Ubuntu: The Power of Community and Love

Today, we gathered as a unique and miraculous community, each person a vital part of a tapestry that will never be exactly the same again. We celebrated the gift of being together, whether in person or online, and reflected on the profound truth that God’s love stretches farther than we can imagine. Our focus this year is on the concept of Ubuntu, a South African philosophy meaning “I am because we are.” This worldview teaches that our identity and purpose are found in our relationships with one another; we are like links in a chain, each one necessary for the strength and purpose of the whole.

Through stories and scripture, we explored how Ubuntu aligns with the Christian call to community. The story of the South African children who chose to share a basket of fruit rather than compete for it reminds us that true happiness is found in shared joy and mutual care. In the same way, the Christian life is not about individual achievement but about living in harmony, solidarity, and reciprocity—sharing resources, responsibilities, and blessings so that no one is left out or alone.

Drawing from Colossians, we considered the ethical implications of our oneness with Christ. Love is not just a feeling but a daily practice, something we “put on” like clothing until it becomes part of our very being. This love binds us together in perfect harmony, allowing each person’s unique gifts to contribute to the beauty and strength of the community. Peace and gratitude flow from this love, transforming our relationships and our outlook on life.

We heard a powerful testimony of transformation: a child, once abandoned and fearful, became the happiest in his school simply because he knew he was loved and belonged. This is the power of love in action—a love that heals, restores, and creates belonging. We are called to be agents of this love, especially to those who seem hardest to love, for often those who need love most ask for it in the most unloving ways.

As we shared in communion, we remembered that Christ’s table is the ultimate symbol of unity and inclusion. Here, all are welcome, all are forgiven, and all are bound together by the love that is stronger than anything that divides us. We are sent out as missionaries of this love, to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world longing for hope and belonging.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Ubuntu: “I am because we are” Our identity and purpose are inseparable from our relationships with others. Like links in a chain, we find our strength and meaning in community, not in isolation. This challenges the Western emphasis on individualism and calls us to a deeper, more interconnected way of living. [22:56]
• 2. Love as a Daily Practice Love is not merely an emotion but a conscious choice we make each day, much like putting on clothing. As we practice love—especially toward those who are difficult or different—it gradually becomes part of our character, shaping us into people who reflect Christ’s love to the world. [49:56]
• 3. Harmony in Diversity True community is not about uniformity but about harmony, where each person’s unique gifts and roles contribute to the whole. Just as a choir creates beauty through different voices, the church thrives when everyone is valued and included, even those working quietly behind the scenes. [36:44]
• 4. The Transformative Power of Belonging The story of the adopted child illustrates that knowing we are loved and that we belong can heal deep wounds and bring about profound joy. Our calling is to extend this sense of belonging to others, especially those who feel excluded or unloved, recognizing that love has the power to transform lives. [50:44]
• 5. Gratitude and Peace as Foundations Beginning with gratitude opens our eyes to the gifts in others and helps us respond to challenges with grace. The peace of Christ is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of a love that values every person and seeks reconciliation, making us agents of hope in a divided world. [41:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [09:29] - Embracing God’s Expansive Love
• [19:19] - Children’s Time: The Candy Basket Story
• [21:57] - Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are
• [24:20] - The Anchor Chain: Strength in Community
• [28:45] - Ubuntu vs. Western Individualism
• [31:10] - Pillars of Ubuntu: Dignity, Solidarity, Reciprocity
• [36:44] - Colossians: Oneness with Christ and Ethical Living
• [41:55] - Practices: Love, Harmony, Peace, Gratitude
• [49:33] - The Power of Love: A Story of Transformation
• [51:52] - Who Needs Love Most?
• [53:00] - Communion: The Table of Unity
• [57:19] - The Great Thanksgiving
• [59:58] - Remembering Christ’s Love
• [72:51] - Sending Forth: Missionaries of Love

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV) — 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
13 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.
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 3:12-14, what are the qualities that Paul says we should “put on” as God’s chosen people?
2. In the sermon, what did the South African children do when offered a basket of fruit, and what did this reveal about their understanding of happiness? [21:57]
3. What does the phrase “put on love” mean in the context of Colossians and the sermon? [49:56]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of each person in the community, using the image of the anchor chain? [24:20]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Love is not just a feeling but a daily practice, something we ‘put on’ like clothing until it becomes part of our very being.” What does it look like for love to become part of someone’s character? [49:56]
2. The story of the adopted child highlights the power of belonging. Why do you think knowing you are loved and that you belong can bring about such a deep transformation? [50:44]
3. The concept of Ubuntu says, “I am because we are.” How does this challenge the way many people in our culture think about identity and purpose? [22:56]
4. The sermon mentions that “the people who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving way.” Why do you think this is true, and how should it affect the way we respond to difficult people? [51:52]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to see ourselves as “links in a chain,” each necessary for the strength of the whole. Is there a place in your life (work, family, church) where you feel like an isolated link? What would it look like to reconnect or strengthen those bonds? [24:20]
2. Think about someone in your life who seems hard to love or who acts out in unloving ways. What is one practical step you could take this week to show them love, even if it’s difficult? [51:52]
3. The children in the story chose to share the fruit rather than compete for it. Can you recall a recent situation where you had the choice to share or to keep something for yourself? What did you do, and how did it affect your sense of community? [21:57]
4. The sermon says, “Love is a conscious choice we make each day, much like putting on clothing.” What is one way you can intentionally “put on love” tomorrow morning before you start your day? [49:56]
5. The story of the adopted child shows how love and belonging can heal deep wounds. Is there someone in your circle who might feel left out or alone? How can you help them feel included this week? [50:44]
6. The sermon talks about starting with gratitude and letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. What is one thing you are grateful for in your community, and how can you express that gratitude to someone this week? [41:55]
7. Communion is described as the “ultimate symbol of unity and inclusion.” How can you help make your church or small group a place where everyone feels welcome and valued, especially those who are new or different? [53:00]