Unity and Purpose: Strengthening the Church Family
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker emphasizing the importance of gathering as a church family and being grateful for the opportunities God has given them. The church, despite its flaws, is God's chosen vehicle to spread the gospel. The speaker then discusses the importance of unity within the church, referencing Psalm 133, which describes the goodness and pleasantness of brothers dwelling in unity. The speaker also discusses the concept of spiritual gifts and how they are given to believers by the Holy Spirit to serve the body of Christ and engage in mission. The speaker encourages the congregation to accurately assess their own abilities and roles within the body of Christ, while avoiding the extremes of thinking too highly or too little of themselves.
The speaker then discusses how people within a church family can become too focused on their own spiritual passions and expect everyone else to have the same passions. The speaker warns against thinking too highly of one's own passion and looking down on others who may not share the same level of enthusiasm. On the other hand, the speaker also highlights the danger of thinking too little of oneself and underestimating the significance of one's own contribution to the church. The speaker emphasizes the need for balance in recognizing and valuing both our own passions and the passions of others within the church.
The speaker then discusses the concept of limited knowledge and how it applies to understanding Jesus and the church. The implication is that people should be able to get a glimpse of who Jesus is by observing the church and its followers. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that it is God's design for people to gain even greater insight into Jesus by actively participating in the body of Christ and working together to reach those who are not yet part of the church.
The speaker then addresses both the church family and the guests. They emphasize that Jesus loves everyone and came to restore a relationship with God, offer forgiveness, and give life purpose. For those who have not yet made the decision to follow Jesus, the speaker invites them to start a relationship with Christ and offers to help them understand what it means to be part of God's family.
The speaker concludes the sermon by emphasizing the importance of a healthy church that is able to carry more weight for the glory of God. They believe that God recognizes and rewards churches that are strong and healthy, and is more likely to give them significant tasks and missions to accomplish.
Key Takeaways:
- The church, despite its flaws, is God's chosen vehicle to spread the gospel. It is important for the church to remain united and focused on its mission to make disciples. The church should also recognize and value the unique gifts and passions that each individual brings to the community. [04:08]
- Spiritual gifts are given to believers by the Holy Spirit to serve the body of Christ and engage in mission. Believers should accurately assess their own abilities and roles within the body of Christ, while avoiding the extremes of thinking too highly or too little of themselves. [20:55]
- People should be able to get a glimpse of who Jesus is by observing the church and its followers. It is God's design for people to gain even greater insight into Jesus by actively participating in the body of Christ and working together to reach those who are not yet part of the church. [14:14]
- Jesus loves everyone and came to restore a relationship with God, offer forgiveness, and give life purpose. Those who have not yet made the decision to follow Jesus are invited to start a relationship with Christ and understand what it means to be part of God's family. [56:01]
- A healthy church is able to carry more weight for the glory of God. God recognizes and rewards churches that are strong and healthy, and is more likely to give them significant tasks and missions to accomplish. The church should collectively listen to what God wants them to do as a church family, and continue looking to Jesus as the source and authority. [53:43]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 133:1-3 - "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 - "For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."
3. Ephesians 4:11-16 - "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 133, what are the benefits of brothers dwelling in unity? How is this unity described? [37:01]
2. In 1 Corinthians 12, what analogy does Paul use to describe the church? What does he say about the different parts of the body? [18:40]
3. What roles does Ephesians 4 say Christ gave to the church, and for what purpose? [43:43]
4. How does the speaker describe the relationship between individual spiritual gifts and the overall health of the church body? [20:12]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of unity within the church, and how does Psalm 133 support this emphasis? [37:01]
2. How does the analogy of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 help us understand the importance of diversity in spiritual gifts within the church? [18:40]
3. What does Ephesians 4 suggest about the process of spiritual growth and maturity within the church? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about the church’s mission? [43:43]
4. The speaker warns against thinking too highly or too little of oneself. How does this balance contribute to the health and mission of the church? [20:55]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts and passions. How can you use them to serve the body of Christ more effectively? [20:12]
2. Have you ever felt that your contribution to the church was insignificant? How does 1 Corinthians 12:18 challenge that perception? [24:02]
3. The speaker mentioned the danger of expecting others to share the same spiritual passions. Have you experienced this in your church community? How can you appreciate and support the diverse gifts of others? [21:37]
4. How can you actively contribute to the unity of your church, especially when disagreements arise? What steps can you take to foster a spirit of unity? [37:01]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of a healthy church body. What specific actions can you take to improve your spiritual health and, in turn, the health of your church? [50:28]
6. How can you help others in your church recognize and utilize their spiritual gifts? What practical steps can you take to encourage and support them? [26:47]
7. The speaker invited those who have not yet made the decision to follow Jesus to start a relationship with Him. How can you be more intentional about sharing your faith with others and inviting them to experience the love of Christ? [54:19]
Devotional
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Day 1: Embracing Unity in Diversity
The church, despite its imperfections, is God's chosen instrument for spreading the gospel. Unity within the church is crucial, and each member brings unique gifts and passions to the community. It's important to value these differences and maintain focus on the shared mission of making disciples. [04:08]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 - "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
Reflection: Reflect on your unique gifts and passions. How can you use them to serve the body of Christ and contribute to the unity of your church community?
Day 2: Recognizing and Utilizing Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are given to believers by the Holy Spirit to serve the body of Christ and engage in mission. It's important to accurately assess our own abilities and roles within the body of Christ, avoiding the extremes of thinking too highly or too little of ourselves. [20:55]
Romans 12:6-8 - "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you? How can you use these gifts to serve others in your church and community?
Day 3: Reflecting Jesus Through the Church
People should be able to get a glimpse of who Jesus is by observing the church and its followers. By actively participating in the body of Christ and working together, we can provide even greater insight into Jesus for those who are not yet part of the church. [14:14]
Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Reflection: How can your actions and interactions within your church community reflect Jesus to those who are observing?
Day 4: Embracing Jesus' Love and Purpose
Jesus loves everyone and came to restore a relationship with God, offer forgiveness, and give life purpose. Those who have not yet made the decision to follow Jesus are invited to start a relationship with Him and understand what it means to be part of God's family. [56:01]
1 John 4:9-10 - "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
Reflection: How can you share the love and purpose that Jesus offers with someone in your life who has not yet decided to follow Him?
Day 5: Building a Healthy Church for God's Glory
A healthy church is able to carry more weight for the glory of God. God recognizes and rewards churches that are strong and healthy, and is more likely to give them significant tasks and missions to accomplish. The church should collectively listen to what God wants them to do as a church family, and continue looking to Jesus as the source and authority. [53:43]
1 Peter 2:5 - "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What steps can you take to contribute to the health and strength of your church community, and how can you encourage others to do the same?
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Quotes
"It's God's design for people to get a glimpse of who he is by simply looking at us and to take a step further it is his design for people to gain even greater insight into who Jesus is by having his body spend time as a body working together to spend time reaching those who are not yet part of the body." [15:03]
"You're good at this, you're passionate about this, you've had experience here, why don't we begin to move you in this direction as you function as part of this body of Believers." [27:19]
"God has so composed the body giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body but that the members may have the same care for one another." [29:19]
"I don't know what our next weight that God's going to put in front of us and say move this lift this carry this do this but I can promise you there's still weight in front of us to carry for the glory of God there's still things for us to do and we'll be able to do that thing that God asks us to do to the extent that every one of us does our part." [49:37]
"He has given you passions and gifts and callings and strengths so that the body of Christ...can function the way it should as each one of us do our parts." [24:49]
"The church is God's plan a for changing the world and there is no plan B." [01:41]
"Unity is not just a good practice but it aligns with God's vision and his design for the church...it's a reflection of God's purpose for his people." [35:14]
"A healthy church is able to carry more weight for the glory of God, can engage in mission to greater depths and greater breadths and greater heights because it's able to carry the weight." [51:13]
"How are you contributing to the health of the body? Are you being who God created you to be? Are you developing and growing your spiritual muscles so that when we're playing our part as a whole, you can say I know what part God wants me to play in this body." [53:12]
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