Fostering Unity: Our Role as Believers
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound theme of unity within the church and our role as believers in fostering this unity. We began by acknowledging our interconnectedness, not just as individuals but as members of the body of Christ. This unity is essential for the church to function effectively and fulfill its mission. We delved into the importance of maturity in Christ, emphasizing that true unity requires a spirit of forgiveness and emotional resilience. It's not enough to have a high IQ; our emotional and adversity quotients must also be strong to maintain unity.
We discussed how unity in Christ naturally extends to unity within the church. When we are aligned with God, our relationships with others should reflect that alignment, leading to healthier and more unified interactions. This unity is not just about avoiding conflict but actively promoting peace and understanding. We are called to be ambassadors of peace, representing God's kingdom on earth and fostering diplomatic relations between heaven and earth.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of focusing on the mission of God. Unity is sustained not just by love but by a shared mission to build the kingdom of heaven. This mission keeps us focused and prevents us from getting entangled in unnecessary conflicts. We are reminded that unity is an ongoing process that requires constant effort and vigilance.
Finally, we explored the concept of the church as God's dwelling place. Just as the Old Testament tabernacle had three compartments, our bodies, souls, and spirits are designed to house God's presence. This understanding should transform how we live, knowing that God is with us in every moment and every action. It calls us to a higher standard of living, where our words and actions reflect the holiness of God who dwells within us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Christ and the Church: Unity in Christ should naturally extend to unity within the church. When we are aligned with God, our relationships with others should reflect that alignment, leading to healthier and more unified interactions. This unity is not just about avoiding conflict but actively promoting peace and understanding. [40:10]
2. Maturity and Forgiveness: True unity requires a spirit of forgiveness and emotional resilience. It's not enough to have a high IQ; our emotional and adversity quotients must also be strong to maintain unity. Forgiveness should be proactive, not just reactive, allowing us to live in a constant state of grace. [38:40]
3. Ambassadors of Peace: We are called to be ambassadors of peace, representing God's kingdom on earth. This role involves promoting diplomatic relations between heaven and earth, fostering understanding, and encouraging unity. Our mission is to reconcile others to God through our words and actions. [54:53]
4. Focus on God's Mission: Unity is sustained not just by love but by a shared mission to build the kingdom of heaven. This mission keeps us focused and prevents us from getting entangled in unnecessary conflicts. When we are busy with God's work, we have less time to engage in divisive behavior. [44:08]
5. God's Dwelling Place: Understanding that we are God's dwelling place should transform how we live. Just as the Old Testament tabernacle had three compartments, our bodies, souls, and spirits are designed to house God's presence. This calls us to a higher standard of living, where our words and actions reflect the holiness of God who dwells within us. [01:13:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:19] - Opening Prayer
[34:52] - Introduction and Humor
[35:13] - Acknowledging Pastors and Congregation
[35:44] - Wife's Absence and Upcoming Visit
[36:09] - Theme Introduction: Connected to Make a Difference
[36:38] - The Law of Six Degrees of Separation
[37:11] - Unity in the Church
[37:45] - Maturity in Christ
[38:15] - The Spirit of Forgiveness
[39:10] - Emotional and Adversity Quotients
[39:39] - Love of God and Unity
[40:10] - Unity in Christ and the Church
[41:46] - Ephesians 2:14-16
[43:05] - Eliminating Divisions
[44:08] - Focus on God's Mission
[45:29] - Unity and Peace
[47:10] - The Role of the Conductor
[48:57] - Tearing Down Walls
[50:27] - Building Bridges
[51:07] - Ongoing Process of Unity
[52:19] - John 17:20-21
[53:31] - Ambassadors of Peace
[54:53] - Role of Ambassadors
[56:31] - 2 Corinthians 5:20
[57:58] - Sharing the Good News
[59:32] - Choosing Not to Be Offended
[01:00:55] - Ministry of Reconciliation
[01:02:31] - Complaining vs. Changing the World
[01:03:59] - Promoting Peace in Community
[01:05:09] - Choosing Peace
[01:06:24] - God's Dwelling Place
[01:07:57] - Focus on God's Love
[01:09:36] - Personal Transformation
[01:11:11] - Old Testament Tabernacle
[01:12:21] - Body, Soul, and Spirit
[01:13:44] - Living as God's Dwelling Place
[01:15:42] - Prayer for Believers
[01:17:03] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:18:06] - Prayer for New Believers
[01:19:06] - Celebration and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:14-16
2. John 17:20-21
3. 2 Corinthians 5:20
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:14-16, what did Christ do to bring peace between Jews and Gentiles? How did He achieve this unity? [41:46]
2. In John 17:20-21, what is Jesus' prayer for all believers? How does this prayer relate to the concept of unity? [52:19]
3. What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:20? How does this role relate to our mission as believers? [56:31]
4. The sermon mentioned that unity in Christ should naturally extend to unity within the church. What are some practical ways this unity can be demonstrated in our daily interactions? [40:10]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that Christ has broken down the wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14-16) change the way we view and interact with people who are different from us? [41:46]
2. Jesus prayed for unity among believers in John 17:20-21. Why is this unity important for the world to believe that God sent Jesus? How does our unity serve as a testimony to others? [52:19]
3. As ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), what responsibilities do we have in promoting peace and reconciliation? How can we effectively fulfill this role in our communities? [56:31]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of emotional and adversity quotients in maintaining unity. How do these qualities contribute to a unified church body? [39:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships within the church. Are there any areas where you need to promote peace and understanding? How can you take steps to foster unity this week? [40:10]
2. The sermon highlighted the need for a spirit of forgiveness. Is there someone you need to forgive proactively? How can you practice living in a constant state of grace? [38:40]
3. As ambassadors of peace, how can you represent God's kingdom in your daily interactions? Identify one specific action you can take this week to promote peace and understanding in your community. [54:53]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of focusing on God's mission to sustain unity. How can you stay focused on building the kingdom of heaven in your personal life? What distractions do you need to eliminate? [44:08]
5. Understanding that we are God's dwelling place should transform how we live. What changes can you make in your daily habits to reflect the holiness of God who dwells within you? [01:13:44]
6. Think about a time when you allowed divisions to affect your relationships within the church. How can you work towards reconciliation and unity in those relationships now? [50:06]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of emotional resilience. How can you strengthen your emotional and adversity quotients to better handle conflicts and maintain unity? [39:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Christ and the Church
Description: Unity in Christ should naturally extend to unity within the church. When we are aligned with God, our relationships with others should reflect that alignment, leading to healthier and more unified interactions. This unity is not just about avoiding conflict but actively promoting peace and understanding. As members of the body of Christ, we are interconnected and our unity is essential for the church to function effectively and fulfill its mission. We are called to be ambassadors of peace, representing God's kingdom on earth and fostering diplomatic relations between heaven and earth. [40:10]
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 relationship within the church that needs healing. How can you take a step today to promote peace and understanding in that relationship?
Day 2: Maturity and Forgiveness
Description: True unity requires a spirit of forgiveness and emotional resilience. It's not enough to have a high IQ; our emotional and adversity quotients must also be strong to maintain unity. Forgiveness should be proactive, not just reactive, allowing us to live in a constant state of grace. This maturity in Christ helps us to handle conflicts and challenges with a spirit of grace and understanding, fostering a more unified and loving community. [38:40]
Colossians 3:12-13 (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."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 3: Ambassadors of Peace
Description: We are called to be ambassadors of peace, representing God's kingdom on earth. This role involves promoting diplomatic relations between heaven and earth, fostering understanding, and encouraging unity. Our mission is to reconcile others to God through our words and actions. As ambassadors, we carry the message of peace and reconciliation, striving to build bridges and tear down walls that divide us. [54:53]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: How can you act as an ambassador of peace in your community today? What specific actions can you take to foster understanding and unity?
Day 4: Focus on God's Mission
Description: Unity is sustained not just by love but by a shared mission to build the kingdom of heaven. This mission keeps us focused and prevents us from getting entangled in unnecessary conflicts. When we are busy with God's work, we have less time to engage in divisive behavior. By focusing on God's mission, we align our efforts and energies towards a common goal, fostering a sense of purpose and unity within the church. [44:08]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: What is one area of God's mission that you can focus on this week? How can you contribute to building the kingdom of heaven in your daily life?
Day 5: God's Dwelling Place
Description: Understanding that we are God's dwelling place should transform how we live. Just as the Old Testament tabernacle had three compartments, our bodies, souls, and spirits are designed to house God's presence. This calls us to a higher standard of living, where our words and actions reflect the holiness of God who dwells within us. Knowing that God is with us in every moment and every action should inspire us to live in a way that honors His presence. [01:13:44]
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."
Reflection: How does knowing that you are God's dwelling place change the way you live? What specific changes can you make to ensure your words and actions reflect the holiness of God?
Quotes
1. "Well, how much more than just the world being connected is the church supposed to be connected? That God said he put us together and unified us as one body. Everyone say, one body. It talks about us being jointly fit together, that he put us in a way, that he called us a family, a body, but it all stems around unity, and I'm going to talk just for a little while today about the unity of the church, and it's one of my favorite subjects because for a church to be unified, it means we have mature Christians. It talks about maturity in Christ." [37:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Unity will not be present until the love of God is present. It doesn't matter how mature you are, how many scriptures you can quote, what you know in the Bible, if you do not carry the express love of God for other people, unity will not show up, peace will not show up, until the love of God is present. Amen? So, I want to talk about those things just for a few moments, give you a few things to write down so we can grow, we can learn, we can get better. Come on, look at someone and say, get better. Look at someone else and say, don't get bitter. We're getting better, not bitter. Amen?" [39:39] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Unity in Christ and the church are connected. Meaning, that if I am unified in my relationship with God, if I'm united in my relationship with Jesus, then the very next thing that should happen is I'm united in my relationship with others. So, it doesn't matter to me if it's your spouse, your friends, church members, if you are aligned with God and unified with Jesus, then automatically all of our relationships should get healthier and should be unified as well." [40:10] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When Christ is the conductor and the church is the orchestra, unity is the music. So you have an orchestra with several different instruments from cello to violins to harps to drums to you name it. They're just an eclectic group of instruments. And if you walk into a symphony before they start when they're tuning up, it sounds like a chaotic mess. They're all playing one little part. We've talked about this before. But when the conductor strikes, come on, when he brings the wands in his hand, he strikes, they're ready. They all play those instruments in one unified piece called a symphony. There's such harmony and beauty." [48:10] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are God's ambassadors of peace. Unity should bring peace. When I'm unified with my wife in our home, man, there's such peace. And I've said it all along. When my wife and I are walking together, flowing together, unified together, I can charge hell with a squirt gun. But if my wife and I are off, if there's no unity or we're struggling in our home, I don't feel like I could wheel my way around a Cheerio if that was power in my muscle because I am so separated from my wife. Y'all with me? So unity promotes something that's better than we can imagine. What it promotes is peace." [53:31] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We are not human doings. We are spiritual beings. We're not human doings. We are spiritual beings being who we choose to be. Christ has called us to be ministers of reconciliation as ambassadors in this earth. And we're not doing it. We don't have the right to complain about the world if we're not doing something to heal it. That's like saying God don't work and his, and his, his miracles don't work, but you've not opened the Bible in six years. You can't say God doesn't work if you've not opened his word and you can't say the world is lost. They stink. If you've not shared as an ambassador, the ministry of reconciliation that the father put in your heart. Amen. Y'all with me?" [01:03:59] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When I learned this principle in my life, it changed everything about my spiritual life. The God is with me 24 seven, 365. He'll never leave me. He'll never forsake you. Everything you've done, everywhere you went, every conversation you've had, he's been there. But Pastor, last night I was at, yeah, God was with you. Yeah, but Pastor, yesterday I lost it in traffic and I said, yeah, God heard you. Yeah, but Pastor, you don't understand. This was a habit of mine and I felt God knows, but here's the cool part. God still loves you. God's not judging you. God's not doing that. He's made his dwelling place in us. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever read in the Bible to think with all of my faults, with all of my insecurities, with all my impurities, with even my humanity. God caused his spirit to live in me. That's only through grace. That's only through goodness. Amen." [01:06:24] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So now you non-Jewish people are not visitors or strangers, but you're citizens together with God's holy people. You belong to God's family. You belong to God. You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building. The whole building is joined together in Christ and he makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ, you are being built together with his other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through his spirit. Come on. Everyone say through his spirit." [01:07:57] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So how do we do that? Well, the church has to be focused on God's love. So focused on God's love that matters. Think about that. When is the last time you were so in love with God that no one could upset your apple cart? That you could just live in a place of almost what we would call blissful ignorance. I always say to people, I say, how are you doing? I say, if I got problems, please don't tell me. I love my ignorance. It's bliss. And so we can say to ourselves, if we believe the word of God, all things work together for good for those who love him, those called according to his purpose, even what we call a problem, God's already got it all worked out. Don't worry about a thing. Because every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry about a ting. You got to say ting. Because every little ting." [01:09:36] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When I tried to do it by my own strength, by my own power, by my own knowledge, by my own intelligence, by my own gift, by my own talent, I came in so far below the bar. And some of you, you have that. You have your own effort. You have your own will. You faith. And you're wondering why you're miserable. We just sang about it. It's his breath in our lungs. So what do we do? We pour out our praise. I'm going to say pour out our praise. Let me show you how personal this gets. The church is the dwelling place of God. If you go back to the Old Testament and you look at the tabernacle, it was built with three compartments. We'll say three compartments. That outside compartment known as the outer court, everyone could come into. Everyone worshiped there. Everyone praised God in that outer court. Then there was the next place called the holy place where the high priest would walk into. There he would prepare the showbread, burn the incense. He prepped himself in that room. And then once a year beyond that room, there was a big thick veil up to six feet wide is what I've read. Pastor Terry can correct me later if it's wider, but it took two oxen to pull that apart. And after prepping in the holy place, once a year, the high priest would go into the next compartment, which was the holy of holies. That's where the ark of the covenant was. That's where the presence of God was. And that's where he made atonement for the people's sins and covered their sins every year. It was in that ark. In fact, when he went in, his robe had a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and pomegranate around the bottom. And it was one of those things to where they would listen as he was in the room because they tied a rope around his ankle as he walked in. And when they closed it, they would listen for the ringing of those bells. As long as those bells were ringing, everything was fine. Because he was ministering before God, he was moving and constantly ministering before God. And if those bells stopped, he did something wrong in the prep room and he was struck dead in the presence of God. And they would drag him out by that rope. So glad I live in the New Testament. I'm so glad I have the grace of God. But I think worship would be more pure if you walked in. We said, here, just put this rope around your ankle. You might reconsider how you walked into the house then. But just think about that. Then he said, we are the dwelling place of God. You are the temple. Now think about this. God, in all of his infinite wisdom, created man already before this, before the temple, with three parts. Everyone say body, soul, and spirit. That's how he created this. So the new temple, created in the fashion of the old temple, is to house the presence of God. And there's that body known as the outer court. Everyone say outer court. That's where we clap. That's where we sing. Everyone rejoices. We shout. We do all those things. And we can see it. And everyone can do that. But then we have our soul. Everyone say, the soul. That would be the holy place. That's where we prepare ourself for worship. That's where we prepare ourself for serving. That's where we prepare ourself to live in unity. That's where we renew our mind. That's where we come to a place where we're getting closer to God. That's what the Bible says. The soul is being saved. What's it preparing us for? A spiritual work. That part of our spirit, that holy of holies. The place where God lives. The place where God already caused you to be born again. You know, you're not going to be more spiritual than you are right now. We're going to grow in our prepared place. We're going to grow in our souls who have great understanding. And we can apply it better. But God has prepared you to be his dwelling place. Why does that matter? Because when I remember that everywhere I go, everything I do, everything I say, this holy God is with me. It begins to change what I say. It begins to change where I go. It begins to change some of my habits. It begins to make sure when I'm in a conversation with others at church, I'm an ambassador speaking only things of peace. It reminds me that I'm connected to a great big group of people to make a difference in the world. We forget that. We forget that. We forget that everything we own, we don't own. That everything we are is only because he did it. It's your breath. In our lungs. So we pour out our praise to you only." [01:11:11] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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