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John 10:10; Acts 2:37-39; [John 3:16]; Acts 2:40, 41; I Timothy 2:3, 4; Colossians 1:1-10; Titus 1:9; James 1:21; [I Thessalonians 5:21]; Acts 17:11; Romans 12:9, 10; I Corinthians 13:1, 12, 13; Psalm 133; [Hebrews 10:25]; Mark 3:13-24; I Corinthians 1:1-13; 3:1-9; Philippians 1:27-29; 2:1-3; James 3:13-18; Luke 9:46-50; John 13:34, 35

Jesus Christ and Satan stand in opposition to one another and we stand with either one or the other. There are no "conscientious objectors" in this battle. In the family of God, we must guard the unity of the spirit, standing together against God’s arch-enemy, the Devil.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter presented a wonderful preaching that made known Christ. The people asked the question, "What shall we do?" Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. He told them they SHALL receive the gift of holy spirit. He also told them the promise was to Israel and those who were afar off which referred to the Gentiles.

God would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Not all people acquire truth to the same degree, in the same manner. Knowledge is a continual learning. Just as a baby begins with milk, as it grows it needs stronger meat. As Christians, we are to increase in the knowledge of God, not to the intent that we just have head knowledge but that we can be fruitful in every good work. We are to prove all things and hold fast to the faithful word of truth. We are to receive the Word of God with meekness. We hold fast to what we know and endeavor to live it, but with a tender, meek, humble heart, knowing that we do not know everything and are continuing to grow. Our concepts change as we are enlightened in various areas. The Word of God is a living Word.

We are to be ourselves and not put on a mask to please others. God looks on our hearts and loves each person for who he or she is. He called us as who we are. We must understand the great invitation, realizing that people grow at different times and in different ways. But there is only one God, and only one name under heaven by which men must be saved — Jesus Christ!

The one great thing that Jesus said would differentiate his disciples from the masses was not their intellect or manner of dress, how powerful or knowledgeable they were, but their love for one another. If we stop and think about how much God loves each of us, we get a perspective of how to love one another. People do not care to know until they know we care. Our motive should be love. If it is not, we are hypocrites.

We only know in part, but what we know we hold to. Studying God’s Word is important but we must keep ourselves humble, remembering we still only know "in part." The wonderful thing is that within the body of Christ, there are others who know in part also, but their "parts" may be different from ours. When we put these parts together, the sum is greater than the individual pieces.

Psalm 133 speaks of how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Hebrews says we are told not to forbid the gathering together of ourselves. This includes the current believers and those who can become believers, including our enemies. We are told to pray for our enemies, as well as for each other.

We are not to strive with one another. We must pursue unity and what the Lord is doing today. Love is the evidence above all that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must love as we have never loved before, remembering that those who are not against us are with us. Either we hang together, or we will hang separately.


#275 We'll Hang Together Or We'll Hang Separately -- June 23, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 74:01 minutes
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"We'll Hang Together Or We'll Hang Separately" - Rev. Steven A. Michels John 10:10; Acts 2:37-39; [John 3:16]; Acts 2:40, 41; I Timothy 2:3, 4; Colossians 1:1-10; Titus 1:9; James 1:21; [I Thessalonians 5:21]; Acts 17:11; Romans 12:9, 10; I Corinthians 13:1, 12, 13; Psalm 133; [Hebrews 10:25]; Mark 3:13-24; I Corinthians 1:1-13; 3:1-9; Philippians 1:27-29; 2:1-3; James 3:13-18; Luke 9:46-50; John 13:34, 35 Jesus Christ and Satan stand in opposition to one another and we stand with either one or the other. There are no "conscientious objectors" in this battle. In the family of God, we must guard the unity of the spirit, standing together against God’s arch-enemy, the Devil. On the day of Pentecost, Peter presented a wonderful preaching that made known Christ. The people asked the question, "What shall we do?" Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. He told them they SHALL receive the gift of holy spirit. He also told them the promise was to Israel and those who were afar off which referred to the Gentiles. God would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Not all people acquire truth to the same degree, in the same manner. Knowledge is a continual learning. Just as a baby begins with milk, as it grows it needs stronger meat. As Christians, we are to increase in the knowledge of God, not to the intent that we just have head knowledge but that we can be fruitful in every good work. We are to prove all things and hold fast to the faithful word of truth. We are to receive the Word of God with meekness. We hold fast to what we know and endeavor to live it, but with a tender, meek, humble heart, knowing that we do not know everything and are continuing to grow. Our concepts change as we are enlightened in various areas. The Word of God is a living Word. We are to be ourselves and not put on a mask to please others. God looks on our hearts and loves each person for who he or she is. He called us as who we are. We must understand the great invitation, realizing that people grow at different times and in different ways. But there is only one God, and only one name under heaven by which men must be saved — Jesus Christ! The one great thing that Jesus said would differentiate his disciples from the masses was not their intellect or manner of dress, how powerful or knowledgeable they were, but their love for one another. If we stop and think about how much God loves each of us, we get a perspective of how to love one another. People do not care to know until they know we care. Our motive should be love. If it is not, we are hypocrites. We only know in part, but what we know we hold to. Studying God’s Word is important but we must keep ourselves humble, remembering we still only know "in part." The wonderful thing is that within the body of Christ, there are others who know in part also, but their "parts" may be different from ours. When we put these parts together, the sum is greater than the individual pieces. Psalm 133 speaks of how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Hebrews says we are told not to forbid the gathering together of ourselves. This includes the current believers and those who can become believers, including our enemies. We are told to pray for our enemies, as well as for each other. We are not to strive with one another. We must pursue unity and what the Lord is doing today. Love is the evidence above all that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must love as we have never loved before, remembering that those who are not against us are with us. Either we hang together, or we will hang separately.