Unity in Christ: Embracing Discipleship and Godly Leadership
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered at the Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood for our Iona service on the third Sunday of Pentecost. We began by acknowledging the presence of God as the still center of all that is, seeking His presence, power, and peace. We reflected on the life and mission of St. Columba, an Irish saint who played a significant role in the conversion of Scotland to Christianity. His life of simplicity, courage, and faith serves as an inspiration for us to live closely with Jesus and provide godly leadership.
The Gospel reading from Mark highlighted the challenges Jesus faced from religious authorities who accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebub. Jesus responded by emphasizing the importance of unity, stating that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This passage reminds us of the necessity to confront and destroy anything that is not of the Holy Spirit to remain steadfast in God's ministry.
We also discussed the concept of the unpardonable sin, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This sin is unforgivable because it involves rejecting the Holy Spirit's witness, thereby preventing one from coming to Christ for salvation. However, Christians who have already accepted Christ cannot commit this sin as they are already pardoned.
The sermon further explored the importance of discipleship over family ties, encouraging us to follow Jesus' model and integrate His teachings into our lives. We reflected on the story of Owen Meany, a character who believed he was God's instrument for a greater purpose, and how his unwavering faith inspired others to believe in God.
Finally, we were reminded of the importance of seeing with the eyes of the heart, as Paul encourages in Corinthians. This perspective allows us to discern God's presence and plan in our lives, leading us to provide godly and stable leadership for succession planning, much like St. Columba and Samuel.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Christ: Jesus emphasized that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This principle applies to our spiritual lives and communities. We must confront and eliminate anything that divides us from the Holy Spirit to remain steadfast in God's ministry. Unity in Christ is essential for the strength and stability of our faith and community.
2. The Unpardonable Sin: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin because it involves rejecting the Spirit's witness, preventing one from coming to Christ. Christians who have accepted Christ cannot commit this sin as they are already pardoned. This understanding should bring peace to believers who fear they have committed an unforgivable act.
3. Discipleship Over Family Ties: Jesus taught that discipleship takes precedence over family ties. Being part of Jesus' family means following His teachings and integrating them into our lives. This commitment provides purpose and opportunity for spiritual growth and service, even when it challenges traditional family loyalties.
4. Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart: Paul encourages us to see with the eyes of the heart, discerning God's presence and plan in our lives. This perspective allows us to recognize God's work in the ordinary and the extraordinary, leading us to provide godly leadership and make decisions aligned with His will.
5. Godly Leadership and Succession Planning: St. Columba and Samuel exemplify the importance of providing godly and stable leadership. Their lives remind us that leadership in the church and community should be rooted in faith, integrity, and a commitment to God's will. This approach ensures the health and vitality of our spiritual communities.
### YouTube Chapters
- Welcome
- Opening Prayer and Reflection
- Gospel Reading: Mark
- Jesus' Response to Accusations
- Life and Mission of St. Columba
- Modern Family and Ancient Family Parallels
- Challenges of Being Part of Jesus' Family
- Understanding the Unpardonable Sin
- Discipleship and Family Ties
- Community Service and Youth Opportunities
- Story of Owen Meany
- Lessons from Owen Meany's Faith
- Confronting Division and Evil
- Harry Potter and the Horcrux Analogy
- Godly Leadership and Succession Planning
- Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart
- Invitation to Celtic Daily Prayer
- Confession and Forgiveness
- Announcements
- Children's Sharing on Family
- Gardening Activity
- Closing Hymn and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 3:20-35 - The Gospel reading that discusses Jesus being accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the concept of a house divided, and the unpardonable sin.
2. 1 Samuel 8 - The Old Testament passage that discusses Samuel's leadership and the people's request for a king.
3. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Paul's encouragement to see with the eyes of the heart, discerning God's presence and plan.
### Observation Questions
1. What accusations did the religious authorities make against Jesus, and how did He respond? ([29:09])
2. What does Jesus mean when He says, "a house divided against itself cannot stand"? ([29:09])
3. How does the story of St. Columba illustrate godly leadership and succession planning? ([31:19])
4. What is the significance of seeing with the eyes of the heart, as Paul encourages in Corinthians? ([48:44])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is unity in Christ essential for the strength and stability of our faith and community? How can we confront and eliminate anything that divides us from the Holy Spirit? ([29:09])
2. How does understanding the unpardonable sin bring peace to believers who fear they have committed an unforgivable act? ([36:13])
3. In what ways does discipleship take precedence over family ties, and how can this commitment provide purpose and opportunity for spiritual growth? ([37:45])
4. How can seeing with the eyes of the heart help us recognize God's work in our lives and lead us to provide godly leadership? ([48:44])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced division within a community. How did it affect the community's strength and stability? What steps can you take to promote unity in your current community? ([29:09])
2. Have you ever feared that you committed an unforgivable sin? How does the understanding that Christians cannot commit the unpardonable sin bring you peace? ([36:13])
3. How can you prioritize discipleship in your life, even when it challenges traditional family loyalties? What practical steps can you take to integrate Jesus' teachings into your daily routine? ([37:45])
4. Think of a situation where you need to see with the eyes of the heart. How can you practice discerning God's presence and plan in that situation this week? ([48:44])
5. What qualities of godly leadership do you see in St. Columba and Samuel? How can you apply these qualities in your own leadership roles, whether in the church, community, or family? ([47:07])
6. Reflect on the story of Owen Meany. How can unwavering faith and a sense of purpose inspire others to believe in God? How can you demonstrate this in your own life? ([40:39])
7. How can you contribute to succession planning in your church or community to ensure its health and vitality? What specific actions can you take to support and mentor future leaders? ([47:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Christ
Unity in Christ is essential for the strength and stability of our faith and community. Jesus emphasized that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This principle applies to our spiritual lives and communities. We must confront and eliminate anything that divides us from the Holy Spirit to remain steadfast in God's ministry. Unity in Christ is not just about agreement but about being united in purpose and mission. It requires us to confront and destroy anything that is not of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that our actions and intentions align with God's will. This unity strengthens our faith and fortifies our community, making us resilient against external and internal challenges.
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 situation in your life where there is division or conflict. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to bring unity and peace to that situation today?
Day 2: The Unpardonable Sin
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin because it involves rejecting the Spirit's witness, preventing one from coming to Christ. Christians who have accepted Christ cannot commit this sin as they are already pardoned. This understanding should bring peace to believers who fear they have committed an unforgivable act. The unpardonable sin is a deliberate and persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's work and testimony about Jesus. For those who have accepted Christ, this sin is not a concern because they have already embraced the Spirit's witness and are secure in their salvation.
Hebrews 6:4-6 (ESV): "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."
Reflection: Reflect on your journey with Christ. How does knowing that you are already pardoned bring you peace and assurance in your faith?
Day 3: Discipleship Over Family Ties
Jesus taught that discipleship takes precedence over family ties. Being part of Jesus' family means following His teachings and integrating them into our lives. This commitment provides purpose and opportunity for spiritual growth and service, even when it challenges traditional family loyalties. Discipleship requires a radical commitment to Jesus, sometimes even above familial relationships. It calls for a reordering of priorities, where following Jesus and His teachings become the central focus of one's life. This can be challenging, but it is also deeply rewarding as it aligns us with God's purpose and mission.
Luke 14:26-27 (ESV): "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: Consider how you prioritize your relationships. Are there areas where you need to place your commitment to Jesus above other loyalties? What steps can you take to make this shift?
Day 4: Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart
Paul encourages us to see with the eyes of the heart, discerning God's presence and plan in our lives. This perspective allows us to recognize God's work in the ordinary and the extraordinary, leading us to provide godly leadership and make decisions aligned with His will. Seeing with the eyes of the heart means looking beyond the surface and perceiving the deeper spiritual realities. It involves being attuned to God's presence and guidance in every aspect of life, allowing His wisdom to shape our actions and decisions.
Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your daily life. How can you train yourself to see with the eyes of the heart and discern God's presence and guidance in your everyday activities?
Day 5: Godly Leadership and Succession Planning
St. Columba and Samuel exemplify the importance of providing godly and stable leadership. Their lives remind us that leadership in the church and community should be rooted in faith, integrity, and a commitment to God's will. This approach ensures the health and vitality of our spiritual communities. Godly leadership is about serving others with humility and integrity, always seeking to align one's actions with God's will. It also involves preparing and mentoring others to continue the mission, ensuring a legacy of faith and service.
1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."
Reflection: Think about your role in your community or church. How can you provide godly leadership and mentor others to ensure the continuity of faith and service? What steps can you take to start this process today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Being part of the Jesus family is not easy though. In the gospel, the religious authorities are now accusing Jesus of being a demon possessed, and the accusations become so life-threatening that his own family sets out to tame Jesus for the security of all. Teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub, whose name means Lord of the Flies. This is an apt description of the devil and his demons who are like flies with great big mouths. They thought Jesus was driving out demons through the power of this prince of demons who dwelt within him." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "As children of God, we endeavor to follow the model that Jesus gave us and be more like Jesus every day as we holistically and authentically integrate the sacred holy words of divine and divine actions into our lives. Discipleship takes precedence over family ties. Christ invites us to be, united together with him, and to be part of his family. Discipleship provides purpose and opportunity for followers of Christ." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul tells us much about his tribulations. It appears the trials began immediately and followed his pathway for 30 years. But Paul was always optimistic because he knew that afflictions would increase glory beyond. The optimist sees opportunities in every difficulty. The glass is always half full. Paul could sing as he suffered for, he knew the wonderful grace of God. He was always conscious of the presence of the Lord Jesus. He knew that the greater the suffering in this present world, the greater the glory in eternity." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God transforms the ordinary, mortal, temporal bodies of a human being into human beings through the Holy Spirit for holy purposes. According to Mark Barger Elliott, in the Corinthians passage, Paul seems to indicate that just as Elijah heard a stir small voice and Moses climbed a mountain to see God's glory, we can discover God's presence all around us, inside and out, if we have the eyes and the heart to see." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, she introduces readers to the horcrux or a tangible object or living being in which dark wizard has placed a portion of his or her soul for the purpose of gaining immortality. The idea is that even if the wizard is killed, the soul will remain and thus the wizard will not be destroyed. Rowling defines the horcrux as a receptacle prepared by dark magic in which a dark wizard has intentionally hidden a fragment of the soul for the purpose of attaining immortality." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Many believers struggle with false belief that they've committed the unpardonable sin by blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Those who are tormented by this fear often suffer in silence. Jesus said, all sins and blasphemes of humans will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He's guilty of eternal sin. Matthew adds to this statement, anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Saint Columba's purpose as a child of God was the opportunity to preach the gospel and start a new community. He came from a line of kings who had ruled in Ireland for centuries and he himself was in close succession to the throne. He was raised by priests and in time renounced his rank to become a religious friar. By his mid-twenties, he'd founded several monasteries in Ireland including the well-known Abbey at Kells." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like by Jay Williams, the city of Wu is being threatened by an invasion from the wild horsemen. The leaders of the city beckon a dragon come to their defense. Instead of a dragon, a small fat man arrives. The boy Han welcomes him and takes him to the leaders who dismiss the fat man. Everyone knows what a dragon looks like, the leaders say. Han takes the small fat man to his humble cottage and gives him a small meal. At this act of compassion and kindness, the small fat man transforms into a mighty dragon and saves the city of Wu." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The health and vitality of the church in whatever context depends solely on the presence of the crucified and risen Christ and our attentiveness to him. We seek to discern God's plan in every step of this ministry's succession plan. A priority for this community right now is to determine what is the right way to do this. What is the proper form of leadership for the people of God? Have you ever asked God to reveal to you his purposes and plans? If so, what has he shown you? How do you think God-given sense of purpose inspires or influences others?" (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul encourages us not to do what the leaders of Wu did, who passed judgment on the small fat man because of his appearance. Instead, we are to see with the eyes of the heart. The health and vitality of the church in whatever context depends solely on the presence of the crucified and risen Christ and our attentiveness to him. We seek to discern God's plan in every step of this ministry's succession plan." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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