Embracing Unity and Humility in the Church
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we gathered to discuss the importance of unity within the church and the need to return to the core values that Jesus taught us. We began by emphasizing the significance of baptism as a public declaration of faith and the power of corporate prayer. The heart of today's message was directed at believers, urging us to reflect on the current state of the church and the reasons behind the decline in attendance, especially among younger generations.
Statistics show that many people feel disconnected, judged, or find the church irrelevant. We must address these issues by embodying the love and acceptance that Jesus demonstrated. The church should not be a place of segregation based on race, denomination, or social status but a unified body working together to reach others for Christ.
We explored Luke 9:46-50, where Jesus teaches that greatness in the kingdom of God is about humility and service, not status or competition. The disciples' argument over who was the greatest highlighted a misunderstanding of their relationship with Jesus and each other. Jesus used a child to illustrate that welcoming and serving the least among us is the path to true greatness.
We also discussed the dangers of creating a Jesus in our image rather than conforming to His image. The church must focus on making disciples and spreading the gospel rather than competing with other ministries. We are all part of the same body of Christ, and our mission is to bring heaven to earth by showing the same life-changing Jesus to others.
Finally, we were reminded that our primary identity is in Christ, and our loyalty to Him and each other should surpass any other allegiance. We must come together, set aside our differences, and work as one to fulfill the mission of reaching others for Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Baptism and Corporate Prayer: Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing the internal transformation that has already occurred. Corporate prayer is essential for aligning the church with God's will and preparing us to fulfill our mission. We must encourage participation in these practices to strengthen our community and witness. [22:37]
2. Addressing Church Decline: The decline in church attendance, especially among younger generations, is often due to feelings of judgment, disconnection, and irrelevance. To counter this, we must embody the love and acceptance of Jesus, making the church a welcoming and relevant place for all. [26:35]
3. Unity and Humility: True greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humility and service. Jesus taught that welcoming and serving the least among us is the path to true greatness. We must set aside our desires for status and competition and focus on serving others. [31:58]
4. Conforming to Jesus' Image: We must resist the temptation to create a Jesus that fits our image and instead conform to His image. The church's mission is to make disciples and spread the gospel, not to compete with other ministries. We are all part of the same body of Christ. [35:52]
5. Primary Identity in Christ: Our primary identity is in Christ, and our loyalty to Him and each other should surpass any other allegiance. We must come together, set aside our differences, and work as one to fulfill the mission of reaching others for Jesus. [54:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:37] - Importance of Baptism
[23:25] - Corporate Prayer Initiative
[24:12] - Message for Believers
[24:50] - Decline in Church Attendance
[26:35] - Reasons for Decline
[28:59] - Addressing Irrelevance and Hypocrisy
[30:22] - Creating a Welcoming Church
[31:58] - True Greatness in Humility
[33:57] - Segregation in the Church
[35:52] - Conforming to Jesus' Image
[37:46] - Misguided Self-Centeredness
[39:15] - Serving Others
[45:29] - Misguided Divisions
[54:49] - Primary Identity in Christ
[01:00:02] - Call to Unity and Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 9:46-50: "An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.' 'Master,' said John, 'we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him because he is not one of us.' 'Do not stop him,' Jesus said, 'for whoever is not against you is for you.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What was the argument among the disciples about in Luke 9:46?
2. How did Jesus respond to the disciples' argument about who would be the greatest? ([31:58])
3. What does Jesus use to illustrate true greatness in the kingdom of God? ([31:58])
4. According to the sermon, what are some reasons for the decline in church attendance, especially among younger generations? ([26:35])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose a child to illustrate His point about greatness in the kingdom of God? ([31:58])
2. How does the concept of welcoming and serving "the least among us" challenge our modern understanding of greatness and success? ([31:58])
3. What does it mean to conform to Jesus' image rather than creating a Jesus that fits our image? ([35:52])
4. How can the church embody the love and acceptance of Jesus to counter feelings of judgment and disconnection? ([30:22])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own experiences with church. Have you ever felt judged or disconnected? How can you help create a more welcoming environment for others? ([26:35])
2. In what ways can you practice humility and service in your daily life to reflect true greatness as taught by Jesus? ([31:58])
3. Think about a time when you might have tried to fit Jesus into your own image. How can you work on conforming more to His image instead? ([35:52])
4. How can you actively participate in corporate prayer and encourage others to join, as emphasized in the sermon? ([23:25])
5. Identify one specific action you can take this week to show love and acceptance to someone who feels disconnected from the church. ([30:22])
6. How can you contribute to the unity of the church, setting aside differences in race, denomination, or social status? ([33:57])
7. What steps can you take to ensure that your primary identity remains in Christ, surpassing any other allegiance? ([54:49])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Baptism and Corporate Prayer
Baptism is a profound public declaration of faith, symbolizing the internal transformation that has already occurred within a believer. It is an outward expression of an inward change, marking the beginning of a new life in Christ. Corporate prayer, on the other hand, is essential for aligning the church with God's will and preparing us to fulfill our mission. When we come together in prayer, we invite God's presence and power into our midst, strengthening our community and witness.
Encouraging participation in these practices is crucial for the spiritual health of the church. Baptism and corporate prayer are not just rituals; they are vital components of our faith journey. By engaging in these practices, we affirm our commitment to Christ and to each other, fostering a sense of unity and purpose within the church. [22:37]
Acts 2:41-42 (ESV): "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in corporate prayer this week, and who can you encourage to take the step of baptism?
Day 2: Addressing Church Decline with Love and Acceptance
The decline in church attendance, especially among younger generations, is often attributed to feelings of judgment, disconnection, and irrelevance. Many people feel that the church does not address their needs or understand their struggles. To counter this trend, it is imperative that we embody the love and acceptance that Jesus demonstrated. The church should be a welcoming and relevant place for all, where everyone feels valued and understood.
By creating an environment of genuine love and acceptance, we can bridge the gap between the church and those who feel alienated. This involves listening to people's concerns, addressing their needs, and showing them that they are not alone. It is through our actions and attitudes that we can make the church a place where everyone feels at home. [26:35]
Romans 15:7 (ESV): "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
Reflection: Think of someone who feels disconnected from the church. How can you reach out to them this week and show them the love and acceptance of Jesus?
Day 3: True Greatness in Humility and Service
True greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humility and service. Jesus taught that welcoming and serving the least among us is the path to true greatness. The disciples' argument over who was the greatest highlighted a misunderstanding of their relationship with Jesus and each other. Jesus used a child to illustrate that greatness is not about status or competition but about humility and service.
As followers of Christ, we must set aside our desires for status and competition and focus on serving others. This means putting the needs of others before our own and seeking opportunities to serve those who are often overlooked. By doing so, we reflect the heart of Jesus and demonstrate what true greatness looks like in the kingdom of God. [31:58]
Mark 9:35-37 (ESV): "And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, 'If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.' And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 'Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.'"
Reflection: Identify a specific way you can serve someone in need this week. How can you demonstrate humility in your daily interactions?
Day 4: Conforming to Jesus' Image, Not Ours
We must resist the temptation to create a Jesus that fits our image and instead conform to His image. The church's mission is to make disciples and spread the gospel, not to compete with other ministries. We are all part of the same body of Christ, and our focus should be on reflecting His character and teachings in our lives.
Conforming to Jesus' image means embracing His values, attitudes, and behaviors. It requires us to let go of our own agendas and align ourselves with His will. By doing so, we can effectively fulfill the mission of the church and bring the life-changing message of Jesus to others. [35:52]
Colossians 3:10 (ESV): "And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to shape Jesus into your image? How can you intentionally conform to His image instead?
Day 5: Our Primary Identity in Christ
Our primary identity is in Christ, and our loyalty to Him and each other should surpass any other allegiance. We must come together, set aside our differences, and work as one to fulfill the mission of reaching others for Jesus. This unity is essential for the effectiveness of the church and for demonstrating the love of Christ to the world.
When we recognize that our identity is rooted in Christ, it changes the way we interact with others. We begin to see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, united by a common purpose. This perspective helps us to overcome divisions and work together to advance the kingdom of God. [54:49]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "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: Reflect on any divisions or conflicts you have with fellow believers. How can you work towards unity and reconciliation in those relationships?
Quotes
1. "When you get baptized, it is an expression, the public expression of your faith in Jesus Christ. It is the outward expression of what's already taken place on the inside of you. So I encourage you to bring some people with you, all right? Next week, we're going to baptize folks right here in service. I know in the past, y'all have done it downstairs. We're going to do it in the middle of service next week. We're going to make it part of our worship service next week." [22:37] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are in a time in this country, in this world right now, where God wants to move and do something in people's lives. And unless the church is lined up and ready, it's going to be hard for us to fulfill our mission as the church. Amen?" [24:12] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we loved the way Jesus loved, there would be a line out our doors of people trying to get in them. As a church, if we love the way that Jesus loved, we couldn't keep folks out of this building on Sunday mornings. Jesus said that people will know you belong to him by the love you show." [30:22] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We segregate ourselves based on denomination, on color, on political, social, you name it. We segregate ourselves in buildings called churches based on our likes or dislikes. Every Sunday, you can roll down the street and you can find whatever flavor of church you prefer. At the end of the day, if I want to go to a church with a bunch of people that look like me, I can do it." [31:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The body of Christ should be like-minded individuals with the same goal and that is to reach people for Jesus. That's it. But in our human abilities we have managed to make church about us and not God and we have a misguided self-centeredness." [37:46] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God doesn't come to you and call you based on how great you are. He comes to you and calls you based on your willingness to serve him. That's it. The giftings that he gave you to begin with, they're not yours. And if he so chooses, he can take it away. He called us to serve." [40:52] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Christianity is not about who's greater or more knowledgeable. It's not about getting on Instagram and showing how good we are, but it is about drawing people to Jesus. Now listen, I think we ought to showcase what we're doing as a church. Don't get me wrong. When we put on an event here at this church and there's 1,500 to 2,000 people that show up, we're going to post pictures of God moving in a community." [43:57] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We have to stop seeing each other as competition and opponents and look at everyone as members of the body of Christ, brothers and sisters. In John chapter 17, Jesus prays multiple times that his disciples and that the believers would be one. In other words, we've got it messed up, right? He says it over and over. Just because someone doesn't look like you or doesn't sound like you does not mean God is not using them." [48:50] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We have to come together and quit allowing politics and race and social status and theological stances, divide us from other Christians. I don't care if you speak in tongues and believe in it or if you don't. If you are talking about leading people to Jesus, I can hook up with you and we could do this thing." [53:37] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We are Christians first. That's our primary identity and anything we value outside of that identity must line up with the word of God and if it doesn't line up with the word of God, it is of no value to me. If we allow politics or our race or our social status or our theological stances to divide us from other Christians, we deny the supremacy of Jesus and we embrace those things as idols." [55:38] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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