Unity Through Humility: Living Joy in Christ’s Way

Devotional

Day 1: Unity Flows from Shared Grace in Christ

True unity in the body of Christ is not about everyone being the same or agreeing on every detail, but about recognizing that each believer has been rescued by the same grace, brought from darkness into light, and made an heir with Christ. When we remember that we have all received undeserved mercy, it becomes possible to treat others with the same grace and humility that Jesus has shown us. This shared foundation allows us to love, encourage, and work together with one mind and purpose, even when we disagree, because our unity is rooted in Christ’s love and not in our preferences. [42:40]

Philippians 2:1-2 (ESV)
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."

Reflection: Who in your life do you find it hardest to show grace to, and how might remembering the grace you’ve received from Christ help you approach them differently this week?

Day 2: Humility is the Pathway to Unity

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less, and it is the essential posture for building unity in the church. When we lay down our preferences, ambitions, and need to be right, and instead consider others as more significant than ourselves, we create space for true community and joy. This kind of humility is not weakness, but a willingness to pour out our lives for others, to serve, and to encourage even those with whom we disagree, reflecting the servant heart of Jesus. [49:08]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: When was the last time you encouraged or served someone you disagreed with? What is one practical way you can do that today?

Day 3: Imitate the Servant Mindset of Christ

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, laying down his rights and preferences for the sake of others. The call for every believer is to adopt this same mindset, willingly surrendering comfort, recognition, or personal rights to advance the kingdom of God and connect others to Christ. True greatness is found in stooping to serve, in being willing to be a bridge for others, even when it means being overlooked or taken for granted, just as Jesus was for us. [52:10]

Matthew 20:28 (ESV)
"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: What is one right or preference you can lay down this week to serve someone else or advance God’s kingdom?

Day 4: Humility Goes First—Be the Bridge

Jesus’ humility led him to go first, to be the bridge that reconciled us to God, even though it meant being misunderstood, mistreated, and taken for granted. In relationships and conflicts, humility means being willing to apologize first, to make the first move toward reconciliation, and to lay down pride for the sake of unity. When you choose to go first, you reflect the heart of Christ and open the door for healing and connection that would not happen otherwise. [58:01]

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that needs mending? What bold step can you take today to be the bridge and go first in humility?

Day 5: God Exalts the Humble—Imitate, Don’t Just Admire

The journey of Jesus from the highest place to the cross and back to glory shows that God honors and exalts those who humble themselves. We are not only called to admire Christ’s humility, but to imitate it in our daily lives, letting our actions reflect his sacrificial love and servant heart. When we lower ourselves in love, God lifts our witness and uses our unity to draw others to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. [59:44]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you tend to admire Jesus from a distance rather than imitate him? What is one way you can actively reflect his humility and love this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered around the deep truth that our God is enough—He is our provider, mighty to save, and mighty to deliver. No matter what burdens or bondage we carry, the Spirit of the living God within us is able to break every chain. We serve a victorious God whose reign never ends and whose word holds our lives together. In gratitude, we recognize that even a single word from Him is enough to satisfy our souls.

As we continue in our series on joy, we turned to Philippians 2, where Paul, writing from a place of deep love and challenge, calls us to a life marked by the fruits of the Spirit. Joy, unlike happiness, is not rooted in our circumstances but is a gift from God that cannot be taken away. Paul’s challenge is clear: true joy is found when we die to our flesh and allow the Spirit to produce His fruit in us, especially in the context of unity.

Unity, however, is costly. It demands humility and a willingness to lay down our preferences and pride. Paul reminds us that the foundation of our unity is not uniformity or agreement on every detail, but a shared experience of grace in Christ. We have all been rescued from darkness, clothed in righteousness, and made heirs of the kingdom—not by our merit, but by God’s grace. This shared foundation calls us to treat others with the same grace we have received.

Unity does not mean we will always agree, but it does mean we fight for a shared purpose: connecting people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. When disagreements arise, we are called to look inward first, asking whether we are more interested in being heard than in helping, and whether we are willing to serve where we see need rather than criticize from the sidelines.

The pathway to unity is humility—thinking of ourselves less and considering others more significant. Jesus Himself modeled this for us, laying down His rights and becoming a servant, even to the point of death on a cross. His humility was not weakness, but willing surrender for the sake of others. We are called not just to admire Christ, but to imitate Him, becoming bridges that connect others to God, even when it means being stepped on or taken for granted.

This week, the challenge is to surrender one area where we usually demand our way, and instead, let humility lead. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ, build unity, and open doors for the gospel. Our unity is the witness the world needs to see, and it is through this unity that we will connect our community to the life-changing power of Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility is the Pathway to Unity True unity in the body of Christ is not achieved by demanding our own way, but by humbly considering others as more significant than ourselves. Humility is not self-deprecation, but a conscious choice to think of ourselves less and serve others more. This posture opens the door for God’s Spirit to work through us, building bridges where there were once walls. [49:08]
2. Shared Grace Produces Shared Purpose Our unity is rooted in the shared experience of God’s grace, not in uniformity of opinion or preference. When we remember that we have all been rescued and redeemed by Christ, we are empowered to extend the same grace to others, even in disagreement. This shared foundation allows us to pursue a common mission with one mind and heart. [42:40]
3. Sacrifice Precedes Joy True joy is found not in getting our way, but in laying down our rights for the sake of others, just as Christ did for us. Sacrifice is the soil in which joy grows, and the generous life is the Christ-like life. When we pour ourselves out for others, we discover the deep, abiding joy that only God can give. [49:43]
4. Be a Bridge, Not a Barrier Jesus became the bridge that reconciled us to God, enduring being stepped on and taken for granted so that we could be brought near. We are called to do the same for others, even when it is costly or uncomfortable. Being a bridge means making the first move toward reconciliation, choosing humility over pride, and prioritizing relationship over being right. [56:28]
5. Unity is Our Greatest Witness The world will know we are Christ’s disciples by our love and unity. If we are divided, our witness is compromised; but if we are unified under the name of Jesus, nothing can stop us from connecting people to His life-changing power. Our unity reflects the unity of heaven and draws others to Christ. [62:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:12] - Proclaiming God’s Truth Over Our Lives
[29:48] - God’s Presence and Our Gratitude
[31:06] - Radiance Event and Serving Opportunity
[33:14] - Radical Generosity and Giving Update
[34:17] - Prayer for God’s Presence
[35:39] - Introduction to Joy and Philippians 2
[36:44] - The Difference Between Joy and Happiness
[37:17] - The Challenge of Apologizing First
[39:19] - The Cost of Unity
[40:46] - Paul’s Call to Shared Experience and Grace
[43:14] - Unity is Not Uniformity
[46:35] - Mission Over Methodology
[49:08] - Humility: The Pathway to Unity
[52:10] - The Mindset of Christ: Servanthood
[56:28] - Becoming a Bridge Like Jesus
[58:14] - The Exaltation of Christ
[59:44] - Admiring vs. Imitating Christ
[62:57] - Unity as Our Witness to the World
[64:05] - Closing Prayer for Unity

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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Bible Reading

Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV)

> 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Observation Questions

According to Philippians 2:1-2, what are the signs that believers are living in unity? What does Paul say will make his joy complete?
In verses 3-4, what specific attitudes and actions does Paul say should mark our relationships with each other?
How does Paul describe Jesus’ attitude and actions in verses 5-8? What did Jesus give up, and what did he take on?
The sermon mentioned that unity is not the same as uniformity. What’s the difference, and how does Paul show this in Philippians 2? [[43:14]]

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Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul connect joy with unity and humility? How does dying to our own preferences lead to deeper joy, according to the sermon? [[36:44]]
The sermon said that our unity is rooted in a shared experience of grace, not in always agreeing. How does remembering our own rescue by Jesus help us extend grace to others, especially when we disagree? [[42:40]]
What does it mean to “count others more significant than yourselves” in real life? Is this about thinking less of yourself, or something else? [[49:08]]
The sermon challenged us to imitate Christ, not just admire him. What’s the difference between admiring Jesus and imitating him? [[59:44]]

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Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to surrender one area where we usually demand our way and let humility lead. What is one specific area in your life—at home, work, or church—where you tend to insist on your own preference? What would it look like to let humility lead in that area this week? [[53:22]]
When disagreements come up in your family, workplace, or church, do you find yourself wanting to be heard more than wanting to help? How can you shift your focus from being right to serving others? [[47:50]]
Think of a recent disagreement or conflict. Did you make the first move toward reconciliation, or did you wait for the other person? What would it look like for you to “go first” and be a bridge this week? [[56:28]]
The sermon said that being a bridge can mean being stepped on or taken for granted. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to risk being a bridge, even if it’s uncomfortable? What’s holding you back? [[56:41]]
Paul says that humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. What’s one practical way you can put someone else’s interests ahead of your own this week? [[49:08]]
The sermon talked about unity as our greatest witness to the world. How does the way we treat each other as a church family impact people who are watching from the outside? Can you think of a time when unity (or lack of it) affected someone’s view of Jesus? [[01:02:57]]
The challenge this week is to reflect the heart of Christ by building unity and opening doors for the gospel. What is one step you can take to help build unity in your family, small group, or church this week? [[53:22]]

Sermon Clips

You're looking for joy. Everybody is, especially in this season. I want joy. Not happiness. Happiness is based upon your circumstances. Joy is not. Joy is different. It is not based upon your circumstances. Joy is something that God has given you. Therefore, if the Lord has given it to you, the world cannot take it away. This joy that Paul is trying to get us to have gets produced because these fruits get lived out in our life. [00:36:44] (30 seconds) #JoyBeyondCircumstances

He is saying this because he knows that if we all have the same foundation, that is the experience of grace from Christ Jesus. If we all have the foundational level of like, hey, I was once living in darkness, and by the grace of God, his son Christ Jesus has rescued me out of darkness and pulled me into the light of Christ Jesus. I once was unrighteous, and now I am clothed with the righteousness of Christ Jesus. I was a sinner and an enemy of the kingdom of heaven, and now I am called an heir of the kingdom of heaven. [00:41:48] (40 seconds) #SavedByGrace

Ultimately, it means that like unity, being unified together, having the same mind in one purpose, it does not mean uniformity. It is shared purpose flowing from shared grace. It means that we can disagree with one another without being disagreeable, because the gospel of Jesus Christ has reconciled us back to God and to one another. This is the gospel, that the cross of Christ Jesus is both vertical and horizontal, meaning that because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we have been reconciled to God. [00:43:14] (38 seconds) #UnityNotUniformity

Paul isn't asking if we agree on everything. He's asking if we agree on one thing. And that one thing is Jesus. Because when we agree on Jesus, we stop fighting for preference, and we start fighting with purpose. And this allows us to develop this posture of unity. And the pathway, the pathway to unity, how we get there is ultimately humility. And humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is thinking about yourself less. [00:48:42] (33 seconds) #OneThingJesus

The mindset of Christ, then, my friends, is the mindset of a servant. Christ Jesus came to the earth and emptied himself, not of his deity, but of his rights. Not of his deity, but of his rights. He was fully God, fully man. He did not empty himself of his glory, but of his rights. And so the question that we have to ask ourselves is, what rights are we willing to lay down to advance the kingdom of heaven on the Treasure Coast? [00:52:16] (33 seconds) #UnifiedInDiversity

Your Savior was beaten to be a bridge for us to have a relationship with God the Father. And so the question that we have to ask ourselves is like, am I willing to be a bridge? But before you say yes, I think you should know what happens to bridges. They get stepped on. They get walked over. They get passed through. They get ignored. They get taken for granted. They get used. They get mud, dirt, grime, and sometimes in Stewart, Florida, fish thrown on them. Yeah, bridges get walked on. But they also carry people to safety. [00:56:15] (43 seconds) #DieDailyInChrist

Jesus' humility. It wasn't weakness. It was willing surrender. It was strong enough to surrender. It was strong enough to lay down rights. It was strong enough to lay down preference. It was strong enough to be persecuted. It was strong enough to endure to the end, to connect all of us to his Father. And true greatness stoops to serve. [00:57:19] (24 seconds) #BeABridge

And Jesus says, this should be the posture of your heart, that you ought to want to imitate me, look like me. Paul knows that when we follow in the footsteps of Christ's humility, we will experience true joy. Paul knows that the generous life, a life where one is willing to sacrifice, is the Christ-like life. Paul knows that when we lower ourselves in love, God will lift our witness in grace. [01:02:06] (31 seconds) #SacrificialJoy

When you walk into work, into your home, or into this church, don't fight for your way. Fight for Jesus's way. Fight for the kingdom of heaven. The world will know my disciples by how you love one another. The unity of this body, us connecting people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ across the Treasure Coast, is dependent. And hear me when I say this. Totally and utterly dependent on our unity. [01:02:40] (40 seconds) #FightForJesusWay

If we are not unified, the world will want nothing to do with us. But if the unity of this body is a reflection of the unity in the kingdom of heaven, nothing will stop us from connecting every person on the Treasure Coast to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. That's my prayer for us. That's my heart's desire. That we would be unified under one name. And that name, my friends, is Jesus. [01:03:20] (33 seconds) #UnityForTheKingdom

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