Unity in Christ: Living as One Body
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the concept of "One Body" as part of our new series titled "The Gifted." We explored Romans 12:1-2, emphasizing the importance of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This act of dedication is our reasonable service and true spiritual worship. We discussed how God’s mercies call us to offer our lives, despite our frailties and inadequacies, and how this offering is pleasing to Him.
We also examined the necessity of unity within the body of Christ. Each of us has been given unique gifts, and together, we form one body with Christ as the head. This unity is crucial for fulfilling God's purpose on Earth. We are not meant to operate as isolated individuals but as a collective, representing one Christ. The church must strive to be a corporate man, reflecting the fullness of Christ in our actions and interactions.
The sermon highlighted the challenges of maintaining unity, especially when dealing with personal offenses and church hurt. We must bear with one another in love, humility, and patience, understanding that these conflicts are part of God's process to refine us. The renewed mind enables us to discern God's will, helping us see beyond our immediate struggles to the greater purpose He has for us.
We also touched on the prophetic significance of Jacob's ladder, which symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth through Christ and His body, the church. This vision underscores the importance of a unified body through which God’s work is manifested on Earth. The angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man illustrate the divine activity that occurs when we operate as one body.
In conclusion, we are called to die to ourselves and live for Christ, embracing our roles within the body. This unity is not just a lofty ideal but a practical necessity for the church to fulfill its mission. As we grow together, we become an unstoppable force, reflecting the glory of Christ to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living Sacrifices: Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is our reasonable service to God. This act of dedication is not about our perfection but about His mercy. Despite our frailties, God calls us to offer our lives to Him, which is pleasing and acceptable in His sight. [06:10]
2. Unity in the Body: We are many members but one body in Christ. Each of us has unique gifts, and together we form a complete representation of Christ on Earth. This unity is essential for fulfilling God's purpose and manifesting His power. [03:00]
3. Bearing with One Another: Maintaining unity requires humility, patience, and love. Conflicts and offenses are part of God's process to refine us. By bearing with one another, we grow in maturity and reflect the character of Christ. [29:37]
4. Renewed Mind: A renewed mind enables us to discern God's will. It helps us see beyond our immediate struggles and understand the greater purpose God has for us. This transformation is crucial for living out our calling as part of the body of Christ. [17:04]
5. Prophetic Significance of Unity: The vision of Jacob's ladder symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth through Christ and His body, the church. This unity allows divine activity to manifest on Earth, fulfilling God's prophetic purposes. [55:25]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Introduction and Greetings
[01:08] - Series Overview: The Gifted
[01:40] - God's Power and Healing
[02:22] - Understanding Our Gifts
[03:00] - One Body in Christ
[04:15] - Romans 12:1-2: Living Sacrifices
[06:10] - Presenting Ourselves to God
[08:15] - Reasonable Service and Worship
[10:07] - Addressing Church Hurt
[12:03] - The Imperfect Church
[14:08] - Renewing Our Minds
[17:04] - Discerning God's Will
[18:17] - Personal Testimony of Betrayal
[21:04] - Joseph's Story: Process and Purpose
[23:02] - Overcoming Worldly Conditioning
[25:15] - Settling in God's Purpose
[25:55] - Ephesians 4: Unity and Maturity
[29:37] - Bearing with One Another in Love
[31:42] - The Corporate Man
[35:02] - Walking in the Spirit
[37:42] - Team Jesus: Unity in the Body
[40:12] - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
[43:41] - God's Expectation for Us
[45:44] - The Fullness of Christ
[47:40] - One Entity in Faith
[50:10] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
[53:54] - Partakers in Suffering
[55:25] - Jacob's Ladder: Prophetic Significance
[58:10] - The Importance of Assembly
[01:01:05] - The Role of the Fivefold Ministry
[01:03:49] - Planted Together in Christ
[01:05:56] - Reconnecting to the Body
[01:07:14] - The Local Assembly
[01:08:04] - Invitation to Salvation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."
2. Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
3. John 17:21-23 (ESV): "That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by presenting our bodies as "living sacrifices" in Romans 12:1-2? How is this related to our spiritual worship? [04:12]
2. According to Ephesians 4:1-3, what qualities should we exhibit to maintain unity within the body of Christ?
3. In John 17:21-23, what is Jesus' prayer for the unity of believers, and how does this unity serve as a testimony to the world?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being a "living sacrifice" challenge our daily lives and decisions? What practical steps can we take to live this out? [04:12]
2. Why is unity within the body of Christ so crucial for fulfilling God's purpose on Earth, as discussed in the sermon? [02:48]
3. How can personal conflicts and church hurt be seen as part of God's process to refine us, according to the sermon? [10:09]
4. What does it mean to have a "renewed mind," and how does this transformation help us discern God's will? [14:28]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or frail. How can you present yourself as a living sacrifice to God despite these feelings? [05:37]
2. Think of a recent conflict or offense you experienced within the church. How can you apply humility, patience, and love to bear with one another and maintain unity? [29:29]
3. In what ways can you actively contribute to the unity of your local church body? Are there specific actions you can take to foster a spirit of unity and peace? [34:25]
4. How can you renew your mind daily to better discern God's will for your life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to facilitate this transformation? [14:28]
5. Jesus prayed for believers to be one as He and the Father are one. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of unity with fellow believers in your church? [50:46]
6. Identify a person in your church who has hurt or offended you. What steps can you take to reconcile and restore that relationship in a Christ-like manner? [10:09]
7. How can you embrace your unique gifts and use them to serve the body of Christ more effectively? What specific role do you feel called to within your church community? [02:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Sacrifices: A Call to Dedication
Description: Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is our reasonable service to God. This act of dedication is not about our perfection but about His mercy. Despite our frailties, God calls us to offer our lives to Him, which is pleasing and acceptable in His sight. This means surrendering our daily lives, our actions, and our decisions to God, trusting that He will use us for His glory. It is an ongoing process of dying to our own desires and living for Christ, allowing His will to be done through us. [06:10]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Unity in the Body: Embracing Our Unique Gifts
Description: We are many members but one body in Christ. Each of us has unique gifts, and together we form a complete representation of Christ on Earth. This unity is essential for fulfilling God's purpose and manifesting His power. When we operate in our individual gifts while maintaining unity, we reflect the fullness of Christ. It is important to recognize and value the diversity of gifts within the body, understanding that each one is crucial for the overall mission of the church. [03:00]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (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. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to serve and strengthen the unity of your local church community this week?
Day 3: Bearing with One Another: Growing in Love and Patience
Description: Maintaining unity requires humility, patience, and love. Conflicts and offenses are part of God's process to refine us. By bearing with one another, we grow in maturity and reflect the character of Christ. It is through these challenges that we learn to extend grace and forgiveness, mirroring the love that Christ has shown us. This process not only strengthens our relationships within the church but also serves as a powerful testimony to the world of God's transformative power. [29:37]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community with whom you have had a conflict. How can you take a step towards reconciliation and show them Christ-like love and patience today?
Day 4: Renewed Mind: Discerning God's Will
Description: A renewed mind enables us to discern God's will. It helps us see beyond our immediate struggles and understand the greater purpose God has for us. This transformation is crucial for living out our calling as part of the body of Christ. By allowing God to renew our minds, we can break free from worldly patterns and align our thoughts with His truth. This renewal empowers us to make decisions that honor God and advance His kingdom. [17:04]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What are some worldly patterns or thoughts that you need to let go of? How can you actively seek to renew your mind with God's truth today?
Day 5: Prophetic Significance of Unity: Manifesting God's Work on Earth
Description: The vision of Jacob's ladder symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth through Christ and His body, the church. This unity allows divine activity to manifest on Earth, fulfilling God's prophetic purposes. When we operate as one body, we become a conduit for God's work, bringing His kingdom to earth. This unity is not just a lofty ideal but a practical necessity for the church to fulfill its mission. As we grow together, we become an unstoppable force, reflecting the glory of Christ to the world. [55:25]
Genesis 28:12-13 (ESV): "And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, 'I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring.'"
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of the church in a way that allows God's work to be manifested more powerfully in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I believe God can heal you before an alter call come on somebody I believe God can heal you in a parking lot amen you can get out the car God can heal you through a hug he can heal you through a handshake come on somebody we are the Garment of God and that's what we're trying to get to to not where we're trying to create our own things but that we can be the vessels that God purposes us to be." [01:08] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God extends his pity his grace to the weak and the broken in the midst of your Brokenness God is still calling you to himself you know one thing I've learned about God is he won't allow your broken excuses to keep him from calling you even though you may see yourself inadequate broken busted and disgusted in the midst of that God I Paul says I beseech you by the mercies don't worry about it it's by the mercies of God that you're called it's not by your Perfection but it's by his Mercy." [05:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The possibility of bringing pleasure to God provides a powerful motivation for complete surrender of self it is your reasonable reasonable means it's what is logical to God if God is thinking he's saying that's great but what's logical to me is for you and it makes sense to me now especially after reading um a couple weeks ago we talked about Paul when he talked about how the love of Christ constrained him and he said you know he considered that if all died for all all than all that he died for should live for him." [08:15] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I need you to lower yourself I need you to be gentle in your responses I need you to have some long suffering in this thing that you're called to why because you're going to be bearing with one another Stay With Me the word bearing with means completing a process now remember I told you my story so what when your mind is renewed you discern the will of God all right so what I Now understand is the Betrayal I went through and being talked about and gossiped on it was part of the process." [29:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We must become partakers of his in suffering in such a way that his death becomes our very own and we lose ourselves watch this in him that we may truly become him I'm going say it again we must become partakers of his in suffering in such a way that his death becomes our very own and we lose ourselves in him that we may truly become him him meaning his body on the earth unified watch this which has watch this his prayer and the purpose of the giving of the Ascension gifts that we may become what one new perfect man." [54:46] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We are ready as a body of Believers to minister to the needs of the Saints amen and that's what we're growing to so we understand our Christ we understand what it means to follow him and now we should understand the power that we that we have available right how he grants us power to do the work he calls us to do and so now we're moving in a series titled the gifted to understand that every one of us we're many members but one body and every one of us have gifts God has purposed and um destined for us to have and to walk in." [02:22] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I encourage you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called now he's not talking to preachers here he's talking to the church at Ephesus I encourage you to walk to journey to step worthy the word worthy there means means um suitable because it's recognized as fitting walk according to what's fitting for this calling right it means to uh um worthy means having worth that matches actual value I'm I I encourage you to walk worthy of this act this call the let your life match the value of the calling you've been called to." [27:26] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We have to realize that it's not always everybody else you know there there is not a perfect Church the only time the church will become perfect is when he gives us new flesh and we are with him until then there will be some imperfections and so if we're going to get it right it has to start with me no no no not me you me me and you it's going to start with us as individuals because what happens is we don't have reservations with God until God requires for us to deal with people then we have reservations with God." [12:03] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We must become partakers of his in suffering in such a way that his death becomes our very own and we lose ourselves watch this in him that we may truly become him I'm going say it again we must become partakers of his in suffering in such a way that his death becomes our very own and we lose ourselves in him that we may truly become him him meaning his body on the earth unified watch this which has watch this his prayer and the purpose of the giving of the Ascension gifts that we may become what one new perfect man." [54:46] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are part of the fulfillment of Jacob's dream my god listen I'm not making this up listen listen Stay With Me the son of man is the Glorious fulfillment of Jak's ladder and watch this there's no wonder now why Jacob says that this is the this is bethl none other than the what house of God or as we say body of Christ the head is in heaven the body is upon the Earth and according to scripture the angels of the Lord are sent forth as ministering Spirits that's right ministering to such as shall be the Hees of Salvation which is his church they're ascending and descending upon the son of man how are they ascending and descending upon the son of man they're descending upon the corporate man." [01:00:29] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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