Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Gospel-Centered Fellowship
Summary
Unity in the body of Christ is not a peripheral issue—it is at the very heart of God’s redemptive plan. Just as the Fellowship of the Ring in Tolkien’s story overcame their differences for a higher purpose, so too are we called, as the church, to set aside our differences and unite around the gospel. The gospel is not just a set of doctrines or a ticket to heaven; it is the person and work of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises to both Jew and Gentile, and the foundation of our new life together. Paul’s exhortation in Romans 15 is clear: we are to bear with one another, build each other up, and welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. This is not a call to be doormats, but to follow the example of Jesus, who balanced humility and strength, self-sacrifice and holy resolve.
The unity we are called to is not uniformity, nor is it a mere tolerance of differences. It is a Spirit-empowered harmony that glorifies God with one voice. The Old and New Testaments are not two disconnected stories, but one seamless narrative of God’s grace, culminating in Christ. The gospel is not a new invention, but the unveiling of God’s ancient plan—grace has always been at the center, from Abraham to the present. The most astonishing aspect of the gospel is not just that God is King or Prophet, but that He is the Lamb who takes away our sins, offering us peace and rest that we could never earn.
This grace is not a license for complacency or presumption. Paul’s rhetorical “Are you nuts?” to those who would abuse grace is a sobering reminder that true regeneration produces fruit—holiness, obedience, and a desire to build up the body. Our works are not just gratitude for salvation, but the evidence of the Spirit’s transforming power within us. The church’s mission is to proclaim the victory of Christ, disciple one another into Christlikeness, intercede in prayer, and persevere in holiness. This is not a solo journey; it is a fellowship, sustained by the Spirit, pressing “higher up and further in” together, as long as God gives us light for the path.
Key Takeaways
- Unity in Christ transcends cultural, personal, and historical differences. The church is called to a higher purpose that overcomes division, not by erasing diversity, but by centering on the gospel and the person of Jesus. Our unity is a testimony to the world of God’s reconciling power. [02:26]
- Bearing with one another’s weaknesses is not about condescension or mere tolerance, but about actively building each other up toward Christlikeness. This requires humility, self-sacrifice, and a willingness to be shaped by others, just as Christ bore our reproaches and welcomed us. [05:06]
- The gospel is not simply “salvation by grace through faith,” but the person and work of Jesus Christ—His incarnation, sacrifice, resurrection, and ongoing ministry. Every office and aspect of Christ is gospel, and the story of grace is as old as God’s dealings with humanity. [22:32]
- Grace is never an excuse for spiritual laziness or presumption. True faith, enlivened by the Spirit, produces a transformed life marked by holiness, obedience, and a desire to honor Christ. If our response to grace is to ask, “How little can I do?” we have misunderstood the heart of the gospel. [29:18]
- The works and ministries of the church are not just acts of gratitude, but the fruit of regeneration—the Spirit’s work in us. Our mission is to proclaim Christ’s victory, disciple one another, intercede in prayer, and persevere in holiness, all as a fellowship empowered by the Spirit, pressing ever deeper into the life of God together. [34:53]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - Story Time and The Fellowship of the Ring
[02:26] - Unity in Romans and the Early Church
[03:25] - Overcoming Differences for a Higher Calling
[04:20] - The Holy Spirit: Our Greater Helper
[05:06] - Bearing with One Another and Christ’s Example
[06:19] - One Voice, One People, One Story
[07:48] - Building Each Other Up in Christ
[08:54] - Pleasing Others Without Losing Ourselves
[10:17] - Jesus: Humility, Strength, and Balance
[13:19] - The Old Testament’s Relevance to the Church
[14:07] - Paul: Bridging Old and New
[16:01] - The Holy Spirit as Capstone
[18:03] - What is the Gospel?
[22:32] - The Person and Work of Christ
[25:42] - The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
[29:18] - Grace and the Call to Holiness
[31:14] - Providence and Purpose in Fellowship
[32:43] - The Church’s Mission in the “In-Between”
[34:53] - Works as the Fruit of Regeneration
[36:56] - Celebrating the Fellowship at Issaquah Christian Church
[38:00] - Pressing Higher Up and Further In
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Unity in the Body of Christ
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### Bible Reading
Romans 15:1-13 (ESV)
> We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 15:1-3, what does Paul say is the responsibility of those who are “strong” in the faith toward those who are “weak”?
2. In the sermon, what example does the pastor give from the life of Jesus to show that bearing with others does not mean being a doormat? [[08:54]]
3. What does Paul say is the purpose of welcoming one another as Christ has welcomed us (v. 7)?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament in God’s plan? [[13:19]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul connect unity in the church to the person and work of Jesus, rather than just to shared beliefs or practices? [[06:19]]
2. The sermon says that unity is not the same as uniformity or mere tolerance. What does “Spirit-empowered harmony” look like in a church community? [[06:19]]
3. The pastor mentions that grace is not a license for spiritual laziness. How does true grace lead to transformation and fruit in a believer’s life? [[29:18]]
4. Why is it important that the gospel is described as “one seamless narrative” from Abraham to Christ, rather than a new invention? [[22:32]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon compares the church to the Fellowship of the Ring, where very different people unite for a higher purpose. Think of a time when you had to work with someone very different from you in the church. What helped you overcome those differences? What made it hard? [[03:25]]
2. Paul says to “bear with the failings of the weak.” Is there someone in your life or in our church whose weaknesses you find hard to bear? What would it look like to actively build them up instead of just tolerating them? [[05:06]]
3. The pastor warns against using grace as an excuse for complacency. Are there areas in your life where you have been tempted to “see how little you can do” and still be okay with God? What would repentance and renewed obedience look like for you? [[29:18]]
4. The sermon says our works are not just gratitude, but the fruit of the Spirit’s work in us. Can you identify a recent action or attitude in your life that you believe is evidence of the Spirit’s transforming power? How can you nurture more of this fruit? [[34:53]]
5. The church’s mission includes proclaiming Christ’s victory, discipling one another, praying, and persevering in holiness. Which of these do you find most challenging? What is one step you could take this week to grow in that area? [[33:55]]
6. The pastor describes unity as “glorifying God with one voice.” Are there any divisions, grudges, or unresolved issues in your relationships within the church that you need to address to move toward this kind of unity? [[06:19]]
7. The sermon ends with a call to “press higher up and further in” together. What does that look like for you personally? Is there a specific way you want to go deeper in your walk with Christ and with this fellowship in the coming month? [[38:00]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help your group experience true unity in Christ, to bear with one another in love, and to be transformed by the Spirit as you press “higher up and further in” together.
Devotional
Day 1: United in Christ: One Fellowship, One Purpose
The church is called to be a fellowship united by the gospel, transcending differences in background, culture, and personality. Just as the early church wrestled with unity between Jews and Gentiles, we are invited to live in harmony, building each other up and glorifying God with one voice. Our unity is not based on sameness, but on our shared identity in Christ and our higher calling to the gospel. When we embrace this calling, our differences become opportunities for growth and deeper fellowship, reflecting the beauty of God’s diverse family. [02:26]
Romans 15:1-7 (ESV)
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Reflection: Who in your church family do you find it hardest to connect with, and what is one step you can take this week to build unity with them for the sake of the gospel?
Day 2: Building Up Others: Pleasing Our Neighbor, Forsaking Self
Followers of Jesus are called to forsake self-interest and actively seek the good of others, following Christ’s supreme example of self-giving love. This does not mean becoming a doormat, but rather living in the tension of humility and strength, boldness and meekness, as Jesus did. Pleasing our neighbor for their good means supporting, encouraging, and edifying one another, even when it is difficult or inconvenient, trusting that the Holy Spirit will help us grow in Christlikeness together. [08:54]
Romans 15:2-3 (ESV)
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally encourage or serve this week, putting their needs above your own in a Christlike way?
Day 3: One Story, One People: The Gospel in All of Scripture
God’s redemptive plan is a single, unified story that weaves together the Old and New Testaments, culminating in Jesus Christ. The Scriptures, from the promises to the patriarchs to the fulfillment in Christ, are for all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—inviting everyone into the fellowship of faith. This unity is grounded in the truth that Jesus died for all, and the Holy Spirit now empowers us to live as one people, praising God with one voice and living out the hope we have in Him. [14:07]
Romans 15:8-13 (ESV)
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Reflection: How does seeing the unity of God’s story in Scripture change the way you view your place in God’s family and your relationship with believers from different backgrounds?
Day 4: The Gospel: The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
The heart of the gospel is not merely a set of doctrines or a formula for salvation, but the person and work of Jesus Christ—His incarnation, life, sacrificial death, and resurrection. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the King, the Prophet, the Priest, and the Redeemer, and every aspect of His identity and mission is good news for us. The gospel is not a new story of grace, but the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise, and it is the foundation of our identity, hope, and unity as the people of God. [22:32]
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
Reflection: When you share the gospel with someone, how can you make sure that Jesus Himself—who He is and what He has done—is at the very center of your message?
Day 5: The Spirit’s Power: Living Out the Fellowship of Faith
The Christian life is not lived in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells, transforms, and sustains us as the fellowship of faith. Our works of obedience, holiness, and love are not just responses of gratitude, but the fruit of God’s work within us. As we walk together, making disciples, praying, persevering, and proclaiming the gospel, we are empowered by the Spirit to go “higher up and further in,” growing deeper in our experience of God and our mission as His people. [34:53]
Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Reflection: What is one area of your life or ministry where you need to rely more fully on the Holy Spirit’s power, rather than your own effort, and how can you take a step of faith in that area this week?
Quotes
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