Embracing Unity in Diversity Within the Church
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the importance of unity within the church, especially when faced with differing opinions and practices. We began by reflecting on the first 11 chapters of Romans, which focus on how we are reconnected to God through grace and faith in Jesus Christ. This foundational understanding of justification sets the stage for the latter chapters, which guide us on how to live out our faith in practical ways ([50:03]).
In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as our spiritual act of worship. This transformation involves renewing our minds and not conforming to the patterns of this world. This principle extends to how we interact with governmental authorities, emphasizing respect and prayer regardless of our personal opinions ([51:23]).
Moving into chapters 14 and 15, Paul addresses the challenges of maintaining unity within the church despite differing opinions on secondary matters. He highlights the importance of accepting one another, just as Christ accepted us, to bring praise to God. This acceptance is not merely tolerating but actively welcoming each other into fellowship ([52:04]).
We discussed the practical implications of this teaching, using examples from our own church history and other congregations. Issues like worship styles, Bible translations, and even the color of the carpet have caused unnecessary divisions. Paul’s message is clear: we should not let secondary issues divide us. Instead, we should focus on the core principles of our faith—grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and Scripture alone ([46:12]).
Paul also addresses the specific issues faced by the Roman believers, such as dietary practices and the observance of special days. He emphasizes that each person should be fully convinced in their own mind and act in love, avoiding actions that might cause others to stumble. This principle of love limiting liberty is crucial for maintaining unity and mutual edification within the church ([53:10]).
We concluded with a call to prayer and repentance, acknowledging our past failures in maintaining unity and asking for God’s forgiveness and guidance. We prayed for a spirit of charity and understanding, so that we might grow together in love and bring united praise to God ([01:15:19]).
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Diversity: The church is called to embrace diversity in non-essential matters while maintaining unity in core beliefs. This means accepting one another as Christ accepted us, focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us. By doing so, we bring glory to God and demonstrate His love to the world. [52:04]
2. Love Limits Liberty: While we have freedom in Christ, this freedom should be exercised with love and consideration for others. Paul teaches that we should avoid actions that might cause others to stumble, even if those actions are permissible for us. This principle of love limiting liberty helps maintain peace and mutual edification within the church. [53:10]
3. Respect for Governmental Authorities: Living a transformed life includes respecting and praying for governmental authorities, regardless of our personal opinions. This respect is part of our witness as Christians and reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty over all authorities. [51:23]
4. Avoiding Unnecessary Divisions: Many church divisions arise from disagreements over secondary issues. Paul urges us to focus on the core principles of our faith and to handle differences with charity and understanding. By doing so, we prevent unnecessary divisions and promote a spirit of unity and love. [46:12]
5. Active Acceptance: Accepting one another goes beyond mere tolerance; it involves actively welcoming each other into fellowship and friendship. This kind of acceptance reflects the love of Christ and helps build a strong, united church community. [52:04]
### YouTube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [50:03] - Justification by Faith
- [51:23] - Living Sacrifices and Governmental Authorities
- [52:04] - Unity in the Church
- [46:12] - Avoiding Unnecessary Divisions
- [53:10] - Love Limits Liberty
- [01:15:19] - Call to Prayer and Repentance
- [01:18:23] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1-2
2. Romans 14:1-4
3. Romans 15:5-7
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:1-2, what does Paul urge believers to do as their spiritual act of worship?
2. In Romans 14:1-4, how does Paul instruct believers to handle differences in dietary practices?
3. What does Romans 15:5-7 say about the attitude believers should have towards one another to bring glory to God?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices in Romans 12:1-2? How does this relate to not conforming to the patterns of this world? [51:23]
2. How does the principle of "love limiting liberty" in Romans 14:1-4 help maintain unity within the church? What are some modern examples of this principle in action? [53:10]
3. In Romans 15:5-7, Paul prays for unity among believers. How does having the same attitude as Christ contribute to this unity? What practical steps can believers take to achieve this? [01:14:14]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had a disagreement with someone in the church over a non-essential matter. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to promote unity? [46:12]
2. Paul talks about respecting governmental authorities as part of living a transformed life (Romans 12:1-2). How can you show respect and pray for governmental leaders, even if you disagree with them? [51:23]
3. Think about a secondary issue that has caused division in your church or another church you know. How can you apply the principle of "love limiting liberty" to help resolve or prevent such divisions? [53:10]
4. Paul urges believers to accept one another as Christ accepted us (Romans 15:7). What are some practical ways you can actively welcome and include someone in your church community this week? [52:04]
5. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions do not cause others to stumble in their faith? Reflect on a specific situation where you might need to change your behavior to support a fellow believer. [01:00:33]
6. The sermon mentioned various trivial issues that have caused church splits, such as worship styles and Bible translations. How can you focus more on the core principles of your faith to avoid unnecessary divisions? [47:59]
7. In what ways can you contribute to a spirit of charity and understanding in your church, especially when dealing with differing opinions and practices? How can you encourage others to do the same? [01:15:19]
Devotional
### Day 1: Embracing Unity in Diversity
Unity in the church is not about uniformity but about embracing diversity in non-essential matters while maintaining unity in core beliefs. This means accepting one another as Christ accepted us, focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us. By doing so, we bring glory to God and demonstrate His love to the world. Paul’s message in Romans 14 and 15 is clear: we should not let secondary issues divide us. Instead, we should focus on the core principles of our faith—grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and Scripture alone. This acceptance is not merely tolerating but actively welcoming each other into fellowship. [52:04]
Romans 15:7 (ESV): "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church with whom you have a differing opinion on a non-essential matter. How can you actively welcome them into fellowship this week?
### Day 2: Love Limits Liberty
While we have freedom in Christ, this freedom should be exercised with love and consideration for others. Paul teaches that we should avoid actions that might cause others to stumble, even if those actions are permissible for us. This principle of love limiting liberty helps maintain peace and mutual edification within the church. For example, in Romans 14, Paul addresses the specific issues faced by the Roman believers, such as dietary practices and the observance of special days. He emphasizes that each person should be fully convinced in their own mind and act in love, avoiding actions that might cause others to stumble. [53:10]
1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV): "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak."
Reflection: Is there a freedom you are exercising that might be causing someone else to stumble? How can you adjust your actions to show love and consideration for them?
### Day 3: Respect for Governmental Authorities
Living a transformed life includes respecting and praying for governmental authorities, regardless of our personal opinions. This respect is part of our witness as Christians and reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty over all authorities. In Romans 13, Paul emphasizes the importance of submitting to governing authorities because they have been established by God. This principle extends to how we interact with governmental authorities, emphasizing respect and prayer regardless of our personal opinions. [51:23]
1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV): "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good."
Reflection: How can you show respect and pray for a governmental authority you disagree with this week?
### Day 4: Avoiding Unnecessary Divisions
Many church divisions arise from disagreements over secondary issues. Paul urges us to focus on the core principles of our faith and to handle differences with charity and understanding. By doing so, we prevent unnecessary divisions and promote a spirit of unity and love. Issues like worship styles, Bible translations, and even the color of the carpet have caused unnecessary divisions. Paul’s message is clear: we should not let secondary issues divide us. Instead, we should focus on the core principles of our faith—grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and Scripture alone. [46:12]
Ephesians 4:3 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Identify a secondary issue that has caused division in your church. How can you contribute to resolving this division and promoting unity?
### Day 5: Active Acceptance
Accepting one another goes beyond mere tolerance; it involves actively welcoming each other into fellowship and friendship. This kind of acceptance reflects the love of Christ and helps build a strong, united church community. Paul highlights the importance of accepting one another, just as Christ accepted us, to bring praise to God. This acceptance is not merely tolerating but actively welcoming each other into fellowship. [52:04]
Romans 14:1 (ESV): "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church who might feel excluded or unwelcome. How can you actively welcome them into fellowship this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Start by being quiet. It's not saying you can't have an opinion. Or express that civilly in the right kinds of context. But operate from faith. Don't go against your conscience." [01:12:33]
2. "We need to have diversity there. The Apostle Paul, the Apostle Peter, many others, they said, all that food, it's okay. We had all these Old Testament laws, but Jesus fulfilled all those ceremonial laws. So we have freedom now. That's all okay. But be sensitive. Don't split the church over this stuff. God paid a huge price for that brother or sister that you disagree with. So treat that person as the treasure that they are." [01:10:03]
3. "If Jesus could give his life for the person you disagree with, can't you give up your preference? Can't you give up your ideas? So what's really the core? Well, the core is discerning the core values of God's kingdom and having unity there. The core values are righteousness in the Holy Spirit, peace in the Holy Spirit, joy in the Holy Spirit." [01:10:03]
4. "Each one should be fully convinced in his or her own mind. Really think it through. What you're concerned about, is your concern really based on Scripture, or is it based on your traditions, or on your preferences, or on what you were raised with? And realize, you can have your mind and your conscience retrained." [01:01:58]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." [01:13:03]
2. "Take hold of the core stuff, but don't get divided over mediocre stuff. Secondary issues, even as important as they may seem to you. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." [01:13:36]
3. "Accept one another then just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trusted him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The result of that, if you have it in your bulletin, and the result of all that is united praise to God. More sounds of worship and less sounds of civil war. More singing together, more praying together, more laughing together, more growing together, and less fighting at each other." [01:14:14]
4. "Love limits liberty. I limit my own kinds of practices by whether or not it's going to help somebody else. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives the human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." [01:08:10]
5. "Transformed followers of Jesus accept each other instead of judging each other. Now right there, if you just did that, a whole lot of church divisions from the past centuries and centuries and centuries would have been avoided. And a whole lot more would be avoided in the future. In the original Greek, the word is proslambano. It's more than just tolerating. It's actually welcoming them into your heart. Welcoming them. Welcoming them into fellowship. Welcoming them into friendship. Actively loving. Being warm and kind. Not just tolerating and sort of avoiding." [57:29]
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