Unity in Diversity: One Root, Many Branches

``And so I suppose here's the answer to our question. How do different people become one without becoming the same? And I don't think it's by finding what we have in common or by minimizing our differences or by creating programs or writing policies and things like that. But I think the answer is this, that we abide in the same Lord. Jesus prayed that we would be one as he and the father are one, distinct persons, but there's this perfect unity. [01:02:38] (33 seconds)  #UnitedInDiversity

here's the question. Do we actually know each other's stories? Do we understand what it costs someone to worship in their second language every week? Have we moved from coexisting quite beautifully to knowing each other deeply? Alright? And and here's the thing. Right? We're in the same room for for the most part. We're in the same room, but actually but are we actually known by the people around us in this room? We share the same table, but do we understand what this table means to each person? [00:46:28] (40 seconds)

And perhaps for some of you, you felt this invitation. You know, if you've been here for years, yeah, we're friendly. We're a friendly we're a friendly mob here, but are we actually friends? And if you're newer here, you've experienced the warmth of welcome, I hope, but also perhaps the confusion that there perhaps are some unwritten rules here in this place. If you're an international student, you've might have carried the exhaustion of worshiping in a in your second language while wondering if the real you is actually welcome here. [00:47:44] (41 seconds)

And so when Jesus died, he didn't just save individuals. He created one humanity. We can see one new people from two groups. Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female, old and young. And here's the key. Right? He reconciled us to God so that we could be reconciled to each other. Unity doesn't come from finding what we have in common. Unity comes from being connected to the same source. [00:57:22] (39 seconds)

Unity and diversity isn't something that we achieve and maintain. Unity and diversity is something we practice every day, one relationship at a time. And when we do this, the world would look at us and see something that they can't explain. [01:17:32] (20 seconds)

Right? Every nation, the key, every nation, every tribe, every people and language standing before the throne distinct and unified. I think that's the vision. I think that's the vision of the table of why we celebrate communion every week. I believe that's what we're doing here at Kingsford. We're actually rehearsing what's gonna be happening in heaven. We're we're rehearsing this future. And so when we gather at this table, we're gathering as a foretaste of what's coming. [01:01:58] (39 seconds)

here's what I want you to hear. I want you to understand this, that you're not a project, that you are part of the family here at Kingsford Church of Christ. You're not a visitor. You're not a guest. You're not just a temporary addition. You're family. Alright? This is your table. This is your church. These are your people. [01:14:41] (23 seconds)

Here's what I know. Unity and diversity is hard work. It's easy to stick with people like us. It's more comfortable. It's less complicated. Right? But that's not what Jesus prayed for. He prayed that we would be one, not the same, but one. Distinct persons, perfect unity, diverse branches, shared roots. And every week, we practice it at this table. [01:16:32] (23 seconds)