Embracing Unity in the Body of Christ

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound call for unity within the body of Christ, as articulated by the Apostle Paul in his letters to the early churches. Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians and Corinthians emphasizes the necessity of being united in spirit and purpose, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. This unity is not merely a superficial agreement but a deep, spiritual oneness that reflects the unity of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Despite the challenges and historical examples of division within the church, such as the disagreements between Paul and Barnabas or the theological rift between George Whitefield and John Wesley, the call to unity remains paramount.

The difficulty of achieving such unity is acknowledged, as even Spirit-filled believers have preferences and differing opinions on non-essential matters. The challenge lies in discerning what is essential to the gospel and what is not, and in choosing the means and methods to advance the gospel mission. Yet, the encouragement, comfort, and fellowship we receive from our relationship with Christ, the love of God, and the Holy Spirit should empower us to transcend these differences.

Paul’s message is clear: the individual experience of salvation should flow into a corporate experience of unity within the church. This unity is not just a lofty ideal but a practical reality that can be achieved by focusing on our shared salvation experience and the essential doctrines of the faith. The life and ministry of figures like Whitefield and Wesley remind us that, despite disagreements, the common cause of the gospel and the love for one another should prevail.

As we move forward, let us strive to embody this unity, allowing our shared experiences in Christ to bind us together in love and purpose. May our commitment to the gospel and to one another be so strong that it overcomes any divisions, enabling us to promote the common cause of the gospel effectively.

Key Takeaways:

- Unity in Diversity: The call for unity in the church is a reflection of the unity within the triune God. Despite our differences, we are called to be of one mind and spirit, striving together for the gospel. This unity is not about uniformity but about a shared purpose and love that transcends individual preferences and opinions. [04:40]

- Challenges of Unity: Achieving unity is challenging due to legitimate gospel reasons for division, differing methods, personal preferences, and our ongoing sanctification process. Recognizing these challenges helps us understand the complexity of unity and the need for grace and patience with one another. [15:38]

- Essential vs. Non-Essential: The church has always struggled to define what is essential to the gospel. While some doctrines are non-essential, others are fundamental to our faith. Discerning this line is crucial for maintaining unity without compromising the gospel's core truths. [17:17]

- The Role of the Holy Spirit: Our individual experiences with the Holy Spirit should lead to a corporate experience of unity. The Spirit's work in our lives—providing wisdom, strength, and conviction—should guide us in our interactions with one another, fostering a community that reflects Christ's love. [23:54]

- Love and the Common Cause: Despite historical and personal disagreements, the love for one another and the common cause of the gospel should unite us. Our shared beliefs in the new birth and justification by faith are the foundation for promoting the gospel and loving each other deeply. [29:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:20] - Introduction to Philippians
- [04:40] - Call for Unity
- [07:49] - Challenges in Achieving Unity
- [09:09] - Biblical Examples of Division
- [10:19] - The Corinthian Church's Struggles
- [11:35] - Historical Example: Whitefield and Wesley
- [13:52] - Theological Disagreements
- [14:43] - Reasons for Division
- [15:38] - Essential vs. Non-Essential
- [17:17] - Methods and Preferences
- [18:14] - Personal Preferences and Sanctification
- [23:54] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [26:38] - Stories of Reconciliation
- [29:17] - Love and the Common Cause

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
- Philippians 1:27-2:5
- John 17:20-23

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul urge the Corinthians to do in 1 Corinthians 1:10, and how does this relate to the theme of unity? [00:10]
2. In Philippians 1:27, what specific behaviors does Paul encourage the Philippians to exhibit in their community? [04:40]
3. How does Paul describe the relationship between individual and corporate experiences of salvation in Philippians 2:1-2? [23:54]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the challenges of achieving unity within the church? [07:49]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the unity of the triune God serve as a model for unity within the church, according to the sermon? [15:38]
2. What are some reasons given in the sermon for why achieving unity in the church is difficult? How do these reasons relate to the biblical passages discussed? [14:43]
3. How does the sermon suggest that personal experiences with the Holy Spirit should influence the unity of the church community? [23:54]
4. What does the sermon imply about the balance between essential and non-essential doctrines in maintaining church unity? [15:38]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced division in a church setting. How did it affect your faith, and what steps could you take to promote unity in similar situations? [14:43]
2. Consider the concept of "unity in diversity" as discussed in the sermon. How can you embrace this idea in your interactions with fellow believers who have different opinions or preferences? [04:40]
3. Identify a personal preference or opinion that might hinder your ability to strive side by side with others for the gospel. How can you address this to foster unity? [18:14]
4. How can the encouragement, comfort, and fellowship you receive from your relationship with Christ empower you to transcend differences with others in your church community? [23:54]
5. Think about a disagreement you have had with another believer. How can the example of George Whitefield and John Wesley's reconciliation inspire you to seek resolution and unity? [26:38]
6. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your actions and words promote the common cause of the gospel within your church? [29:17]
7. How can you actively participate in creating a church environment that reflects the unity of the triune God, as described in John 17:20-23? [15:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity Reflects the Triune God
In the early church, the Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of unity among believers, urging them to be united in spirit and purpose. This unity is not about everyone being the same but about sharing a common goal and love that transcends individual differences. It mirrors the unity found within the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Despite personal preferences and opinions, believers are called to strive together for the faith of the gospel, reflecting the divine harmony of the Godhead. [04:40]

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: Think of a situation where you have prioritized your preferences over unity. How can you seek reconciliation and embody the unity of the Spirit in that situation today?


Day 2: Navigating the Challenges of Unity
Achieving unity within the church is challenging due to legitimate reasons for division, such as differing methods, personal preferences, and the ongoing process of sanctification. Recognizing these challenges helps believers understand the complexity of unity and the need for grace and patience with one another. The journey towards unity requires discernment and a willingness to embrace diversity while maintaining a focus on the shared mission of the gospel. [15:38]

Romans 14:1-3 (ESV): "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him."

Reflection: Identify a personal preference that has caused tension in your relationships. How can you practice grace and patience to foster unity in this area?


Day 3: Discerning Essentials from Non-Essentials
The church has always faced the challenge of distinguishing between essential and non-essential doctrines. While some beliefs are fundamental to the faith, others are not as critical. Discerning this line is crucial for maintaining unity without compromising the core truths of the gospel. Believers are encouraged to focus on the essentials of their shared salvation experience and the foundational doctrines that unite them. [17:17]

1 Corinthians 8:9-11 (ESV): "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died."

Reflection: Reflect on a belief or practice you hold dear. Is it essential to the gospel, or could it be a non-essential that you can hold more loosely for the sake of unity?


Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Role in Unity
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in fostering unity among believers. Individual experiences with the Spirit should lead to a corporate experience of unity within the church. The Spirit provides wisdom, strength, and conviction, guiding believers in their interactions with one another and helping them reflect Christ's love. This divine guidance empowers the church to overcome divisions and work together for the common cause of the gospel. [23:54]

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "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. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: Consider how the Holy Spirit has been working in your life recently. How can you allow the Spirit to guide you in promoting unity within your community?


Day 5: Love and the Common Cause of the Gospel
Despite historical and personal disagreements, the love for one another and the common cause of the gospel should unite believers. The shared beliefs in the new birth and justification by faith form the foundation for promoting the gospel and loving each other deeply. This love and commitment to the gospel mission should be so strong that it overcomes any divisions, enabling believers to work together effectively. [29:17]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Think of a person with whom you have had disagreements. How can you demonstrate love and work towards a common cause with them today?

Quotes

I appeal to you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. [00:00:21] (17 seconds)


Be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come to you or am absent, that I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, not frightened in anything by your opponents. [00:04:40] (19 seconds)


Do nothing from selfish ambition, or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. [00:05:34] (18 seconds)


A lot of repetition here, isn't there? Particularly from verse 27 and verse 2. Verse 27, standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Verse 2, having been of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [00:05:52] (18 seconds)


I don't think this is just my opinion or my experience in the local church, but even Scripture gives us a picture of how difficult it is for the church to actually live like this. Let me give you three. The first one is from the church in Philippi. [00:08:06] (12 seconds)


Paul writes the Corinthian church, what we think of as first Corinthians. This was a messed up church, if you read that letter. They had gross immorality in the church, which was not even the kind that the pagans would do. They were taking each other to court, they were fighting over spiritual gifts, their observance of the Lord's Supper had become an abomination. [00:10:19] (19 seconds)


Romans 14 talks about this. Paul, in Romans 14, he talks about how don't judge one another for non -essentials. And he gives two examples. The first example is some of you eat vegetables only and some of you eat meat as well. Don't judge one another because of that. That's non -essential to the gospel. [00:16:17] (15 seconds)


If there's any encouragement in Christ the Son, if there's any participation in the Holy Spirit, if you've experienced any comfort from the love of God, that flows into then how it is possible for us to be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord with one mind. [00:23:54] (21 seconds)


Whitfield's life, and now his death, reminded Wesley that Christians united by those essential beliefs should love one another and promote the common cause of the gospel. I think that's what Paul was trying to say. In his letter to the Philippians, yes, we may struggle trying to decide what is essential and non -essential. [00:29:17] (25 seconds)


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Transcript
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