Part 1: United in Christ
Notes
Transcript
Opening Prayer:
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for gathering us today to hear Your Word. As we delve into the topic of unity in diversity, we ask for Your wisdom and guidance. Open our hearts and minds to understand and embrace the call for unity within the body of Christ. Help us to see beyond our differences and to love one another as You have loved us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Opening Remarks:
Opening Remarks:
Good morning, everyone. Today, we begin a new series titled "Living in a Divided World." We live in times where division and discord are prevalent in society, division that is found in all sectors of life, but as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard of unity and love. Our first message in this series is "United in Christ." We'll explore how we can and must strive for unity within the body of Christ.
Our guiding scripture for today is Ephesians 4:1-6 where the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of unity.
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Importance of the Topic:
Importance of the Topic:
In a world divided by race, politics, socioeconomic status, and personal preferences, the church must stand as a beacon of unity and love. As Jesus proclaimed in John 13:35:
John 13:35 (NKJV): "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
This topic is crucial because it challenges us to look beyond our differences and to embrace our common identity in Christ. Understanding and practicing unity in diversity is not just beneficial for our spiritual growth but is also a powerful testimony to the world.
Main Points:
Main Points:
1. The Call to Unity
1. The Call to Unity
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1–3
Ephesians 4:1–3 (NKJV)1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
v.1 - Paul, identifying himself as the prisoner of the Lord, earnestly exhorts the Ephesian believers to walk in a manner worthy of the calling they have received from God. This calling entails a life lived in accordance with the gospel.
v.2-3 - Paul specifies the characteristics of a worthy walk: lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, and endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. These qualities reflect humility, patience, and love towards one another, essential for maintaining unity within the body of Christ.
Additional Scripture:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
2. Unity that Believers Share
2. Unity that Believers Share
Scripture: Ephesians 4:4–6
Ephesians 4:4–5 (NKJV)4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Paul emphasizes the unity that believers share in various aspects of their faith:
One body and one Spirit: Believers are united as members of the body of Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
One hope of your calling: Believers share a common hope in the promises of God.
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
One Lord, one faith, one baptism: Believers confess one Lord, Jesus Christ, and share a common faith and baptism, signifying their identification with Christ.
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
One God and Father of all: Believers worship the same God who is above all, through all, and in all. He is the source of their unity and the object of their worship. This God has a name - YHWH.
Additional Scripture:
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
Message Application:
Message Application:
Evaluate your own life in light of the qualities Paul encourages for maintaining unity within the body of Christ.
Are there areas where you need to grow in humility, patience, or love towards others?
Seek opportunities to promote unity and peace within your church community, actively working to build relationships and resolve conflicts in a spirit of love and gentleness.
Reflect on the oneness of believers in various aspects of their faith, and thank God for the unity you share with fellow believers.
Pray for God's guidance and strength to walk worthy of the calling you have received, living in a manner that honors Him and promotes unity within the body of Christ.
Engage in conversations and activities that foster unity and understanding among believers from diverse backgrounds, recognizing the common bond you share in Christ.
Closing Remarks:
Closing Remarks:
As we reflect on living in a divided world, may we be challenged by the Word of the Lord to live lives worthy of the calling we have received as believers in Christ. Let us strive to maintain unity within the body of Christ, embracing the oneness we share in various aspects of our faith and actively working to promote peace and harmony within the church. May our lives be a testimony to the world of the transforming power of the gospel and the love of God that unites us as one body in Christ.
Closing Prayer:
Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank You for the powerful reminder of our call to unity. Help us to live out this call with humility, gentleness, and patience. Teach us to bear with one another in love and to celebrate the unity we have by your power and presence within Your body, the church. May our unity be a testament to Your love and grace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.