Unity in Diversity: Advancing God's Kingdom Together
Summary
Taking a week to come together and work on solutions for the Kingdom of God is a significant commitment. This gathering is not just about solving problems or working with unfamiliar teams; it is about lifting the name of Jesus high. As we begin with worship, we are reminded of the unity and diversity of gifts within the body of Christ. Despite our different backgrounds, denominations, and generations, we serve the same God, and it is a privilege to participate in His work. This week has been a testament to the power of unity, as we have come together in one accord, much like the Israelites marching around the walls of Jericho. Through our collective efforts, we are breaking down barriers that prevent the gospel from reaching the ends of the earth.
The hackathon has been a powerful experience, with participants working tirelessly in areas such as community collaboration, marketplace outreach, youth outreach, and donor partnerships. The spirit of collaboration and unity has been palpable, as individuals from different walks of life have come together for a common cause. This is a reflection of the church's welcoming spirit, where we work together despite not knowing each other, united by our shared mission.
As we celebrate the achievements of the past week, we recognize the importance of breaking down walls that hinder the spread of the gospel. The victories we have witnessed are not just about winning prizes but about advancing the Kingdom of God. The stories of perseverance and dedication, like that of the Fellowship team, inspire us to keep pressing on, even when faced with challenges. Their journey reminds us that with the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can overcome obstacles and achieve great things for God's glory.
As we conclude this time together, we are encouraged to continue marching forward, breaking down walls, and proclaiming the victory we have in Jesus. Let us carry the spirit of unity and collaboration beyond this week, as we commit our lives to God's service and seek to see His great and mighty works unfold in our midst.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unity in Diversity: The gathering exemplifies the beauty of unity in diversity, where individuals from different backgrounds and denominations come together to serve one God. This unity is a powerful testimony of the body of Christ working in harmony, much like the Israelites marching in unison around Jericho. [17:25]
2. Breaking Down Barriers: Our efforts are akin to breaking down walls that prevent the gospel from reaching others. By working together, we are dismantling obstacles in the marketplace, youth outreach, and community collaboration, paving the way for the gospel to spread. [36:31]
3. Perseverance in Challenges: The story of the Fellowship team highlights the importance of perseverance. Despite facing setbacks, they pressed on, supported by the Holy Spirit and their community, demonstrating that persistence leads to breakthroughs. [40:28]
4. The Power of Worship: Worship is a central part of our gathering, reminding us of God's greatness and our dependence on Him. It unites us in spirit and purpose, setting the tone for our work and reinforcing our commitment to lifting Jesus' name high. [00:00]
5. Celebrating Victories: While prizes are awarded, the true victory lies in advancing God's Kingdom. The hackathon is a reminder that our efforts are not in vain, as we witness the impact of our work and the breaking down of barriers for the gospel. [43:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:05] - Commitment to the Kingdom
- [00:30] - Worship and Unity
- [01:00] - Spirit of Togetherness
- [01:30] - Breaking Down Walls
- [02:00] - Hackathon Overview
- [02:30] - Community Collaboration
- [03:00] - Marketplace Outreach
- [03:30] - Youth Outreach
- [04:00] - Donor Partnerships
- [04:30] - Stories of Perseverance
- [05:00] - Celebrating Achievements
- [05:30] - Announcing Winners
- [06:00] - Final Reflections
- [06:30] - Benediction and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Joshua 6:1-20 - The story of the Israelites marching around the walls of Jericho.
2. Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 - Unity and diversity in the body of Christ.
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the main purpose of the gathering described in the sermon, and how does it relate to the story of the Israelites marching around Jericho? [17:25]
2. How did the sermon describe the diversity of participants in the hackathon, and what was the significance of this diversity? [36:31]
3. What role did worship play in the gathering, and how was it emphasized in the sermon? [01:44:28]
4. Can you identify the different areas of focus during the hackathon, and how did they contribute to breaking down barriers for the gospel? [37:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the Israelites marching around Jericho illustrate the power of unity and faith in overcoming obstacles? [17:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that diversity within the body of Christ can be a strength rather than a hindrance? [36:31]
3. How does the sermon connect the act of worship with the mission of advancing the Kingdom of God? [01:44:28]
4. What lessons can be drawn from the perseverance of the Fellowship team, and how does this relate to the broader theme of overcoming challenges with the Holy Spirit's guidance? [40:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced unity in diversity within your own community. How did it impact your faith journey, and what steps can you take to foster such unity in your current environment? [36:31]
2. Consider the barriers that might be preventing you from sharing the gospel in your own life. What practical steps can you take to break down these walls? [37:46]
3. Worship was a central theme in the sermon. How can you incorporate more intentional worship into your daily routine to keep your focus on God? [01:44:28]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of perseverance. Identify a challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit and your community to help you overcome it? [40:28]
5. Think about the different areas of focus during the hackathon (community collaboration, marketplace outreach, youth outreach, donor partnerships). Which area resonates most with you, and how can you contribute to it in your own context? [37:46]
6. How can you carry the spirit of unity and collaboration from the gathering into your everyday life and interactions with others? [17:25]
7. Reflect on the victories celebrated during the hackathon. How can you celebrate and acknowledge the small victories in your own spiritual journey? [43:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity: A Divine Symphony
In the gathering of believers, the beauty of unity in diversity is vividly displayed. Individuals from various backgrounds, denominations, and generations come together, united by their shared faith in one God. This unity is a powerful testimony of the body of Christ working in harmony, much like the Israelites marching in unison around Jericho. It is a reminder that despite our differences, we are all part of the same divine symphony, each playing our unique part in God's grand design. The gathering serves as a microcosm of the church's potential to reflect the kingdom of God on earth, where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated as a strength. [17:25]
"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 person in your church community who comes from a different background than you. How can you reach out to them this week to learn from their perspective and strengthen the unity within your church?
Day 2: Breaking Down Barriers: The Gospel's Unstoppable Force
The collective efforts of believers are akin to breaking down walls that prevent the gospel from reaching others. By working together, they dismantle obstacles in the marketplace, youth outreach, and community collaboration, paving the way for the gospel to spread. This is a reflection of the church's mission to be a light in the world, breaking through the darkness with the truth of Christ. The gathering highlights the importance of collaboration and the power of unity in overcoming challenges that hinder the spread of the gospel. [36:31]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a barrier in your own life or community that prevents the gospel from being shared. What practical steps can you take this week to begin breaking down that barrier?
Day 3: Perseverance in Challenges: The Fellowship Team's Journey
The story of the Fellowship team highlights the importance of perseverance. Despite facing setbacks, they pressed on, supported by the Holy Spirit and their community, demonstrating that persistence leads to breakthroughs. Their journey is a testament to the power of faith and determination in overcoming obstacles. It serves as an inspiration for all believers to keep pressing on, even when faced with challenges, trusting that God will provide the strength and guidance needed to achieve great things for His glory. [40:28]
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you have faced. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit and your community to persevere and find hope in the midst of difficulties?
Day 4: The Power of Worship: A Unifying Force
Worship is a central part of the gathering, reminding believers of God's greatness and their dependence on Him. It unites them in spirit and purpose, setting the tone for their work and reinforcing their commitment to lifting Jesus' name high. Worship is not just a ritual but a powerful expression of faith that draws believers closer to God and to each other. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate purpose of their efforts: to glorify God and advance His kingdom on earth. [00:00]
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." (Psalm 95:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your personal worship practices. How can you deepen your worship experience this week to draw closer to God and strengthen your connection with your church community?
Day 5: Celebrating Victories: Advancing God's Kingdom
While prizes are awarded, the true victory lies in advancing God's Kingdom. The gathering is a reminder that believers' efforts are not in vain, as they witness the impact of their work and the breaking down of barriers for the gospel. Celebrating these victories is not just about acknowledging achievements but about recognizing the hand of God at work in their midst. It is an opportunity to give thanks for the progress made and to renew their commitment to the mission of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. [43:04]
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent victory or achievement in your life or community. How can you celebrate this victory in a way that acknowledges God's hand in it and encourages further commitment to His work?
Quotes
1. "You know, it's a great commitment, taking time off for one week to come and hack solutions for the Kingdom of God and, you know, coming together, working with a team you don't know, and just gathering in one accord of one mind and one spirit, you know, walking around the walls of Jericho as it were, and you know, truly we've seen the glory of God this past week, and I have been so blessed by your commitment, and we praise God for each and every one of you. But you know, we are here not just to hack a solution, right? We are here not just to work together." ([00:00:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "We are here not just to solve someone's problem, but we are here really to lift up the name of Jesus up high. Can I hear an amen? And so we're going to start this time with a time of worshipping the Lord together, and so blessed to have Grace from Wesley, prayer and praise, who will be leading us. And why don't we just stand, shall we, and let's commit this time to the Lord. Father, we need you. Father, we need you. Father, we want to thank you so much that we can gather in one accord." ([00:00:35] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "And thank you, Lord, that at the end of a rather tiring week, Lord, we can just lift the name of Jesus up high in this place. We know that you're with us. You've said in your word that where two or three are gathered in your name, there you are with us right now. And so, Spirit of the Living God, we pray that you'll just come and rest upon us, descend upon us. We thank you that we're able to gather together in your presence in one accord, together and on the same page, aligned with one another over the past week." ([00:15:54] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Thank you, Pastor Ray. And, you know, it's so wonderful to see all of us here surviving after seven days. For the benefit of those of you who are joining us for the very first time and you're here to listen in, you know, we started last Friday and Friday night, the teams, formed together. I think there were about 150 of us gathered here in this place. And then we had four challenge areas that we had to look in, right? And the first one was in community collaboration. And then there was marketplace outreach, there was youth outreach, and there was donor partnerships." ([00:29:43] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "And these four areas, and then people began gathering together around, you know, the various challenge areas that they were passionate about. And I saw one lady came up to me and she said, you know, I'm here alone. I don't know where to go. And I said, oh, you just join one of the teams, right? And she said, okay, let me go. And then she went and she joined one of the teams and famously got, you know, along with everyone in the team. And that, you know, really is the picture, isn't it, of what church is all about." ([00:32:28] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "You know, that welcoming spirit of being able to work together even though we don't know each other because we're working towards a common cause. And many of us also belong to different generations as well and how we were able to kind of gather together in one accord, in one place. I repeat this story again because I shared it on the first day about, you know, what we're doing really is very powerful We were like the Israelites, you know, we are like the Israelites walking and marching around the city walls, you know, and on the seventh day the Lord said to the Israelites, interesting to Joshua, I want you to march around seven times and then the trumpet will sound and the people of God will say, well, after all this time you guys still can't get it, all right?" ([00:32:48] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "Okay, after seven days and they marched around seven times, the priest sounded the trumpet and the people of God shouted, and the people of God shouted, and the people of God shouted, and then what happened? The walls came tumbling down. Let's give the Lord a big hand, shall we? You know what, we're doing something powerful because we're breaking down, we're game changing, we're breaking down walls, breaking down walls that prevents the gospel from reaching the ends of the earth, breaking down walls that prevents us from reaching others in the marketplace, reaching the youth, reaching our community and helping donors really do the work of God." ([00:34:08] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "We are breaking down walls and what we're doing is so important because in the name of Jesus, we have the victory. Can I hear an amen? And right now, I'm going to show you highlights of what we've been doing because we have been marching around and just as Israel has been marching around for seven times over the seven days, they were encouraging one another, they were uplifting one another, they were lifting each other up, they were marching at the same beat, at the same time, in one accord and of one mind and that's what we've been doing these past seven days as well." ([00:35:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "And praise God. Such wonderful testimonies of our time the past seven days. I know you guys have been working hard for a reason as well, right? Isn't it? And so now it's the time for that final reveal Well, actually maybe some of you don't even know what you've been hacking for, right? Well, we do have prizes for those of you who don't realise. And we've got a first, second, third prize. We've got the people's choice and we've got the committee's choice. In case you guys didn't realise that because I know most of you were not here for the prize." ([00:34:21] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "I hope none of you were here for the prize. But we do want to also give you a small token of appreciation. And with that we want to thank you so much. I want to thank so much our sponsors as well for sponsoring the prizes. We are so grateful for the great generosity of DM360 who have basically donated quite a big chunk of all the prizes we're going to receive. We've got Christians in Web3 as well. And we praise God for that. So right now, I'm going to announce the winners, alright? The winners of the top three winners as voted for by our challenge catalysts." ([00:34:41] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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