Embracing Unity: A Call to Love and Serve

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in the Body of Christ

True unity is found by focusing on what binds us together, not what separates us. In a world full of differences and disagreements, the call is not to agree on everything, but to fix our eyes and hearts on the core truths that unite us: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. When we strive for unity, especially within the church, we reflect the very heart of God, who desires connection and peace among His people. The words we speak and the attitudes we hold can either build up or tear down this unity. Choose today to be a force for connection, to bring people together, and to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [04:36]

Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV)
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 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: Who is one person in your church or community you can reach out to today to build or restore unity, even if you disagree on some things?

Day 2: The Power of Words to Build or Break Unity

The words we speak have the power to either foster unity or sow division. Speaking ill of others, even in small ways, works against the deep connection God desires for His people. Instead, we are called to use our words to encourage, to heal, and to bring people together. This is not just about avoiding gossip, but about actively choosing to speak life and peace into our families, workplaces, and especially our church. When we align our speech with God’s heart for unity, we participate in His work of bringing wholeness to our communities and to ourselves. [09:50]

Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV)
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."

Reflection: Is there someone you have spoken negatively about or to recently? What would it look like to intentionally speak words of encouragement or reconciliation to them this week?

Day 3: Growing and Maturing in Christ

God loves us deeply as we are, but He also desires for us to grow and mature. Just as a parent delights in each new stage of a child’s development, God delights in our spiritual growth. Maturity in Christ is not about staying the same, but about being built up together as the body of Christ, using the gifts He has given us. This growth happens in community, as we encourage one another and step into the roles God has prepared for us. Embrace the journey of growth, knowing that it is both a privilege and a joy to become more like Christ. [14:00]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV)
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you sense God inviting you to grow or mature? What is a practical step you can take today to move forward?

Day 4: Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Calling

Preparation for what God wants to do through you in the future begins today. Just as you don’t start saving on the day a big bill arrives, you don’t wait for a crisis to start growing in your gifts and character. God has given each of us unique talents and abilities, and He calls us to develop them now, in the quiet and the ordinary, so we are ready for greater opportunities and challenges ahead. Whether your calling is to lead, to teach, to encourage, or to serve, start equipping yourself today so you can step confidently into what God has for you tomorrow. [16:35]

Proverbs 6:6-8 (ESV)
"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest."

Reflection: What is one small, consistent action you can begin today to prepare for the future God may be calling you into?

Day 5: Passing It On—Being a Blessing to the Next Generation

Every generation has the opportunity to shape what the church will be for those who come after. The blessings and support you received when you first arrived—whether it was a welcoming smile, a prepared chair, or a children’s worker—were made possible by those who came before you. Now, you have the chance to do for others what was done for you, or even to rewrite the story for the better if your first experience was difficult. Will you choose to be a blessing, using your gifts to build up others and ensure the next generation finds a church ready to welcome and equip them? [21:05]

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally serve or invest in someone else at church this week, passing on the blessing you have received?

Sermon Summary

Each of us has arrived at this moment by a unique path—some drawn by persistent invitations, others born into church life, and some simply compelled by a longing for something sacred. However you found yourself here, it is no accident. Being part of a community like this is good for the soul; it is a place to grow, to be challenged, and to discover purpose. The words that shape our community—love, equip, celebrate—are not just slogans, but a call to action rooted in the heart of God and the teachings of Paul in Ephesians 4.

Paul, once an enemy of the church, urges us to live lives worthy of our calling, marked by humility, gentleness, patience, and a relentless pursuit of unity. Unity is not about agreeing on everything, but about focusing on what binds us together: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. The call is to strive for connection, to bring people together, and to resist the temptation to speak ill of others. There is a deep spiritual truth here: when we work for unity, we align ourselves with the very heart of God, who is Himself a unity of love.

Love is foundational, but love does not leave us unchanged. Just as a parent delights in the growth of a child, God delights in our growth and maturity. We are each given gifts—talents, abilities, opportunities—not to hoard, but to develop and use for the building up of others. Preparation for the future begins today, in the small, unseen acts of faithfulness. Whether your gift is teaching, leading, encouraging, or serving, now is the time to nurture it, so that when the moment comes, you are ready to serve.

Finally, we are called to pass it on. None of us arrived here without the investment of others—someone set up the chairs, ran the sound, cared for the children, made space for us. The question is: will we be a blessing or a burden? Will we do for others what was done for us? Each generation has the opportunity to shape the church for those who come next. Let us choose to be a blessing, to use our gifts, and to build a legacy of love, unity, and service.

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Key Takeaways

1. Unity Is a Spiritual Calling, Not Uniformity True unity is not about agreeing on every detail, but about focusing on what binds us together in Christ. Paul’s call to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” challenges us to prioritize connection over division. When we work for unity, we participate in the very heart of God, who draws diverse people together into one body. This unity is both a gift and a responsibility, requiring intentional effort in our words and actions. [06:14]
2. The Power of Words to Build or Break Community Our speech has the power to either foster unity or sow division. Choosing not to speak ill of others, especially within the church, is a practical and spiritual discipline. The ancient word “Ihad” points to a unity that is more than just singularity—it is the coming together of different people into deep connection. When we use our words to build up rather than tear down, we align ourselves with God’s creative and reconciling work in the world. [09:50]
3. Growth Is an Expression of Love God’s love for us is unconditional, but it is not static. Just as a parent delights in a child’s growth, God delights in our development and maturity. We are loved as we are, but we are also called to grow, to develop our gifts, and to become more like Christ. This growth is not just for our own sake, but so that we can serve and build up others in the body. [13:15]
4. Preparation Happens in the Shadows Before the Stage The time to prepare for future challenges and opportunities is now, in the quiet and unseen moments. Just as you don’t start saving on the day of a crisis, you don’t develop character and gifts only when they are urgently needed. Faithfulness in small things today equips us for greater responsibilities tomorrow. The habits and disciplines we cultivate now will shape our ability to serve and lead in the future. [16:35]
5. Passing It On: Becoming a Blessing for the Next Generation None of us arrived in this community without the investment of others who prepared the way. We are called to do for others what was done for us, ensuring that the next generation finds a place of welcome, service, and love. This is not just about maintaining what exists, but about rewriting the story for those who come after us—making it better, more gracious, and more Christlike. The choice to be a blessing rather than a burden is a legacy that echoes into the future. [21:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - How We Arrive at Church
[02:03] - Growing Up in Church
[02:59] - The Value of Community
[04:36] - Ephesians 4: Paul’s Call to Unity
[06:14] - Humility, Gentleness, and Bearing with One Another
[07:22] - The Puzzle Story: Putting People Back Together
[09:00] - Unity Over Agreement
[09:50] - The Meaning of “Ihad” and God’s Heart for Unity
[12:30] - Love as the Foundation
[13:15] - Growth and Maturity in Christ
[15:24] - Developing Your Gifts
[15:45] - Preparing for the Future
[18:39] - Practical Steps: Join a Group and Show Up
[19:55] - Passing It On: Serving the Next Generation
[21:05] - Choosing to Be a Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:1-16 (ESV) —
> I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 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.
> But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
> And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
> Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Observation Questions

According to Paul in Ephesians 4, what attitudes and actions are necessary to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” we have received?
What does Paul say is the foundation for unity in the church? What are the “ones” he lists that bind us together?
In the sermon, what practical advice was given for maintaining unity, especially regarding how we speak about others?
What is the purpose of the different gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) that Christ gives to the church?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes humility, gentleness, and patience as key to unity? How might these qualities help prevent division in a church community?
The sermon mentioned the Hebrew word “Ihad,” meaning a unity that brings different people together. How does this idea challenge our usual understanding of unity?
The speaker compared God’s love for us to a parent’s love for a newborn, but also said God delights in our growth. Why is it important that love leads to growth and not just acceptance as we are?
The sermon talked about preparing “in the shadows before the stage.” What does it mean to prepare for future opportunities or challenges in the context of church life?

Application Questions

Think about your own journey to church—were you invited, born into it, or did you come searching for something? How does your story shape the way you welcome others into community?
Paul urges us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” What is one specific situation in your life right now where you could choose unity over division? What would it look like to “bear with one another in love” in that situation?
The sermon challenged us not to speak ill of others, especially in church. Is there a conversation or relationship where you need to change the way you speak about someone? What practical step could you take this week?
The speaker said, “Preparation happens in the shadows before the stage.” What is one small, unseen act of faithfulness you could start doing now to prepare for future opportunities to serve?
Everyone has gifts—teaching, leading, encouraging, serving. What is one gift or ability you sense God has given you? How could you begin to develop or use it more intentionally for the benefit of others?
The sermon asked, “Will you be a blessing or a burden?” Who has been a blessing to you in your faith journey, and how could you “pass it on” to someone else in the church or community?
The speaker said each generation has the chance to “rewrite the story” for those who come next. What is one thing you would like the next generation to experience in church that maybe you didn’t? How could you help make that a reality?

Sermon Clips

Paul doesn't say learn to agree on everything. We're not going to. There's loads of you. And loads of you are probably wrong about loads of stuff. I'm joking, we're just disagreeing. I'm not saying you're actually wrong. I know. A student said to me, I'm a teacher by the way, a student came to me and was like, so is that a fact or is that opinion? And I was like, I tell you the facts if they tell you it's an opinion. But anyway, we're not going to agree on everything. We're not called to agree on everything. But Paul says, fix your eyes and our hearts on what binds us together rather than what separates us. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. [00:09:04] (43 seconds) #UnityInDiversity

In your life you can either work with this call of God at the heart of God and I would say at the heart of creation to move towards connectedness and unity that brings people together. You can choose to live your life in that way or you can choose to with your mouth and your life work against Ihad. And let me tell you Jesus says if you call your brother Raka you're in danger of the fires of hell. He's saying that if you work against this it will tear your communities apart but it will also tear yourself apart. [00:11:24] (31 seconds) #ChooseUnityOrDivision

Because there is something at the heart of God and at the heart of the universe, a heart which works together for unity and connectedness and bringing things together there is a Christ who...is filling the whole universe and you get to choose to work together with that force to bring unity. I will choose, as far as it depends on me, to bring unity and peace within my church with the words that I use. [00:11:56] (22 seconds) #CoCreateWithChrist

We've got these words, love, equip, and celebrate. We need to choose to keep the unity in our families and I think importantly in our church by the words that we speak. [00:12:30] (15 seconds) #WordsBuildUnity

Because God loves you as you are it is our joy and our privilege to grow and develop and mature. In the same way when we get this newborn baby we get so excited every time it learns a new trick. We're like it's crawling! We're telling people on the street, look, it crawls. They don't care, but you're telling them. It can crawl. It can talk. It said its first words. It can walk. [00:14:08] (22 seconds) #CelebrateGrowth

What do you need to do in the shadows to prepare you for the stage I'm saying what do you need to do in the quiet to prepare yourself for the crisis what do we need to do today in order to prepare ourselves for what God wants to call us to do in a year or in two years or in five years as the Chinese proverb says the best time to plant a tree is ten years ago the second best time is today what do we need to do today in order to prepare us for what God is calling us to do in the future. [00:17:11] (29 seconds) #PrepareTodayForTomorrow

Paul says, some of you are apostles. Now, that's a strange word. We don't use it much. For me, an apostle is someone who sets the culture. Some of you are called to do that. And maybe in a year, two years, five years, you're going to be parachuted into a dysfunctional company and you need to set a new culture. But don't expect to do that unless you've learned how to set the culture in your family today. [00:17:40] (25 seconds) #SetCultureAtHome

So some of you are pastors. You've got a gift of that. There's something in you that's called to do that. Let me tell you, in a year's time, two years' time, five years' time, someone might come to you on the worst day of their life and they need empathy and wisdom. But don't think you're going to have empathy and wisdom to give them in two years' time if you haven't learned how to give empathy and wisdom to people who've had a bad day today. [00:18:06] (23 seconds) #EmpathyStartsNow

Some of you are teachers. You've got that gift. Well, you're not going to teach anyone anything in a year unless you start reading books now. It's the 1st of September. It's the first month in my mind of the academic year. What do you need to do today? To equip yourself to step into what God is calling you to do. [00:18:48] (20 seconds) #JoinAndShowUp

My final one is to learn to pass it on. I don't know how you ended up at church. This church or another church. I don't know what your first experiences was. I don't know how that first time went for you, but I do know this. I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, but I don't know how that first time went for you, butit was already there. [00:19:40] (17 seconds) #BlessOrBurden

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