Embracing Unity and Forgiveness in Christ
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor reflecting on the passage in John 17, where Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and all believers. The pastor emphasizes the importance of unity in Christianity, urging the congregation to invest their time, resources, and forgiveness in practicing unity, both within the church and in their daily lives. The pastor shares personal stories of visitors and guests who have felt welcomed and loved at the church, highlighting the importance of creating a place where people can belong.
The pastor then addresses the issue of unity within the church and among believers, attributing the lack of unity to our own sinfulness. The pastor points out that the church has become divided into echo chambers, where agreement leads to acceptance and disagreement leads to rejection. However, the pastor reminds the congregation that Jesus did not call us to separate based on theological differences, but to recognize the deeper issue of our sinful nature. The pastor also emphasizes that unity in Christ is not something to be achieved, but something to be embraced.
The pastor also reflects on the unconditional love and forgiveness of God, sharing personal experiences of questioning and doubting God, but always feeling welcomed in the open arms of Christ. The pastor emphasizes the importance of extending forgiveness to others, referencing the story of Peter asking Jesus how many times one should forgive. The pastor concludes with a story about a pastor's childhood friend who was consistently late, illustrating the importance of extending forgiveness in our daily interactions with others.
The pastor then emphasizes the inclusive nature of Christianity, discussing how the church has grown for 2,000 years because it welcomes people from all social classes and can freely move across boundaries worldwide. The pastor also discusses the difficulty of forgiveness and how it is easier to forgive others when we understand how God has forgiven us. The sermon concludes with the pastor reflecting on John chapter 17, emphasizing the importance of unity among believers and the impact it can have on the world's perception of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Unity is the key to making a difference in Christianity. It is not about focusing solely on worship services, messages, programs, or events, but about creating a place where people can belong and feel accepted through Christ's love. ([12:45])
- The lack of unity within the church and among believers is a result of our own sinfulness. Jesus did not call us to separate based on theological differences, but to recognize the deeper issue of our sinful nature. Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved, but something to be embraced. ([24:30])
- The unconditional love and forgiveness of God should inspire us to extend forgiveness to others. Just as God forgives us despite our shortcomings, we should also forgive those who have hurt or betrayed us. ([36:15])
- Christianity is inclusive, welcoming people from all social classes and freely moving across boundaries worldwide. The early church was revolutionary because it brought together people who were traditionally separated. This inclusivity challenged societal norms and continues to do so today. ([48:50])
- Unity among believers is crucial for the world's perception of Jesus. Jesus prayed for unity among believers in John chapter 17, and it is up to us to recognize and live in this unity, investing our time and effort to foster it, and embracing impartiality in order to maintain a united and inclusive community. ([59:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 17:20-26: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
2. Genesis 3: The Fall of Man, where sin entered the world and caused separation between man and God. The specific verses are not quoted, but the event is referred to.
3. Matthew 18:21-22: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What is the main request Jesus makes in his prayer in John 17:20-26?
2. How does Genesis 3 describe the impact of sin on humanity's relationship with God?
3. What does Jesus teach about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-22?
Interpretation Questions:
1. In John 17:20-26, what does Jesus mean when he prays for all believers to be one, just as he and the Father are one?
2. How does the event in Genesis 3 relate to the concept of unity among believers and the divisions that exist?
3. How does Jesus' response to Peter's question in Matthew 18:21-22 challenge our understanding of forgiveness?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent disagreement or conflict you had with a fellow believer. How can Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:20-26 guide your approach to resolving this conflict?
2. Considering the impact of sin as described in Genesis 3, what is one step you can take this week to recognize and address your own sinful nature that might be contributing to disunity?
3. Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you apply Jesus' teaching on forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-22 to this situation?
4. Reflect on your interactions with people from different social classes or backgrounds. How can you better demonstrate the inclusive nature of Christianity in these interactions?
5. What is one specific way you can contribute to unity in your local church community this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Unity in Christ
Unity is not merely about attending worship services or participating in church programs. It is about creating a place where everyone can belong and feel accepted through Christ's love. This sense of belonging is not limited to the church premises but extends to our daily lives, fostering a community that is united in Christ's love. [12:45]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a sense of belonging in your community today? Can you think of a specific action you can take to foster unity in Christ's love?
Day 2: Recognizing Sinfulness as a Barrier to Unity
The lack of unity among believers is often a result of our own sinfulness. Instead of separating based on theological differences, we are called to recognize the deeper issue of our sinful nature. Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved, but something to be embraced. [24:30]
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:10 - "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."
Reflection: How can you embrace unity in Christ despite theological differences? Can you identify a specific instance where you can overlook differences and embrace unity?
Day 3: Extending Forgiveness Inspired by God's Love
God's unconditional love and forgiveness should inspire us to extend the same to others. Just as God forgives us despite our shortcomings, we should also forgive those who have hurt or betrayed us. [36:15]
Bible Passage: Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to extend forgiveness to today? How can you draw on God's forgiveness to help you forgive others?
Day 4: Embracing the Inclusivity of Christianity
Christianity is inclusive, welcoming people from all social classes and freely moving across boundaries worldwide. This inclusivity challenged societal norms and continues to do so today. [48:50]
Bible Passage: Galatians 3:28 - "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you promote inclusivity in your community today? Can you think of a specific action that challenges societal norms and fosters inclusivity?
Day 5: Impacting the World's Perception of Jesus through Unity
Unity among believers is crucial for the world's perception of Jesus. It is up to us to recognize and live in this unity, investing our time and effort to foster it, and embracing impartiality in order to maintain a united and inclusive community. [59:30]
Bible Passage: John 13:35 - "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Reflection: How can your actions today impact the world's perception of Jesus? Can you think of a specific way to demonstrate unity and love to those around you?
Quotes
"We will only make a difference when we practice unity. It's not about a good awesome worship service, it's not about a great message, it's not about programs, it's not about events. It's about when people know that they are loved and welcomed no matter who they are." [24:19]
"People are dying to belong, people are dying to be accepted, people are looking and longing for a place to belong and we have this in Christ. So it's time for us to apply it." [24:58]
"We have failed to live in unity first and foremost because there's a deep needlessness to be sorry, a deep needlessness to be one because of our sin. We fail to be one with one another because of our sin, not somebody else's sin but our own sin." [07:19]
"How common is it that when I see somebody doing something that I don't like, I retract? When somebody says something that I don't agree with, I retract? And now with social media and online, we see so many times right, we have these Echo Chambers. You agree with me politically, oh you're the best. You disagree with me, you're absolutely wrong. And so you create these Echo Chambers online, and sadly the church has morphed into that." [08:00]
"The church grew for 2,000 years because it's the only religion that can freely move across all boundaries worldwide." [13:28]
"Christianity says, 'You're welcome the way you are.'" [14:14]
"Christianity is impartial...everyone is welcome to the table." [15:02]
"Rejected God and God still says I love you...every single time I knew that I was welcome in the Open Arms of Christ because he forgave me completely." [17:19]
"Unity is not something we achieve, but something we embrace. It's not about agreeing on everything, but about loving each other despite our disagreements."
"Unity among believers is not just about us, but about the world's perception of Jesus. When we are united, the world sees a glimpse of Jesus' love and grace."
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