Unity in Diversity: Healing Through Love and Understanding
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker discussing the potential impact of the church's efforts in healing and reconciliation on society, particularly in America. The speaker references John 17, where Jesus prayed for unity among believers, stating that this is how the world will know that God exists and was sent. The speaker emphasizes the importance of loving one another, having open conversations, being transparent, and listening and lamenting with those who are hurting. The speaker then shifts the focus to the military audience, urging them to learn about their fellow brothers and sisters from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, creating a safe space for conversations and cultivating righteousness.
The speaker presents two different scenarios and asks the audience to consider their responses. In the first scenario, the speaker asks how the audience would comfort and minister to individuals who come to them with heavy hearts. In the second scenario, the speaker describes a man named Adam who grew up as a minority in an inner city environment but now lives in a predominantly white community and attends a predominantly white church. Adam tried to engage a minority member of his church family but was accused of racism. The audience is asked to consider Adam's feelings and thoughts and how they would encourage him.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a desire to see the fulfillment of Revelation 7:9, where there will be no more mourning, tears, sin, or suffering. They encourage the congregation to start by loving people well in their own community and then extending that love to the outer ends of the earth. They highlight the significance of being sent ones by God and the impact it can have on the secular world. The speaker also mentions the excitement of being part of a massive community in the future, even if one may currently feel isolated or alone.
The speaker discusses the importance of understanding U.S. church history and U.S. history in general. They express their own personal growth and fascination with learning about these histories, particularly in relation to the U.S. military. The speaker highlights the contributions of believers throughout history, including missionaries like Maria Fearing, who was one of the first black American missionaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They encourage listeners to engage in personal growth, within their church families, and in their communities.
The sermon concludes with the speaker discussing three scenarios that help the audience think about how to respond in a military context in ways that honor God. The speaker encourages the audience to think and pray deeply about what they have heard, make a commitment to grow and learn about the issue, and recommends two books for further reading: "One Race, One Blood" by Ken Ham and Dr. Ware, and "Weep with Me" by Mark Vrogab, which explores the use of the psalms of lament to come alongside those who have experienced cultural difficulties.
Key Takeaways:
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, as this is how the world will know that God exists and was sent. This unity can be achieved through love, open conversations, transparency, and empathy towards those who are hurting. This is particularly important in the military context, where individuals from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds come together. [18:26]
- The speaker encourages the congregation to have a desire to see the fulfillment of Revelation 7:9, where there will be no more mourning, tears, sin, or suffering. This can be achieved by loving people well in their own community and then extending that love to the outer ends of the earth. [49:32]
- The speaker highlights the importance of understanding U.S. church history and U.S. history in general, particularly in relation to the U.S. military. This understanding can lead to personal growth and a deeper appreciation of the contributions of believers throughout history. [31:17]
- The speaker presents different scenarios to help the audience think about how to respond in a military context in ways that honor God. This involves deep thinking, prayer, and a commitment to grow and learn about the issue. [28:26]
- The speaker discusses their involvement with the military and their appreciation for the ministry of OCF (Officers' Christian Fellowship). They mention their work in strengthening military marriages and assisting those transitioning out of the military. They express gratitude for the opportunities to serve as a mentor couple and highlight the impact of OCF's ministries. [35:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 17:20-23 - Jesus' prayer for unity among believers.
2. Revelation 7:9 - The vision of a diverse multitude worshiping God.
3. Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus pray for in John 17:20-23, and why is it significant for believers? [16:41]
2. How does Revelation 7:9 describe the future gathering of believers, and what does this imply about diversity in the kingdom of God? [31:17]
3. According to Romans 12:15, how are believers instructed to respond to the emotions of others? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on empathy and lament? [17:14]
4. What are the two scenarios presented in the sermon, and what challenges do they highlight for believers in a military context? [19:30]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize unity among believers in His prayer in John 17:20-23? How does this unity serve as a testimony to the world? [16:41]
2. In what ways does the vision in Revelation 7:9 inspire believers to pursue unity and reconciliation in their communities? [31:17]
3. How can Romans 12:15 guide believers in their interactions with those who are hurting or experiencing cultural difficulties? [17:14]
4. Reflecting on the scenarios presented in the sermon, what are some practical steps believers can take to create a safe space for conversations about cultural and ethnic differences? [19:30]
#### Application Questions
1. How can you personally contribute to the unity of believers in your church or community, as Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-23? [16:41]
2. Revelation 7:9 presents a vision of a diverse and unified worshiping community. What steps can you take to embrace and celebrate diversity in your own church or community? [31:17]
3. Romans 12:15 calls us to empathize with others. Think of someone in your life who is hurting. How can you show empathy and support to them this week? [17:14]
4. In the first scenario, a couple faces racial prejudice within their church. How would you respond if you were approached by someone experiencing similar issues? What scripture would you use to comfort them? [21:36]
5. Adam, in the second scenario, feels misunderstood and accused of racism. How can you support someone like Adam in your community? What practical advice would you give him to navigate this conflict? [23:17]
6. The sermon encourages understanding U.S. church and military history. What resources or actions can you take to educate yourself on these topics and their impact on current issues? [28:58]
7. The speaker mentions the importance of loving people well in your community. Identify one specific way you can extend love and support to someone in your community this week. [49:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Unity in Diversity
In the body of Christ, unity is not uniformity. It is the harmonious coming together of diverse individuals, each with their unique experiences, cultures, and backgrounds. This unity is a testament to the world of God's existence and His love for all people. It is achieved through love, open conversations, transparency, and empathy towards those who are hurting. This is especially crucial in diverse environments like the military. [18:26]
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."
Reflection: Reflect on your interactions with people who are different from you. How can you demonstrate love and empathy towards them today?
Day 2: Longing for the Fulfillment of Revelation
As believers, we should yearn for the fulfillment of Revelation 7:9, where there will be no more mourning, tears, sin, or suffering. This longing should motivate us to love people well in our own community and extend that love to the ends of the earth. [49:32]
Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Reflection: How can you extend love to someone in your community today, as a reflection of your longing for the fulfillment of Revelation?
Day 3: Understanding Our Christian Heritage
Understanding U.S. church history and U.S. history in general, particularly in relation to the U.S. military, can lead to personal growth and a deeper appreciation of the contributions of believers throughout history. [31:17]
Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Reflection: What aspect of Christian history can you research today to deepen your understanding and appreciation of our faith heritage?
Day 4: Responding in Ways that Honor God
In every situation, especially in challenging military contexts, we should strive to respond in ways that honor God. This requires deep thinking, prayer, and a commitment to grow and learn. [28:26]
Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenging situation. How could you have responded in a way that honors God?
Day 5: Serving in the Military with a Christian Perspective
Serving in the military as a Christian involves strengthening military marriages, assisting those transitioning out of the military, and mentoring others. It's an opportunity to express gratitude for the chance to serve and to highlight the impact of Christian ministries within the military. [35:55]
2 Timothy 2:3 - "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
Reflection: If you are in the military, how can you serve God in your current role? If not, how can you support those who are serving in the military?
Quotes
"If we're loving each other in this way, if we're not afraid to have these conversations, if we are appropriately transparent and not defensive, if we are postured to hear and to lament with those who are hurting, the world's gonna take notice. Why? Because that's love on display and it's the very thing that they want and are seeking after." [17:14]
"What should those listeners take away from everything that we've said so far? Well, I hope we have lots more to say, but even at this point realizing that love is the motivator, that Christ and his glory is the motivator, and what can we do to learn about our fellow brothers and sisters who may come from a different cultural context, ethnic context, and yet we're serving together, we're worshiping together." [18:26]
"I'd also encourage us to make a commitment to grow and learn about this issue my two recommendations for reading would be the newest revised version of one race one blood by ken ham and dr ware that i talked about earlier" [27:50]
"I recently have been learning about military members who have served all the way from the revolutionary war all the way through to the present and it has been so amazing because many of those people were believers as well." [29:41]
"To have this stirring in our heart to do everything possible to start first in our jerusalem and then to the outer ends of the earth really loving people well so that we can walk alongside those who are hurting so that the world the secular world would stand up and take notice and know that we're sent ones by god." [31:46]
"That's a place where we all will get to be and that's just i don't know about you but that's exciting to think about this massive community that even if right now you feel a little bit isolated a little bit alone you are part of such an amazing community and you will be in the future intense part of such an amazing community uh in the body of christ." [32:18]
"We've also had just great opportunities to serve as a mentor couple at white sophos springs even just last year so it's just meant so much to me and i'm grateful for ocf its ministries the heart of the people serving and for the things that you're doing as well thank you so much." [33:54]
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