
• Gal 5.22: Self-control – love may take effort and will-power

 

Now I wouldn't try to tell you


That it's easy to stand
 

Satan's throwing everything


That's at his command

 

But Jesus is faithful


His promise is true


And the things that He asks


He gives the power to do

 

You know He didn't die for you


Because it was fun


He hung there for love


Because it had to be done

 

And in spite of the anguish


His work was fulfilled


Cause love is not a feeling


It's an act of your will


 

Don Francisco – Love Is Not A Feeling

 

Love Is Unity: 1 Cor 6.15, 19; 10.17; 12.12-13

• Paul uses the image of the body, and especially the body of Jesus, as an illustration of the love-unity expected of followers of Jesus.

 

Love Is Rooted In Jesus: Ephesians 3:16-19

 

The Message of Love: John 3.16

• Actions speak louder than words...

 

Thy Kingdom Come: 2 Cor 5.17-19

 

Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.tvcoc.org.

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

 

Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: tvcochrist@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

 

God bless,

 

Malcolm

 

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