Harmony in Christ: Living a Unified Life

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of harmony within the church and our lives. Harmony, much like in music, is not about everyone singing the same note but about different voices coming together to create something beautiful. This is what God desires for His church—a community where each person plays their part, contributing to a unified whole. We reflected on the importance of unity and how it mirrors the heavenly chorus, where countless angels sing in unison, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain." This heavenly harmony is a powerful reminder that our lives should be centered around Jesus, not ourselves.

We also discussed the challenges that arise when individuals enter the church with a focus on self-promotion or personal preferences. Such attitudes disrupt the harmony God intends for His people. Instead, we are called to align ourselves with the heavenly song, where all glory and honor are directed to Jesus. This requires a shift from self-centeredness to a Christ-centered life, where our actions and attitudes reflect the worship happening in heaven.

Moreover, we examined the choice we face between aligning with the world or with God. Jesus made it clear that friendship with the world is enmity with God. We cannot serve two masters. This choice is crucial, as it determines whether we are in harmony with heaven or discord with the world. The call to repentance and baptism is a call to switch lanes, to turn from our old ways and embrace a life dedicated to God.

Finally, we were reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit in enabling us to live in harmony with God and each other. It's not about our strength but about surrendering to God's Spirit, who empowers us to change and live a life that glorifies Him. This journey is one we embark on together, as a community, supporting and encouraging one another to stay in harmony with heaven.

Key Takeaways:

- Harmony in the Church: Just as harmony in music involves different notes coming together, the church thrives when individuals contribute their unique gifts to a unified purpose. This unity reflects God's desire for His people to live in harmony, supporting and loving one another selflessly. [01:10]

- Heavenly Worship: In heaven, countless angels sing in unison, "Worthy is the Lamb." This heavenly worship serves as a model for us, reminding us to center our lives around Jesus, not ourselves. Our worship should reflect the glory and honor due to Him alone. [10:52]

- Choosing Between Two Worlds: We face a choice between aligning with the world or with God. Friendship with the world is enmity with God, and we cannot serve two masters. This decision determines whether we are in harmony with heaven or discord with the world. [15:32]

- Repentance and Baptism: Repentance involves a genuine turning away from our old ways and embracing a life dedicated to God. Baptism symbolizes dying to self and rising to new life in Christ. It's a public declaration of our commitment to live in harmony with God. [21:57]

- Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Living in harmony with God and others is not about our strength but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit. He empowers us to change and live a life that glorifies God. This journey is one we embark on together, supporting one another. [23:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Harmony
- [00:54] - Unity in the Church
- [01:38] - Understanding Musical Harmony
- [03:23] - Harmony in the Church
- [05:14] - Disruptions in Harmony
- [06:29] - Self-Centeredness vs. Christ-Centeredness
- [08:09] - Heavenly Worship
- [10:23] - The Heavenly Chorus
- [12:37] - Aligning with Heaven
- [14:28] - Choosing Between Two Worlds
- [16:11] - The Challenge of Choice
- [18:02] - Living in Harmony with Heaven
- [20:23] - The Call to Change
- [21:57] - Repentance and Baptism
- [23:31] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:14 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them."
2. Revelation 5:6-14 - A vision of heavenly worship where countless angels sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain."
3. John 15:18-19 - Jesus speaks about the world's hatred and the choice between the world and God.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:14 suggest about living in harmony with others, even those who may not treat us well?
2. In Revelation 5:6-14, what is the focus of the heavenly worship, and how does it contrast with earthly concerns? [09:02]
3. According to John 15:18-19, what does Jesus say about the relationship between His followers and the world? [14:28]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of harmony using musical examples? [03:53]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of harmony in the church, as described in the sermon, reflect God's desire for His people? [01:23]
2. What are the implications of choosing between aligning with the world or with God, as discussed in the sermon? [15:32]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers live in harmony with God and each other? [23:31]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the dangers of self-centeredness in disrupting church harmony? [06:29]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized your preferences over the unity of your church community. How can you shift your focus to contribute to harmony? [06:29]
2. In what ways can you align your life more closely with the heavenly worship described in Revelation 5? What practical steps can you take this week? [10:52]
3. Consider your current friendships and associations. Are there areas where you need to choose between aligning with the world or with God? How will you address this? [15:32]
4. How can you actively support and encourage others in your church to live in harmony with God and each other? [23:31]
5. Identify one area of your life where you need to repent and "switch lanes" to align more closely with God's will. What steps will you take to make this change? [21:57]
6. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to empower you to live a life that glorifies God? What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your daily routine? [23:31]
7. Think of a person in your church who may feel out of harmony with the community. How can you reach out to them and help them feel more included? [05:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Harmony in Diversity
In the church, harmony is achieved not by everyone being the same, but by each person contributing their unique gifts to a unified purpose. This mirrors the heavenly chorus, where different voices come together to create a beautiful symphony of praise. God desires His people to live in harmony, supporting and loving one another selflessly. When individuals focus on self-promotion or personal preferences, it disrupts this harmony. Instead, aligning with the heavenly song means directing all glory and honor to Jesus, fostering a Christ-centered community. [01:10]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (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. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to contribute to the harmony and unity of your church community today?

Day 2: Centered on Heavenly Worship
Heavenly worship is characterized by countless angels singing in unison, "Worthy is the Lamb." This serves as a model for earthly worship, reminding believers to center their lives around Jesus rather than themselves. Worship should reflect the glory and honor due to Him alone, aligning with the heavenly chorus. This requires a shift from self-centeredness to a Christ-centered life, where actions and attitudes mirror the worship happening in heaven. [10:52]

Revelation 5:11-12 (ESV): "Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!'"

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally center your daily worship and life around Jesus, ensuring He receives the glory and honor?

Day 3: Choosing God's Kingdom
Believers face a choice between aligning with the world or with God. Friendship with the world is enmity with God, and one cannot serve two masters. This decision is crucial, as it determines whether one is in harmony with heaven or discord with the world. Aligning with God means choosing His kingdom over worldly desires, reflecting a life dedicated to His purposes. [15:32]

James 4:4 (ESV): "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Reflection: What specific worldly influences do you need to distance yourself from to align more closely with God's kingdom today?

Day 4: Embracing Repentance and Baptism
Repentance involves a genuine turning away from old ways and embracing a life dedicated to God. Baptism symbolizes dying to self and rising to new life in Christ, serving as a public declaration of commitment to live in harmony with God. This transformative process is essential for aligning with the heavenly chorus and living a Christ-centered life. [21:57]

Acts 2:38 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

Reflection: What old habits or attitudes do you need to repent of and leave behind to fully embrace your new life in Christ?

Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Living in harmony with God and others is not about personal strength but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit. He empowers believers to change and live a life that glorifies God. This journey is one embarked on together, as a community, supporting and encouraging one another to stay in harmony with heaven. The Holy Spirit's power enables believers to reflect the heavenly chorus in their daily lives. [23:31]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: How can you more fully surrender to the Holy Spirit's guidance today, allowing Him to empower you to live in harmony with God and others?

Quotes

It's not like a position or anything it's just like no more family man I loved and the unity you know the Bible says how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity I guess do you know how good it is they just have a group of guys always look around that room I go we got each other's back like we love each other no one's doing this for any other motive it's just harmony. [00:57:32]

It's good see and that's what God says he wants a church to be it's not we're all singing exactly the same thing but we all got our parts and somehow it all comes together okay now what we're gonna do a four-part harmony now this is called a four-part harmony okay I do that because here's what happens in the church sometimes right churches going grey pastors and in harmony and then someone else tries to jump in okay and sometimes they jump in and they go you know what you were a little sharp mercy you're a little bit off just the B you're just half step behind and Rachel you know what you're flat it's just too low and everyone and they're going what are you talking about you're the one that's off and everyone can hear no you're the one that's off but there are people that come in the church go no no no you're all screwed up she's wrong she's wrong no you know what's wrong with the churches Marcus you know what that testimony that was off you know what's wrong it's Shantz your leadership over big you know what's wrong it's Kevin you're bringing all these Koreans you know it's just honor you know and it's just like right you ever noticed that in church and the crazy thing is that person can never see it's you man they sounded great before that no stay up stay up stay up they were in harmony before and then you came and you should have come in humbly and saying man you guys sound good I like what's going on over there help me teach me because you guys know you got something going on there rather than coming in and thinking oh everyone's I got it right but here's what else happens sometimes okay another way we can screw up the Harmony go ahead do one more time. [03:53:29]

Where everyone's singing about Jesus and you come here and you think it's all about you you know and you're used to just singing about you your face books about you you talk about you you're trying to promote you you don't understand something else is going on here Marcus is not up here promoting himself you know we're not here promoting ourselves we're all singing about Jesus but sometimes people come into the church and this is huge in America you'll show up and you'll be like wow I didn't really like that they should change this they should change this and you know what you know it's like Marcus was saying you know we just go we don't care this isn't about you and people come in singing their own songs about themselves and what they like and you know we we we say something the Lord's Prayer we say our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name and then what do we say the I kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven okay we say God this is not about my kingdom there's not about anyone's kingdom this is about your kingdom we and we want what you want your will be done on earth as it is in heaven right now now in heaven do you think everyone's singing about themselves. [06:34:09]

I want to read this passage to you because jesus is alive okay we're not talking about something that just happened 2,000 years ago we're talking about the fact that no that person 2,000 years ago is watching us right now and that person 2000 years ago is sitting on his throne in heaven and in Revelation when it talks about the end I just want to read these verses to you it's talking about Jesus and it says in in verse 6 of Revelation 5 between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a lamb standing as though it had been slain with seven horns with seven eyes which are the spirits of God sent out into all the earth and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne and when he had taken the scroll the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints and they sang a new song saying worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals for you were slain and by your blood you ransom people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation and you've made them a kingdom and priests to our God and they shall reign on the earth then I looked and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels numbering myriads of Myriad's thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing and I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them saying to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever and the four living creatures said amen and the elders fell down and they worshipped okay that's what's going on in heaven right you've got this throne with Jesus and it says there's myriads of myriad some your Bibles say ten thousand times 10,000 that's a hundred million hundred million angels and what are they all doing they're all singing the same song none of them are singing about themselves and what they want to see happen all of them just go worthy is the Lamb who was slain could picture that right now a hundred million angels all looking at a throne goon worthy the Lamb who was slain worthy worthy see that harmony see the idea when we say father may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven so that's going on in heaven everyone singing about Jesus Jesus Jesus there's something about that name and what we are saying when we pray that Lord's prayers God we want to be in harmony with that okay we don't want to be in harmony with the world the world is everyone singing their own name they're all singing about their own rights I should be able to do this it's about me I have the rights no one can tell me how to live my life and what are they singing and having they're going man worthy as a lamb why he has the right to take the scroll see that scroll was like a title deed to the earth and when when Jesus starts unwrapping the scroll that's a destruction of everything evil in this earth when you read the book of Revelation that's like whoa he has the power he has the right to destroy everything that's in rebellion to him he has the receipt thats a song we're singing here it's not about your rights and you fighting for it we're joining heaven and saying okay God everyone's singing about the rights of the Lamb to receive all glory and honor and praise I don't deserve any praise please do not ever praise me or honor me it's about him him him I mean can you imagine if one of those hundred million angels flew into the worship service I don't like this song we've been seeing this one a long time you think anyone cares it's like are you kidding me we're in harmony right now we get it this is all about him see that's what this is all about is one day there's gonna be a harmony for those of us you know who've blended in who fallen in line and go I'm done singing about myself I'm done talking about myself this is about God you know I think a lot of times in church those who grew up in church you you come to Easter service or whatever service and people are begging you to stay there and say come on come on okay well change this will make will cater it to you and we're just kind of here saying now we don't really cater to anyone and we cater to what's going on in heaven where everyone centered around the throne and we have an opportunity to fall in line where it's like wow I can join those hundred million angels in those four living creatures and those 24l where everyone's bowing down and I just want to be on the back of it too you know and I want to be singing the same song Jesus Jesus Jesus there's just something about that name worthy is the Lamb who was slain I mean is that the song you sing all day long not just verbally but but do you sing that in your heart do you show it by your life like I'm not about me I just want to spend my whole life worshipping Him and and what this is is a gathering of people say yeah I just want to join in that harmony and sorry sometimes I make it about me and this isn't about me I just want to jump in harmony with you. [08:06:49]

You know the Bible says that we have a choice you know Jesus said in John 15 verse 18 he says if the world hates you know that it hated me before it hated you if you were of the world listen to this verse if you were of the world the world would love you as its own but because you are not of the world but I chose you out of the world therefore the world hates you okay there's two songs going on here okay and you got to make a choice the Bible says friendship with the world is enmity with God and Jesus says you can't serve two masters and I think this is what I try to do in my Christian life you know becoming a Christian in high school it's like I wanted both worlds I think that's what Marcos was talking about you know what I was trying to dabble a little bit in both and you're trying to sing two songs at once and really you're not in harmony with anyone and Jesus makes it clear he goes if the world hates you they hated me so you're gonna join me he says if if if the world hates you it's because you're not out of this world he goes if you were of this world the world would love you as its own so if you fit into the world that's a dangerous place to be like we all like approval right we all like to be accepted and everything else but the Bible says if the world loves you as its own why does the world love you as its own it's probably cuz you are one of the world is but if you're singing this other song and harmony with heaven Jesus they're gonna hate you because they hated me too and this is where so many people struggle is when we have to make a choice we're not good at making choices we want it all can't I have both can't I be loved by the world and also loved by Jesus he says no your friendship with the world and so I want you to look at your life right now because because the truth is and I'm not saying we go there and we're just rude to everyone everything else but what we stand for and singing about Jesus all day and living a life that's for others man it's it's not the song of the world for us to submit and say no he has every right to tell me what sinful in my life and I need to turn from those things and you do too that's not a tune people are singing and Jesus are you gonna sing with there's a song going on in heaven you can be harmony with them that's what I want that's why the Bible to set your mind on things above and I think what's going on up there they're all singing about Jesus so Francis do not make this about you do not make this day about you did I make this sermon about you this is about all of us joining that chorus in heaven and harmonizing with them falling we have an opportunity to fall in line with heaven the downside is we'll be hated by the world now like we're trying is not like we're ruse not at the house it's just everyone wants to sing their own song and we're saying no there's a throne and we're gonna come under that we judged by that yet we're loved by that and he was slain for me and he rose from the dead and he's coming back to take me to be he with him forever and so you know I'm gonna sing about that I'm gonna live but I'm gonna focus and set my mind on that so you can't sing the song of the streets out here and being harmony with them and Jesus at the same time some of us can't even be in harmony with our own families and with Jesus in heaven in the same time we certainly cannot be in harmony with heaven and with San Francisco at the same time we're singing different songs but will you make that choice. [09:15:42]

I hear people say I'm gonna change I'm gonna change I'm gonna change I'm gonna change I'm gonna change I'm gonna change I'm gonna switch lanes I'm gonna switch oh I've been doing this too long I've been here too long I'm gonna change I'm gonna do and this is what we're good at doesn't matter we can talk I'm gonna and everyone's watches like oh awesome he turned his liquor he made a committee he said he's gonna change he said it last Sunday the Sunday before the week before he's been saying as long but he's really it looks like he really means it and pretty soon you're you just go I think you just left your blinker on cuz you're still in the same lane you were for the last 15 years I mean how many people do you know their blinkers have been on forever and that's what church is it's just talk talk talk no really I'm gonna change really I'm gonna change really I'm gonna change and as I was praying about today I thought you know there's probably some of you that have been like that where you come what's my intention so I turned it on if you you know I've said it many times but you see your life you're still in the same lane you've been in forever see when when in the first church when Peter preached that first sermon let me just close with this it says there were these thousands of people there and when they heard the message it says they were cut to the heart and they say what do we need to do just tell me what to do because I want to be in harmony with this I want to be in harmony with him so at the end of my life when I stand before him he knows man hey you were one of my children come over here come over you've been singing my all that time on the earth come be with me forever rather than depart from me I never knew you you you were always about you you never came under me so why you want to come under me now you're never singing my song you were singing your own like I at the end I've got to be right with him and maybe there's some you know that's that's what happened there in acts 2 it's like what do we need to do and what Peter says well you need to repent repent and be baptized and you'll receive the Holy Spirit he says repent repent means turn not turn on your blinkers but actually literally turn actually switched lanes okay you were you were headed down this road okay switch lanes okay we're about to hit a fork in the road okay you're gonna stay in this lane or are you gonna jump over can your blinkers been on forever we're tired of watching that and yours going you know what I'm actually gonna turn I'm gonna turn that's what the word repent means I was heading this direction and I turn I didn't say I was gonna turn I just turned repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins being baptized means you go in the water and it's this picture of you know what I'm done with me I'm dying to myself I've been singing Francis Francis Francis my whole life I'm done with that and I want to join this course now so France is about to die and we're not gonna sing that song anymore I'm gonna come out of this water and it's all gonna be about him and I want to live my life in harmony with them with them with with it with the leaders here and go you know what we're all gonna make this about him and it's gonna be about him for the rest of history and I want to join that that's what baptism is it's saying you know what I saw what I did to myself I saw the sin and I couldn't get out of it and the Bible says and you will receive the Holy Spirit is this promises for you for your children and for those who are far off see that's what Marcus was saying who is the spirit in you see because maybe you've been trying to change on your own you're not gonna pull it off you made me do little things here there but it'll be temporary the idea is God says look don't don't go hey well let me prove it first and then get baptized know the Bible is like no you know what stop talking stop waiting just change lanes just die to yourself and then my spirit will enter into you and then you'll have the power to put to death all those things in your life and it's a journey the journey we're all on together and many of the people have already testified here that said you know what he gave me the power to change I think I could ever change and look at me now and we're walking together and we're in harmony and we'd love for you to join us but you just got to know if this isn't gonna be about you it's about you falling in line like the rest of us and saying we want to be in harmony with heaven that's what the resurrection of Jesus Christ was all about that's why he died to bring us to him and I know some of you guys weren't prepared for this and this was kind of like a last minute decision as I was praying I thought you know what I want to just challenge people that may want to take that step right now and say I know you're not prepared but maybe today you're going you know I'm tired of talking I really want this I want to be in harmony with you guys singing about Jesus I believe he died on that cross from me I'm ready for him to follow I'm ready to follow him we actually brought I guess we call it a baptismal tank it's a gardening thing and then we filled it up with the water right there from that hose and it came out kind of green but now you feel like you're in the Jordan River but you know what and we brought towels and stuff so you know we can cover you up and stuff like that but I thought you know I just was in India you know a month ago and and the people that got baptized they would talk about how at that moment the moment people song get baptized they lost their families they lost their jobs they lost everything they went in the water they understood this is not in harmony with my family anymore they're cutting me off and I'm singing another song and they lose everything like oh man that's powerful and I've been in many countries where that happens where there's a sacrifice and in America for too long we've tried to just make it okay well you can keep living your life and just add a little Jesus I don't see that anywhere in this book it's about dying to yourself repenting being baptized and filled with the spirit and I just thought you know what God there may be a couple people here today that you're gonna bring because that's what you do and you set everything up right just for them to be here today and I think there might be a couple people that want to get baptized on Easter Sunday and saying you know what this is when we celebrate the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and I want this Easter Sunday 2016 to be about me talking to myself and I'm gonna rise again and so if there's anyone that wants to get baptized right now just come on forward right now in front of everyone and we'll baptize you in that water. [11:18:03]

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