Embracing Unity: God's Kingdom Perspective on Race

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound issue of racial division and the urgent need for unity from a kingdom perspective. The racial divide has been a persistent challenge in America, often manifesting in various societal conflicts and even within the church. Despite our ability to come together in other areas of life, Sunday mornings remain one of the most segregated times of the week. This division persists because we have not fully embraced God's perspective on race and unity.

God's design for humanity includes racial differences, which are meant to be celebrated and embraced as part of His kingdom agenda. This agenda is the visible demonstration of God's comprehensive rule over every area of life. In Revelation 7:9, we see that racial differences continue into eternity, highlighting God's love for variety. Therefore, the goal is not to erase these differences but to achieve oneness of purpose, moving toward a common goal while appreciating the unique contributions each person brings.

Jesus emphasized the importance of unity in His high priestly prayer in John 17, where He prayed for believers to be one so that the world may know God's love. This unity is crucial for the church's witness and the reflection of God's glory. Without it, our efforts as Christians are hindered, and the culture remains in disarray. Paul echoes this in Ephesians 2, where he speaks of the unity between Jews and Gentiles through the blood of Christ, which breaks down barriers and creates one new man.

The process of emulsification, like making mayonnaise, illustrates how seemingly incompatible elements can be brought together through a common agent. In our case, the blood of Christ is the emulsifier that unites us, transcending our differences. Abandoning the cross means abandoning unity. We must embrace our identity in Christ, which transforms us and unites us in purpose.

As members of the body of Christ, we are like a football team, diverse yet united in purpose. Our uniform is the red of Christ's sacrifice, and our goal is to advance His kingdom. Discrimination and division hinder this mission. We must embrace our God-given identities and work together toward His goal line, ensuring that we are advancing, not blocking, the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Perspective on Race: Racial differences are intentional and part of God's kingdom agenda. They are meant to be celebrated and embraced, not erased. This perspective helps us understand that unity is about oneness of purpose, not sameness of being. [03:20]

- Unity as a Witness: Jesus prayed for unity among believers so that the world may know God's love. Our unity is crucial for the church's witness and the reflection of God's glory. Without it, our efforts as Christians are hindered. [05:45]

- The Role of the Cross: The blood of Christ is the emulsifier that unites us, transcending our differences. Abandoning the cross means abandoning unity. Our identity in Christ transforms us and unites us in purpose. [09:52]

- Teamwork in the Kingdom: Like a football team, we are diverse yet united in purpose. Our uniform is the red of Christ's sacrifice, and our goal is to advance His kingdom. Discrimination and division hinder this mission. [12:02]

- Advancing God's Kingdom: Embrace your God-given identity and work together toward God's goal line. Ensure that you are advancing, not blocking, the kingdom of God. Discrimination interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom. [13:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:05] - The Racial Divide in America
- [01:42] - God's Perspective on Race
- [02:12] - The Kingdom Agenda
- [03:20] - Embracing Racial Differences
- [03:55] - Unity vs. Sameness
- [05:05] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
- [06:22] - The Importance of Unity
- [06:57] - One New Man in Christ
- [08:15] - The Process of Emulsification
- [09:52] - The Role of the Cross
- [10:56] - Teamwork in the Kingdom
- [12:02] - Oneness of Purpose
- [12:33] - Advancing God's Kingdom
- [13:04] - Embracing Your Identity

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 7:9
2. John 17:21-23
3. Ephesians 2:13-15

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Revelation 7:9, what does the presence of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue in heaven suggest about God's view on racial differences? [03:20]

2. In John 17:21-23, what does Jesus pray for concerning the unity of believers, and why is this unity important for the world? [05:05]

3. How does Ephesians 2:13-15 describe the role of Christ's sacrifice in breaking down barriers between different groups? [06:57]

4. What analogy does the sermon use to explain how unity can be achieved among diverse groups, and what is the key element that brings them together? [08:15]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the vision in Revelation 7:9 challenge the idea that racial differences should be erased rather than celebrated? What does this imply about God's kingdom agenda? [03:20]

2. In John 17:21-23, Jesus links unity among believers to the world knowing God's love. How might this unity serve as a witness to non-believers? [05:45]

3. Ephesians 2:13-15 speaks of creating "one new man" through Christ. What does this concept of "one new man" mean in the context of racial unity? [06:57]

4. The sermon uses the process of emulsification as an analogy for unity. How does this analogy help explain the role of the cross in uniting diverse groups? [09:52]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own church experience. Have you noticed racial or cultural divisions during worship times? How can you personally contribute to fostering unity within your church community? [01:05]

2. Jesus prayed for unity among believers so that the world may know God's love. What practical steps can you take to promote unity in your interactions with believers from different backgrounds? [05:05]

3. The sermon suggests that abandoning the cross leads to abandoning unity. How can you ensure that your identity in Christ remains central in your relationships with others? [09:52]

4. Consider the analogy of a football team used in the sermon. How can you embrace your unique role in advancing God's kingdom while working together with others who have different roles? [10:56]

5. The sermon mentions that discrimination interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom. Are there any biases or prejudices you need to address in your own life to better align with God's kingdom agenda? [13:04]

6. How can you celebrate and embrace the racial and cultural differences of those around you in a way that honors God's design and advances His kingdom? [03:20]

7. Think of a specific situation where you witnessed or experienced division within the church. What steps can you take to bring reconciliation and unity in similar situations in the future? [06:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Celebrating God's Design in Diversity
God's perspective on race is that racial differences are intentional and part of His kingdom agenda. These differences are not to be erased but celebrated and embraced. This understanding helps us see that unity is about oneness of purpose, not sameness of being. In Revelation 7:9, we see a vision of a diverse multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of God. This image reflects God's love for variety and His design for humanity to be diverse yet united in purpose. Embracing this perspective allows us to appreciate the unique contributions each person brings to the kingdom of God. [03:20]

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" (Revelation 5:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you celebrate and embrace the racial and cultural differences in your community today, recognizing them as part of God's intentional design?


Day 2: Unity as a Reflection of God's Love
Jesus prayed for unity among believers so that the world may know God's love. This unity is crucial for the church's witness and the reflection of God's glory. Without it, our efforts as Christians are hindered, and the culture remains in disarray. In John 17, Jesus' high priestly prayer emphasizes the importance of believers being one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is not about uniformity but about being united in purpose and love. When the church embodies this unity, it becomes a powerful testimony to the world of God's love and transformative power. [05:45]

"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." (John 17:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the unity of your church community, reflecting God's love to the world around you?


Day 3: The Cross as the Emulsifier of Unity
The blood of Christ is the emulsifier that unites us, transcending our differences. Abandoning the cross means abandoning unity. Our identity in Christ transforms us and unites us in purpose. Just as emulsification brings together seemingly incompatible elements, the cross brings together people from diverse backgrounds and unites them in Christ. This unity is not based on human efforts but on the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. Embracing our identity in Christ allows us to transcend our differences and work together toward a common goal. [09:52]

"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow the cross to be the unifying factor in your relationships, transcending any differences you may have with others?


Day 4: Teamwork in Advancing God's Kingdom
Like a football team, we are diverse yet united in purpose. Our uniform is the red of Christ's sacrifice, and our goal is to advance His kingdom. Discrimination and division hinder this mission. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to work together, each bringing our unique gifts and perspectives to the table. This teamwork is essential for advancing God's kingdom and ensuring that we are moving forward, not blocking, His purposes. Embracing our God-given identities and working together allows us to effectively advance toward God's goal line. [12:02]

"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." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts and perspectives can you bring to your church community to help advance God's kingdom?


Day 5: Embracing Your God-Given Identity
Embrace your God-given identity and work together toward God's goal line. Discrimination interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom. Recognizing and embracing who God has created you to be is essential for fulfilling your role in His kingdom. When we understand our identity in Christ, we can confidently contribute to the mission of advancing His kingdom. This involves setting aside any prejudices or divisions that may hinder our progress and working together with others to achieve God's purposes. [13:04]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you fully embrace your identity in Christ today and use it to contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom?

Quotes


The issue of race has dominated America since its inception. Our inability to resolve and solve this challenge has been an asterisk on an otherwise impeccable reputation for our country. Divisions show up in race and class and culture that has created wars, created internal conflicts, family divisions, riots, and all manner of other expressions of this horrible divide. [00:00:37]

What's even worse is that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is often the most segregated hour of the week. While people will play basketball together, while people will do drugs together, while people will do a whole bevy of things together, when it comes to racial relationships, especially in the Christian context, they often break up and go their separate ways. [00:01:14]

God's design was for there always to be racial differences among people. In fact, those differences go all the way into eternity. For example, in Revelations chapter 7 verse 9, the Apostle John said he looked up to heaven and when he did he saw people from every nation, every tribe, every kindred, and every tongue. These people in eternity still had their racial differences and they were visible. [00:03:40]

Unity can be defined as oneness of purpose. It's not sameness of being. It means you're moving toward a common goal. You're moving toward a common agenda, utilizing, embracing, recognizing, and appreciating the differences everyone brings to the table. Now, this is no small issue and here's why. Jesus, in His high priestly prayer, prayed a prayer that will blow your mind and that will underscore why this issue of unity, particularly racial unity, is absolutely critical. [00:04:47]

Jesus Christ says unity is absolutely critical if His name is going to be made great and if God's glory is going to be revealed. I don't care what else we do as Christians, if we do not address the unity issue across race and culture and class lines, we're blocking the witness of Christ and we're limiting the reflection of the glory of God. [00:06:09]

God calls this unity one new man. In Ephesians, for example, chapter 2, Paul is writing to this church and he wants them to know how important unity is for the advancement of God's kingdom in history. And when he writes them he says this, "But now in Christ Jesus"—verse 13 of Ephesians 2—"you who were formerly far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [00:07:05]

How the cross is the emulsifier, and the process of emulsification is very interesting. It's the process of bringing things together that otherwise wouldn't fit. For example, you take mayonnaise. I love me some mayonnaise on my sandwich. I am definitely a mayonnaise man, not a mustard man. But mayonnaise is made up of products they can't get along: oil and water. [00:08:09]

Emulsification is that process where you introduce another object that can relate to the objects that do not connect in order to bring them together and hold them together so you can create something brand-new—mayonnaise. When it comes to mayonnaise, the emulsifier: eggs. Eggs are introduced to oil and water. The eggs grab the oil, the eggs grab the water, and hooks them up—brings them together so that they stay together so I can have some good sandwiches. [00:09:08]

Guess what? God has provided some emulsification. Ephesians 2 says it's the blood of Christ. The blood of Jesus Christ reaches out to people from different histories, different backgrounds, different cultures, different classes, and pulls them together and holds them together as long as they don't abandon the cross. You abandon the egg, you don't get the mayonnaise. You abandon the cross, you don't get the unity. [00:09:47]

Teams are made up of people of different races, different backgrounds, different histories, different cultures, but you still only have one team, in our case, the Dallas Cowboys. When they take the field, their humanity stays intact, but they're covered by another uniform, and that uniform is the same on every player. They have oneness of uniform and function with oneness of purpose without denying their created humanity. [00:10:57]

God wants you to score some touchdowns for the kingdom of God, but you can't do it as a lone ranger. You can't do it by yourself. You got to do it as part of a team. And if the Church can ever get it right and we can ever let everyone know who enters our doors or who leaves them that you're part of something bigger than you, and that, as James chapter 2 says, there's no place for discrimination because discrimination interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom. [00:12:37]

Are you blocking the kingdom of God, or are you advancing it? Be proud of what God has made you. Embrace it. Just make sure you're headed toward God's goal line and not your own. [00:13:13]

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Transcript
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