I have had some wonderful opportunities to work alongside Christians of various backgrounds and persuasions. I worked for Focus on the Family for five years where I had numerous discussions with people from many different churches and denominations. I teach at a school that is sponsored by an Assemblies of God congregation. I have spent time at a public college. I have a degree from a Nazarene college as well as a degree from a Baptist university. I have been a pastor of a Nazarene church as well as a non-denominational church. Through all of this I have come to appreciate and understand that what brings us together is far greater than those things that have a tendency to divide.
You, no doubt have had experiences that are diverse and most likely know people that believe things differently than you do. We also live in a time when many do not even know or care very much about the denomination of which they happen to be a part. In fact we live in a church culture that seems to frown upon denominationalism as a whole. Most today do not consider the theological distinctions of the church of their choosing, but pay much more to style then substance.
However when it comes down to the core values of any church, one thing seems to stand out. And that is the truth that Jesus is Lord. Without this belief the institution ceases to be Christian. Being Christian is living out the belief that Jesus is Lord. A key phrase from the Church of the Nazarene Manuel states, “As members of the Church Universal, we join with all true believers in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ and in affirming the historic Trinitarian creeds and beliefs of the Christian faith.”
The creeds mentioned here are:
o The Apostle’s Creed - 215 A.D. – 542 A.D.
o The Nicene Creed – org. 325 A.D
To summarize, the key ways of understanding the Lordship of Jesus Christ is...
• Jesus Christ is the holy Lord.
• Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Church
• Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Scriptures
The biblical support for the unity of the Christian Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and how is applies to our daily life can be seen in and through the following biblical text (Ephesians 4:1-6 and 1 Cor 1:10-13). In order to apply this to our lives within the context of a local church and the church universal is believe that we are to appreciate our place and the place of others. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and ask God to speak to your heart.
To hear the message that was based on these notes just scroll down to the next post.
Blessings,
Pastor Paul
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