Unity in Christ: Foundations for Lasting Relationships

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Core Spiritual Values

True unity among believers is built on shared core values—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father—regardless of our differences in background, culture, or personality. These seven cornerstones, as described by Paul, are what bind followers of Jesus together, forming the foundation for deep, lasting relationships within the church. When we focus on these essentials, we can overcome the many differences that might otherwise divide us, and experience the kind of unity that reflects God’s heart for His people. [04:04]

Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
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: Which of these seven core values do you find most challenging to unite around with others, and how might you take a step toward deeper unity in that area this week?

Day 2: The Power of a Shared Perspective

A shared worldview—seeing life through the lens of God’s truth—shapes how we respond to life’s joys and traumas, and is essential for strong, resilient relationships. When two people answer life’s big questions (like “Who am I?” or “What is the good life?”) from the same foundation, they are able to support each other through trials, make decisions with hope, and remain outward-focused in loving God and others. This shared perspective is not just about agreement, but about filtering all of life through God’s purposes, which brings stability and hope even in the hardest seasons. [14:11]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to let God’s perspective shape your response to a current challenge or decision?

Day 3: Following the Example of Christ

Healthy relationships are strengthened when both people look to Jesus as their example, striving to reflect His humility, sacrifice, and obedience in how they treat one another. Rather than using knowledge of each other’s weaknesses as ammunition, those who follow Christ’s example seek to respond with grace, forgiveness, and a desire to build up rather than tear down. The heroes we choose to emulate reveal our deepest values, and when both people are committed to becoming more like Jesus, their relationship is marked by growth, healing, and mutual respect. [22:02]

Philippians 2:3-5 (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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can intentionally treat with Christlike humility and grace today, especially in a moment of disagreement or frustration?

Day 4: Submitting to God’s Word as Shared Authority

Lasting unity and peace in relationships come when both people look to God’s Word as their final authority—not as a tool to control each other, but as a shared foundation for decision-making, conflict resolution, and commitment. This shared authority shapes how we handle family, finances, and commitment, guiding us to honor God and each other even when it’s difficult. When both parties are committed to living under God’s Word, it becomes a source of wisdom and unity, rather than division or manipulation. [29:54]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Reflection: Is there a current disagreement or decision where you need to invite God’s Word to guide you, rather than relying on your own preferences or opinions?

Day 5: Running Hard After Jesus Together

The deepest, most enduring relationships are formed when both people are passionately pursuing Jesus, uniting their hearts with others who are doing the same. Rather than building relationships on fleeting feelings or surface-level similarities, followers of Christ are called to seek out those who are committed to growing in faith, humility, and love. When you run hard after Jesus, God brings like-minded people into your life, and together you experience relationships marked by trust, sacrifice, and lasting joy. [37:40]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: Who in your life is running hard after Jesus, and how can you intentionally encourage or deepen your relationship with them this week?

Sermon Summary

Unity among believers is not just about spending time together or enjoying each other's company; it is rooted in the deep, foundational values that we share as followers of Jesus. Paul, in Ephesians 4:4-6, outlines seven core truths that bind us together: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. These are not just theological statements but the very bedrock of our identity and unity. Despite our many differences—cultural, socioeconomic, political, or personal—these seven truths are what align us and make true community possible.

The unity we experience is Trinitarian in nature: the Spirit seals us as God’s own, giving us a shared hope that transcends our circumstances; the Son, Jesus, is our one Lord and the object of our faith, the one in whom we trust for salvation; and the Father is over all, through all, and in all, actively present in our lives. This unity is not theoretical but practical, shaping how we relate to one another, especially in our closest relationships.

Healthy, lasting relationships are built on three shared values: a shared perspective (worldview), a shared example (who we want to become), and a shared authority (God’s Word). Our worldview shapes how we interpret life’s events, especially in times of trauma or difficulty. When we see ourselves and our purpose through God’s eyes, we can endure hardship with hope and trust. Our shared example is Jesus—His humility, sacrifice, and obedience become the model for how we treat each other, especially when we fail or disagree. And our shared authority is Scripture, not as a weapon to control each other, but as a mutual foundation that guides our decisions and commitments.

These shared values are not always explicitly discussed, but they are deeply integrated into our lives and relationships. They influence how we handle family, finances, and commitment. The world tells us to find someone who shares our preferences or passions, but those things fade. What endures is a unity built on the unchanging truths of Christ. When we run hard after Jesus and unite our hearts with others doing the same, we experience relationships that are deep, meaningful, and resilient—not by formula, but by faith and the power of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Unity Is Rooted in Shared Core Truths, Not Superficial Similarities True unity among believers is not about uniformity in style, background, or preferences, but about being anchored in the seven foundational truths Paul lists in Ephesians 4. These truths—one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God—are the non-negotiables that bind us together, even when everything else differs. When we focus on these, we can navigate diversity with grace and strength. [04:04]
2. A Shared Worldview Sustains Us Through Life’s Hardest Trials When relationships are built on a common perspective shaped by God’s truth, we can endure even the most painful losses and disappointments. This worldview gives us hope beyond circumstances and helps us interpret suffering through the lens of God’s sovereignty and goodness. Without this shared foundation, responses to crisis can pull people apart rather than draw them together. [14:11]
3. Following the Same Example—Jesus—Transforms How We Treat Each Other Having Jesus as our shared example means striving to embody His humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial love in our relationships. This doesn’t mean perfection, but it does mean that when we fail, we seek reconciliation and growth, not retaliation or scorekeeping. The desire to become like Christ shapes our responses, even in conflict, and fosters deep trust. [17:34]
4. Shared Authority in God’s Word Brings Peace and Direction in Decision-Making When both people in a relationship look to Scripture as their ultimate authority, it provides a common ground for resolving disagreements and making difficult choices. This doesn’t mean using the Bible to control or correct each other, but allowing its principles to guide mutual submission, generosity, and commitment. It’s a safeguard against selfishness and a source of unity. [28:31]
5. Deep Relationships Are Built on Eternal Commitments, Not Temporary Feelings The world encourages us to build relationships on shared interests or fleeting emotions, but these are unstable foundations. When our unity is based on the eternal truths of Christ and a commitment to run after Him together, our relationships can weather seasons of difficulty and change. This kind of unity is not a formula, but a fruit of faith and God’s ongoing work in us.

** [35:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to Unity and Core Values
[02:30] - The Seven Cornerstones of Christian Unity
[04:04] - The Meaning of One Body and One Spirit
[05:09] - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
[06:17] - The Significance of Baptism
[07:30] - God the Father: Over All, Through All, In All
[08:50] - Shared Values and Worldview in Relationships
[14:11] - How Worldview Shapes Life and Relationships
[17:34] - The Power of a Shared Example: Following Jesus
[22:02] - Heroes and Role Models in Relationships
[24:30] - Shared Authority: God’s Word as Foundation
[28:31] - Commitment, Family, and Finances
[31:03] - Four Questions for Evaluating Shared Values
[35:37] - The Contrast: Worldly vs. Christ-Centered Relationships
[37:40] - Running After Jesus Together
[38:51] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV) — > 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.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 4:4-6, what are the seven core truths that Paul says unite all believers?
In the sermon, what are some of the differences (cultural, socioeconomic, political, personal) that the pastor mentions exist among believers? [04:04]
How does the pastor describe the role of the Holy Spirit in sealing us as God’s own? [04:04]
What are the three shared values the pastor says are necessary for healthy, lasting relationships? [08:50]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize “one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” as the foundation for unity, rather than shared interests or backgrounds? [04:04]
How does having a shared worldview, shaped by God’s truth, help people endure trauma or loss differently than those with other worldviews? [14:11]
The pastor says that following Jesus as our shared example changes how we treat each other, especially in conflict. What does this look like in real life, according to the sermon? [17:34]
What does it mean to have God’s Word as a “shared authority” in relationships, and how is this different from using the Bible to control or correct each other? [28:31]

Application Questions

Think about your closest relationships (family, friends, spouse). Are they built on shared core truths or more on shared interests and preferences? How can you tell? [35:37]
When you face a crisis or disappointment, do you and those closest to you interpret it through the same spiritual lens? If not, how has that affected your relationship? [14:11]
The pastor shared that he and his wife try to treat each other as Jesus would, especially when one of them fails. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to practice more humility, forgiveness, or sacrificial love? What would that look like this week? [17:34]
In your decision-making (about family, finances, or commitments), do you and those you’re closest to look to Scripture as your guide? If not, what would it take to start doing that together? [28:31]
The world says to build relationships on shared passions or feelings, but the sermon warns these are unstable. Can you think of a time when a relationship based on feelings or interests faded? What could have made it more resilient? [35:37]
The pastor mentioned that not all who call themselves “Christian” share the same spiritual foundation. How can you discern if someone truly shares the core values that matter most? [31:03]
Are you “running hard after Jesus” in your life right now? Who around you is doing the same, and how can you intentionally unite your heart with them for deeper, more meaningful relationships? [37:40]

Sermon Clips

There's just one church. You know, for those of you who've been here a while, you know, every once in a while, I do a corny thing and I say, okay, we added up all the churches in the Bay Area. How many would we get? And you guys all say one because Christ only has one church. Now, some folks raise their hands higher. Some folks don't raise their hands much at all. Some folks, the speaker speaks for 15 minutes. I'm sure you're wishing you're probably at that church. Some, he speaks for an hour or more, right? They're, they're, they look different, but there's, there's, Christ only has one church. He only has one body. [00:03:23] (38 seconds) #OneChurchOneBody

And the Bible says the Holy Spirit, when you receive the Holy Spirit, that is your seal of adoption. We're going to talk a little bit later about how we adopt. And one of the biggest days for us is when you get that certificate, that you get a renewed birth certificate for your child and says that Lynn is the mother and I am the father for children that you adopted. And basically it basically says they are ours. And before that, the county, the city, whoever was in charge could remove your children at a whim. But once that comes in, they're yours. And that's, in essence, what God does with us with the Holy Spirit. But he seals all of us. We're all brothers and others and sisters in Christ. With all our warts, with all our differences, that unites us. [00:04:04] (48 seconds) #SealedInSpirit

Healthy relationships are not about agreeing on every little thing, or even necessarily everything in the Bible. But at the core, right, the values that matter most, those seven things, those seven core things matter. [00:32:36] (15 seconds) #RunningHardAfterJesus

If you run hard after Jesus, there's nobody better than somebody else who's running hard after Jesus. You're still going to have problems. You're still going to have issues, right? But if their main thing is Jesus, if their main thing is being like somebody who's humble and giving and self -sacrificing and on certain things compromising and on certain things not compromising, that'll work. That'll absolutely positively work. [00:34:48] (32 seconds) #ValuesBeyondSurface

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