Embracing Christ's Love: Our Unified Mission
Summary
In our journey with Christ, we are called to a singular, divine mission: to help people discover the transformative love and grace of Jesus. This mission is not about upholding traditions, buildings, or denominational quirks; it's about embodying the character of Christ—love, grace, generosity, justice, compassion, and mercy. We are redeemed and made worthy by His blood, and it is this truth that should be evident in our lives and in our church.
Yet, we must acknowledge that we are flawed—jacked up, as it were. This is a universal condition, affecting every one of us without exception. But Jesus, in His perfection, offers us a simple path that we often complicate. We must resist the temptation to let our opinions overshadow the Word of God. Our unity as a church is not found in uniformity of thought but in our shared love for Christ and our collective mission.
We become unified by recognizing our common enemy—the devil, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. We must not mistake each other for the enemy, but rather join forces against the true adversary. Our unity is further solidified by our common mission, which is to share the Gospel and live out the love of Christ in tangible ways.
The story of Jim, a faithful churchgoer who would simply pray, "Jesus, this is Jim," reminds us of the personal relationship we are invited to have with Jesus. Even in his final moments, Jim heard Jesus calling his name, affirming that no matter our condition, Jesus is there for us.
Our church is committed to walking with you, linking arms, and loving you with an uncommon love that reflects the heart of Jesus. We are a family, united not by our similarities but by the blood of Christ that flows through our veins. This uncommon love is what enables us to embrace each other, regardless of our backgrounds, and to walk together as companions in faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The mission of the church is to lead people to the love and grace of Jesus, not to be consumed by traditions or denominational identifiers. We must focus on what truly matters: reflecting Christ's character in our lives and communities. [54:37]
- Our unity as believers is not based on our perfection but on our shared need for Jesus. We must embrace our flaws and look to Christ as our example, allowing His love to guide us in accepting and supporting one another. [55:43]
- The enemy of the church is not other believers or external differences, but the devil himself. We must recognize our true adversary and unite against the forces of darkness that seek to divide and destroy us. [46:00]
- Engaging in God's mission may be challenging, but we are called to persevere. Like rowing through rough waters, we must commit fully to the task, trusting in God's strength to carry us through the difficult times. [53:17]
- The love of God is an uncommon love that has the power to transform lives. It is through experiencing and sharing this love that we can truly represent Christ to the world and fulfill our mission as His disciples. [59:53]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
2. John 13:34-35 (ESV)
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
3. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
4. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)
"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 28:18-20, what are the specific tasks that Jesus gives to His followers?
2. How does Jesus describe His presence with His disciples in the task of making disciples?
3. According to John 13:34-35, what is the new commandment that Jesus gives, and how will it identify His disciples to others?
4. Reflecting on Ephesians 6:12, who or what are Christians said to be in a struggle against?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Considering the tasks given in Matthew 28:18-20, what might be some of the challenges in fulfilling this mission, and how does Jesus' promise of His presence address those challenges?
2. How does the commandment to love one another in John 13:34-35 challenge the way we interact with fellow believers, especially when we have differences?
3. In light of Ephesians 6:12, how should the understanding of our true adversary influence the way we approach conflicts within the church?
4. What does it mean to be "united in the same mind and the same judgment" as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:10, and how can this unity be achieved despite diverse backgrounds and opinions?
Application Questions:
1. Identify a situation this week where you can demonstrate the love Jesus commands in John 13:34-35. What specific action will you take to show this love?
2. Think of a time when you felt divided from other believers. How can you apply the principle of unity from 1 Corinthians 1:10 to reconcile and strengthen your relationships within the church community?
3. What is one way you can actively participate in the mission of making disciples as described in Matthew 28:18-20? Consider someone in your life who may benefit from learning about Jesus.
4. Reflect on a recent conflict or disagreement you had with someone. How can Ephesians 6:12 guide you to respond differently in the future, knowing who the real enemy is?
5. Choose one aspect of Christ's character, such as compassion or mercy, to intentionally embody this week. What is a practical step you can take to reflect this attribute in your daily interactions?
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting Christ's Character
The true mission of the church extends beyond the walls of tradition and denominational boundaries. It is a call to live out the character of Christ in every interaction and community engagement. This means prioritizing love, grace, generosity, justice, compassion, and mercy—the very attributes that Jesus embodied during His time on earth. As individuals and as a collective body, the focus should be on how these qualities can be reflected in daily life, influencing others not by mere words but through actions that resonate with the heart of the Gospel. The church's role is not to be a monument of the past but a movement of transformation, driven by the example of Christ Himself [54:37].
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35 ESV
Reflection: How can you demonstrate one of Christ's attributes, such as compassion or generosity, in a practical way to someone in your community this week?
Day 2: Embracing Our Shared Need for Jesus
Acknowledging human imperfection is essential in fostering unity within the church. Every individual comes with flaws and shortcomings, yet these do not disqualify anyone from the love and grace of Jesus. Instead, they highlight the need for a Savior. The church should be a place where people can come as they are, find acceptance, and be encouraged to look to Christ as the ultimate example. It is His love that guides believers in supporting one another, creating a community that is not based on perfection but on the shared experience of redemption and growth in faith [55:43].
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2 ESV
Reflection: What is one burden you can help lift from a fellow believer this week, demonstrating the law of Christ?
Day 3: Uniting Against Our Common Adversary
The church must be vigilant in recognizing its true enemy—the devil, who seeks to divide and destroy. It is not fellow believers or external differences that pose the greatest threat, but the forces of darkness that operate against the purposes of God. Unity in the church is fortified when believers stand together against this common adversary, choosing to focus on the mission of sharing the Gospel and living out the love of Christ in tangible ways. This unity is not about uniformity of thought but about a collective commitment to the cause of Christ [46:00].
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the unity of your church community by focusing on the common mission rather than on differences?
Day 4: Persevering in God's Mission
Engaging in God's mission is akin to rowing through rough waters—it requires commitment, strength, and trust in God to carry through the challenges. The journey may be fraught with difficulties, but the calling is to persevere, keeping eyes fixed on the goal. Believers are called to push forward, not in their own strength but with the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. This commitment to God's mission is what propels the church forward, even when the waters get rough [53:17].
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 ESV
Reflection: What is one challenge in your spiritual life where you need to persevere right now, and how can you rely on God's strength to do so?
Day 5: Experiencing and Sharing Uncommon Love
The love of God is a transformative force that transcends human understanding. It is an uncommon love that calls believers to embrace one another, regardless of background, and to walk together in faith. This love has the power to change lives and should be the hallmark of the church's presence in the world. As disciples of Christ, the mission is to not only experience this love personally but to actively share it with others, reflecting the heart of Jesus in every encounter [59:53].
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." - John 13:34 ESV
Reflection: How can you share the uncommon love of God with someone who may feel unloved or marginalized in your community today?
Quotes
1) "Jesus made this process so simple. The church has messed it up. The church has made it difficult. Why? Because the church is people and people are jacked up. Y'all are jacked up. My wife is jacked up. I'm jacked up." [55:43] (Download | )
2) "The one thing Satan wants to do is divide. Why? Because he knows one thing people forget and many Christians forget. We're better together than we are separated. We're stronger together than we are separated." [34:59] (Download | )
3) "One mission. Helping people find the love and the grace of Jesus is our mission." [54:37] (Download | )
4) "The love of God is not common. Loving pizza is common. Loving chips and salsa, that's common. Taco Tuesday, common. But God's love, that's a love that you'll never understand until you experience it." [59:53] (Download | )
5) "The love of God brings forgiveness and heals relationships. My wife and I have had that happen in our life. The love of God overlooks the drug addict. The love of God doesn't look at the sin within a person's life." [01:00:48] (Download | )
6) "We together are to take them in our arms and hold them like they've never been held. Take them by the hand and walk with them as a companion to tell them no matter what you're going through, I'll be right here beside you." [57:44] (Download | )
7) "The church is called to be the most compassionate, grace-filled, most loving and generous place and people on earth." [56:16] (Download | )
8) "The only Bible some people ever read is your attitude, your actions, my attitude, my actions, and it's got to be given through an uncommon love that's called the love of God." [01:00:48] (Download | )
9) "We're supposed to be united together, and sometimes we find ourselves bickering and fighting. The Bible talks about the schisms and the divisions, and when that happens, the enemy comes in many times." [47:22] (Download | )
10) "I don't care where you're at. Doesn't matter the condition of your heart. Doesn't matter if you think you got it all figured out. Doesn't matter if you're mad at your spouse, mad at your kids, mad at your neighbor. Jesus is saying, this is Jesus. I'm here for you." [01:07:32] (Download | )
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