Finding Unity and Identity in Jesus' Love

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Love is Inclusive and Transformative

Jesus' love is a powerful force that invites everyone into a transformative relationship. This love is not limited by our backgrounds, actions, or feelings. Instead, it is an open invitation to experience grace and peace through knowing Jesus. His love meets us where we are but does not leave us there; it calls us to grow and change, finding our true identity and purpose in Him. This inclusive love is the foundation of our community, offering hope and healing to all who respond to His call. [29:36]

Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV): "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who feels far from God's love. How can you extend Jesus' inclusive and transformative love to them today?

Day 2: Brokenness Stems from Misplaced Identity

When we build our identity on anything other than Jesus, we experience brokenness in our relationships, communities, and sense of self. The Corinthians, much like us, sought identity and acceptance in the wrong places, leading to division and pain. Paul’s message to them is a reminder that our true identity is found in Jesus alone. Only in Him can we find the healing and wholeness we desperately need. By anchoring our identity in Jesus, we can overcome the brokenness that stems from misplaced priorities. [32:19]

Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have placed your identity in something other than Jesus. How can you begin to shift your focus back to Him today?

Day 3: Unity Comes from Keeping Jesus Front and Center

True unity in the church is achieved by keeping Jesus as our primary focus. When we prioritize Him above all else, our hearts, minds, and actions align with His will. This unity is not about everyone being the same but about diverse individuals coming together with a common purpose. By keeping Jesus front and center, we can overcome divisions and work together to fulfill God's mission for our community. [36:44]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: In what ways can you keep Jesus front and center in your daily life? How can this focus help you contribute to unity in your church community?

Day 4: Purpose Over Personality

In our pursuit of unity, we must choose purpose over personality. This means seeing ourselves as partners in God's work, each playing a unique role in His grand design. By focusing on our shared mission rather than our differences, we can work together to achieve God's purposes. Embracing our diverse gifts and perspectives allows us to contribute meaningfully to the community and fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. [41:12]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: Identify one way you can use your unique gifts to serve God's purpose in your community. How can you collaborate with others to achieve a common goal?

Day 5: Embracing Diversity in Unity

Our community is made up of diverse individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This diversity is a reflection of God's creation and should be embraced. By valuing each other's contributions and working through conflicts, we can build a unified community that reflects the love of Jesus. Embracing diversity in unity allows us to grow stronger together and better represent the inclusive love of Christ to the world. [49:21]

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."

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

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. My name is Dave, and I am one of the pastors here at Paradox Church. Today, we gather to celebrate the great love of Jesus, a love that surpasses all understanding and is the foundation of our community. This love is inclusive, inviting everyone to experience the grace and peace that come from knowing Jesus. As we navigate through a world filled with messages about love, we must remember that true love is found in Jesus, who laid down His life for us.

In our current series, we are exploring the book of 1 Corinthians, focusing on the brokenness within the church and how Jesus' love can bring healing and unity. The Corinthians were a broken community, much like us, seeking identity and acceptance in all the wrong places. Paul’s letter to them is a call to find our identity in Jesus, not in our feelings, actions, or backgrounds. When we build our lives on anything other than Jesus, brokenness follows.

This past week has been challenging for me personally, as I faced the reality of broken relationships and the impact of my own brokenness. We all experience this in our families, teams, and communities. Broken people form broken communities, but Jesus offers a greater love that can heal and unify us. Paul appeals to the Corinthians to be united in mind and judgment, emphasizing that Jesus is the only unifying force.

To achieve this unity, we must keep Jesus front and center in our lives. This means prioritizing Him above all else and choosing purpose over personality. We are all partners in God's work, each playing a part in His grand design. Our diverse community reflects the beauty of God's creation, and we must embrace our differences while striving for unity.

Today, we have a panel of diverse voices from our church to discuss how we can pursue unity through the greater love of Jesus. As we listen to their insights, let us remember that our identity in Christ is the foundation for unity in the church. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, and in Him, all things hold together. As we take communion, let us reflect on His sacrifice and commit to making Him the king of our hearts.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus' Love is Inclusive and Transformative: Jesus loves us just as we are, but He loves us too much to let us stay that way. His love invites us into a transformative relationship where we find our true identity and purpose. This love is not exclusive but open to all, offering grace and peace to those who respond to His invitation. [29:36]
2. Brokenness Stems from Misplaced Identity: When we build our identity on anything other than Jesus, brokenness follows. This affects our relationships, communities, and even our sense of self. Paul’s message to the Corinthians reminds us that our true identity is found in Jesus, and only in Him can we find healing and wholeness. [32:19]
3. Unity Comes from Keeping Jesus Front and Center: Unity in the church is achieved by keeping Jesus as our primary focus. When we prioritize Him above all else, we align our hearts, minds, and actions with His will. This unity is not about sameness but about diverse individuals coming together with a common purpose. [36:44]
4. Purpose Over Personality: In our pursuit of unity, we must choose purpose over personality. This means seeing ourselves as partners in God's work, each playing a unique role in His grand design. By focusing on our shared mission rather than our differences, we can work together to achieve God's purposes. [41:12]
5. Embracing Diversity in Unity: Our community is made up of diverse individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This diversity is a reflection of God's creation and should be embraced. By valuing each other's contributions and working through conflicts, we can build a unified community that reflects the love of Jesus. [49:21]
### [49:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:32] - Introduction to the Series
[29:36] - Jesus' Inclusive Love
[30:28] - Identity in Jesus
[31:18] - Grace and Peace in Jesus
[32:19] - Brokenness from Misplaced Identity
[33:09] - Personal Struggles with Brokenness
[34:29] - Call to Unity in 1 Corinthians
[35:10] - Jesus as the Unifying Force
[35:48] - Introduction to the Panel
[36:44] - Keeping Jesus Front and Center
[38:10] - Unity Amongst Diversity
[39:22] - Jesus' Preeminence
[40:29] - Choosing Purpose Over Personality
[41:12] - Partners in God's Work
[42:44] - Embracing Diverse Voices
[43:42] - Panel Discussion on Unity
[49:21] - Misconceptions and Diversity
[50:27] - Potential Growing Pains in Unity
[57:10] - New Wine in New Wineskins
[60:20] - Love Builds Up
[61:06] - Lies and Misconceptions
[62:57] - Demonstrations of Unity
[73:25] - Identity in Christ and Unity
[74:04] - Jesus as the Image of God
[74:45] - Communion Instructions
[81:07] - Sin and Brokenness
[82:00] - God's Call to Us
[82:37] - Communion and Proclamation
[83:44] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul emphasize about the identity of the church in 1 Corinthians 1:2-3?
According to 1 Corinthians 1:10, what is Paul's appeal to the Corinthians regarding unity?
How does Colossians 1:17 describe Jesus' role in creation and the church?
In the sermon, what personal struggles with brokenness did Pastor Dave share? ([33:09])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul stress the importance of being "sanctified in Christ Jesus" in 1 Corinthians 1:2-3?
How does the call for unity in 1 Corinthians 1:10 relate to the issues of division mentioned in the sermon? ([35:10])
What does it mean for Jesus to be "before all things" and to hold all things together, as stated in Colossians 1:17?
How does Pastor Dave's personal experience with brokenness illustrate the broader message of the sermon? ([33:09])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have built your identity on something other than Jesus? How has this affected your relationships and sense of self? ([32:19])
In what ways can you keep Jesus front and center in your daily life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to prioritize Him? ([36:44])
How can you choose purpose over personality in your interactions with others, especially in your church community? Think of a recent conflict and how you might have handled it differently. ([41:12])
Our community is diverse. How can you embrace and value the differences in your church while striving for unity? Share a personal experience where you learned from someone different from you. ([43:14])
Pastor Dave mentioned the importance of humility and recognizing our own brokenness. How can you practice humility in your relationships this week? ([33:09])
During the panel discussion, various misconceptions and potential growing pains in unity were discussed. What are some misconceptions you have had about others in your church, and how can you address them? ([49:21])
As we take communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can this act of remembrance help you commit to making Jesus the king of your heart? ([01:14:45])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Jesus loves you just as you are. Just as you think you are. Just as you feel as you are. Just with what you did last night or will do again tomorrow. Jesus loves you just as you are, not as you should be. But he loves you too much to let you stay that way. There is a greater love. And every single one of us in our brokenness is pursuing love, identity, acceptance, community. And we do this in inappropriate, immoral, sinful ways that lead to more brokenness. Jesus says, I'm love. I don't care what you think love is. If you're after it, look to me." [29:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we build our lives, when we find our identity, on anyone or anything else, not singling anyone or anything out today, when we build our identity on anyone or anything else, brokenness will follow, hurt will follow, pain will follow. When we build on a broken identity, we find that everything that comes from that is broken. Especially and including our relationships. And this is something that affects all of us." [32:19](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Broken people form broken communities. comes out of broken identities. And I think that all of us experience this, know this, see this, and know that it shouldn't be. It's not the way that things should be. Broken families are not the way that it should be. Broken relationships. A broken country. This, a broken church, a divided church. It's not the way it should be. When your relationships are broken, nothing seems right. Nothing feels right." [34:29](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep him front and center. That is where unity comes from. And it doesn't just stop at politics or anything. It's one of the most prominent things, especially in our news, especially in this year with the stakes and things that are coming up. But this can lead to all other places. Influencers. Parenting. It's been reported among you that some of you parent gently, while others of you parent biblically. There's all these different things that we can divide. When we keep Jesus at the front and center, that's where unity comes from." [38:10](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God in his goodness. Loves us. God in his goodness. God in goodness. Gives us his commands, his law, that we might live in it. And yet, going back to the beginning of time, people, proud people, have said, no, you will not be first. You will not be king. I will do things my way. And in Genesis 3, we see the result of this. Sin always brings brokenness. Sin always creates shame. It creates disgrace. It creates a distance between us and God, us and other people." [01:21:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We are talking about all kinds of brokenness over the next few weeks. But not with shame. Not with condemnation. With the love, the greater love of Jesus. We say it all the time here. Jesus loves you just as you are. Just as you think you are. Just as you feel as you are. Just with what you did last night or will do again tomorrow. Jesus loves you just as you are, not as you should be. But he loves you too much to let you stay that way. There is a greater love." [29:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We build our lives on the foundation. Our identity on the foundation of Jesus. It's great love. It's when we stand. Broken people form broken communities. comes out of broken identities. And I think that all of us experience this, know this, see this, and know that it shouldn't be. It's not the way that things should be. Broken families are not the way that it should be. Broken relationships. A broken country. This, a broken church, a divided church. It's not the way it should be. When your relationships are broken, nothing seems right. Nothing feels right." [34:29](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We choose purpose over personality by seeing ourselves as partners in a process. Some people would say, oh no, it's actually the planting. This is what Paul is saying. If there's a process of planting, what you want is a good, good harvest, beautiful flowers, delicious vegetables. Oxymoron of the day. Kids, eat them though. Okay? Eat them. What we want is the harvest, and there's not the planting that's more important, or the fertilizing, or the watering, or the pruning. We're all partners, meaning we play a part in the same goal. God's purposes, but also God's purposes in me, in my formation." [42:18](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We continuously say we want to be a church that values, that prioritizes, that pursues diversity. And what that means is that we look different. We have different personalities. We have different perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, giftings, passions. And there's something beautiful that actually happens when different people come together. That's why Scripture repeatedly refers to the Bible as a body, with each part finding meaning and value and beauty as part, and significance as part of a greater whole in its uniqueness, in its contribution." [49:21](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "How does our identity in Christ impact or relate to unity in the church? I want to go down to the end here with Mike and Linda and start with y'all. I think that's a great place for us to finish here today. I want to read this verse. Because as we talk about this unity. What does this look like? What does love look like? I already mentioned this. But in Colossians, it says that he, Jesus, is the image of the invisible God. That when we talk about what love looks like, what unity looks like, it is Jesus in all of us. Jesus in all of us. He is the image. It doesn't look like me or Juan or Linda or anyone else or anything else. The Jesus way. Love. Unity. Life. Isn't. Doesn't look like or isn't found in anyone else. He is the image of the invisible God." [01:13:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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