Why So Many Denominations? (Chantilly Sermon)
October 27, 2024
John 17:17,21,23 CSB – Jesus’ high priestly prayer
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
May they all be one,…. so that the world may believe you sent me.
I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.
Matthew 28:19-20 CSB – Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
How did we get here? (Church History in a nutshell)
Acts 2:42-47 CSB – They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Matthew 10:34 CSB – Jesus said, Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Luke 6:26 CSB – Jesus said: Woe to you when all people speak well of you,
for this is the way their ancestors
used to treat the false prophets..
Emperor Constantine (306-337)
Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne (AD 800)
Johann Tetzel (1460-1519)
God moves to reform the church
John Wycliffe (1330-1384), The Morning Star of the Reformation
William Tyndale (1494-1536)
Jon Huss (1370-1415)
Martin Luther (1480-1546)
God allows people to ‘cluster’ together who see some component of Himself. Now, they don’t have the whole picture, but they do have a piece of it…. Their task in the economy of God’s history, it appears to me, is to protect that part of the truth until the rest of the body of Christ is ready for it.” – Jim Garlow
Where does New Life Christian Church fit into the story?
John 17:17,21,23 CSB – Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
May they all be one,…. so that the world may believe you sent me.
Second Great Awakening
Cane Ridge Revival
Keys to Unity
- Foundation: God’s Word
Jesus prayed, Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
- Power: Lift Up Jesus above Personal Opinions
John 12:32, As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”
“I will not quarrel with you about my opinion, only see that your heart is right toward God, that you know and love your neighbor, and walk as your Master walked, and I desire no more. I am sick of opinions; am weary to bear them; my soul loathes this frothy food.” – John Wesley, founder of the Methodists
