Love One Another With an Undivided Heart
The sermon emphasizes the importance of unity in the Church, encouraging believers to love one another with an undivided heart and to submit to the leadership of the Church.
Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of unity and love within the Church, urging believers to show love to one another with undivided hearts. He acknowledges his own vulnerability and expresses his desire for the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith. Ignatius encourages submission to the authority of bishops, presbyters, and deacons, while trusting in the faithfulness of God to answer prayers and keep believers blameless.
Text
The love of the Smyrnaeans and Ephesians salutes you. Remember our Church which is in Syria, from which I am not worthy to receive my appellation, being the last of those of that place. Fare ye well in the Lord Jesus Christ, while ye continue subject to the bishop, and in like manner to the presbyters and to the deacons.
And do ye, every man, love one another with an undivided heart. My spirit salutes you, not only now, but also when I shall have attained to God; for I am as yet exposed to danger. But the Father of Jesus Christ is faithful to fulfil both mine and your petitions: in whom may we be found without spot. May I have joy of you in the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Unity
- The Faithfulness of God
- Joy in the Lord
- May we have joy of one another in the Lord
- We should be found without spot in Him
Key Quotes
“And do ye, every man, love one another with an undivided heart.” — Ignatius of Antioch
“May I have joy of you in the Lord.” — Ignatius of Antioch
“But the Father of Jesus Christ is faithful to fulfil both mine and your petitions: in whom may we be found without spot.” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- We should strive to love one another with an undivided heart, demonstrating unity in the Church.
- We should submit to the leadership of the Church, including the bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
- We should trust in the faithfulness of God to fulfill our petitions and strive to be found without spot in Him.