Embracing Unity and Forgiveness in God's Family
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the importance of taking our place in the family of God, both in the upward call of growing closer to Him and in the horizontal relationships with fellow believers. The speaker draws inspiration from Pastor Virgil's message and a movie, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," to illustrate the concept of leaning into the family of God, despite its challenges. The sermon also delves into the transformative power of forgiveness, referencing Micah 7:19 to illustrate the depth of God's forgiveness and the necessity of releasing offenses to allow God to work in the hearts of both the offended and the offenders.
The speaker encourages the congregation to be examples of God's grace and love, urging them to let go of bitterness and frustration. They suggest that God may bring specific individuals to mind who need forgiveness and that seeking help from a therapist or a trusted friend may be necessary in the process of healing. The importance of unity among Christians is highlighted, with a call for love and peace to bind believers together. The speaker expresses concern over the lack of unity in Christianity today and emphasizes the need for honesty, transparency, and coming alongside each other's hurts.
A personal story is shared about attending a meeting with pastors and leaders from different denominations, praying for their city, which showcases the beauty of unity in humility. The speaker also reflects on the importance of making allowances for each other's faults and the need for a united community to accomplish God's work. They reassure the congregation that taking risks and stepping out of comfort zones is necessary to accomplish God's plans.
The sermon concludes with a call to reach the lost and unchurched, reminding them of Jesus' love and the power of the blood of Jesus to wash away sins and mark believers. The speaker also discusses the metaphor of honeycomb and honey, relating it to the structure and pleasure in life, and the importance of creating structure to allow for God's provision and abundance.
Key Takeaways:
- The upward call of God in our lives is not just about personal spiritual growth but also about fulfilling our responsibility to share our faith with others. This outward focus is essential to avoid becoming too engrossed in earthly matters and neglecting the spiritual welfare of those we love. The balance between upward and outward focus is crucial for a fulfilling Christian life. [01:18:26]
- Forgiveness is a powerful act that not only releases the offender but also frees our hearts to allow God to work within us. It is a divine exchange where we hand over the pain and receive peace in return. This act of forgiveness is a testament to the depth of God's forgiveness towards us, as He buries our sins in the depths of the ocean. [01:47:46]
- Unity in the body of Christ is a reflection of Jesus' prayer for His followers. It is achieved through love, peace, and mutual edification. The early church's example of praying, worshiping, and studying together is a model for us to emulate, moving away from individualism towards a community that seeks God's presence collectively. [01:28:40]
- The concept of honeycomb and honey serves as a metaphor for the necessity of structure in our lives. By establishing purpose and priority, we create a framework for God's provision to fill and bring abundance. This principle applies to all areas of life, including relationships, finances, and business organizations. [01:13:50]
- True unity within the church requires more than just surface-level interactions; it involves knowing, seeing, hearing, and loving one another genuinely. This kind of unity is not about being best friends with everyone but about fostering a community where everyone is valued and supported. It is a unity that reflects the heart of Jesus for His church. [01:53:56]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Micah 7:19 - "He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."
2. Colossians 3:12-17 - "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."
3. John 17:20-23 - "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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 have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the five attitudes of unity mentioned in Colossians 3:12-13?
2. According to Micah 7:19, what does God do with our sins?
3. In John 17:20-23, what is Jesus' prayer for His followers regarding unity?
4. What personal story did the speaker share to illustrate the beauty of unity in humility? ([35:09])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of forgiveness, as described in Micah 7:19, reflect the depth of God's forgiveness towards us? ([46:25])
2. What does it mean to "clothe yourselves with love" in the context of Colossians 3:14, and how does this contribute to unity within the church?
3. How can the attitudes of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience foster a more unified church community? ([31:15])
4. Why is it important for Christians to make allowances for each other's faults and forgive one another, as stated in Colossians 3:13? ([39:17])
#### Application Questions
1. Think of a person in your life who has wronged you. How can you begin the process of true forgiveness, as described in the sermon? ([41:29])
2. Reflect on a time when you struggled with bitterness or frustration. How did it affect your relationships with others, and what steps can you take to let go of these feelings? ([54:45])
3. How can you actively contribute to the unity of your church community by practicing the attitudes mentioned in Colossians 3:12-13? ([31:15])
4. Identify a specific way you can show kindness or humility to a fellow church member this week. How might this action help build a stronger sense of community? ([32:30])
5. The speaker mentioned the importance of stepping out of comfort zones to accomplish God's plans. What is one area in your life where you feel called to take a risk for the sake of unity or outreach? ([52:14])
6. How can you create a structure in your life, similar to the honeycomb metaphor, to allow for God's provision and abundance? ([11:14])
7. Reflect on the speaker's call to reach the lost and unchurched. What is one practical step you can take this week to share Jesus' love with someone who doesn't know Him? ([58:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Upward and Outward Call
The Christian journey involves both a personal pursuit of God and a mission to share faith with others. Balancing spiritual growth with the responsibility to reach out ensures that one's focus remains on heavenly matters without neglecting the spiritual needs of those around us. This dual focus is vital for a rich and impactful Christian life. [01:18:26]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you better balance your personal spiritual growth with actively sharing your faith this week?
Day 2: The Divine Exchange of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is an act of liberation, not just for the one who is forgiven, but also for the one who forgives. By releasing the pain and embracing peace, we mirror the profound forgiveness God extends to us, casting our sins into the depths of the sea. This exchange is essential for healing and spiritual freedom. [01:47:46]
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 do you need to forgive, and how can you take the first step towards forgiveness today?
Day 3: Cultivating Unity in Christ
Unity within the body of Christ is not merely a concept but a living reality that should be evident in love, peace, and mutual support. It reflects Jesus' desire for His followers and is built through shared experiences in prayer, worship, and study. This unity is a testament to the power of collective pursuit of God's presence. [01:28:40]
Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to foster deeper unity with fellow believers in your community?
Day 4: Structuring Life for God's Abundance
The honeycomb's structure is a metaphor for the importance of creating a framework in our lives that allows for God's provision. By establishing priorities and purpose, we invite God's abundance into our relationships, finances, and endeavors, ensuring that our lives are filled with His blessings. [01:13:50]
Proverbs 24:3-4 - "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to create more structure to experience God's provision?
Day 5: Pursuing Authentic Church Unity
True unity in the church goes beyond casual interactions; it requires a genuine connection where every individual is seen, heard, and loved. This unity is not about superficial friendships but about creating a supportive community that reflects Jesus' heart for His church. [01:53:56]
1 Peter 3:8 - "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a community where every member feels valued and supported?
Quotes
"Clothe yourself with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony, and let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts." [01:26:37] (Download)
"To be a family that genuinely sees and cares for one another, we need to be able to be honest, transparent, and recognize the hurts of one another and come alongside." [01:28:00] (Download)
"There's power when we come together in agreement; the early church gathered regularly, not sure we see that necessarily in our world today." [01:29:19] (Download)
"Lord, that we would see people with your heart, that we would see them as you see them; that those hurts that we've held on to, those hurts that we're carrying so big so deep, Holy Spirit help us to find your compassion and your heart to be able to forgive." [01:56:50] (Download)
"He took our sins and he buried our sins in the depth of the ocean or the depth of the sea, depending on what translation you're reading. Think about that—I mean, that's deep." [01:45:40] (Download)
"We forgive them so that we can be free and so that then God can work in their hearts because as long as we hold unforgiveness, God cannot work in the heart of that individual." [01:47:07] (Download)
"God wants us to lean in to the family of God, to build community, to build relationship with one another." [01:48:53] (Download)
"The hard part of forgiveness isn't saying the words; it's getting to the place where we meet him. But the hard part of forgiveness means I'm probably going to have to sit in that pain longer than I really want to." [01:41:29] (Download)
"It's impossible to have unity where there's pride. We can't be united if one of us is prideful, because then we are in competition, trying to position ourselves higher, acting like we're higher." [01:34:27] (Download)
"If we want more honey, you cannot have more honey without more honeycomb." [01:11:14] (Download)
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