Connection Among Christians

Focus Statement

Friends, let me put this as best I can:

Our church is the spiritual jam session

where our shared faith creates

a symphony of meaningful connections.

Things to Consider

Our world is, sadly, a tapestry of division.

Labor disputes. Systemic racism. Poverty. Political divisiveness. It can’t be reasonably denied.

Even our church isn't immune.

We carry fears, angers, isolations.

Sometimes, church feels less like family, more like...well...church.

You know what I mean?

The kind of church that can sometimes be:

Judgmental, distant, divided.

Yet, in this landscape of disconnection,

God whispers: Hope. Connection. A different way.

As we explore Paul's words, consider:

What if our differences were bridges, not walls?

What if our church was a revolution of love?What if we truly lived as one?

What Scripture Says

Picture this:

Paul, chained but not silenced,

his words echoing from a prison cell.

He's writing to people pushed to society's edges,

their faith tested by division

and the iron fist of Rome.

Sound familiar?

Our world's not so different—

just swap togas for jeans, scrolls for smartphones.

Yet even in his stone cage,

Paul's hope burns bright.

He's dropping truth bombs about unity

that could shake our 21st-century souls:

Here’s what Paul teaches us:

One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God…

above all, through all, in all.

It's like he's painting a cosmic mural of connection,

each brushstroke a reminder that we're part of something bigger.

This oneness? It's not just some ancient ideal.

It's a skeleton key,

unlocking doors between hearts that the world says should stay shut.

So here's the million-dollar question:

How does this divine bond of love —

let's call it "God-glue" —

create bridges where we only see chasms?

This spiritual adhesive, stronger than any force on earth,

how can it turn our differences from walls into windows?

FIRST: Let's discuss…Unity vs. Uniformity:

It's not about being carbon copies.

You've probably noticed I like to say "rock on."

That's me. That's who I am…

But that's not who everyone is.

There's no need to force people to say "rock on" just because I do…

Any more than there's a reason for people to try and force me not to say it.

There's beauty in diversity…

it's how God made us to be.

Think of it like a playlist –

different genres, one epic soundtrack.

Ephesians 4:7-16 is like a love letter to diversity.

It's saying, "Hey, you're uniquely gifted, and that's the point!"

How can we celebrate our unique beats while vibing to the same divine rhythm?

And when I say "vibing," I mean connecting, resonating, moving in harmony.

It's like we're all instruments in God's grand orchestra,

each playing our own part,

but coming together in beautiful harmony.

Maybe it's time to remix our understanding of unity.

In a world that often demands conformity,

how can our faith community be a living,

breathing example of harmony-in-difference?

Contrast this with the world's version of unity –

often a forced march to sameness.

But God's unity?

It's a symphony of distinct voices,

each one essential to the whole.

SECOND: Let’s talk about what I call, The Jesus Walk:

It's not just about believing,

it's about moving.

Paul's talking humility, gentleness, patience—

not exactly trending hashtags or topics, right?

But what if they were?

Pause

Verse 1 talks about walking "worthy of the calling."

It's like God's given us VIP passes to the greatest show on earth,

and now we've got to live up to the hype.

But how?

Paul drops some keywords, some life-hacks if you will, on how to attain this. Through, for instance:

humility,

gentleness,

patience,

bearing with one another in love.

In a world of mic drops and clapbacks,

these are radical concepts.

They're not weakness—

they're …to bring in a topic from two weaks ago…superpowers.

How can we embody these in a world that's all about the hustle and the highlight reel?

Friends, it's about letting the Holy Spirit work in us,

breaking down our personal prisons of pride,

impatience,

and intolerance.

FINALLY, Let’s look at Baptism, which is More Than just a Splash:

It's our spiritual DNA test,

proving we're family.

But it's also a call to action.

One baptism doesn't mean one way of doing things—

it means one fundamental identity.

In our United Methodist tradition,

baptism is a big deal.

It's where we say "no" to sin and "yes" to faith.

But here's the kicker—

we don't do it alone.

The whole congregation makes a promise too.

So, how do we live out this "one baptism"

in a world that's always drawing lines in the sand?

How can our baptismal vows be a force for unity in our divided times?

Friends…

This isn't just ancient wisdom—

it's a blueprint for revolution.

A revolution of the heart,

starting right here, right now.

It's about creating a community

where differences don't divide,

where unity doesn't mean uniformity,

and where our shared baptism is a launching pad

for radical love and acceptance.

In a world of walls,

Paul's calling us to be bridge-builders.

In a culture of cancel,

he's inviting us to connect.

It's not easy, but then again, revolutions never are.

What This Means for You

So, let's bring this home.

Where is the Holy Spirit nudging you to grow?

Pause

Your challenge this week:

Pick one area:

patience,

humility,

or gentleness.

Practice it daily in your interactions.

Reflect on how it changes your perspective. Write or record these changes down in a journal.

Also, remember, we're in this together.

In fact, Our Adult Sunday School Class resumes after worship today—

a perfect place to dive deeper and connect.

Friends whether you are seasoned or new to the church:

Your fresh energy and ideas are vital.

How can you bring your unique voice to our church family?

Pause

Unity isn't about sameness; it's about harmony.

What note will you contribute to God's symphony?

What This Means for Us

Friends, I want you to Imagine our church as a living mosaic—

each of us a unique piece,

together forming a breathtaking whole.

What if we truly embraced Paul's vision of unity?

Picture a community where:

Differences don't divide, but enrich

where our baptismal vows fuel radical love and acceptance

And where every generation's voice is valued and heard

Again, In a world building walls,

we're called to be bridge-builders.

In a divided culture,

we're invited to connect.

It's not easy, but AGAIN revolutions never are.

The question is:

Are we ready to walk this walk?

To live out this wild,

countercultural unity right here,

right now?

Together, let's turn our mantra, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism",

into a beacon of hope in our fractured world. Amen? Amen!