Seth Conklin: A Story of Hope and Unity

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in the Body of Christ

True unity is found in our shared hope, faith, and calling.

Paul, writing from prison, urges the church to recognize a profound oneness that transcends all boundaries—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This unity is not about uniformity or everyone being the same, but about embracing the diversity of gifts and backgrounds within the community while holding fast to what binds us together. Our oneness is not defined by denomination, nationality, or any human category, but by the love and hope we share in Christ. In a world that often divides, we are called to live out this mysterious, miraculous unity, remembering that our connection is deeper than anything that might separate us. [59:04]

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NLT)
"For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."

Reflection: Who in your life or community do you find it hardest to feel “one” with? What is one step you can take this week to reach out and build a bridge of unity with them?

Day 2: Each Part Has a Special Work

Every person’s unique contribution helps the whole community grow in love.

Just as the body is made up of many parts, each with its own special work, so too is the church. When each person embraces their calling and uses their gifts, the entire community becomes healthier, stronger, and more loving. No one’s role is insignificant; even small acts of service or kindness can help others grow. We are not meant to hold onto hope or faith just for ourselves—others are counting on us to participate, to encourage, and to build up the body. This is an interactive process, where everyone’s involvement matters and helps the whole flourish. [08:24]

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
"He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

Reflection: What is one unique gift or passion you have that you haven’t yet offered to your church or community? How might you use it this week to help someone else grow?

Day 3: Living a Life Worthy of Your Calling

We are called to live courageously and compassionately for the sake of others.

The call to “live a life worthy of your calling” is not just a personal challenge but a communal one. It means stepping up, even when it’s uncomfortable, to speak out and act for justice, mercy, and hope. The story of Seth Conklin reminds us that living out our calling may require sacrifice and courage, especially when others are suffering or oppressed. We are not powerless or hopeless; this is our time to act, to speak, and to love boldly. Our lives are meant to be a blessing to others, reflecting the hope and unity we have in Christ. [01:08:42]

Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."

Reflection: Where do you sense God nudging you to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of someone else’s hope or freedom? What is one action you can take this week to live more fully into your calling?

Day 4: Hope in the Midst of Struggle

Hope is found not just in future promises, but in the goodness of God present now.

Hope is not only about believing things will get better someday; it’s about recognizing the goodness and blessing of God in the present, even when life doesn’t go according to plan. Like the storyteller who kept dancing and singing when the music failed, we are invited to find holy moments in the midst of imperfection and struggle. God’s declaration that creation is “very good” reminds us that hope is woven into the fabric of our lives, sustaining us through every challenge and disappointment. [59:30]

Genesis 1:31 (ESV)
"And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation that didn’t go as you hoped. Where can you see God’s goodness or a reason for hope in that experience today?

Day 5: Love in Action—Blessing Others

Small acts of love and blessing can transform lives and communities.

Sometimes the most powerful expressions of love are simple, everyday actions—like paying for someone’s coffee or leaving a note of encouragement. These acts may seem small, but they communicate care and connection in profound ways, especially to those who feel unseen or marginalized. We are called to be people who bless others, not just in word but in deed, making love tangible in our communities. In doing so, we participate in God’s ongoing work of justice, equity, and hope for all. [56:06]

1 John 3:18 (ESV)
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can bless someone unexpectedly this week—especially someone who might feel overlooked or alone?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the deep, sometimes mysterious, unity that binds us as the body of Christ, and the call to live lives worthy of that calling. Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the focus is on the “seven-fold oneness”—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This unity is not about uniformity or erasing our differences, but about embracing the diversity of gifts, stories, and experiences that each person brings. Just as each part of the body has its own special work, so too does each of us contribute to the growth and health of the whole community, making it full of love.

Personal stories from a recent trip to a storytelling festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee, highlight the power of stories to connect, challenge, and inspire. The experience of participating in interactive storytelling—where the audience is not just a passive listener but an active participant—mirrors the way faith is meant to be lived: not as spectators, but as engaged members of a living, breathing community. Even when things don’t go as planned, as with a storyteller’s failed sound system, the improvisation and communal participation can create moments of unexpected grace and connection.

The story of Seth Conklin, a white abolitionist who risked and ultimately gave his life to rescue a family from slavery, serves as a powerful example of hope in action. His story, preserved in song and in the annals of the Underground Railroad, reminds us that hope is not just wishful thinking for a better future, but a conviction that compels us to act for justice and love in the present. The question is posed: what are we doing now, in our own time, to stand for those who are marginalized or oppressed? The call is to recognize that our unity in Christ transcends all boundaries, and that we are responsible for one another’s flourishing.

In the end, the invitation is to live a life worthy of our calling, to let love bind us together, and to remember the stories—like that of Seth Conklin—that inspire us to courageous, hope-filled action. We are not powerless, and our actions, however small, are part of the ongoing story of God’s redeeming love in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Unity in Christ is not about sameness, but about embracing the diversity of gifts, backgrounds, and experiences within the body. True oneness is found not in erasing differences, but in recognizing how each unique part helps the whole body grow in love and health. This unity is a miracle that transcends denominational, national, and cultural boundaries. [59:48]
2. Stories have the power to shape us, not just as listeners but as participants. When we allow ourselves to be drawn into the stories of others—especially those that challenge or discomfort us—we open ourselves to transformation and deeper connection. Faith, like storytelling, is meant to be interactive and communal, not a spectator sport. [54:53]
3. Hope is not merely optimism for a better future, but a conviction that this present moment is already “very good” in God’s eyes. Holding onto hope means trusting that God is at work even in the midst of struggle, and that our actions, however small, are part of God’s ongoing story of redemption. [59:30]
4. The story of Seth Conklin reminds us that hope often requires sacrifice and courage. Acting on behalf of others, especially the vulnerable and oppressed, is a tangible expression of the hope we profess. We are called to ask ourselves what we are doing now, in our own time, to stand for justice and love, refusing to be silent or passive. [07:49]
5. Living a life worthy of our calling means recognizing our responsibility to one another. We are not isolated individuals, but interconnected members of one body, and our choices impact the whole. Love binds us together, and we are invited to participate in God’s work of healing, justice, and reconciliation in the world. [68:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:49] - Ways to Connect and Community Announcements
[08:49] - Diaper and Food Drives
[09:03] - Peace Week Delaware Events
[09:49] - Flu Shots and Outreach Initiatives
[10:40] - Church Directory Update
[11:28] - 28 Days of Prayer and Justice Initiatives
[11:59] - Member Book Launch and Webinars
[12:21] - Youth Events and Online Resources
[49:56] - Reflections from the Storytelling Festival
[51:30] - Rediscovering the Call to Preach
[53:48] - The Power of Participatory Storytelling
[54:53] - Stories That Get Inside Us
[58:03] - Paul’s Prison Letter and the Call to Unity
[59:04] - The Seven-Fold Oneness
[61:38] - Each Part’s Special Work
[62:42] - The Story of Seth Conklin
[67:45] - Our Responsibility in the Present
[69:52] - Closing Song and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV) — > I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 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.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 4:1-6, what are the “seven-fold oneness” elements that Paul lists as central to Christian unity?
In the sermon, what was the significance of the interactive storytelling at the festival, and how did it relate to the way faith is meant to be lived? [[54:53]]
What details from the story of Seth Conklin stood out as examples of hope in action? [[01:02:42]]
How does Paul describe the way each part of the body contributes to the health and growth of the whole community? [[01:01:38]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says unity in Christ is not about sameness, but about embracing diversity. How does this idea challenge or affirm your understanding of what it means to be “one body” in Christ? [[59:48]]
The story of the failed sound system at the festival became a moment of unexpected grace. What does this teach about how God can work through our imperfections and improvisation? [[53:48]]
Seth Conklin’s story was described as “hope in action.” What does it mean for hope to move beyond wishful thinking and become a conviction that leads to courageous action? [[01:02:42]]
Paul urges believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling.” What might this look like in practical, everyday life, especially in how we relate to others in the church and beyond? [[01:08:42]]

Application Questions

The sermon highlighted that unity is not about erasing differences, but about each person using their unique gifts for the good of the whole. What is one gift, story, or experience you bring to this group or church that could help others grow in love? How might you use it more intentionally? [[59:48]]
Think about a time when you were a “spectator” in your faith rather than an active participant. What is one step you could take this week to become more engaged in the life of the church or in someone else’s story? [[54:53]]
The story of Seth Conklin asks us to consider what we are doing now to stand for those who are marginalized or oppressed. Is there a specific issue or group in your community that you feel called to support? What is one concrete action you could take? [[01:07:45]]
When things don’t go as planned—like the storyteller’s sound system failing—how do you usually respond? Can you recall a recent situation where improvising or letting others participate led to a better outcome? How might you be more open to God’s grace in the unexpected? [[53:48]]
The sermon said, “We are not powerless, and our actions, however small, are part of the ongoing story of God’s redeeming love.” What is one small act of love or justice you can commit to this week? [[01:08:42]]
Paul talks about “bearing with one another in love.” Is there someone in your life or in this group you find it hard to bear with? What is one way you could show them patience or gentleness this week? [[59:30]]
The festival story showed how participating in someone else’s story can be transformative. Is there a story—maybe from someone different from you—that you need to listen to more deeply? How will you make space for that this week? [[54:53]]

Sermon Clips

You notice what Paul doesn't say. And he knew these words. He doesn't say one church. He doesn't say one denomination. He knew these words. He doesn't say one religion. He doesn't say one country. I think sometimes we confuse where we, where our oneness lies. [00:59:41] (24 seconds) #OnenessBeyondLabels

As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow. Like Vicki was talking about. I'm talking about the children and youth. We don't just hold onto hope for ourselves. Others are counting on us. This is an interactive process. Life. [01:01:28] (21 seconds) #GrowingTogetherInHope

Not only geographically, but also temporarily right now, we're really struggling with another struggle about who deserves rights as a human being in this country. So it's a similar kind of struggle, actually, and I think that's the point that she was also making. [01:02:07] (19 seconds) #FightingForHumanRights

There aren't people who by virtue of the color of their skin or where they were born are vastly different from from us we are one love binds us and a man a long time ago and the slaves he tried to free Seth Conklin is his name inspires me even to this day to live that life worthy of my calling of our calling. [01:09:15] (28 seconds) #UnityInSharedHumanity

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