Unity in Diversity: Love Over Division
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme of unity amidst diversity, particularly in the context of political differences. As we navigate another intense political season, it's crucial to remember that disagreement is unavoidable, but division is a choice. The past few years have shown us how easily leaders and congregations can be swayed by cultural and political pressures, often at the expense of Christian values. This is a call to rise above the fray and embody the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized love and unity over division.
Our church, with its diverse locations and congregations, is a microcosm of the broader society. We don't all see eye to eye politically, and that's okay. In fact, it's beneficial. This diversity is an opportunity for growth and understanding. It's in the tension of differing opinions that we learn and mature. We must resist the urge to demonize those who think differently and instead seek to understand their perspectives, recognizing that political disagreements often stem from divergent life experiences rather than a lack of intelligence or character.
Jesus' command to love one another is not just a suggestion; it's a mandate. This love is active, compassionate, and inclusive, transcending political and cultural boundaries. It's a love that leans in rather than pushes away. By loving those we disagree with, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. This kind of love is mission-critical for the church and is what sets us apart in a divided world.
The early church thrived because of its radical unity amidst diversity. They refused to let their differences divide them, and their unity shocked and eventually changed the world. We have the same opportunity today. By embracing our differences and choosing love over division, we can shine brightly in a world that desperately needs hope and reconciliation.
Key Takeaways:
- Disagreement is unavoidable, but division is a choice. In our politically diverse church, we must embrace the tension of differing opinions as an opportunity for growth and understanding. This tension helps us learn and mature, leading to "oh moments" where we adjust our attitudes and expand our perspectives. [06:09]
- Political disagreements are often fueled by divergent life experiences, not a lack of intelligence or character. When we stereotype others based on their political views, we do unto others what we don't want done to us. Mature and curious people, especially Jesus followers, should seek to understand rather than write off those with differing views. [09:28]
- Jesus' command to love one another is a mandate, not a suggestion. This love is active, compassionate, and inclusive, transcending political and cultural boundaries. By loving those we disagree with, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. [12:11]
- The early church's radical unity amidst diversity shocked the world and eventually changed it. They refused to let their differences divide them, and their unity became a powerful testimony to the world. We have the same opportunity today to shine brightly in a divided world by embracing our differences and choosing love over division. [31:27]
- Let's not distance ourselves from believers we disagree with. Instead, let's be quick to listen, slow to speak, and willing to call out unkindness and dishonesty, even when it comes from our party of choice. By living and loving in this way, we can regain the moral high ground and be the conscience of our nation. [32:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:50] - Navigating Political Differences
- [01:37] - Unchristlike Behavior in Leadership
- [02:55] - Political Polarization and the Church
- [04:03] - Taking Cues from Culture
- [05:15] - Embracing Political Diversity
- [06:09] - Disagreement vs. Division
- [07:13] - The Tension of Differing Opinions
- [09:28] - Understanding Political Disagreements
- [12:11] - The Mandate to Love
- [17:26] - Mission Critical Love
- [20:16] - Carrying Each Other's Burdens
- [26:18] - The Early Church's Radical Unity
- [32:47] - Embracing Differences in the Church
- [34:32] - Being Partisans of the Kingdom
- [39:51] - Shining Like Stars in the Sky
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Unity Amidst Diversity
Bible Reading:
1. John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
2. Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
3. Galatians 3:28 - "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' command to "love one another" imply about the nature of Christian relationships, especially amidst political differences? [12:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the behavior of some Christian leaders during political tensions, and what impact did it have on their congregations? [01:37]
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between disagreement and division, and why is this distinction important for the church? [06:09]
4. How did the early church's unity amidst diversity serve as a powerful testimony to the world? [31:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the command to "carry each other's burdens" challenge individuals to move beyond their comfort zones in a politically diverse church? [20:29]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that political disagreements are often rooted in divergent life experiences rather than a lack of intelligence or character? [09:28]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the transformative power of loving those we disagree with, and why is this considered "mission-critical" for the church? [12:11]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of the church in a politically polarized society, and how can it regain the moral high ground? [32:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent political disagreement you had. How did you approach it, and what could you do differently to embody Jesus' command to love one another? [12:11]
2. Think of someone in your church with whom you have political differences. What steps can you take to better understand their perspective and carry their burdens? [20:29]
3. How can you actively resist the urge to demonize those with differing political views and instead seek to understand their life experiences? [09:28]
4. In what ways can you contribute to the unity of your church, especially when faced with divisive issues? How can you be a part of the solution rather than the problem? [31:27]
5. Identify a situation where you have chosen division over unity. What practical steps can you take to choose unity in the future? [06:09]
6. How can you be quick to listen and slow to speak in conversations about politics, especially within your church community? [38:49]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate the love of Christ to someone who holds different political beliefs? [12:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Tension for Growth
In a world where political differences are inevitable, the choice to remain united is ours. Disagreement is a natural part of life, but division is a conscious decision. Within a diverse community, differing opinions should be seen as opportunities for growth and understanding. This tension, while uncomfortable, can lead to moments of revelation where we adjust our attitudes and expand our perspectives. By embracing this diversity, we mature and learn to appreciate the richness of varied experiences. [06:09]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "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 disagreement you had with someone. How can you approach this person with humility and a willingness to understand their perspective today?
Day 2: Understanding Beyond Stereotypes
Political disagreements often arise from different life experiences rather than a lack of intelligence or character. When we stereotype others based on their political views, we do unto others what we don't want done to us. Mature and curious individuals, especially followers of Jesus, should strive to understand rather than dismiss those with differing views. This approach fosters empathy and breaks down barriers, allowing for genuine connection and growth. [09:28]
James 1:19-20 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Identify a stereotype you hold about a political group. How can you challenge this stereotype by seeking to understand the experiences that shape their views?
Day 3: Love as a Mandate
Jesus' command to love one another is not merely a suggestion but a mandate. This love is active, compassionate, and inclusive, transcending political and cultural boundaries. By loving those we disagree with, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. This kind of love is mission-critical for the church and sets us apart in a divided world. [12:11]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Consider someone you find difficult to love due to political differences. What practical steps can you take today to show them Christ-like love?
Day 4: Unity as a Testimony
The early church's radical unity amidst diversity shocked the world and eventually changed it. They refused to let their differences divide them, and their unity became a powerful testimony to the world. Today, we have the same opportunity to shine brightly in a divided world by embracing our differences and choosing love over division. [31:27]
Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Reflection: Reflect on your role in your community. How can you contribute to unity and be a testimony of love and peace in your interactions this week?
Day 5: Listening and Speaking with Grace
Let's not distance ourselves from believers we disagree with. Instead, let's be quick to listen, slow to speak, and willing to call out unkindness and dishonesty, even when it comes from our party of choice. By living and loving in this way, we can regain the moral high ground and be the conscience of our nation. [32:47]
Proverbs 18:13 (ESV): "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."
Reflection: Think of a conversation where you were quick to speak and slow to listen. How can you practice listening more intently and speaking with grace in your next interaction?
Quotes
Disagreement is unavoidable, but, and this is where the tension is, and this is why we gotta talk about it. Division is different, division is a choice. And again, you've experienced this in marriage. You've had some disagreements, but you didn't get divorced. You've had maybe a lot of disagreements, but you're like, you know what? This isn't gonna divide us. This isn't gonna rip our family apart. So disagreement's unavoidable, division is always a choice. [00:06:09]
It is in this tension over what we disagree over, it's in this tension that we learn and that we grow. It's in this tension that we say, oh, oh, I always thought, oh, I assumed, oh, I was raised to believe, oh, I was told people like you, oh, oh, that's where you have oh moments. That's where you learn and you grow and you adjust your attitude and you shift your thinking and you don't necessarily abandon your political views or your political party. [00:06:47]
Believe it or not, political disagreement is usually fueled by divergent life experiences, not low IQ. I know it's like, what? No, no, no, Andy, you're wrong. The reason she's a Democrat is she's not very smart. The reason he is a Republican is, you know, Republicans, they're not all that smart. I mean, it's just a lot easier to say the other party, they're just low IQ. [00:08:52]
Mature people, and that's you, right? I mean, aren't you mature? Look in the camera a second, okay. Everybody, aren't you mature? You're mature, mature people and curious people. I hope you're curious, mature people and curious people don't go there. Jesus followers don't go there because Jesus didn't go there. Jesus did not size you up and write you off and he could have. [00:10:15]
We have a mandate that prohibits us from going there. Again, if you're not a Christian, knock yourself out, demonize everybody, criticize everybody, use whatever language you want, have fun with it, okay? You know, that's up to you. But if you consider yourself a Christian, especially Jesus followers, Jesus addressed this. And here's what he said about all of us as it relates to all of us. [00:11:44]
You are to, and again, how many times we talk about this, he says you're to love one another even if you don't agree with one another. In fact, you should love one another especially when you don't agree with one another. And this love one another, this isn't, you know, Jesus feeling something toward us, I just love those people. No, I mean, read the gospels. Jesus' love was active. [00:12:06]
We can disagree politically and love unconditionally, right? And some of you are like, that's a stretch right there, pastor, I just don't know. I mean, you know, I can love you if you don't love the Braves and I can love you if you don't like my, you know, but politically, yeah. I mean, don't answer out loud, but can you do this? Now here's the thing. I say we can. [00:13:17]
When we choose to carry someone's burden, what divides us diminishes and what unites us surfaces. That's when we have the oh moment. So lemme just ask you and get back to it. For those of you who are just, it's just, they're just completely wrong and horrible, whatever, whichever side you're on you, you got some work to do if you're a Jesus follower. [00:21:50]
The culturally disruptive unity of the first-century church shocked the world and their message and their unity eventually changed it. Now I don't have to tell you this, I didn't have to tell you any of this I guess, but here's the thing, right? We run the risk because we're so big and because we're so diverse in terms of political diversity and where we are in the city, we run the risk of being divided over a wide range of issues. [00:31:39]
So let's not distance ourselves from believers we disagree with. And here's what Jesus said about that. I mean, he was direct. He said, hey, if you greet only your own people, don't raise your hand, but you have people, right? I got people, let me tell you about my people. My people are comfortable. They believe just like me. I get with my people, I can relax. [00:32:47]
Let's be quick to listen, slow to speak. Let's not keep our distance. Let's be kind and then willing to call out unkindness when it emanates from our party of choice. Let's be honest but willing to call out dishonesty even when it comes, it emanates and originates in our party of choice, especially when it undermines somebody's dignity. [00:38:42]
Let's do everything without grumbling or arguing so that we may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in this crazy warped and crooked generation. And then because we're so different and yet we're so unified, we will shine among them like stars in the sky. And let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him, suffered the cross, gave his life. [00:39:51]
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