Unity in Diversity: God's Kingdom Perspective on Race
Summary
In today's message, I addressed the persistent issue of racial division in America, emphasizing that it has been a significant challenge since the nation's inception. This division manifests in various forms, including race, class, and culture, leading to conflicts and segregation, even within the church. The most segregated hour in America is often 11 o'clock on Sunday mornings, highlighting the need for a definitive word on race from God's perspective. The root of the problem lies in our failure to adopt a kingdom perspective, which is God's viewpoint on racial unity.
I used the analogy of the Olympics to illustrate how individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to represent a larger entity, their nation. Similarly, we should view our racial differences as part of a bigger agenda, the kingdom agenda, which is the visible demonstration of God's comprehensive rule over every area of life. God's design was never for racial sameness but for oneness, where differences are celebrated and utilized for the advancement of His kingdom.
Unity, as defined by Jesus in John 17, is crucial for the world to believe in Him and for God's glory to be revealed. Without addressing unity across racial and cultural lines, we hinder the witness of Christ and limit the reflection of God's glory. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 2, speaks of unity as "one new man," where the cross of Christ serves as the emulsifier, bringing together diverse groups into one body.
I also shared a personal analogy from my experience as a chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys. A football team, despite its diverse members, functions as one unit with a common goal. Similarly, as Christians, we are to wear the same uniform, the blood of Christ, which unites us in purpose and mission. Discrimination, as James 2 warns, interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom. We must embrace our God-given uniqueness while ensuring we are aligned with God's goal line, not our own.
Key Takeaways:
- Racial division is a longstanding issue in America, and the church is not exempt. The most segregated hour is often Sunday morning, highlighting the need for a kingdom perspective on unity. God's answer to racial division is the only correct one, and we must align with it to resolve this issue. [00:44]
- God's design for humanity includes racial differences, which are meant to be celebrated and embraced. In Revelation 7:9, racial diversity is evident even in eternity, showing that God values variety among His people. Unity is not about sameness but oneness of purpose. [03:32]
- Jesus' prayer in John 17 emphasizes the importance of unity for the world to believe in Him. Without addressing racial unity, we block the witness of Christ and limit God's glory. Unity is essential for the church's mission and the reflection of God's character. [05:01]
- The cross of Christ is the emulsifier that unites diverse groups into one body. Just as mayonnaise is created by combining oil and water with eggs, the blood of Christ brings together people from different backgrounds, creating a new entity for God's kingdom. [09:25]
- Discrimination interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom. As James 2 warns, we must not allow discrimination based on race or class to hinder our mission. Embracing our uniqueness while aligning with God's purpose is crucial for kingdom advancement. [12:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - The Issue of Racial Division
- [00:44] - Segregation in the Church
- [01:17] - God's Perspective on Race
- [01:49] - The Olympic Analogy
- [02:22] - The Kingdom Agenda
- [03:14] - God's Design for Diversity
- [03:48] - Unity vs. Sameness
- [04:25] - Defining Unity
- [05:01] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
- [06:36] - One New Man in Christ
- [07:32] - The Cross as Emulsifier
- [08:52] - The Process of Emulsification
- [09:25] - The Blood of Christ Unites
- [10:27] - The Football Team Analogy
- [12:35] - Discrimination and the Kingdom
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 17:21-23 - Jesus' prayer for unity.
2. Ephesians 2:13-16 - Unity in Christ as one new man.
3. Revelation 7:9 - Vision of racial diversity in eternity.
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of 11 o'clock on Sunday mornings in America? [00:44]
2. How does the analogy of the Olympics illustrate the concept of unity in diversity? [01:49]
3. What does the sermon say about God's design for racial differences and their role in His kingdom? [03:14]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the cross of Christ in uniting diverse groups? [09:25]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. In John 17:21, Jesus prays for unity among believers. How does the sermon suggest this unity impacts the world's belief in Jesus? [05:01]
2. Ephesians 2:13-16 speaks of breaking down the dividing wall. How does the sermon interpret this passage in the context of racial unity? [06:57]
3. The sermon uses the analogy of a football team to describe unity. How does this analogy help explain the concept of oneness of purpose in the church? [10:27]
4. How does the sermon interpret Revelation 7:9 in terms of God's appreciation for diversity? [03:32]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own church experience. Have you noticed any racial or cultural divisions? How can you contribute to fostering unity within your church community? [00:44]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of embracing racial differences. What are some practical ways you can celebrate and utilize these differences in your daily life? [03:48]
3. Consider the analogy of the cross as an emulsifier. How can you apply this concept to bridge divides in your personal relationships or community? [09:25]
4. Jesus' prayer in John 17 highlights the importance of unity for the world to believe in Him. How can you actively work towards unity in your interactions with others this week? [05:01]
5. The sermon warns against discrimination as a hindrance to God's kingdom. Are there any biases you need to address in your own life? How can you begin to overcome them? [12:35]
6. Think about the football team analogy. What is your role or position in your church or community, and how can you better align with the common goal of advancing God's kingdom? [10:27]
7. How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes align with God's goal line rather than your own personal agenda? [11:50]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Call to Kingdom Unity
Racial division has been a persistent issue in America, affecting even the church. The most segregated hour in America is often Sunday morning, which underscores the need for a kingdom perspective on unity. God's answer to racial division is the only correct one, and aligning with it is essential to resolving this issue. The church must lead by example, demonstrating unity that transcends racial and cultural barriers. This unity is not just a social goal but a spiritual mandate that reflects God's kingdom on earth. [00:44]
"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: Consider your own church community. How can you actively contribute to breaking down racial and cultural barriers within your congregation this week?
Day 2: Celebrating Diversity in God's Design
God's design for humanity includes racial differences, which are meant to be celebrated and embraced. In Revelation 7:9, racial diversity is evident even in eternity, showing that God values variety among His people. Unity is not about sameness but oneness of purpose. This perspective encourages us to see our differences as strengths that contribute to the richness of God's kingdom. Embracing diversity allows us to reflect the fullness of God's creation and His intention for humanity. [03:32]
"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" (Revelation 5:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a cultural or racial difference you have encountered recently. How can you celebrate and learn from this difference in a way that honors God's design for diversity?
Day 3: Unity as a Witness to the World
Jesus' prayer in John 17 emphasizes the importance of unity for the world to believe in Him. Without addressing racial unity, we block the witness of Christ and limit God's glory. Unity is essential for the church's mission and the reflection of God's character. When the church embodies true unity, it becomes a powerful testimony to the world of God's love and transformative power. This unity is not just for the church's benefit but for the sake of the world that needs to see Christ's love in action. [05:01]
"May they 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." (John 17:21, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your interactions with others outside the church. How can you demonstrate the unity of Christ in your relationships and community involvement this week?
Day 4: The Cross as the Emulsifier of Unity
The cross of Christ is the emulsifier that unites diverse groups into one body. Just as mayonnaise is created by combining oil and water with eggs, the blood of Christ brings together people from different backgrounds, creating a new entity for God's kingdom. This metaphor illustrates the transformative power of the cross to reconcile and unite. The cross breaks down barriers and creates a new identity in Christ, where all are equal and valued. [09:25]
"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: Consider a relationship or situation in your life where division exists. How can you apply the reconciling power of the cross to bring unity and peace?
Day 5: Embracing Uniqueness for Kingdom Advancement
Discrimination interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom. As James 2 warns, we must not allow discrimination based on race or class to hinder our mission. Embracing our uniqueness while aligning with God's purpose is crucial for kingdom advancement. Each person's unique gifts and perspectives are vital to the body of Christ, and when we embrace this diversity, we strengthen the church's mission and impact. [12:35]
"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." (James 2:1, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a personal bias or prejudice you may hold. How can you actively work to overcome this bias and embrace the uniqueness of others in your community?
Quotes
The issue of Rafe has dominated America since its inception our inability to resolve and solve this challenge has been an asterisk on an otherwise impeccable reputation for our country divisions show up in race and class and culture that has created Wars created internal conflicts family divisions riots and all manner of other expressions of this horrible divide. [00:00:07]
What's even worse is that 11 o'clock on Sunday morning it's often the most segregated hour of the week while people will play basketball together while people will do drugs together while people will do a whole bevy of things together when it comes to racial relationships especially in the Christian context they often break up and go their separate ways. [00:00:44]
God's design was for there always to be racial differences among people in fact those differences go all the way into eternity for example in revelations chapter 7 verse 9 the Apostle John said he looked up to heaven and when he did he saw people from every nation every tribe every kindred and every tongue these people in eternity still had their racial differences and they were visible. [00:03:08]
Unity can be defined as oneness of purpose it's not sameness of being it means you're moving toward a common goal you're moving toward a a common agenda utilizing embracing recognizing and appreciating the differences everyone brings to the table now this is no small issue and here's why Jesus and his high priestly prayer pray to prayer that will blow your mind. [00:04:18]
Jesus says in John 17 verse 21 that they may all be one even 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 sent me the glory which you have given me I have given to them that they may be one just as we are one. [00:04:56]
If we do not address the unity issue across race and culture and class lines we're blocking the witness of Christ and we're limiting the reflection of the glory of God no matter how many church services you go to how many prayer meetings you attend if the enemy can bring about division if the enemy can bring about illegitimate fracturing and fissures in the family of God our witness becomes a waste of time. [00:05:41]
Unity is based on peace and it brings about peace he's talking to two racial groups he's talking to Jews and Gentiles who were divided for for ever how the cross is the emulsifier and the process of emulsification is very interesting it's the process of bringing things together that otherwise wouldn't fit. [00:07:30]
The blood of Jesus Christ reaches out to people from different histories different backgrounds different cultures different classes and pulls them together and holds them together as long as they don't abandon the cross you abandon the eggs you don't get the mayonnaise you abandon the cross you don't get the unity you know why we don't have racial unity like God designed it. [00:09:25]
Teams are made up of people of different races different backgrounds different histories different cultures but you still only have one team in our case the Dallas Cowboys when they take the field their humanity stays intact but they're covered by another uniform and that uniform is the same on every player they have oneness of uniform and function with oneness of purpose without denying they created humanity. [00:10:42]
James chapter 2 says there's no place for discrimination because discrimination interferes with the advancement of God's kingdom that's what James says he says when you discriminate based on the class you've interfered with the kingdom of God are you blocking the kingdom of God are you advanced together be proud of what God has made you embrace it just make sure you're headed toward God's goal line--and not your own. [00:12:28]
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