Embracing Unity: The Call to Die to Self

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Unity in Diversity

True unity in the body of Christ is not about erasing our differences but embracing them as part of a greater whole. Each member brings unique gifts and perspectives that are essential for the church's mission. This unity requires humility and a willingness to prioritize the collective over the individual. In a world that often celebrates individual achievement, the church is called to be a countercultural community that values every member's contribution. By embracing our diversity, we reflect the multifaceted nature of God's creation and demonstrate the power of the gospel to unite people from all walks of life. [38:14]

"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." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who has a different background or perspective than you. How can you reach out to them this week to learn from their experiences and build a stronger bond of unity?

Day 2: Guarding Against the Subtlety of Pride

Pride can subtly infiltrate our hearts, leading us away from our true calling. It manifests in the desire for recognition and comparison with others. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against pride, recognizing it as a barrier to genuine community and spiritual growth. Pride often disguises itself as ambition or self-improvement, but it ultimately isolates us from others and from God. By acknowledging our dependence on God and valuing the contributions of others, we can overcome pride and foster a spirit of humility and service. [24:22]

"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 interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride may be hindering your relationships or spiritual growth. What steps can you take today to practice humility and seek reconciliation?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Simple Obedience

Like Naaman, we often expect God to work in grand ways, but His power is often revealed through simple acts of obedience. Trusting in God's ways, even when they seem counterintuitive, is key to experiencing His transformative work in our lives and communities. Obedience requires faith and a willingness to surrender our own expectations. By following God's guidance in the small things, we open ourselves to His greater plans and purposes. [44:15]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a simple act of obedience that God is calling you to today. How can you trust Him and take that step, even if it seems insignificant or challenging?

Day 4: Valuing Intergenerational Contributions

Every generation has something valuable to offer the church. Young people bring fresh perspectives and energy, while older generations offer wisdom and experience. Embracing this intergenerational dynamic enriches the church and strengthens its witness. By valuing the contributions of all ages, we create a vibrant community that reflects the fullness of God's kingdom. This requires intentionality in building relationships and learning from one another. [53:21]

"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate." (Psalm 145:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Reach out to someone from a different generation in your church this week. How can you learn from their experiences and share your own insights to build a stronger community?

Day 5: The Call to Die to Self for a Greater Purpose

Following Christ means dying to our own desires and ambitions. It is a call to live for something greater than ourselves, to be part of a community that reflects God's glory. This requires daily surrender and a commitment to love and serve others. By letting go of our self-centered pursuits, we find true fulfillment in serving God's purposes and experiencing the joy of community. [49:02]

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'" (Luke 9:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to die to self and prioritize God's purposes? How can you take a practical step today to live out this commitment in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

In our time together, we have explored the profound need for unity within the body of Christ, emphasizing that our individual pursuits and self-centeredness often hinder the work God desires to do through us. Reflecting on my personal journey, I shared how pride and the desire for recognition can subtly infiltrate our hearts, leading us away from the true purpose of our calling. This is a struggle that many of us face, especially in a culture that values independence and personal achievement. However, the call of Christ is to die to ourselves and to live in unity with one another, as one body, so that the world may see and believe in Him.

The story of Naaman from 2 Kings serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways often defy our expectations. Naaman's healing came not through grand gestures but through simple obedience. Similarly, Jesus calls us to unity, promising that when we are perfectly one, the world will believe. This unity is not about uniformity in thought or practice but about a deep, spiritual oneness that transcends our differences. It requires humility, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to love one another despite our disagreements.

In our current age, where technology and social media amplify individual voices, the temptation to build our own kingdoms is strong. Yet, the true power of the church lies in our collective witness, in being living stones that together form a temple where God's glory dwells. This is not a call to abandon our unique gifts and perspectives but to bring them together in service of a greater purpose.

As we move forward, let us strive to be a community that values every member, recognizing that each person, regardless of age or background, has something vital to contribute. Let us be quick to listen, slow to speak, and eager to learn from one another. In doing so, we will not only strengthen our own faith but also present a compelling witness to the world of the transformative power of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. Unity in Diversity: True unity in the body of Christ is not about erasing our differences but embracing them as part of a greater whole. Each member brings unique gifts and perspectives that are essential for the church's mission. This unity requires humility and a willingness to prioritize the collective over the individual. [38:14]
2. The Danger of Pride: Pride can subtly infiltrate our hearts, leading us away from our true calling. It manifests in the desire for recognition and comparison with others. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against pride, recognizing it as a barrier to genuine community and spiritual growth. [24:22]
3. The Power of Obedience: Like Naaman, we often expect God to work in grand ways, but His power is often revealed through simple acts of obedience. Trusting in God's ways, even when they seem counterintuitive, is key to experiencing His transformative work in our lives and communities. [44:15]
4. Intergenerational Value: Every generation has something valuable to offer the church. Young people bring fresh perspectives and energy, while older generations offer wisdom and experience. Embracing this intergenerational dynamic enriches the church and strengthens its witness. [53:21]
5. The Call to Die to Self: Following Christ means dying to our own desires and ambitions. It is a call to live for something greater than ourselves, to be part of a community that reflects God's glory. This requires daily surrender and a commitment to love and serve others. [49:02]
** [49:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Prayer for Wisdom
[02:29] - Spiritual Warfare
[03:42] - Surrender to God
[04:20] - Reflections on Myanmar
[06:20] - Sharing the Gospel
[08:34] - Personal Testimony
[12:03] - Childhood Reflections
[14:42] - Seeking God in High School
[18:12] - Early Ministry Challenges
[24:22] - The Danger of Pride
[31:22] - The Temptation of Recognition
[38:14] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[44:15] - The Power of Obedience
[49:02] - The Call to Die to Self

Sermon Clips

I have no wisdom apart from you, your word says you give us the mind of Christ your word promises that if anyone asks for wisdom you'll give it generously please Lord, I ask for wisdom then I can encourage your body I could give all attention and all glory to you give me wisdom so that none of my words draw attention to me. [00:00:53]

I have to experience God I don't want to control anything anymore I don't want to try to create something on my own I really want to hear from him and be led by him and even hearing your story this morning and hearing more of the history I'm just so humbled and what some of you have experienced and have persevered through. [00:04:59]

I want to share a little bit about my testimony because I think it may be helpful for some of you to know some of the mistakes I've made because I don't want you to make some of those same mistakes some of you may already know some of this but my mother died when she gave birth to me and I look back at that and I think that's so powerful. [00:08:26]

I remember being in a temple when I don't remember a lot about living in Hong Kong but I do remember being in the temple and I would look at those statues and I would pray to the statues and I remember as a kid I would stare at their mouths to see if they would talk back to me that's the only memory I have as a child. [00:12:11]

I remember my pastor when he would pick me up for Bible study sometimes he would pick me up in a giant bus a church bus because then I would take him to all my friends houses and throw them on the bus one night my friend Ken and I we brought fifty visitors to our church just that this is how passionate I was about getting the message of the good news to my friends. [00:17:36]

I remember one of my professors saying pride is like cancer, you can't keep cancer in just one organ of your body it will spread and that's exactly what happened the pride in my heart started spreading to other areas and then you start lying about your sin and hiding your sin why because you're proud and you don't want anyone to know about your sin. [00:24:32]

I just started waiting tables at a restaurant and then suddenly my heart came back I was just waiting tables and I started to fall in love with the other waiters and waitresses that I was waiting tables with I remember coming home one night and just crying before God because I'm going to God oh you can't let this happen please speak through me. [00:25:16]

I don't want to work at a church I don't want to have this position I just want to wait tables I just want to work because I feel like the professional ministry ruined my life and my relationship with God but then eventually one of my friends confronted me because I don't think you're allowed to tell God you will never be a pastor if he's given you a gift for the body. [00:26:14]

The Bible says that we're all like living stones and we are to build a big temple I'm just one stone okay there's nothing great about one stone it's like in this building actually guys I don't think you use stones but like like one brick but but I I look at that description in the temple in the Old Testament remember when the temple was completed. [00:38:17]

I want to be connected to all of you I want to be one stone just another stone nothing special about me I can be on the bottom I can be in the middle I don't care but it was the stones of the temple that were connected that got to see the glory of God not the one that was off by him that's why this is so important. [00:39:41]

I used to want to lead everything I used to be the guy like I'll be unified with you as long as I'm in charge you know like I have no problem with unity as long as I make the decisions okay then we're all together on this we all agree I should be leader you know like that's that's the way I used to think you do that you'll never see the glory of God. [00:41:48]

I just want to be another Block in the temple if I can see the glory of God this was his promise let's just try it let's just try it let's try to forget about ourselves today let's try to die to self and see ourselves as one block of the temple that's why I'm not coming to Myanmar going follow me no way. [00:49:02]

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