Embracing Diversity and Unity in Christ's Church

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Diversity as a Reflection of the Gospel

The church is called to mirror the diversity of its community, welcoming all whom God brings into its path. This diversity is not just a social ideal but a testament to the gospel's power to reconcile and unite people from different backgrounds. As the community around Prairie Creek Baptist Church changed, the church responded by becoming a trilingual congregation, offering services in English, Spanish, and Kinyarwanda. This transformation illustrates the church's commitment to inclusivity and its recognition that the gospel transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. By embracing diversity, the church becomes a living example of the unity and reconciliation that the gospel offers to the world. [07:08]

"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. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Consider the diversity within your own community. How can you actively participate in making your church a more welcoming and inclusive place for people from different backgrounds?

Day 2: Recognizing the Contributions of Women in Ministry

Paul's commendation of Phoebe and Prisca in Romans 16 challenges traditional views on women's roles in the church. It highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of women in ministry. Phoebe is acknowledged as a deaconess, and Prisca, along with her husband Aquila, is noted for her significant role in the early church. These examples from the early Christian community remind us that the gifts and contributions of women are vital to the life and mission of the church. Embracing this perspective encourages a more inclusive and holistic approach to ministry, where all members are empowered to serve according to their gifts and calling. [13:05]

"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well." (Romans 16:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on the women in your church community. How can you support and encourage their involvement and leadership in ministry?

Day 3: The Power of Collaboration and Unity

Paul's connections with the Roman church, despite never having visited, demonstrate the power of collaboration and unity in the body of Christ. The early Christian community was marked by a deep sense of interconnectedness, where individuals from diverse backgrounds worked together to advance the gospel. This unity is a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel and a reminder that the church is not meant to be a collection of isolated congregations but a global family. By setting aside competition and territorialism, the church can focus on collaboration and mutual support, fulfilling God's mission more effectively. [39:52]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a neighboring church or ministry. How can you collaborate with them to serve your community better and advance God's kingdom together?

Day 4: Embracing the Toil and Hardship of Ministry

Following Christ involves toil and hardship, but these challenges are opportunities for growth and service. The concept of toiling in the Lord emphasizes that dedication, endurance, and sometimes suffering are integral to the Christian journey. These hardships are not failures but opportunities for God to work through us in profound ways. As we face challenges, we are shaped and refined, becoming a blessing to others. This perspective encourages believers to persevere in their faith, trusting that God is using their struggles for His purposes. [40:59]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a current challenge or hardship in your life. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and service, trusting that God is at work in and through it?

Day 5: Unity in the Global Church

The church is a global family, and we are called to support and collaborate with one another across congregations and cultures. This unity is a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel and a reflection of God's kingdom. By working together, the church can more effectively advance God's mission and demonstrate the love and reconciliation that the gospel offers. This requires setting aside differences and focusing on the common goal of spreading the gospel and serving others. As believers, we are called to be peacemakers and bridge-builders, fostering unity within the global church. [45:22]

"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: Consider how you can contribute to the unity of the global church. What steps can you take to support and collaborate with believers from different cultures and backgrounds?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, I shared my journey and the lessons God has been teaching me about the importance of diversity and collaboration within the church. When I began pastoring at Prairie Creek Baptist Church, the community was undergoing significant demographic changes, and it became clear that the church needed to reflect this diversity. This led us to become a trilingual congregation, with services in English, Spanish, and Kinyarwanda, demonstrating that the church should be open to all whom God brings into our path.

Reflecting on Paul's letter to the Romans, particularly chapter 16, we see a powerful example of collaboration and unity in the early church. Paul, despite never having visited Rome, knew many individuals there by name, highlighting the interconnectedness of the early Christian community. He commends Phoebe, a deaconess, and acknowledges the contributions of Prisca and Aquila, among others, illustrating the diverse roles and backgrounds of those who served in the early church. This passage challenges us to recognize and embrace the gifts and contributions of all members, regardless of gender or background.

Furthermore, the concept of toiling in the Lord is emphasized. Following Christ is not always easy; it requires dedication, endurance, and sometimes suffering. Yet, it is through these challenges that God shapes us and uses us to bless others. The hardships we face are not failures but opportunities for God to work through us in profound ways.

Finally, the message underscores the necessity of working together as a unified body of Christ. The church is not meant to be a collection of isolated congregations but a global family working together to advance God's kingdom. This requires setting aside competition and territorialism, focusing instead on collaboration and mutual support.

Key Takeaways

1. Embracing Diversity in the Church: The church must reflect the diversity of its community, welcoming all whom God brings into our path. This diversity is a testament to the gospel's power to reconcile and unite people from different backgrounds. [07:08]
2. The Role of Women in Ministry: Paul's commendation of Phoebe and Prisca challenges traditional views on women's roles in the church. It highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of women in ministry. [13:05]
3. The Importance of Collaboration: Paul's connections with the Roman church, despite never visiting, demonstrate the power of collaboration and unity in the body of Christ. We are called to work together, not in isolation, to fulfill God's mission. [39:52]
4. Toiling in the Lord: Following Christ involves toil and hardship, but these challenges are opportunities for growth and service. God uses our struggles to shape us and make us a blessing to others. [40:59]
5. Unity in the Global Church: The church is a global family, and we are called to support and collaborate with one another across congregations and cultures. This unity is a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel. [45:22]
** [45:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:00] - Embracing Diversity in Ministry
[07:08] - Becoming a Trilingual Congregation
[08:05] - The Call to Collaboration
[08:50] - Paul's Letter to the Romans
[09:46] - Paul's Connection to the Roman Church
[10:30] - Commending Phoebe
[13:05] - The Role of Women in the Early Church
[17:18] - Prisca and Aquila's Ministry
[23:28] - Understanding Gender Roles in Scripture
[25:30] - The Toil of Ministry
[26:35] - Andronicus and Junia: Notable Apostles
[30:18] - The Early Christian Community in Rome
[39:52] - The Importance of Unity
[45:22] - Partnering in Kingdom Work

Sermon Clips

1) "I was becoming convicted that the segregated church is a disservice to the gospel. And that the church needs to illustrate to the world the reconciliation that is the gospel. And if we can't break down those barriers in the church, then what kind of a gospel are we sharing? Now I'm aware of a little bit of your congregation's makeup and a little bit of your philosophy. So I think we're on the same page there. I think you guys understand that as well." [06:00] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "And what I feel like God's been laying on my heart recently is that we are meant to do this together. And that's not just within a local congregation. But all of the congregations are meant to be working together. And that's something that. Being approached recently by Craig Curry about this has really opened my eyes to." [08:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Deacon is really not an English word. It's a Greek word. We've just copied the letters into English. The Greek word deacon means servant. As in the person who serves you food at a table. The person who is attending to you in your house. The servant. That's it. It wasn't any more technical than that. Servant. And people in the congregation started using this term to describe people who weren't serving other people in the life of the church." [13:05] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "We are reminded that Christ changes our status. And that his approval. Makes something different of us. Greet those of Aristobulus. This is a fascinating possibility. Aristobulus. There was an Aristobulus. Who was the brother of Herod Agrippa the first. Grandson of Herod the great. Who was. Sent off to Rome to get him out of the way. Could it possibly be. This Aristobulus we are referencing here." [31:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Greet one another. With a holy kiss. All the congregations of Christ greet you. Paul often said that at the end of his letters. Greet one another with a holy kiss. Because genuine. Sincere. Physical affection. Has to be a part of the life of the church. Now it's not lewd. You're not using it as some excuse. To take advantage of somebody. It's a holy kiss. In other words. There's purity of intent. And execution. In what you're talking about." [36:35] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "What do we make of this? This list of people. And isn't it shocking. That Paul has so many people. He can address directly. By name. And not just. I've heard of these folks. He's just talking about the people. He intimately. Personally knows. To the point they are beloved. They are fellow workers. They have shared the work of ministry with him. Paul was no lone wolf. He wasn't out there charting his own path." [38:13] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "I think we're reminded. That following Christ. Is going to be hard. The word toil. Should describe. What we're experiencing. As we follow Christ. I don't know where we get it from. Because Jesus was very clear. If you follow me. It's going to get rough. But we have this ridiculous thought. That somehow following Christ. Means God is going to exempt us. From any difficulties. That we somehow get a pass. The rest of the world is dying around us. But we get a pass. To have the easy life." [40:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "Sometimes. The agony you are experiencing. Is not about you at all. It's about God shaping your heart. So that you become the adequate person. For somebody else who's broken. We need to embrace that. One more thing I think is important. Is that it's obvious. In this list. That gospel work. Happens most powerfully. When we do not isolate ourselves. From each other." [44:06] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "And that is what I think God has really laid on my heart. Most recently. That he wants us. To do this together. That he wants us to partner. In the work of kingdom building. And it's an embarrassment. How many times we as churches. Have been competitive. And exclusionary. And territorial. Like it was. My kingdom. Like it's what I'm building. It has nothing to do with me. It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about surrendering together. To the Lord Jesus Christ." [45:22] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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