Unity in Christ: Healing Through Humility and Prayer
Summary
### Summary
In light of recent troubling events, we are reminded of the chaos and division that seem to be engulfing our nation and world. As Christians, we must ask ourselves, "What are we supposed to do?" The answer lies in turning to Jesus, who has the words of eternal life. Reflecting on 2 Chronicles 7:14, we see that God calls His people to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. This is not just a call for the Jewish people but for all Christians. If we do this, God promises to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of unity in Christ. We are reminded that God loves the coming together of distinct and different things, whether it be heaven and earth, land and sea, or man and woman. This unity is beautifully illustrated in the creation story and in the relationship between Adam and Eve. God created them to be corresponding opposites, each fulfilling what the other lacks, and together they image God.
The ultimate unity is found in Christ, who reconciles us to God and to each other. This unity transcends all human divisions—racial, social, economic, and political. The vision of Revelation 7:9 shows a diverse humanity united in Christ, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. This is the future we are called to work towards, starting now by living out our unity in Christ.
We are called to be humble, gentle, and patient, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. This unity is not just a future hope but a present reality that we are to live out, infecting the world around us with the humility and gentleness of God's kingdom. By doing so, we bring God's kingdom fully here, fulfilling our calling to live in unity and model His kingdom to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Turning to Jesus in Times of Chaos: When the world around us seems to be falling apart, our first response should be to turn to Jesus. He alone has the words of eternal life and offers the ultimate solution to our problems. In times of confusion and fear, we must remember that our true home is not of this world, but we are called to live here for now, turning to Jesus for guidance and peace. [07:49]
2. The Power of Humility and Prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls us to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways. This is a timeless principle that applies to all Christians. If we do this, God promises to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. This is a powerful reminder that the solution to our nation's problems begins with the humility and prayers of God's people. [09:12]
3. God's Love for Unity in Diversity: God loves the coming together of distinct and different things. This is evident in creation, where He brings together heaven and earth, land and sea, and man and woman. This unity in diversity reflects God's character and His desire for us to be united in Christ, despite our differences. [45:43]
4. The Vision of a United Humanity: Revelation 7:9 gives us a glimpse of a future where a diverse humanity is united in Christ, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. This vision should inspire us to work towards unity now, living out our calling to be one in Christ and modeling His kingdom to the world. [54:48]
5. Living Out Unity in Christ: We are called to be humble, gentle, and patient, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. This means putting up with each other's faults and loving one another despite our differences. By doing so, we bring God's kingdom fully here and fulfill our calling to live in unity. [01:06:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:53] - Addressing Current Events
[07:49] - Turning to Jesus in Times of Chaos
[08:32] - 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Humility
[09:12] - The Call to Pray and Seek God
[10:15] - Confession and Returning to God
[11:16] - Prayer for Forgiveness and Healing
[12:12] - Humbling Ourselves Before God
[13:10] - Seeking Revival and New Life
[13:59] - Worship and Praise
[34:31] - Unity in Christ
[40:41] - The Plurality of Blessings in Christ
[42:21] - God’s Love for Diversity
[44:14] - The Overlap of God’s Space and Man’s Space
[45:43] - The Beauty of Distinct Things Coming Together
[47:06] - The Importance of Contrast and Diversity
[48:30] - The Creation of Man and Woman
[50:02] - The Role of Helper and Corresponding Opposites
[51:32] - Imaging God Together
[53:04] - The Unity of God and Man
[54:48] - Vision of a United Humanity
[56:15] - Demonstration of Unity in Christ
[57:38] - The Beauty of Unity in Christ
[59:00] - Jesus’ Prayer for Unity
[01:00:24] - Jews and Gentiles United in Christ
[01:01:58] - The Holy Spirit as Evidence of Salvation
[01:03:25] - Bringing God’s Kingdom Here
[01:04:57] - Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling
[01:06:21] - Practical Instructions for Unity
[01:08:15] - Contagious Circles of God’s Kingdom
[01:10:00] - Prayer for Unity and God’s Kingdom
[01:11:28] - Volunteer Opportunities
[01:14:29] - Closing Remarks and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2. Revelation 7:9 - "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands."
3. Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the four actions that 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls God's people to do? ([09:12])
2. According to Revelation 7:9, what is the common characteristic of the diverse multitude standing before the throne? ([54:48])
3. In Ephesians 4:2-3, what qualities are believers encouraged to exhibit to maintain unity? ([01:06:21])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Adam and Eve in terms of unity and diversity? ([50:02])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon emphasize turning to Jesus in times of chaos and confusion? How does this relate to the message in John 6:68? ([07:49])
2. How does the concept of unity in diversity reflect God's character, as illustrated in the creation story and the relationship between Adam and Eve? ([45:43])
3. What does the vision of a united humanity in Revelation 7:9 teach us about the future of God's kingdom and our role in it? ([54:48])
4. How can the qualities listed in Ephesians 4:2-3 help us to live out our calling to unity in Christ in practical ways? ([01:06:21])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time of chaos or confusion in your life. How did you respond, and how might turning to Jesus have changed your response? ([07:49])
2. In what ways can you humble yourself and pray for our nation and community, as encouraged by 2 Chronicles 7:14? ([09:12])
3. Think of a relationship in your life where there is division. How can you apply the principles of humility, gentleness, and patience from Ephesians 4:2-3 to work towards unity? ([01:06:21])
4. How can you celebrate and promote unity in diversity within your church or community, reflecting God's love for the coming together of distinct things? ([45:43])
5. What steps can you take to live out the vision of a united humanity in Christ, as seen in Revelation 7:9, in your daily interactions? ([54:48])
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and healing. How can you take practical steps to turn from your wicked ways and seek His face? ([09:12])
7. How can you create "contagious circles" of humility, gentleness, and patience in your community, as described in the sermon? ([01:08:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Turning to Jesus in Times of Chaos
In times of chaos and division, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. However, as Christians, our first response should be to turn to Jesus, who has the words of eternal life. When the world around us seems to be falling apart, we must remember that our true home is not of this world. Jesus offers the ultimate solution to our problems, providing guidance and peace in times of confusion and fear. By turning to Him, we can find the strength and wisdom to navigate through the challenges we face. [07:49]
John 16:33 (ESV): "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you feel overwhelmed by chaos? How can you turn to Jesus for guidance and peace in this situation today?
Day 2: The Power of Humility and Prayer
2 Chronicles 7:14 calls us to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways. This timeless principle applies to all Christians and serves as a powerful reminder that the solution to our nation's problems begins with the humility and prayers of God's people. When we humble ourselves before God and seek His face, He promises to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. This act of humility and prayer is not just a personal practice but a collective responsibility for the body of Christ. [09:12]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice humility? How can you incorporate prayer into this area to seek God's guidance and healing?
Day 3: God's Love for Unity in Diversity
God loves the coming together of distinct and different things, as seen in creation where He brings together heaven and earth, land and sea, and man and woman. This unity in diversity reflects God's character and His desire for us to be united in Christ despite our differences. By embracing our unique qualities and coming together in unity, we can better image God and fulfill His purpose for us. This unity is not just a future hope but a present reality that we are called to live out. [45:43]
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: How can you celebrate and embrace the diversity within your community? What steps can you take to promote unity in Christ among those who are different from you?
Day 4: The Vision of a United Humanity
Revelation 7:9 gives us a glimpse of a future where a diverse humanity is united in Christ, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. This vision should inspire us to work towards unity now, living out our calling to be one in Christ and modeling His kingdom to the world. By striving for unity, we can reflect the beauty of God's kingdom and demonstrate His love to those around us. This vision of a united humanity is not just a distant dream but a present calling for all believers. [54:48]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to promote unity within your church or community? How can you model the kingdom of God in your daily interactions with others?
Day 5: Living Out Unity in Christ
We are called to be humble, gentle, and patient, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. This means putting up with each other's faults and loving one another despite our differences. By doing so, we bring God's kingdom fully here and fulfill our calling to live in unity. This unity is not just a future hope but a present reality that we are to live out, infecting the world around us with the humility and gentleness of God's kingdom. [01:06:21]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: How can you practice humility, gentleness, and patience in your relationships today? What specific actions can you take to promote peace and unity in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What are we supposed to do when we see our nation and our world like disintegrating around us? And specifically, I think as Americans, when we see a nation that was founded on godly values, right, on ideals and ideas that are moral and ethical and godly, and we see that nation devolving into hate and division and insulting one another and vitriol and even violence, like, what are we supposed to do with that? I mean, this isn't our home, right? This isn't our home. But we live here for now. What are we supposed to do?" [06:53] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Where else would we turn except to Jesus? So I'm reminded of a passage in the Old Testament. This is in 2 Chronicles. You've all heard this verse. I think it's important that we don't get this out of context and get weird about it. But Israel's kind of a mess, and they've just dedicated the temple. And God is saying, you're going to come here, and you're going to worship me, and you're going to praise me here. And outside of this room, outside of this world, the world's going to go crazy all around you." [08:32] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God, you know, we confess what we've become. And we see that we need to return to you, to our godly values, right? To a nation of ideals, and morals, and ideas, and not of vitriol, and hate, and violence. And we see that the solution to that is not found in a person, or a party, or a specific idea. It's found in God. It's found in turning to him. So, what I'm going to suggest is that we stand together now, and we just take a minute, and then let's just pray. And let's turn our eyes kind of away from the problem and to the solution." [10:15] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God loves the coming together of very different, very distinct things. It's like he finds beauty in the diversity. He finds beauty. In the complexity. He finds beauty in the contrast. And being made in his image, so do we. And that's why we like contrast. And that's why we appreciate diversity. And that's why we love Reese's peanut butter cups. And I'll tell you why. Because the chocolate's good. Yeah? Chocolate's good. Peanut butter is good. But the coming together of these distinct, unique things is, and I believe, I believe, I probably should have thought of the water. Yeah, I should have thought that through." [44:14] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Someday, a very diverse, humanity will be fully united in Christ. And here's your preview. It's Revelation 7, 9. This is John. He's looking into the future, right? This is the someday, right? This is when it all comes together. This is when the two kingdoms collide, right? And God's space and man's space are one. After this, I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. Who's the Lamb? Jesus. And they were clothed in white robes. What does that represent? Why are they clothed in white robes? Yeah, that's the purity, right? That's the righteousness of Jesus." [54:48] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Every time we come together in Christ with somebody that's different than us, we're not only imaging him to the world around us. Every time we come together in Christ with somebody that's different than us, we are bringing his kingdom fully here. You see that? Every time. That's what his kingdom looks like, right? We're in that overlap. And in that overlap, pull it so that it's all fully one thing. And the way we do that is through our unity." [01:03:25] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What if, not them, what if just you? What if just you were always humble and gentle and patient, and you just put up with people's stuff because you love them? And what if you, like, no matter how stupid they are, no matter how wrong they are, no matter what they said, no matter what they did, no matter what they posted, what if you seriously made every effort to be united in the spirit of Jesus? You know what would happen? You would infect a circle of people around you with the humility and gentleness and patience and unity of the kingdom of God." [01:08:15] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God loves the coming together of distinct, different things. God's space and man's space. Heaven and earth. Land and sea. Peanut butter and chocolate. Man and woman. Christ and the church. God and man. I think that's the one he likes best. What's more different? God and man. Very, very different. But God created God and man to be together. And when man chose separation, the whole Bible is the story of God reconciling us back to him. The whole Bible is the story of him bringing us to be together with him." [53:04] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's purpose in this was that we Jews, who were the first to trust in Christ, would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the good news that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit who he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance that he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people." [01:01:58] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We do it by calling those things, by calling culture and social standing and race and economics and gender and politics. We do it by calling those things what they are. They're false gods. They're false gods that lie to us. And they tell us that we're permanently separated and divided and isolated and alone. And we call out those false gods and we refuse to listen to their lies. And we refuse to find our identity in them. And instead, we see who we really are. That we're loved and we're righteous and free and forgiven and accepted and adopted and reconciled to the Father and united in Christ." [01:04:57] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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