Unity in Diversity: Living Our Identity in Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, I shared my recent experiences from the Global Gathering in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I witnessed the vibrant and dynamic movement of God across the globe. This event brought together international workers and Canadian church delegates, highlighting the global church's unity and diversity. Despite the challenges of travel and jetlag, the experience was invigorating, reminding us that God's mission is alive and thriving in places previously closed to the gospel. This aligns with the theme of our series on Ephesians, where we explore the implications of our identity in Christ and how it should transform our lives and communities.
Ephesians 4 calls us to live a life worthy of our calling, emphasizing humility, gentleness, patience, and unity. These virtues reflect the character of Jesus and are essential for maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The passage also highlights the diversity of gifts within the church, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, each playing a unique role in building up the body of Christ. This diversity is not about uniformity but about harmony, where each member contributes to the church's health and growth.
A healthy church is characterized by Christ as the head, love as the culture, truth as the language, and involvement as the practice. This framework ensures that the church remains focused on God's mission to reconcile all things to Himself through Jesus Christ. As we embrace our roles and gifts, we contribute to a unified and mature church that reflects God's eternal purpose.
In conclusion, we are called to unity in the essentials and diversity in the non-essentials, always operating in love. This is the essence of being the church, a community where everyone is welcome, and everyone has a role to play. As we move forward, let's commit to living out our new identity in Christ, serving one another, and participating in God's mission both locally and globally.
Key Takeaways:
1. Living Worthy of Our Calling: Our identity in Christ calls us to live with humility, gentleness, and patience, reflecting Jesus' character. This transformation is not just personal but communal, impacting how we interact with others and maintain unity in the Spirit. [56:28]
2. Unity and Diversity in the Church: The church thrives on unity in essential beliefs and diversity in gifts and roles. This diversity is not about uniformity but about harmony, where each member's unique contribution enriches the whole body. [01:04:25]
3. The Role of Love and Truth: Love must be the culture of the church, ensuring that truth is communicated in a way that builds up rather than tears down. This balance prevents legalism and supports genuine community growth. [01:07:23]
4. Involvement as Practice: Church is not a spectator sport; everyone has a role to play. By using our gifts, we contribute to a healthy church where Christ is the head, and love, truth, and involvement are central. [01:11:57]
5. God's Eternal Mission: The church is a microcosm of God's eternal mission to reconcile all things to Himself. Our local community can reflect this mission by embracing diversity and unity, becoming a place where everyone is welcome and equal. [01:17:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Introduction and Personal Update
- [00:05:30] - Global Gathering Experience
- [00:10:00] - God's Movement in the World
- [00:15:00] - Introduction to Ephesians 4
- [00:20:00] - Living Worthy of Our Calling
- [00:25:00] - Unity and Diversity in the Church
- [00:30:00] - The Role of Love and Truth
- [00:35:00] - Involvement as Practice
- [00:40:00] - God's Eternal Mission
- [00:45:00] - Practical Applications
- [00:50:00] - The 2x4 Challenge
- [00:55:00] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
- [01:00:00] - Worship and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 4:1-16
Observation Questions:
1. What are the virtues mentioned in Ephesians 4 that reflect the character of Jesus and are essential for maintaining unity in the Spirit? [01:00:00]
2. How does the sermon describe the diversity of gifts within the church, and what roles are highlighted? [01:04:25]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Christ being the head of the church? [01:11:57]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of living a life worthy of our calling challenge the way we interact with others in our community? [01:00:00]
2. In what ways does the diversity of gifts within the church contribute to its health and growth, according to the sermon? [01:04:25]
3. What does it mean for love to be the culture of the church, and how does this balance with truth as the language? [01:07:23]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle to live with humility, gentleness, or patience? What steps can you take this week to embody these virtues more fully? [01:00:00]
2. Consider the diversity of gifts in your church community. How can you better appreciate and encourage the unique contributions of others? [01:04:25]
3. Think about a recent disagreement you had within the church. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time to ensure love is the culture? [01:07:23]
4. Identify one way you can actively participate in your church's mission this week. What specific role or gift can you offer to contribute to the church's health? [01:11:57]
5. How can you ensure that Christ remains the head of your personal life and decisions? What practical steps can you take to align your actions with His leadership? [01:11:57]
6. Reflect on a relationship where you need to show more humility, patience, or love. What is one intentional step you can take this week to improve that relationship? [01:20:26]
7. How can you help foster a culture of unity and diversity in your church, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued? [01:17:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Out Our Identity in Christ
Our identity in Christ calls us to live with humility, gentleness, and patience, reflecting Jesus' character. This transformation is not just personal but communal, impacting how we interact with others and maintain unity in the Spirit. Ephesians 4 emphasizes that living a life worthy of our calling involves embodying these virtues, which are essential for fostering a community that mirrors the love and grace of Christ. As we grow in our understanding of who we are in Christ, we are empowered to live in a way that honors Him and strengthens our relationships with others. [56:28]
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."
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you struggled to show humility or patience. How can you approach similar situations differently, reflecting your identity in Christ?
Day 2: Embracing Unity and Diversity
The church thrives on unity in essential beliefs and diversity in gifts and roles. This diversity is not about uniformity but about harmony, where each member's unique contribution enriches the whole body. Ephesians 4 highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the different gifts within the church, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Each role is vital for building up the body of Christ, and when we embrace this diversity, we create a community that is both unified and dynamic. [01:04:25]
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Reflection: Identify a gift or talent you have that can contribute to your church community. How can you use it this week to serve others and promote unity?
Day 3: Cultivating a Culture of Love and Truth
Love must be the culture of the church, ensuring that truth is communicated in a way that builds up rather than tears down. This balance prevents legalism and supports genuine community growth. Ephesians 4 teaches that speaking the truth in love is crucial for the church's health and maturity. When love is the foundation, truth can be shared in a way that encourages and edifies, rather than condemns. This approach fosters an environment where individuals feel valued and supported in their spiritual journey. [01:07:23]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you had to speak a difficult truth. How can you ensure that your words are rooted in love and aimed at building others up?
Day 4: Active Participation in the Church
Church is not a spectator sport; everyone has a role to play. By using our gifts, we contribute to a healthy church where Christ is the head, and love, truth, and involvement are central. Ephesians 4 encourages believers to actively engage in the life of the church, recognizing that each person's involvement is crucial for the community's growth and vitality. When we embrace our roles and gifts, we help create a church that is vibrant and reflective of God's eternal purpose. [01:11:57]
Romans 12:4-6 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."
Reflection: Consider one way you can become more involved in your church community. What steps can you take this week to actively participate and use your gifts?
Day 5: Reflecting God's Eternal Mission
The church is a microcosm of God's eternal mission to reconcile all things to Himself. Our local community can reflect this mission by embracing diversity and unity, becoming a place where everyone is welcome and equal. Ephesians 4 reminds us that as we live out our new identity in Christ, we are called to participate in God's mission both locally and globally. By fostering a community that values unity and diversity, we become a powerful witness to the world of God's love and reconciliation. [01:17:23]
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Reflection: How can your local church better reflect God's mission of reconciliation? What role can you play in fostering an inclusive and welcoming community?
Quotes
"God is on the move and like he is doing things in parts of the world that like have never been open to the gospel or never been open at least to traditional missions and there's like church movements and discipleship and sending and all this really really cool stuff in areas that like I'm not even gonna name because it's that unsafe and now we're just showing up and it's like you know we think like one of the speakers there said you know there was a theologian that years ago said you know God didn't bring her the missionary didn't bring God to Africa God brought the missionary to Africa and he was already on the work." [00:40:03] (32 seconds)
"Now all of these gifts now these are the gifts Christ gave the church the apostles the prophets the evangelists and the pastors and the teachers the responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and to build up the church the body of Christ this will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ then we will no longer be immature like children we won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of a new teaching we will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies that sound so clever they sound like the truth instead we will speak the truth in love we will be growing in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of the body the church he makes the whole body fit together perfectly as each part does its own special work it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." [00:55:00] (56 seconds)
"The first theme, walk worthy of your calling. Live like the gospel matters and it has affected your life. Live like you are wearing this coat, not this one. And what does that mean? What does that look like? Be humble, be gentle, be patient. One of the things that it says is be patient with each other. Make allowance, as Paul goes on to say, make allowance for each other's faults. As in like, I know you are perfect, but the person next to you might not be. And so make allowance for that. Like you're fine, but it's the person beside you we're worried about, right? You know it, I know it. We're all worried about that one sitting right beside you. Don't point, but that one. Yeah, so we need to make allowance for them." [00:54:39] (42 seconds)
"And so what that possibly means is that when you meet somebody who is realizing that God is on a mission to reconcile them and they don't even know who God is, you're going to be able to connect dots for them that somebody who has a degree might never be able to connect. And so it can look like this, the preacher, the Sunday school teacher, or it can look like the person who is just like making sense of things, right? And so the teacher gives understanding, not just knowledge, and trains others to discern truth from lies. Here's the thing." [01:09:38] (34 seconds)
"Regardless of your age, regardless of your race or ethnic background, regardless of your gender, regardless of any of that, you have one of these roles. Because church is not a spectator sport. God gave you a gift to use as you join him on his eternal mission. So again, if you're like, whoa, this is all new to me and I need to figure out which one, we actually have like tests that we can give you and help you walk through or just have a conversation with somebody who understands it. We could probably ballpark it and then you can start to lean in." [01:10:21] (33 seconds)
"And if you're like, I want to learn more. I know people in this church who are each one of those. And if you want, they would be willing to sit down with you and help you grow in that area because church is not a spectator sport. God gave you a gift to use as you join him on his eternal mission to reconcile everyone. And you have a role to play because everyone is equipped, because everyone is responsible for the work of the ministry. And that's what's so interesting. If you go back to that passage, it says that Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers for the edification of the body and the maturing of the believers so that each one could do, they would be equipped to do the ministry." [01:10:33] (38 seconds)
"Those of us who have the position are actually what we're primarily supposed to be doing is equipping every person who comes in here to fill their role. Because church is not a spectator sport, which can be, you know, a bit intimidating if you're like, I'm actually super busy in life and I don't have time to give. Or it could be really encouraging that you aren't somehow second rated and that there's like the priesthood of all believers, but then there's like the, you know, the high priesthood. You know, no, it's just the priesthood." [01:11:28] (25 seconds)
"And you have a role to play with God in working out his eternal mission. And part of coming to church is actually to help identify the role and to be equipped in it because church is not a spectator sport. You have a vital role. So what happens if we were to actually accomplish this, if we were all to use our gifts, if we were all to live out our new identity, to live out the grace that we have in the gospel? Well, if the goal is that everyone uses their gifts, is being equipped, the church is being built up, we see maturity and discernment, what would happen? Well, the result would be a unified church." [01:12:02] (36 seconds)
"And a unified church could also be called a healthy church. And a healthy church is one where Christ is the head, love is the culture, truth is the language, and involvement is the practice. This is all from the last couple of verses in Ephesians 4, like it's like 12 to 16 or something. I'd have to look exactly, but it's all right in there. So Christ is the head. He's the boss. He calls the shots. It's not our idea. It's not our agenda. It's his." [01:12:47] (26 seconds)
"And what we try to do here, and that's what the whole point to call to prayer at the beginning of the year, the goal is not that we go, this is what we're doing. God, will you bless it? The goal is actually that we go, God, where are you on the move? Where do you want us to join you? Because Christ is the head. I used this example a few months ago, but it is relevant here, so just bear with me if you remember it. I got the cool opportunity to go hear Philip Yancey speak, and I like his books. I enjoyed the session, and he was talking about how he's always been an avid skier. He lives in Colorado, and recently he was skiing, and he had this really weird situation where he's skiing, and he skied into a tree, and he's like, what was so weird about that is I clearly remember telling my legs to turn." [01:13:07] (44 seconds)
"There's a tree coming, turn, and they didn't turn, and I hit a tree, and that was one of a few things that was just off. He did some testing. He has Parkinson's. And the brain and the head was no longer calling the shots, and basically what he was saying is it's a terrifying thing when the body doesn't follow the head, and you probably know someone in your life who that's the case for whatever reason because of a medical situation or because of an accident or car injury or brain injury. The head is no longer calling the shots, and it's a scary thing when the body doesn't listen to the head, and the church is in trouble if we ever get to the place where Christ is not the head, where the body is calling the shots. Christ has to be the head, or it doesn't matter what else is in this sentence." [01:13:43] (46 seconds)
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