Divine Unity: God's Call to His Church
Summary
In our journey as a community of believers, unity is not just a goal but a divine mandate. God desires for us to be perfectly unified, yet the enemy constantly seeks to sow division among us. Even in moments when there seems to be no visible conflict, the potential for discord is always present. It is crucial for us to recognize that any division within the church should deeply trouble us, as it grieves the heart of our Heavenly Father. Just as a parent is heartbroken when their children are at odds, God is pained when His children are divided.
Consider the hypothetical scenario of two members, David and Chang, getting into a disagreement. Even if we don't know them personally, their conflict should concern us because they are part of the body of Christ. Similarly, if my daughters, Mercy and Ellie, were to fight and refuse to speak to each other, it would devastate me as their father. I would implore them to consider how their actions affect me, their parent. In the same way, we must think about how our divisions affect God.
The current state of the church, particularly in the United States, is marked by division, and this is something we have come to accept rather than challenge. However, this division breaks the Father's heart. We are called to be one body, united in one Spirit, sharing one baptism, and partaking of one bread and one cup. Our unity is not just for our sake but out of love and reverence for God.
Reflecting on my early days in ministry, I recall a conflict between two women's ministry leaders. Despite my efforts, I couldn't reconcile them, and it was a stark reminder of how much God despises division among His people. Our ultimate aim should be to please God, striving for unity as one body under one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.
Key Takeaways:
- Unity in the church is a divine mandate, and any division should deeply trouble us as it grieves the heart of God. Just as a parent is heartbroken when their children are at odds, God is pained when His children are divided. [03:29]
- Even if we don't know those involved in a conflict personally, their division should concern us because they are part of the body of Christ. Our love for God should compel us to care about the unity of His family. [01:58]
- The current state of division within the church is something we have come to accept, but it should break our hearts as it breaks the Father's heart. We are called to be one body, united in one Spirit. [04:18]
- Reflecting on past conflicts within the church, we are reminded of how much God despises division among His people. Our ultimate aim should be to please God by striving for unity. [05:13]
- Our unity is not just for our sake but out of love and reverence for God. We must consider how our actions and divisions affect Him, just as children should consider how their actions affect their parents. [03:07]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - The Enemy's Division
[00:30] - Potential for Conflict
[00:47] - Heartbreak Over Division
[01:05] - Hypothetical Conflict
[01:38] - Concern for the Body
[02:12] - Family Analogy
[02:45] - Father's Heartbreak
[03:29] - God's Perspective
[03:58] - Current State of the Church
[04:18] - Call for Unity
[04:52] - Reflecting on Past Conflicts
[05:13] - Pleasing the Father
[05:28] - One Body, One Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Unity in the Church
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 4:4-6 - "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 4:4-6, what are the elements that unify believers in the body of Christ?
2. In the sermon, what hypothetical conflict was used to illustrate the impact of division within the church? [01:05]
3. How does the analogy of a parent’s heartbreak over their children’s conflict relate to God’s perspective on division among His people? [02:45]
4. What does the pastor identify as the current state of the church in the United States, and how does it relate to the theme of unity? [04:18]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of one body and one Spirit in Ephesians 4:4-6 challenge the acceptance of division within the church?
2. What might be the reasons behind the pastor’s emphasis on the Father’s heartbreak over division, and how does this perspective affect our understanding of church unity? [03:29]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our personal conflicts within the church affect our relationship with God? [03:07]
4. How does the pastor’s reflection on past conflicts in ministry serve as a reminder of God’s desire for unity among His people? [05:13]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced division within a church community. How did it affect your faith and relationship with God? [03:58]
2. Considering the analogy of a parent’s heartbreak, how can you be more mindful of how your actions and attitudes towards others in the church affect God? [02:45]
3. What practical steps can you take to promote unity within your church, especially when you encounter disagreements or conflicts? [01:58]
4. How can you encourage others in your church to see the importance of unity as a divine mandate rather than just a personal preference? [04:18]
5. Identify a specific relationship within your church that may need reconciliation. What actions can you take this week to begin healing that relationship? [01:38]
6. How can you cultivate a heart that is sensitive to the divisions within the church and actively seeks to mend them out of love for God? [03:29]
7. In what ways can you remind yourself and others of the shared elements of faith that unite us as one body in Christ, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:4-6?
Devotional
Day 1: Unity as a Divine Mandate
Unity within the church is not merely a desirable goal but a divine mandate that reflects the heart of God. Division among believers is a serious matter that grieves God deeply, much like a parent is heartbroken when their children are at odds. The potential for discord is always present, even when there is no visible conflict. As members of the body of Christ, we must be vigilant and proactive in maintaining unity, understanding that our divisions affect God profoundly. Our love for God should compel us to care about the unity of His family, recognizing that any division should trouble us deeply. [03:29]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement or division you have witnessed within your church community. How can you actively work towards reconciliation and unity in that situation today?
Day 2: Concern for the Body of Christ
Even if we do not know those involved in a conflict personally, their division should concern us because they are part of the body of Christ. Our love for God should compel us to care about the unity of His family. Just as a parent is affected by the discord between their children, God is affected by the divisions among His people. We are called to be one body, united in one Spirit, sharing one baptism, and partaking of one bread and one cup. Our unity is not just for our sake but out of love and reverence for God. [01:58]
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (ESV): "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."
Reflection: Identify someone in your church community who may feel isolated or disconnected. How can you reach out to them this week to demonstrate the unity and love of the body of Christ?
Day 3: The Heartbreak of Division
The current state of division within the church is something we have come to accept, but it should break our hearts as it breaks the Father's heart. We are called to be one body, united in one Spirit. This division is not just a human issue but a spiritual one that grieves God. Reflecting on past conflicts within the church, we are reminded of how much God despises division among His people. Our ultimate aim should be to please God by striving for unity, understanding that our actions and divisions affect Him deeply. [04:18]
Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you contributed to division within your church. What steps can you take to seek forgiveness and promote healing and unity?
Day 4: Striving for Unity
Reflecting on past conflicts within the church, we are reminded of how much God despises division among His people. Our ultimate aim should be to please God by striving for unity as one body under one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. This requires intentional effort and a heart aligned with God's desire for His people. We must be willing to address conflicts and seek reconciliation, understanding that our unity is a reflection of our love and reverence for God. [05:13]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life where unity is lacking. What practical steps can you take today to foster reconciliation and demonstrate God's love?
Day 5: Unity Out of Love and Reverence for God
Our unity is not just for our sake but out of love and reverence for God. We must consider how our actions and divisions affect Him, just as children should consider how their actions affect their parents. The call for unity is a call to reflect God's heart and character in our relationships with one another. As we strive for unity, we honor God and demonstrate our love for Him, recognizing that our unity is a testament to His work in our lives. [03:07]
John 17:20-23 (ESV): "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your love and reverence for God through your actions towards others in your church community this week? What specific steps will you take to promote unity?
Quotes
while God wants us to be perfectly unified which I believe can happen the enemy is always trying to divide us okay I mean tonight I don't know of any conflicts in this room there might be there probably are but I don't know of any right now go okay that's that's good that's good but most likely something will happen and you'll get bothered by someone else here and it might even happen tonight and this could be your last week so it's great having you but uh it it it just it happens all the time in the church [00:00:00]
it should bother you that they are fighting even though you don't know them but but you know that they're the body of Christ it's like uh you know my daughter uh Mercy was here and my daughter Ellie was there what if Ellie and mercy tonight were sitting at the table supposed to be having our Sabbath dinner together and they start fighting and no I'm a better singer I'm a better singer you know I play guitar at the same time you know and it's just and they start fighting and they just you know they just go we're never going to talk to each other again [00:01:48]
okay what do I do as a father D's go oh that's bummer no as a father it kills you it would kill me and I would look at them and I go are you serious right now you're seriously never going to talk to Ellie again and you're seriously you're just going to walk away from Mercy that's it it would be me going you guys are killing me Are you seriously going to do that are you no it would just be like are you not thinking about how it affects me I can't have two of my daughters not talking to each other [00:02:54]
I can't have you separate from each other and I'm not happy with either one of you right now see we don't think about that with the father we just think about our relationships it's just David and Chang they're just like well he bugs me he bugs me you know he was looking at me f whatever he took the piece of bread I wanted you know it's just whatever it is that caus you to fight do you ever picture the father and his disappointment of going I can't have my family separated [00:03:29]
that's why right now the state of the church in the US is so divided and it's almost like it's something we just accept rather than going no that breaks the Father's Heart there's supposed to be one body one Lord one Spirit one baptism we all take of one bread one cup it's supposed to be a body in his eyes so when we see division in the body it should bother you even if you don't know them but you know the father you know how much it bothers him it's out of love for him [00:04:11]
I remember when I when I first started a church gosh like almost 30 oh over 30 years ago I remember our two women's Direct Victors started fighting with each other and I'm going you guys seriously it doesn't bother you at all that God is in heaven hating this there's nothing I can say to bring the two of you back together nothing I could do you guys this is what we've got to live for is pleasing the the father and he wants one body one Lord One Faith one baptism [00:04:49]
while God wants us to be perfectly unified which I believe can happen the enemy is always trying to divide us okay I mean tonight I don't know of any conflicts in this room there might be there probably are but I don't know of any right now go okay that's that's good that's good but most likely something will happen and you'll get bothered by someone else here and it might even happen tonight and this could be your last week so it's great having you but uh it it it just it happens all the time in the church [00:00:00]
it should bother you that they are fighting even though you don't know them but but you know that they're the body of Christ it's like uh you know my daughter uh Mercy was here and my daughter Ellie was there what if Ellie and mercy tonight were sitting at the table supposed to be having our Sabbath dinner together and they start fighting and no I'm a better singer I'm a better singer you know I play guitar at the same time you know and it's just and they start fighting and they just you know they just go we're never going to talk to each other again [00:01:48]
okay what do I do as a father D's go oh that's bummer no as a father it kills you it would kill me and I would look at them and I go are you serious right now you're seriously never going to talk to Ellie again and you're seriously you're just going to walk away from Mercy that's it it would be me going you guys are killing me Are you seriously going to do that are you no it would just be like are you not thinking about how it affects me I can't have two of my daughters not talking to each other [00:02:54]
I can't have you separate from each other and I'm not happy with either one of you right now see we don't think about that with the father we just think about our relationships it's just David and Chang they're just like well he bugs me he bugs me you know he was looking at me f whatever he took the piece of bread I wanted you know it's just whatever it is that caus you to fight do you ever picture the father and his disappointment of going I can't have my family separated [00:03:29]
that's why right now the state of the church in the US is so divided and it's almost like it's something we just accept rather than going no that breaks the Father's Heart there's supposed to be one body one Lord one Spirit one baptism we all take of one bread one cup it's supposed to be a body in his eyes so when we see division in the body it should bother you even if you don't know them but you know the father you know how much it bothers him it's out of love for him [00:04:11]
I remember when I when I first started a church gosh like almost 30 oh over 30 years ago I remember our two women's Direct Victors started fighting with each other and I'm going you guys seriously it doesn't bother you at all that God is in heaven hating this there's nothing I can say to bring the two of you back together nothing I could do you guys this is what we've got to live for is pleasing the the father and he wants one body one Lord One Faith one baptism [00:04:49]
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