Embracing Christian Unity Through Love and Truth

Summary

In our discussion today, we delved into the profound and often challenging topic of Christian unity. The conversation centered around the biblical emphasis on unity, as highlighted in John 17, where Jesus prays for believers to be one as He and the Father are one. This unity is not a superficial agreement or mere coexistence but a deep, spiritual oneness that mirrors the relationship within the Trinity. The challenge lies in balancing this pursuit of unity with the commitment to doctrinal truth. It's crucial to recognize that unity does not mean compromising on essential truths of the faith, but rather finding common ground in the core tenets of Christianity while allowing for diversity in non-essential areas.

We also explored the practical implications of unity within the church, particularly in the context of denominational differences. While denominations can sometimes foster division, they can also serve as a means of unifying believers around shared beliefs and practices. The key is to approach these differences with humility and a willingness to learn from one another, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom.

Furthermore, we discussed the role of love in fostering unity. True unity is rooted in love—love for God and love for one another. This love is not merely an emotion but a commitment to seek the best for others, even when it requires difficult conversations or church discipline. The goal is to create a community where believers are encouraged to grow in holiness and reflect the character of Christ.

Finally, we touched on the importance of personal spiritual practices, such as prayer and meditation on Scripture, in cultivating a deep connection with God. This connection fuels our ability to love others and pursue unity. By experiencing God's love and grace, we are empowered to extend that same love and grace to those around us, fostering a spirit of unity within the body of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity in the Trinity: Christian unity is modeled after the perfect oneness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This profound unity is not about mere agreement but a deep, spiritual connection that reflects the divine relationship within the Trinity. As believers, we are called to pursue this kind of unity, which requires humility and a willingness to prioritize our shared faith in Christ over secondary differences. [12:32]

2. Balancing Unity and Truth: The pursuit of unity should not come at the expense of doctrinal truth. While it's important to find common ground, we must also hold fast to the core tenets of our faith. This balance requires discernment and a commitment to engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold different views, always seeking to learn and grow together in Christ. [07:27]

3. The Role of Love in Unity: True unity is rooted in love—love for God and love for one another. This love is not just an emotion but a commitment to seek the best for others, even when it involves difficult conversations or church discipline. By prioritizing love, we create a community where believers are encouraged to grow in holiness and reflect the character of Christ. [26:29]

4. Denominations and Unity: While denominations can sometimes foster division, they can also serve as a means of unifying believers around shared beliefs and practices. The key is to approach these differences with humility and a willingness to learn from one another, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom. [22:02]

5. Personal Spiritual Practices: Cultivating a deep connection with God through prayer and meditation on Scripture is essential for fostering unity. By experiencing God's love and grace, we are empowered to extend that same love and grace to others, creating a spirit of unity within the body of Christ. This personal spiritual growth fuels our ability to love others and pursue unity. [37:59]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Introduction to The Remnant Radio
[01:08] - Word and Spirit School of Ministry
[02:37] - Francis Chan's Ministry Background
[05:09] - Motivation for Writing on Unity
[07:10] - Unity vs. Truth Debate
[10:27] - Defining Unity
[12:11] - Unity Modeled After the Trinity
[14:53] - Denominational Challenges
[17:31] - Unity with Catholics
[21:00] - Utility of Denominations
[23:01] - Heart for God and Unity
[26:29] - Practical Steps for Unity
[37:59] - Connecting Deeply with God
[44:36] - Church Journey: Mega Church to House Church
[51:07] - Navigating Doctrinal Differences
[57:02] - Church Discipline and Unity
[59:29] - Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Christian Unity

Bible Reading:
1. John 17:21-23
2. Ephesians 4:1-6
3. 1 Corinthians 1:10

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 17:21-23, what does Jesus pray for concerning the unity of believers, and how does this reflect the relationship within the Trinity? [12:32]

2. According to Ephesians 4:1-6, what are the characteristics that Paul urges believers to exhibit in order to maintain unity?

3. How does 1 Corinthians 1:10 address the issue of divisions within the church, and what solution does Paul propose?

4. In the sermon, what are some practical steps mentioned for fostering unity within the church despite denominational differences? [21:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the unity that Jesus prays for in John 17 compare to the unity we often see in churches today? What might be some barriers to achieving this kind of unity? [12:32]

2. Ephesians 4:1-6 emphasizes humility, gentleness, and patience. How do these traits contribute to unity, and why might they be challenging to practice consistently?

3. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul appeals for believers to be united in mind and thought. What might this look like in a modern church setting, and how can it be achieved without compromising essential truths?

4. The sermon discusses the balance between unity and doctrinal truth. How can churches navigate this balance without falling into either extreme of division or compromise? [07:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own church experience. Have you witnessed or been part of efforts to promote unity? What were the outcomes, and what could have been done differently? [46:42]

2. Consider a time when you disagreed with someone in your church on a non-essential issue. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now to promote unity? [21:00]

3. The sermon highlights the importance of love in fostering unity. Identify a specific relationship within your church where you can demonstrate love more intentionally. What steps will you take? [26:29]

4. How can personal spiritual practices, such as prayer and meditation on Scripture, enhance your ability to contribute to unity in your church community? What changes can you make to prioritize these practices? [37:59]

5. Think about a denominational difference that has caused tension in your church or community. How can you approach this difference with humility and a willingness to learn, as suggested in the sermon? [21:00]

6. Reflect on the role of church discipline in maintaining unity. How can your church implement discipline in a way that is loving and restorative rather than divisive? [57:02]

7. Identify one specific action you can take this week to promote unity in your church, whether through a conversation, an act of service, or another means. How will you ensure this action aligns with the principles discussed in the sermon? [26:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity Modeled After the Trinity
Christian unity is a profound spiritual connection that mirrors the perfect oneness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This unity is not about mere agreement or coexistence but a deep, spiritual oneness that reflects the divine relationship within the Trinity. As believers, we are called to pursue this kind of unity, which requires humility and a willingness to prioritize our shared faith in Christ over secondary differences. This pursuit of unity challenges us to look beyond our individual preferences and focus on the greater purpose of reflecting God's love and character to the world. [12:32]

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize unity in your relationships with fellow believers this week, even when you disagree on non-essential matters?

Day 2: Balancing Unity and Truth
The pursuit of unity should not come at the expense of doctrinal truth. While it's important to find common ground, we must also hold fast to the core tenets of our faith. This balance requires discernment and a commitment to engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold different views, always seeking to learn and grow together in Christ. By maintaining this balance, we can foster a community that is both united and grounded in truth, reflecting the heart of God in our interactions with others. [07:27]

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you engage in conversations about faith with those who have different views, while still holding firm to the core truths of Christianity?

Day 3: The Role of Love in Unity
True unity is rooted in love—love for God and love for one another. This love is not just an emotion but a commitment to seek the best for others, even when it involves difficult conversations or church discipline. By prioritizing love, we create a community where believers are encouraged to grow in holiness and reflect the character of Christ. Love becomes the foundation upon which unity is built, enabling us to navigate challenges and differences with grace and compassion. [26:29]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where love has been difficult to maintain. How can you intentionally show love to that person this week?

Day 4: Denominations and Unity
While denominations can sometimes foster division, they can also serve as a means of unifying believers around shared beliefs and practices. The key is to approach these differences with humility and a willingness to learn from one another, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom. By focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, we can celebrate the diversity within the body of Christ and work together to advance His mission in the world. [22:02]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand and appreciate the perspectives of believers from different denominational backgrounds?

Day 5: Personal Spiritual Practices
Cultivating a deep connection with God through prayer and meditation on Scripture is essential for fostering unity. By experiencing God's love and grace, we are empowered to extend that same love and grace to others, creating a spirit of unity within the body of Christ. This personal spiritual growth fuels our ability to love others and pursue unity, as we draw strength and wisdom from our relationship with God. [37:59]

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this week to deepen your connection with God and enhance your ability to foster unity in your community?

Quotes

"Well, I think it's because I was realizing how much this topic is emphasized in scripture so so early on I think there were certain topics that I liked certain topics the denomination I was a part of you know would would focus on but I think every year I'm trying to take a a clean look at the scriptures and go okay what does God repeat over and over and what are the things he seems to emphatically speak about like what where does he use the strongest words because I'm trying to care about what he cares about and honestly I as a human being I don't naturally care that much about Unity." [00:05:21]

"Yeah, I mean, I mean there are, I don't want to generalize it but like two types of people there are those who are very into Doctrine and they just assume that any pursuit of unity is you're pursuing Unity at the expense of Truth and so they'll use that phrase anytime Unity is brought up then there's another group that's on the opposite side of the spectrum and they will they really will just pursue unity and not care too much about Doctrine and my point is gosh if you're a real doctrinal person that just loves the word of God seeks the word of God you've got to see it in Scripture that there are strong strong commands towards unity and very strong commands against anyone that would create that Division." [00:07:38]

"Um, the way I'm understanding it I'm I'm praying for like like what Jesus prayed for which is, which seems hyperbolic seems almost impossible except that he prayed it to the father and he says in John 17 21 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've given to them that they may be one even as we are one so right there we're not talking about a shallow of oh hey let's get on a podcast every once in a while and and get along no he's he's using the Trinity he's going God you know how you and I are perfectly one I want them to be one with us I want them all to be one just as so this is in incredible Bond uh the father and the son so when you want to understand Unity I say look to the Trinity look to the Father the Son the Holy Spirit and look at how they became perfectly one that's a Unity that I'm talking about." [00:12:06]

"Yeah and and this is this is probably stuff that's over my head as most things are I I don't have an answer to that um I don't I don't believe denominations themselves are the cause of division I mean they they can cause division but I don't think that's the cause of it at the end of the day to me the biggest problem is not that there are so many denominations I think it's weird and I think the Next Generation even thinks it's weirder and uh I think eventually it's it's gonna I mean that's where we got to non-denominational churches and now this next generation is even more anti-denomination so but to me that's not the issue to me." [00:22:42]

"I mean what we do I think number one I mean we are called to love we are called the show Mercy as God is merciful like I I need to apologize even right now like I'm thinking okay we're doing this podcast um I'm having conversation with you two uh am I loving you do I care about you guys I haven't I'll be honest I haven't thought of you as human beings I mean I know you are I know you're real even though I'm looking at you through a screen but um do I think of you as my brothers that Christ died for and he wants us to be one like do I have any do I even know what's going on in your life right now I don't I don't you could be going through a horrible time right now we have like five minutes before this you know get everything here and that's a problem I mean I get it this is a podcast where we're all busy and let's let's do this but the problem is if I'm honest I I haven't really thought about you I didn't pray for you before this started." [00:26:25]

"Yeah so so my greatest times of prayer are when I take some time before I pray and actually think about who I'm speaking to and that's why the word is so important so don't just make up some view of God like I think he's like this I think who cares what you think he has told us what he is like and he explains himself as this God who dwells in unapproachable light and and you read in Revelation of his throne and the lightning the Thunder the fire the angels and so I try to imagine that I try to just picture this being sitting on a throne lightning thunder fire everywhere and you know the Angels screaming your soul you're so holy and now I'm about to talk to him and I'm like you're gonna listen to me and he tells me that I can approach that throne with confidence because it's a throne of grace and he tells me that that being him he loves me and so now I'm just like picture in my head whether I'm on my knees you know I could be on my knees on my face and you know on the ground just imagining being Before the Throne knowing that he hears me and just goes God you're so good why am I here why have you done so much for me what what there's no one like you and and I'll just talk to him but that's very different from just kind of closing your eyes and you know God thanks for this day thanks for uh cross things you know like you're not even thinking about who you're addressing." [00:38:13]

"Yeah, I know that's great first you know I had a great time as a pastor of a mega church I was probably the happiest mega church pastor around I mean I loved it from day one I mean I was just at that church last Sunday um and just being back in the building again just this flood of memories um still have dear dear friends there that I got to connect with over the last few days and so you can understand those early days were awesome unbelievable the growth and I I loved it I loved it all the way till the end at the end it got a little rough because I'm looking at like what I shared like the degree of love that God wants us to have and realizing I didn't I'm just now understanding that in scripture and realizing how important that is to God and I I I failed I know I failed in just wanting too much too soon um I don't know I it started to frustrate people it started to divide the church that was the first time I really saw division there was always people I get mad here and there but they're more of the outliers uh this was like starting to drive a wedge and it just broke my heart I I couldn't I didn't know how to lead the church into this deeper love and so some of the problem was me and so I was like well maybe if I had to leave this could get better." [00:45:30]

"Yeah, I think about what's what Paul says about the Sabbath and how some see one day as holy and others the other day you know some say every day is the same and and I find myself in that passage going okay Paul tell us which one it is you know because you're an apostle lay it out and that seems like a big deal um Sabbath seems like a big one to me uh because that's from the beginning and what are we supposed to do how can we you know yet somehow Paul speaks of it as almost like there's some freedom and maybe even what's right for this guy may not be right for it's it's a little bit too uh uh gray for my likes you know my liking and and so I get it I'm I'm that type of person and when it comes I I also see though in scripture there are those things that are sin issues um and other things that are like these finer points of theology does not have to do with sin um I I think the sin is something we have to keep confronting and we are willing to part ways I mean I believe I'm very strong on those things I don't know of anyone else who's uh you know publicly um you know I I've excommunicated people for divorcing their wives improperly uh for the wrong reason or those types of things where you know I've." [00:50:28]

"Yeah, I just left it I we we once they leave our church uh we just Let It Go I mean they're no longer for us um I don't know if that's the right thing or not um again I I'm trying to think I I'm trying to think what the elders you know we took our stand we said look here's what we see as Cornerstone churches our best understanding of scripture and they're like okay well then I'm out of here um I we felt like our job was done at that point and letting them know look we love you and we just we take you back in a second we just can't let this go on and I've looked at friends and said look if you keep sleeping with that girl I can't even have lunch with you I I don't want to you know it's it's that extreme but you gotta understand like it's out of love like I want you to come back and in a second that I'm just Bound by this book and yet once they leave and as long as they know of my love for them and know why I'm saying what I'm saying is that is my best understanding of what he wants in the church once they leave I feel like my responsibility in that sense is is done I still love them I still pray for them I still pray for people who walked away from the church decades ago." [00:57:48]

"Yeah, I I would say I agree um the main thing I would say is okay a lot of people look at John 17 and just go that's a Unity passage but it's it's it's not primarily and from my understanding of it my reading of it about our Unity with each other it is primarily about this incredible Unity we can have with holy God that is so fascinating to think wait a second you just described God as being on the throne and dwelling in unapproachable lightness Thunder this fire and now you're saying or Christ is saying that he wants us to be perfectly one with him like that's anyway so so I'm not just in front of this throne of grace I am somehow welcomed into this why and this this relationship with a being who is so fascinating and so holy and and unless you get that and unless you wake up and just Marvel and go how can this be how can I be one with you like I'm abiding in you in your love and and when you just recognize you have a fear of the Lord and now you're one with him abiding in him and then suddenly you're realizing other people believe the same thing about themselves and they are one with God that's when the unity is going to come but if we try to skip over the great command of loving God with all our hearts soul mind and strength and we just want to talk Doctrine or try to figure out activities or things we can do to get to know one another better um it's just not going to happen Unity is going to be those who are fascinated by their Oneness with the holy God." [01:02:32]

Chatbot

Transcript

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