United in Christ: A Journey of Partnership and Mission
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we gather as a combined service for Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission, united under one roof for the second of four planned services. The reason for our unity is simple yet profound: Jesus Christ. It is through His life, death, and resurrection that we come together, sharing a common commitment to the Lordship of Jesus and the simplicity of New Testament Christianity. Our partnership is rooted in a shared desire to bear witness to His grace and glory.
Jesus prayed for unity among His followers, as recorded in John 17, and this unity is essential for the world to believe in Him. His message was about the arrival of God's kingdom, a kingdom characterized by love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. This message is an open invitation to all, regardless of their background or status. Our partnership between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission is a testament to this unity and shared mission.
Our journey together began over six years ago, with conversations and dreams about student ministry and other collaborative efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated our partnership, as we shared resources and learned to be the church in new ways. By 2021, it was clear that our shared passion for Jesus and His kingdom, along with our aligned values, made this partnership not only possible but essential.
Our values at Kingsford Church of Christ include Christ-centered relationships, equipping and empowering people, and experiencing God's grace. Ecclesia Mission shares similar values: love for God and one another, unity in spirit, and a servant heart. These shared values have allowed us to work together effectively, even through challenging conversations and logistical hurdles.
As we look to the future, we are committed to deepening our partnership through various ministries, including student outreach and combined services. Our goal is to prepare each of you to follow Jesus more deeply, becoming disciple-makers who live out the grace of God in your everyday lives. We believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit, prayer, obedience, and intentional relationships, we can grow together and make Christ known to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Christ: Our partnership between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission is rooted in our shared commitment to Jesus Christ. This unity is essential for bearing witness to His grace and glory, as Jesus prayed for all believers to be one so that the world may believe. [01:17]
2. Values of God's Kingdom: Jesus' message is about the arrival of God's kingdom, characterized by love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. These values are central to our partnership and guide our actions and interactions with one another and the world. [03:57]
3. Shared History and Vision: Our partnership has a rich history, beginning with conversations and dreams about student ministry. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated our collaboration, and by 2021, it was clear that our shared passion for Jesus and aligned values made this partnership essential. [05:39]
4. Challenges and Growth: Like any meaningful relationship, our partnership has faced challenges and required difficult conversations. However, these challenges have strengthened our commitment to Jesus' commandment to love one another, proving to the world that we are His disciples. [19:36]
5. Future Initiatives: We are committed to deepening our partnership through various ministries, including student outreach and combined services. Our goal is to prepare each of you to follow Jesus more deeply, becoming disciple-makers who live out the grace of God in your everyday lives. [27:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:17] - Unity in Christ
[02:29] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
[03:57] - Values of God's Kingdom
[05:39] - Shared History and Vision
[07:12] - Early Connections
[08:55] - Impact of COVID-19
[10:21] - Partnership Conversations
[11:56] - Shared Values
[13:27] - Alignment in Mission
[15:04] - Building Relationships
[16:45] - Controlled Chaos
[18:19] - Ministry Collaborations
[19:36] - Challenges and Growth
[20:26] - Love Each Other
[22:44] - Division in the Church
[24:26] - Unity in Diversity
[25:57] - Future Initiatives
[27:20] - Student Ministry
[28:52] - Purpose and Mission
[30:38] - Disciple-Making Pathway
[32:31] - Living Missionally
[34:35] - Gifts to the Church
[36:04] - Discovering Spiritual Gifts
[37:50] - Involvement in Church Life
[39:39] - Holy Spirit Power
[41:19] - Gifts of the Spirit
[42:47] - Seasons of Life
[44:23] - Prayer and Encouragement
[45:00] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 17:20-23 (NIV)
> "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
2. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
> "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
3. Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
> "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus pray for in John 17:20-23 regarding His followers? How does this prayer relate to the unity between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission? [02:29]
2. According to Ephesians 4:11-13, what roles did Christ give to the church, and for what purpose? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on equipping and empowering people? [34:35]
3. In Romans 12:4-5, Paul uses the analogy of the body to describe the church. What does this analogy imply about the relationship between different members of the church? How does this relate to the partnership between the two congregations? [36:04]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-23 serve as a witness to the world? Why is this unity important for the mission of the church? [02:29]
2. Ephesians 4:11-13 mentions the goal of reaching unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. How can the roles mentioned in this passage help achieve this goal within a church partnership? [34:35]
3. Romans 12:4-5 speaks about the diversity of functions within the body of Christ. How can recognizing and valuing different gifts and roles enhance the partnership between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission? [36:04]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17, how can you personally contribute to fostering unity within your church community? Are there specific actions you can take this week to promote unity? [02:29]
2. Considering the roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-13, what spiritual gifts or roles do you feel called to develop or use within your church? How can you seek opportunities to serve in these areas? [34:35]
3. Romans 12:4-5 emphasizes that each member belongs to all the others. How can you better support and collaborate with other members of your church, especially those with different gifts and functions? [36:04]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of intentional relationships. How can you build deeper, more intentional relationships within your church community? Are there specific people you feel led to connect with more deeply? [39:39]
5. The partnership between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission faced challenges and required difficult conversations. How can you approach conflicts or differences within your church in a way that promotes growth and unity? [19:36]
6. The sermon mentioned future initiatives like student outreach. How can you get involved in these initiatives or support them? What steps can you take to engage with new ministries in your church? [27:20]
7. Reflect on the values of love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness mentioned in the sermon. How can you embody these values in your daily interactions, both within and outside the church community? [03:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Christ
Our partnership between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission is rooted in our shared commitment to Jesus Christ. This unity is essential for bearing witness to His grace and glory, as Jesus prayed for all believers to be one so that the world may believe. Unity in Christ is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that we are called to embody. It is through our unity that the world will see the love of Christ and be drawn to Him. This unity transcends our individual differences and focuses on our common mission to glorify God and make Him known.
Jesus' prayer in John 17 emphasizes the importance of unity among His followers. He knew that a divided church would struggle to effectively witness to the world. Our partnership is a testament to this unity, showing that despite our different backgrounds and traditions, we can come together for the sake of the Gospel. This unity is not just for our benefit but for the world to see and believe in Jesus. [01:17]
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 where you have experienced division or conflict. How can you take a step towards unity and reconciliation today?
Day 2: Values of God's Kingdom
Jesus' message is about the arrival of God's kingdom, characterized by love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. These values are central to our partnership and guide our actions and interactions with one another and the world. The kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a present reality that we are called to live out in our daily lives. By embodying these values, we become a living testimony of God's love and grace to the world.
Our partnership between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission is a practical expression of these kingdom values. Through our combined efforts, we aim to demonstrate love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness in tangible ways. Whether it's through student outreach, community service, or simply how we treat one another, these values guide us in all that we do. [03:57]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Identify one way you can demonstrate the values of God's kingdom in your interactions today. How can you show love, compassion, justice, or forgiveness to someone in your life?
Day 3: Shared History and Vision
Our partnership has a rich history, beginning with conversations and dreams about student ministry. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated our collaboration, and by 2021, it was clear that our shared passion for Jesus and aligned values made this partnership essential. This shared history is a testament to God's providence and the power of collaboration in advancing His kingdom.
The journey of our partnership is marked by significant milestones and moments of growth. From initial conversations to the challenges posed by the pandemic, each step has brought us closer together and strengthened our resolve to serve Jesus. Our shared vision for the future includes deepening our partnership through various ministries and combined services, all aimed at making Christ known to the world. [05:39]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when collaboration with others helped you achieve a goal. How can you apply this experience to your involvement in the church's mission and vision?
Day 4: Challenges and Growth
Like any meaningful relationship, our partnership has faced challenges and required difficult conversations. However, these challenges have strengthened our commitment to Jesus' commandment to love one another, proving to the world that we are His disciples. Growth often comes through adversity, and our partnership is no exception.
The challenges we have faced together have not only tested our resolve but also deepened our reliance on God and each other. Through prayer, open communication, and a shared commitment to our mission, we have navigated these challenges and emerged stronger. This process of growth is ongoing, and we continue to learn and adapt as we seek to fulfill God's calling for our partnership. [19:36]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think about a recent challenge you faced in your personal or spiritual life. How did it help you grow, and what did you learn from it? How can you apply these lessons to future challenges?
Day 5: Future Initiatives
We are committed to deepening our partnership through various ministries, including student outreach and combined services. Our goal is to prepare each of you to follow Jesus more deeply, becoming disciple-makers who live out the grace of God in your everyday lives. The future is filled with opportunities to serve and grow together as we seek to make Christ known.
Our future initiatives are designed to equip and empower you to live out your faith in practical ways. Whether it's through student ministry, community outreach, or discipleship programs, we aim to provide opportunities for you to grow in your relationship with Jesus and make a meaningful impact in the world. By embracing these initiatives, we can collectively advance God's kingdom and fulfill our mission. [27:20]
Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Reflection: Consider how you can get involved in the church's future initiatives. What specific steps can you take to become more engaged in student outreach, combined services, or other ministries? How can you contribute to the mission of making disciples?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus' message was about transformation, a transformed world by God's principles. And here's the beauty of it: Jesus' message is an open invitation for all to come to him—the rich, the poor, the marginalized, the outcast, the sinners, the hurt, the hungry, the lost, and the lonely. Everyone is invited into God's grace through Jesus." [03:57] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. And that's the same motivation of why we exist. And so there was this alignment between the two churches because of the passion for Jesus and his kingdom, alignment of values, alignment in wanting to serve the community, alignment in mission of being on God's mission, and alignment on wanting to be disciples of Jesus." [13:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What if the world will know us for what we are for? What if the world sees the unity in the diversity that we have here? Will they see that even though we have our differences, will they see the love that we have for one another? Will they see people from different tribes and different languages and different nations working together, sharing food, sharing stories, and see the love of Jesus through our interactions?" [24:26] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The purpose of Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesiastical Mission is clear: we are God's workers. It is God who makes us grow. It is God who gets the praise and the glory. It's not me. It's not Pastor Yappie. It is God, and we need to remember that the harvest is plentiful, and we want to see each one of you in a role of either planting the seed or watering the seed or harvesting the field." [28:52] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We want you to become disciple makers, people who love Jesus so much that they are not just going to follow Jesus but who know and who understand and live the grace of God in your own life so much that I believe each and every one of you will have this beautiful aroma of Jesus. People will want to know who Jesus is through you." [30:38] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We value Christ-centered relationships to build a caring community because God's word tells us that we are stronger together than we are apart. We value equipping and empowering people to live their lives fully and reach out to others for God's sake. We value people experiencing God's grace through a personal relationship with him." [11:56] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In the two years that we've worked together, we've worked on areas and ministries that will allow for connection and partnership and working together. And let me say that in these two years, we've experimented. Some things worked and some things haven't worked at all. We have combined services like this, Christmas carols, prayer, Ecclesian mission. Many of their team have served Kingsford Church of Christ through music and through preaching. And Kingsford Church, we've served your youth, your impact team. Together, we've served the community through Table at 399 with our hope groups." [18:19] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We want you to explore around thinking biblically, right, in everyday life. What does the Bible say about this? What does the Bible say about that? We want you to think theologically, to be ready to give an answer to the hope that you have in Jesus. We ask, well, what would this person do? We want you to live missionally. We want you to live in step with God in everyday life. That it's not about just coming to church, coming to a place, but actually, how do you live out the grace of God in your everyday life with the people around you?" [32:31] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 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 grows." [36:04] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We believe that the best way for you to grow and to mature in Christ is to be involved, to be involved in the life of the church in at least two ways. One is to be in a life group or a small group, cell group, or I'm not sure what else you guys call it. Yeah, life group, right? And the other one is to serve in a ministry. It's in these two areas where you'll be with other Christ followers. You'll be learning. You'll be maturing. You'll be speaking the truth in love." [37:50] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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