Unity and Reconciliation: The Heart of the Church
Summary
In our recent gatherings, we have been exploring the essence of our identity in Christ and the divine call upon our lives. We are reminded that as a church, we are not merely a collection of individuals, but a unified body, a family brought together by the Holy Spirit. The New Testament is replete with examples of believers living out their faith in community, from the early church in Acts to Paul's missionary journeys accompanied by faithful companions. The epistles, too, are addressed not to isolated believers but to the collective body, urging us to live in harmony and love.
The church is not a building; it is a gathering of people called out by God. We are living stones being built into a spiritual temple, a family where God is our Father, making us brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the heart of the church: a community where love, service, and mutual edification are paramount. Jesus Himself prayed not for our perfection in knowledge or morality but for our unity, knowing that the world would recognize His disciples by their love for one another.
However, living in such close fellowship is not without its challenges. Conflicts arise, and we are faced with the task of reconciliation. Jesus provides us with a clear recipe for reconciliation in Matthew 18. When a fellow believer sins against us, we are to approach them privately in the hope of restoration. If they do not listen, we are to take one or two others with us, and if reconciliation still fails, we bring the matter before the church. If they refuse to listen even to the church, we are to treat them as we would an unbeliever—not with hatred, but with love from a distance, praying for their return to fellowship.
This process is not about seeking revenge or harboring bitterness; it is about pursuing the unity that Jesus desires for His church. We must examine our hearts to ensure that our desire aligns with Christ's, seeking reconciliation over retribution. The New Testament provides us with numerous "one another" commands that, if followed, lead to a community marked by love and unity. These commands are not mere suggestions but the blueprint for how we are to live together as the body of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The church is a community of believers, not a physical building. We are called to be living stones, building a spiritual temple where the presence of God dwells among us. This understanding shifts our focus from maintaining structures to nurturing relationships within the body of Christ. [38:19]
- Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:21 is a central theme of the New Testament. Our unity is not based on uniformity of thought or action but on our mutual love in Christ. This love is the hallmark of our identity as His followers and the means by which the world will recognize us. [44:27]
- Reconciliation is a divine mandate, not an optional aspect of Christian living. When conflicts arise, we must follow Jesus' prescribed steps for reconciliation, seeking to restore fellowship with humility and a focus on unity. This process is a reflection of God's grace and a testimony to the world of His reconciling love. [58:03]
- Self-reflection is crucial when dealing with offenses within the church. Before we can effectively work towards reconciliation, we must ensure that our own hearts are aligned with Jesus' desire for unity and restoration, rather than being driven by a desire for revenge or vindication. [56:17]
- The "one another" commands in the New Testament are not just instructions for interpersonal relationships; they are the very fabric of church life. By loving, serving, forgiving, and bearing with one another, we embody the love of Christ and become a living testimony to His transformative power. [52:51]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 17:21 - "That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
2. Matthew 18:15-17 - "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
3. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 17:21, what is the purpose of the unity Jesus prays for among His followers?
2. In Matthew 18:15-17, what steps does Jesus outline for addressing a fellow believer who has sinned against you?
3. How does 1 Peter 2:5 describe believers and their role in the church? What metaphor is used to illustrate this?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize unity among His followers in John 17:21? How does this unity serve as a testimony to the world? [44:27]
2. What is the significance of the process of reconciliation described in Matthew 18:15-17? How does this process reflect the values of the Christian community? [58:03]
3. How does the metaphor of "living stones" in 1 Peter 2:5 help us understand our individual and collective roles within the church? [42:35]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced unity within a church community. What specific actions or attitudes contributed to that unity? How can you foster similar unity in your current church? [44:27]
2. Think of a conflict you have had with another believer. Did you follow the steps outlined in Matthew 18:15-17? If not, how might following these steps have changed the outcome? [58:03]
3. In what ways can you act as a "living stone" in your church community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to build up the spiritual house of your church. [42:35]
4. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. How can you contribute to this unity in your daily interactions with other believers? What practical steps can you take to promote harmony and love within your church? [44:27]
5. When dealing with offenses within the church, self-reflection is crucial. How can you ensure that your heart is aligned with Jesus' desire for unity and restoration rather than revenge or vindication? [56:17]
6. The "one another" commands in the New Testament are essential for church life. Choose one "one another" command (e.g., love one another, forgive one another) and describe a specific way you can practice it this week. [50:39]
7. How can you model the love of Christ to someone who has hurt you, especially if reconciliation seems difficult? What steps can you take to pray for and love them from a distance, as suggested in Matthew 18:17? [01:09:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Building God's Spiritual Temple
We are called to be living stones, actively participating in the construction of a spiritual temple where God's presence resides. This temple is not made of bricks and mortar but of the relationships and connections we forge with one another in the body of Christ. As living stones, each believer is integral to the structure's integrity and beauty, contributing their unique gifts and talents. This imagery encourages us to shift our focus from the physical edifices we often associate with church to the more profound and enduring bonds of fellowship and community. It is through these relationships that we experience the presence of God among us, growing together in spiritual maturity and reflecting the love of Christ to the world. [38:19]
1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How are you contributing to the growth and edification of your church community as a 'living stone'?
Day 2: Unity in Diversity
The prayer of Jesus in John 17:21 emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, not based on uniformity but on mutual love in Christ. This unity is a testament to the world of Jesus' mission and His transformative power within us. It is through our love for one another that we demonstrate our true identity as His disciples. This love transcends differences in thought, background, and action, uniting us in our common purpose to glorify God and serve one another. As we embrace this divine love, we become a beacon of hope and a clear sign to the world of what it means to follow Christ. [44:27]
Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV
"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."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively promote unity within your church, celebrating diversity while maintaining a bond of peace?
Day 3: The Mandate of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is not optional in the Christian life; it is a divine mandate that reflects God's grace and love. When conflicts arise, we are called to follow the steps Jesus outlined for reconciliation, prioritizing the restoration of fellowship. This process requires humility, a willingness to forgive, and a focus on the unity that Christ desires for His church. By engaging in reconciliation, we not only mend broken relationships but also provide a powerful testimony to the world of God's reconciling love at work within us. [58:03]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 ESV
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: Is there someone with whom you need to seek reconciliation, and what steps can you take today to initiate that process?
Day 4: Heart Check Before Reconciliation
Before attempting to reconcile with others, it is crucial to examine our own hearts and motives. We must align our desires with Jesus' vision for unity and restoration, ensuring that we are not driven by a desire for revenge or vindication. This self-reflection allows us to approach reconciliation with the right spirit, one that mirrors the grace and forgiveness we have received from Christ. As we align our hearts with His, we become effective agents of healing and unity within the body of Christ. [56:17]
Galatians 6:1 ESV
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
Reflection: What are the conditions of your heart as you approach reconciliation, and how can you ensure they are in line with Christ's example of humility and grace?
Day 5: Living the 'One Another' Commands
The 'one another' commands in the New Testament are the fabric of church life, instructing us on how to live in community. By loving, serving, forgiving, and bearing with one another, we embody the love of Christ and become a living testimony to His transformative power. These commands are not mere suggestions but the blueprint for our interactions within the church. As we put these commands into practice, we build up the body of Christ and demonstrate the reality of the Gospel in our lives. [52:51]
Colossians 3:12-14 ESV
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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."
Reflection: Which 'one another' command can you focus on today to strengthen your relationships within the church community?
Quotes
1) "Jesus wants reconciliation, restoration, unity in the church, and if that's what you want when someone sins against you, then I'm fixing to give you his recipe." [56:17](Download | Download)
2) "If what you really want is revenge, then Jesus' recipe for reconciliation is as useless to you as a recipe for cookies when you're trying to make meatballs." [56:55](Download | Download)
3) "Jesus knew the best chance for reconciliation is one-on-one... because that's our first best chance for reconciliation." [01:08:33](Download | Download)
4) "If we follow these 35 instructions completely, we will have complete unity in Christ and can draw people to Christ when they see him and his love in us." [52:51](Download | Download)
5) "The biblical meaning of the word church is not a building, it's a people... a community of people who were all different and who were all called and who are all called together and united in Christ like a family." [38:19](Download | Download)
6) "Jesus prayed that we'd have unity... He didn't pray that we would always do life right, he prayed that we would always do life together." [44:27](Download | Download)
7) "If I've told anybody else about his sin except the people Jesus told me to tell about his sin in this recipe, there's a pretty good chance that I'm working towards unity and reconciliation." [01:11:00](Download | Download)
8) "If another believer sins against you, Jesus says go privately to them and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses, you've won that person back." [59:42](Download | Download)
9) "Every time another person hears about it, the chances for reconciliation goes down. Do you understand why Jesus said this? Because this is really important." [01:00:52](Download | Download)
10) "If we want unity in the church, it's all about how we treat one another... the first one's the big one, it's to love one another." [50:02](Download | Download)
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