Transforming Lives Through Humble Unity in Christ

In the midst of our busy, weary lives, we are called to pursue a life transformed from the inside out—a life that reflects the love, humility, and unity found in Jesus. As we continue our journey through Romans, especially chapters 14 and 15, we see that the gospel is not just a set of beliefs but a call to live differently, to be a people marked by humble unity even when we disagree on non-essential matters. Paul’s words remind us that transformation begins in our hearts, shaping how we relate to one another within the church and how we engage with the world.

We all have deeply held convictions—matters of conscience—that may differ from those around us. Whether it’s opinions on alcohol, birth control, or even something as lighthearted as Harry Potter, these are not issues to divide over. Instead, we are to bear with one another, refusing to let secondary issues hinder our unity or our worship. The call is to set aside our preferences for the sake of building each other up, remembering that it’s not about being right, but about moving toward Jesus together.

Our example is Christ himself, who did not seek to please himself but bore our disgrace for our good. His sacrificial love is the foundation for how we are to love each other. We are also given the gift of God’s Word, which instructs, encourages, and gives us hope. The Scriptures are not just for Sunday mornings; they are a daily feast that sustains us, helping us endure and grow together.

Unity is not something we achieve by our own strength. It is a gift from God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we learn from Jesus, from his Word, and from each other, we are able to live in harmony, glorifying God with one voice. Welcoming others, even in their mess, is at the heart of the gospel—just as Christ welcomed us when we were far from perfect. This kind of community puts the gospel on display and fuels our worship.

Ultimately, our hope, joy, and peace come from God. We are called to believe, to trust in his power to unite us, and to look forward with hope to the day when our unity will be complete. Until then, we are invited to lay down our pride, love one another deeply, and abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Humble unity means laying down our personal preferences and convictions on non-essential matters for the sake of loving and building up others in the body of Christ. This requires honest self-assessment in light of God’s holiness and our own need for grace, choosing relationship over being right. [03:20]
• 2. Christ’s example is the foundation for our relationships. He bore our disgrace and did not seek his own pleasure, but gave himself for our good. When we remember the depth of his sacrificial love for us, it becomes the motivation and model for how we bear with one another’s weaknesses and failings. [15:10]
• 3. God’s Word is our daily source of instruction, encouragement, and hope. It is not enough to rely on spiritual nourishment once a week; we are called to feast on Scripture daily, allowing it to shape our endurance and unity, especially when disagreements arise. [20:40]
• 4. True harmony and unity in the church are gifts from God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We cannot manufacture this on our own; it is God who grants us the ability to endure, encourage, and live in harmony, so that our worship is strengthened and God is glorified with one voice. [24:55]
• 5. Welcoming others, even in their mess and differences, is at the heart of the gospel. Just as Christ welcomed us when we were dead in our sins, we are to welcome and love others before they have it all together, trusting that God will do the work of transformation in their lives as he has in ours. [28:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:59] - Introduction to Matters of Conscience
• [03:20] - Personal Examples of Conscience
• [05:19] - The Impact of Disagreements on Unity
• [06:36] - Preparing Our Hearts for God’s Word
• [09:25] - Praying for Humble Unity
• [10:29] - The Call to Humility
• [13:10] - Loving Each Other Like Jesus
• [15:10] - Christ as Our Example
• [20:40] - The Power of God’s Word
• [24:55] - Living in Harmony by the Spirit
• [28:23] - Welcoming Others as Christ Welcomed Us
• [31:32] - God’s Plan for Unity in Scripture
• [33:50] - Abounding in Hope by the Spirit
• [35:15] - Practical Steps Toward Humble Unity
• [37:08] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Bible Reading

Romans 15:1-13 (ESV) —
> 1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
> 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
> 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
> 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
> 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
> 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
> 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
> 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,
> 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
> “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
> 10 And again it is said,
> “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
> 11 And again,
> “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”
> 12 And again Isaiah says,
> “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
> 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 15:1-2, what are the “strong” called to do in relation to the “weak”? What does Paul say is the goal of this behavior?
2. In verse 3, Paul points to Christ as our example. What did Christ do instead of pleasing himself?
3. What does Paul say is the purpose of the Scriptures, according to verse 4?
4. In verse 7, what reason does Paul give for welcoming one another? How does he connect this to Christ’s actions?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon mentioned that we all have “matters of conscience” that we feel strongly about, but Paul says not to let these divide us. Why do you think Paul places such importance on unity over personal preferences? How might this challenge the way we approach disagreements in the church? [[05:19]]
2. The pastor described humility as “honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.” How does this kind of humility help us build unity in the church? [[10:29]]
3. Paul says that the Scriptures are given for our instruction, encouragement, and hope. What might it look like for someone to “feast on Scripture daily” rather than just once a week? Why is this important for unity? [[20:40]]
4. The sermon emphasized that true harmony and unity are gifts from God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Why can’t we achieve this kind of unity on our own? What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us live in harmony? [[24:55]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared personal examples of “matters of conscience” (like alcohol, birth control, Harry Potter) that he feels strongly about but refuses to divide over. What are some non-essential issues you feel strongly about? How might you be tempted to let these affect your relationships with other believers? [[03:20]]
2. Think of a recent disagreement you’ve had with another Christian about a non-essential issue. Did you prioritize being “right” or building up the relationship? What would it look like to choose relationship over being right next time? [[13:10]]
3. The sermon challenged us to “bear with” one another’s weaknesses and failings, just as Christ bore our disgrace. Is there someone in your life whose weaknesses you find hard to bear? What is one practical way you could show them grace this week? [[15:10]]
4. The pastor said, “If Sunday morning is the only time the Word is instructing you, you’re starving to death.” What is your current habit of engaging with Scripture outside of Sunday? What is one step you could take this week to “feast” on God’s Word daily? [[20:40]]
5. Welcoming others “even in their mess” is at the heart of the gospel. Is there someone in your church or community you tend to keep at arm’s length because of their differences or struggles? What would it look like to welcome them as Christ welcomed you? [[28:23]]
6. The sermon said that unity is a gift from God, not something we can manufacture. How can you pray for the Holy Spirit to empower you to pursue unity in a specific relationship or situation this week? [[24:55]]
7. The closing prayer asked God to help us “not major on minors” and to “look for opportunities to not please ourselves, but to build each other up.” What is one “minor” issue you need to let go of this week for the sake of unity? How can you intentionally build someone up instead? [[37:38]]