Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division and Idolatry

Devotional

Day 1: Unity Through Shared Purpose

In the story of Jephthah and the Ephraimites, we see how easily unity can be shattered when individuals lose sight of a shared mission. The Ephraimites, instead of celebrating a collective victory, allowed jealousy and pride to take root, leading to conflict and division. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that unity is achieved when we focus on a common purpose rather than personal glory or power. In today's world, the church faces similar challenges, where cultural and political issues often overshadow the mission given to us by God. We are called to realign our priorities with God's eternal mission, ensuring that our focus remains on being ambassadors of Christ and spreading the message of reconciliation. [42:28]

"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." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you prioritized personal recognition over a shared goal. How can you refocus on unity and the mission of reconciliation today?

Day 2: Guarding Against Political Idolatry

The idolatry of politics has caused significant division within the church, as many prioritize political ideologies over theological truths and the mission of reconciliation entrusted to us by Christ. This has led to a loss of reason and an increase in conflict, as individuals become more focused on winning arguments than on understanding and unity. We must be vigilant not to let political ideologies overshadow our mission of reconciliation and the teachings of Christ. By examining our own hearts, we can ensure that our true priorities align with God's eternal mission, rather than temporary political victories. [45:13]

"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish." (Psalm 146:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent conversation where political views took precedence over spiritual truths. How can you approach such discussions differently to prioritize Christ's teachings?

Day 3: The Power of Reason and Understanding

Losing the ability to reason with one another leads to conflict and division. We are called to engage in meaningful conversations, even with those who hold different views, to foster understanding and unity. This requires humility and a willingness to listen, as well as a commitment to the mission of reconciliation. By focusing on understanding rather than winning arguments, we can build bridges and strengthen the unity of the church. This approach not only honors God but also reflects the love and grace of Christ to those around us. [49:42]

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone with whom you disagree. How can you initiate a conversation that prioritizes understanding and unity over winning the argument?

Day 4: Resisting Destructive Division

Infighting and division within the church can lead to self-destruction. We must guard against this by focusing on our shared mission and resisting the temptation to prioritize temporary power over eternal truths. The story of Jephthah and the Ephraimites illustrates the destructive power of pride and the pursuit of glory, which can lead to infighting and division among those who should be united. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and His mission, we can rise above the chaos and fear, uniting under the mission given to us by God. [52:04]

"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." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a situation where division has caused harm in your community. What steps can you take to promote healing and unity?

Day 5: Hope in Christ's Sovereignty

Despite the challenges and divisions we face, there is hope in the sovereignty of God. Jesus is the head of the church, holding all things together, and our mission is to be His ambassadors, spreading the message of reconciliation and unity. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are encouraged to make a difference for His name, trusting in His truth and His promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. This hope empowers us to rise above the chaos and fear, uniting under the mission given to us by God and making a lasting impact for His kingdom. [58:23]

"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust in Christ's sovereignty more fully? How can this trust empower you to be an ambassador of reconciliation today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound impact of unity and division within the church, drawing from the narrative in Judges 12. The story of Jephthah and the Ephraimites serves as a poignant reminder of how easily brothers can become enemies when they lose sight of a shared mission. This passage highlights the destructive power of pride and the pursuit of glory, which can lead to infighting and division among those who should be united. The Ephraimites, instead of celebrating a shared victory, were consumed by jealousy and a desire for recognition, leading to tragic conflict.

This theme resonates deeply with the current state of the church, where cultural and political issues often overshadow the mission given to us by God. The idolatry of politics has caused significant division, with many prioritizing political ideologies over theological truths and the mission of reconciliation entrusted to us by Christ. This has led to a loss of reason and an increase in conflict, as individuals become more focused on winning arguments than on understanding and unity.

The call today is to refocus on the mission of the church, which is to be ambassadors of Christ, spreading the message of reconciliation. We are challenged to examine our own hearts and consider whether we have lost sight of this mission. Are we more passionate about political victories than about seeing our neighbors come to Christ? The answer to this question reveals where our true priorities lie.

Despite the challenges, there is hope. The sovereign hand of God is still at work, and we are reminded that Jesus is the head of the church, holding all things together. Our mission is eternal, and we are called to be different, to rise above the chaos and fear, and to unite under the mission given to us by God. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are encouraged to make a difference for His name, trusting in His truth and His promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church.

Key Takeaways

1. Unity in Mission: When brothers become enemies, it often stems from losing sight of God's mission. Unity is found when we focus on a shared purpose, rather than personal glory or power. This is a call to realign our priorities with God's eternal mission. [42:28]
2. The Danger of Idolatry: The idolatry of politics has caused significant division within the church. We must be vigilant not to let political ideologies overshadow our mission of reconciliation and the teachings of Christ. [45:13]
3. Reason and Understanding: Losing the ability to reason with one another leads to conflict. We are called to engage in meaningful conversations, even with those who hold different views, to foster understanding and unity. [49:42]
4. Destructive Division: Infighting and division within the church can lead to self-destruction. We must guard against this by focusing on our shared mission and resisting the temptation to prioritize temporary power over eternal truths. [52:04]
5. Hope in Christ: Despite challenges, there is hope in the sovereignty of God. Jesus is the head of the church, and our mission is to be His ambassadors, spreading the message of reconciliation and unity. [58:23]
** [58:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:36] - Introduction of Jacob and Lauren
[31:56] - Personal Story of Rivalry
[35:40] - Enemies in Judges
[38:38] - The Idolatry of Politics
[40:36] - God's Mission for Israel
[42:28] - Losing Sight of God's Mission
[45:13] - The Church's Mission of Reconciliation
[46:22] - Jephthah's Response
[49:42] - The Importance of Reason
[51:29] - The Cost of Division
[53:23] - Political Division in the Church
[55:06] - A Call to Unity
[57:38] - Hope in God's Sovereignty
[59:45] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Judges 12, what was the main reason for the conflict between Jephthah and the Ephraimites? How did their desire for power and glory contribute to this conflict? [38:38]
According to the sermon, what mission had God given to the Israelites, and how did they lose sight of it? [40:36]
How does 2 Corinthians 5 describe the mission of reconciliation given to believers? What role are we called to play in this mission? [45:13]
What does James 4:1-3 say about the source of quarrels and conflicts among people? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about division in the church? [48:41]

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of Jephthah and the Ephraimites illustrate the dangers of losing sight of a shared mission? What lessons can be drawn for the church today? [42:28]
In what ways might the idolatry of politics be causing division within the church, according to the sermon? How does this compare to the divisions seen in Judges 12? [53:23]
How can the church today ensure that it remains focused on its mission of reconciliation, as described in 2 Corinthians 5, rather than getting caught up in power struggles? [45:13]
What practical steps can believers take to engage in meaningful conversations with those who hold different views, as encouraged in the sermon? [49:42]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Have you ever prioritized personal glory or power over unity in your community or church? How can you realign your priorities with God’s mission? [42:28]
Consider the current political climate: How can you ensure that your political views do not overshadow your commitment to the mission of reconciliation? What changes might you need to make? [53:23]
Think about a recent disagreement you had with someone: Did you focus more on winning the argument or on understanding the other person’s perspective? How can you approach future disagreements differently? [49:42]
Identify a relationship in your life that has been strained by division: What steps can you take to foster reconciliation and unity in that relationship? [55:39]
How can you actively participate in the mission of reconciliation in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to be an ambassador for Christ. [45:13]
Reflect on the sermon’s message about hope in Christ: How can you keep your focus on Jesus amidst the chaos and fear in the world? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith? [58:23]
Consider the role of prayer in maintaining unity: How can you incorporate prayer into your efforts to promote understanding and reconciliation within your community? [01:00:23]

Sermon Clips

1. "Have you ever noticed that people don't argue or fight when they're focused on a unified mission? You ever notice that? Like when everybody's pulling in the same direction, working for the same thing. They're not arguing. When you're fighting for survival in your life, you don't, like, spend time arguing on your favorite slurpee flavor. Right? When a football team is making a great comeback, like A &M did against LSU yesterday. Whenever you're doing that, you don't fight over who gets to score the winning touchdown. Like, you're just happy that you did. When there's a shared mission, people unite." [43:44] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When brothers become enemies, it's usually because we've lost sight of God's mission. Have you ever noticed that people don't argue or fight when they're focused on a unified mission? You ever notice that? Like when everybody's pulling in the same direction, working for the same thing. They're not arguing. When you're fighting for survival in your life, you don't, like, spend time arguing on your favorite slurpee flavor. Right? When a football team is making a great comeback, like A &M did against LSU yesterday. Whenever you're doing that, you don't fight over who gets to score the winning touchdown. Like, you're just happy that you did. When there's a shared mission, people unite." [42:28] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When brothers become enemies, it's often because we've lost sight of God's mission and we've lost the ability to even reason with one another. Jephthah could settle this by logic, couldn't settle this by logic. He even says, why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me? He's so perplexed by why they're fighting. But notice, even though Jephthah kind of was confused at first, it didn't take him long to go from defense to offense." [49:42] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When brothers become enemies, it's because we've lost sight of God's mission. We've lost the ability to reason. And we will destroy ourselves. And it's already happening. And here's why I'm preaching this message. It's not because of some subjective feeling that I have, but because of the objective reality that this is already happening in the church. Today." [52:04] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Can we be a people that are more committed to the eternal mission of the church than we are to temporary power and glory? Can we be those people? I've had the feeling that if we couldn't be those people that makeishing be James gives us some guidance on how to do this. The question is, will we do it?" [55:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Here are some questions I would ask you to consider today. One, have you lost sight of God's mission? Have you lost the ability to reason? And how has this led to destruction and division in your relationships? And in the church? And here's one, just a tangible thing. What can you do in the next ten days to be a difference maker in a space that is fraught with tension, fear, and idolatry? How can we be different?" [56:21] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "I don't think it's all going to pot. I don't think, you know, the church is not threatened. Jesus said the gates of hell will not be able to prevail against my church. He's going to maintain his church. That is not understated. That is not under attack. It's just the people in it that I'm worried about. Right? But there is hope. There is a confidence that the sovereign hand of God is still at work here." [57:38] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "This is the truth, friends, and this is what we anchor our lives to. Is that Jesus is on the throne. This is our united mission. May it be so, not just on the word, but in our lives." [59:45] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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