Why So Different? Ephesians 4:4-7

Ephesians 4:4-7 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.”

What Differences? A. Differences in worship. Music –Instruments –Choir Worship leaders –Responsibilities of the preacher. –Women in worship. Reverence –Come as you are, you don’t need to dress up. –Addressing the Father in prayer.

What Differences? B. Different Doctrines Salvation Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage Work of the church.

Why do these differences exist? No respect for authority!

Authority Matters A. Respect authority. Matthew 28:18 – Christ has all authority.

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”

Authority Matters A. Respect authority. Matthew 28:18 – Christ has all authority. –Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Authority Matters A. Respect authority. Matthew 28:18 – Christ has all authority. –Colossians 3:17 B. Bible=Unauthorized=Useless Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Tim. 1:13

Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” 1 Timothy 1:16 “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”

2 Timothy 1:13 “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Authority Matters A. Respect authority. Matthew 28:18 – Christ has all authority. –Colossians 3:17 B. Bible=Unauthorized=Useless Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Tim. 1:13 –2 Timothy 2:15-17

Authority Must be Understood A. Two extremes. For a thing to be authorized by scripture it must be specifically mentioned in the scripture. –Worship – song books, microphone, pitch pipe, table for Lord's Supper, utensils for Lord's Supper, benches we sit on, etc. For a thing to be unauthorized it must be specifically forbidden in the scripture. –Lord's Supper – not white bread, wheat bread, cheese bread, banana bread, etc. Not orange juice, apple juice, watermelon juice, etc.

Authority Must be Understood B. Two types of authority. Generic Authority – Whatever is necessary to carry out a command is included in the command. Specific Authority – The statement or command to do one thing only authorizes the doing of that thing. The doing of all others is in effect, forbidden.

Two Types of Authority Noah (Gen. 6:13-21) Generic Tools needed to build the ark Animals needed to transfer wood. Where to get the pitch. Specific Type of wood (gopher-v.14) Cover inside and out with pitch (v.14). Length, width, height (v.15). Door of the ark (v.16).

Two Types of Authority Sanctuary (Ex. 25:1-9) Generic Tools needed to get these things (animal hair/skins). What to dye the ram skins with. Specific No other metals (gold, silver, bronze-v.3) Color of thread (blue, purple, scarlet-v.4) Acacia wood (v.5) Onyx stones (v.7)

Authority Must be Applied A. Differences in worship. Music –Instruments (Ac. 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12) –Choir (Colossians 3:16) “teaching and admonishing one another.” Worship leaders –Responsibilities of the preacher. (Rom. 10:15)

Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’”

Authority Must be Applied A. Differences in worship. Music –Instruments (Ac. 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12) –Choir (Colossians 3:16) “teaching and admonishing one another.” Worship leaders –Responsibilities of the preacher. (Rom. 10:15) –Women in worship. (1 Cor. 14:34-35)

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.”

Authority Must be Applied A. Differences in worship. Music –Instruments (Ac. 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12) –Choir (Colossians 3:16) “teaching and admonishing one another.” Worship leaders –Responsibilities of the preacher. (Rom. 10:15) –Women in worship. (1 Cor. 14:34-35) Reverence –Come as you are, you don’t need to dress up. (1 Pet. 2:9; Ex. 39)

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Authority Must be Applied A. Differences in worship. Music –Instruments (Ac. 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12) –Choir (Colossians 3:16) “teaching and admonishing one another.” Worship leaders –Responsibilities of the preacher. (Rom. 10:15) –Women in worship. (1 Cor. 14:34-35) Reverence –Come as you are, you don’t need to dress up. (1 Pet. 2:9; Ex. 39) –Addressing the Father in prayer. (Matt. 6:9-13)

Authority Must be Applied B. Different Doctrines Salvation (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 8:38; 9:18; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8; 22:16) Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage (Matt. 5:31-32)

Matthew 5:31-32 “Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.‘ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”

Authority Must be Applied B. Different Doctrines Salvation (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 8:38; 9:18; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8; 22:16) Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage (Matt. 5:31-32) Work of the church. (Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:16)

Colossians 1:18 “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Conclusion There is only one body! The body of Christ! We are called to unity! There is only one way to serve God and that is with submission in all things to His authority.