Unity in the Body of Christ
Notes
Transcript
Good morning, folks! Let’s talk about something that’s real, powerful, and close to God’s heart—church unity. I want you to picture a scene with me, something straight out of an epic movie like The Lord of the Rings with those massive battles—think Helm’s Deep. The music swells, arrows zip through the air, and then you see it: a huge battering ram rolling up to the castle gate. The soldiers are shouting, pulling together with every ounce of strength they’ve got—boom! Boom!—and that ram slams into the gate. You can hear the wood groan, see the splinters fly. That gate doesn’t stand a chance. Victory’s coming—it’s just a matter of time.
Now, why does that battering ram work so well? It’s not because someone chopped up a big log into a bunch of little sticks and said, “Alright, everybody, grab a twig and go whack that gate!” Can you imagine how ridiculous that’d look? A hundred soldiers swinging little sticks—tap, tap, tap—like they’re politely knocking to say, “Hello, can we come in?” They could swing those twigs all day, and that gate wouldn’t even flinch. No, the power comes from keeping that log whole—one big, solid piece—and having every soldier work together. They pull at the same time, push at the same time, all hitting the same spot—boom, boom, boom—until that gate crumbles. That, friends, is unity. That’s what makes it unstoppable.
That’s the picture Jesus wants us to have of His church. Listen to what He says in Matthew 16:17-18: ”
17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Jesus is saying, “I’m building something strong—My church—and it’s going to be so powerful that even the gates of hell can’t hold it back.” For two thousand years, the church has been like that battering ram, crashing into the darkness, taking on evil, and pushing back everything that tries to keep people from God.
We’ve seen some incredible victories. Think about how the gospel has spread like wildfire—burning through towns and cities, lighting up lives everywhere it goes. Evil gets knocked down, people get set free from addiction, hatred, despair—and folks lost in the dark get pulled into God’s light. It’s like watching that castle gate splinter apart—beautiful and powerful! That’s the church being that battering ram, all of us working together, making a difference for Jesus.
But let’s be real—it’s not always like that. Sometimes, it feels like we’re not just stuck, but losing ground. Darkness creeps back in, and we wonder, “What’s going on? Why aren’t we moving forward?” Most of the time, it’s because we’re not pulling together. There’s an old preacher, Charles Spurgeon, who said something that hits hard: “The devils are united as one man in their infamous rebellion, while we believers in Jesus are divided in our service of God, and scarcely ever work with unanimity.” Ouch, right? The bad guys are lined up, working as a team, and we’re over here splitting apart like a cracked log.
Instead of being that big, unstoppable battering ram, we grab our own little sticks and start swinging solo. “I’m doing it my way!” “No, I’ve got my own plan!” “I don’t need you—I’ll handle this myself!” We’re out there—tap, tap, tap—and Satan’s just sitting back, laughing. He’s not worried about a bunch of little sticks hitting the gate one at a time. Our witness for Jesus gets weak, and the world doesn’t see the power they need to see—God working through us as one.
So how do we fix this? How do we get back to being the battering ram Jesus meant us to be? Let’s turn to Ephesians 4 and hear from Paul—he’s got some down-to-earth wisdom for regular folks like us. We’ll take it slow, because this is worth digging into.
1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at 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 all.
The concept of unity is woven deeply into the fabric of Scripture, reflecting God’s design for His people. It’s not just a suggestion—it’s a command, a model, and a lived reality that shapes how believers relate to one another and reflect God to the world. Let’s explore the biblical basis for unity, drawing from key passages and themes to show how it’s foundational to the Christian faith.
At the heart of unity is God Himself. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are three distinct persons, yet they exist in perfect oneness. They work together seamlessly, as seen in creation: the Father speaks, the Spirit hovers, and the Son is the Word through whom all things are made (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-3). This harmony isn’t just a theological idea—it’s the blueprint for how we’re meant to live.
Jesus highlights this in His prayer in John 17:21-22:
21 May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.
22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Here, Jesus prays that our unity mirrors the unity within the Godhead. It’s a unity so profound that it becomes a witness to the world, showing God’s character through our relationships.
The New Testament, especially Paul’s letters, emphasizes unity as essential to the church. Let’s look at verses 3-6:
3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at 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 all.
Paul’s point is clear: we’re united by shared realities—one faith, one Lord, one purpose. Our job is to live out that unity, not just to avoid conflict but to pursue a common mission. He echoes this in Philippians 2:2:
2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
This is active unity—working together like a team with a shared goal. Unity doesn’t mean sameness. We studied 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 a few weeks ago where Paul uses the body as a metaphor:
24 which our respectable parts do not need. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable,
25 so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.
26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
The church is made of people with different gifts, roles, and backgrounds—but every part is vital. Unity comes when each part works in harmony, not in competition. Our differences aren’t a threat; they’re a strength when we’re united under Christ.
The early church shows unity lived out. We studied Acts 2:42-47 a few months ago:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
They shared life—teaching, meals, resources—and their unity drew others to faith. It wasn’t perfect (conflicts happened, like in Acts 6), but they faced challenges together, showing that unity is practical, not just theoretical.
Unity often requires bridging divides. In Ephesians 2:14-16, Paul explains:
14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,
15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.
16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.
Christ reconciled Jews and Gentiles, turning enemies into one family. This principle applies personally too. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:23-24:
23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Unity means seeking peace, even when it’s hard. Love is the heartbeat of unity. Jesus commands in John 13:34-35:
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Paul expands this in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, describing love as patient, kind, and enduring—qualities that hold us together.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant,
5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs.
6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.
7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
In Colossians 3:14, he adds:
14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Love isn’t optional; it’s how the world recognizes us as Christ’s followers. Unity thrives on humility. Ephesians 5:21 says:
21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
This mutual submission mirrors Jesus, who served rather than demanded. Forgiveness is just as crucial. Colossians 3:13 instructs:
13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.
Forgiveness heals breaches, keeping unity intact. Scripture warns about how destructive division can be. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Paul pleads:
10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.
11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry among you.
12 What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?
Division breaks our witness and mission, but unity magnifies our impact. Unity brings blessing. Psalm 133:1-3 declares:
1 How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony!
2 It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard onto his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord has appointed the blessing— life forevermore.
Like oil or dew, unity refreshes and invites God’s presence. Unity isn’t just good—it’s holy. Jesus promises in Matthew 18:20:
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”
The biblical basis for unity is rooted in the Trinity, commanded by Christ, taught by Paul, and modeled by early believers. Unity isn’t passive—it’s active love, reconciliation, and purpose pursued together. It embraces diversity, requires humility, and thrives on forgiveness.
When we live this way, we reflect God’s heart and become a light to the world. Unity isn’t just a goal; it’s our calling—a powerful testimony of the One who unites us all.
So what happens when we live this out? Unity makes us strong—stronger than we could ever be on our own. Think about history. Early Christians faced insane persecution—thrown to lions, burned alive—but they stuck together, prayed together, shared everything they had. And the church grew like crazy! People saw their love and said, “I want that.” Unity gave them strength to stand firm and a witness that turned the world upside down.
I’ve seen it myself. Years ago, the members of our church plant rallied to help a family whose house burned down. We didn’t just pray and move on—we showed up with clothes, food, money, whatever we could scrape together. Everyone pitched in—young folks, old folks, didn’t matter. That family didn’t just get back on their feet; they saw Jesus in us. Neighbors noticed too—they started asking, “What’s different about you people?” That’s unity at work—strength, effectiveness, and a light to the world.
But let’s be honest—unity’s not easy. Stuff gets in the way. Pride’s a big one. “I’m right, you’re wrong—end of story!” Selfishness too—“What’s in it for me?” And disagreements—over big things like doctrine or little things like carpet color in the sanctuary. Satan loves that. He’s always tossing seeds of conflict, hoping we’ll trip and split.
What do we do? Paul’s got answers in Ephesians 4:2-3:
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Humility kills pride—put others first. Love beats selfishness—care more about “we” than “me.” And when disagreements pop up? Talk it out with grace, not a sledgehammer. If it’s small, let it go. If it’s big, fight for peace, not victory. Jesus sticks with us through our mess—we can do that for each other.
Here’s the best part: we don’t do this alone. The Holy Spirit’s our power source. Ephesians 4:4 says
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—
There is “one body and one Spirit”—The Holy Spirit is the glue holding us together. When I’m ready to snap at someone, the Spirit nudges me, “Cool it—love them instead.” When we’re different—loud folks, quiet folks, all over the map—He helps us see the beauty in that mix. He gives us the strength to forgive, to serve, to keep going when it’s tough. Without Him, we’re just swinging sticks. With Him, we’re that battering ram.
Let’s talk about five practical ways to live out unity in our church.
Love Jesus More Than Anything
Love Jesus More Than Anything
This is the foundation of unity. When we all put Jesus first—above our opinions, preferences, or plans—we’re like a team with one clear goal. Think of it as a compass pointing true north: no matter where we’re at in life, if Jesus is our focus, we’re moving together in the same direction.
It’s about making Jesus the priority in your daily routine. Start your day with a simple prayer: “Jesus, guide me today.” Maybe read a verse from the Bible over coffee, or pause to thank Him when something good happens—like a kind word from a friend or a beautiful sunset. It’s letting Jesus shape how you think, decide, and act. For example, when you’re tempted to snap at someone, ask, “What would Jesus do here?” When we all do this, our differences shrink because we’re chasing the same thing: Him.
Loving Jesus more aligns our hearts. If I’m focused on Him and you’re focused on Him, we’re already on the same page, even if we disagree on the small stuff.
Pick one way to put Jesus first this week. Stick a note on your mirror with a verse, or set a reminder to pray at lunch. Small steps keep Him front and center.
Stick to Good Teaching
Stick to Good Teaching
Unity needs a shared foundation, and that’s where good teaching comes in. This isn’t about being a theology nerd—it’s about knowing the core truths that hold us together. The essentials are simple: Jesus is God, He died for our sins, He rose again. That’s the heartbeat of our faith.
Focus on the big stuff and let the small stuff slide. Whether you like hymns or a rock band in church, that’s not the hill to die on. Imagine a family arguing over how to mash potatoes—lumpy or smooth? It’s not worth a fight when the meal’s still delicious either way. In faith, we stick to what matters and give grace on the rest. If a disagreement pops up, ask: “Does this change who Jesus is or what He did?” If not, let’s keep the peace.
When we agree on the essentials, we’ve got a solid base to stand on together. The extras—like how long a sermon should be—don’t have to divide us.
Read a short passage like John 3:16-17 to remind yourself of the core. Or chat with a friend about what you both believe—keep it simple and see how it connects you.
Grow Up Like Jesus
Grow Up Like Jesus
This is about growing in faith, becoming more like Jesus over time. It’s not about how long you’ve been a Christian, but how you’re letting Him shape you—into someone patient, kind, and loving, even when it’s hard.
Picture a kid learning to ride a bike—wobbly at first, but steadier with practice. Growing like Jesus is like that. Maybe you bite your tongue instead of yelling in traffic, or forgive a coworker who messed up. It’s small wins: helping a neighbor, listening when you’d rather talk, loving someone who’s tough to love. Think of someone you know who’s calm under pressure or quick to serve—that’s the goal.
As we grow, we get better at putting others first, which knits us closer. If we’re all growing toward Jesus, we’re growing toward each other too.
Pick one area to grow in—like patience—and work on it this week. Maybe read a devotional or join a group to keep you on track. Growth takes effort, but it’s worth it.
Ditch the Pride
Ditch the Pride
Pride is the enemy of unity. It’s that voice saying, “I’m right, you’re wrong—deal with it.” But unity needs humility—putting others above ourselves, even when we don’t feel like it.
Imagine a group project where everyone’s fighting to lead. Nothing gets done until someone says, “Okay, you take the reins—I’ll follow.” That’s ditching pride. In real life, it’s admitting when you’re wrong (tough, but freeing), or letting someone else shine instead of hogging the spotlight. At home, maybe it’s saying, “Sorry, I messed up,” instead of doubling down in an argument. It’s choosing to listen, not just to win.
Pride pulls us apart; humility brings us together. When we let go of “me first,” we make room for “us.”
Next time you’re tempted to dig in your heels—over a plan, an opinion, whatever—pause. Ask, “How can I put them first here?” Then do it.
Love Our Differences
Love Our Differences
We’re not all the same, and that’s a good thing! Unity doesn’t mean uniformity—it means celebrating what each person brings. Think of an orchestra: violins, drums, flutes—all different, but one amazing sound when they play together.
In a group, some people plan, some do, some cheer everyone on. Maybe your friend’s great at organizing events while you’re the one cracking jokes to keep spirits up. Love that mix! I’ve seen it at community projects—someone’s designing, someone’s building, someone’s cooking lunch. Everyone’s unique piece fits, and the result is better than if we were all identical. Even quirks—like how someone talks too loud or overthinks everything—add flavor.
Differences make us stronger, not weaker. When we value each other’s gifts, we’re unstoppable as a team.
Notice someone’s strength this week—maybe they’re great with kids or super creative—and tell them, “I love how you do that.” Watch how it builds connection.
These five ways—loving Jesus first, sticking to good teaching, growing like Him, ditching pride, and loving our differences—are like ingredients in a recipe for unity. Mix them together, and you’ve got something strong and beautiful. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Start with one step: maybe put Jesus first in a new way, or let go of pride in a tricky spot. You don’t have to do it alone—God’s right there, helping you every step.
So, let’s live this out—together, for real, starting today. So what’s your move today? God’s grace is here, ready to help. Maybe you need to let go of a grudge—some hurt splitting you off. Maybe it’s time to say, “I’m sorry,” or “I forgive you,” even if it’s hard. Maybe it’s showing up—helping with the kids, bringing a dish, being part of the team. At home, at work, right here—how can you push the ram instead of swinging solo?
Think about it: one thing you can do today—before the sun sets—to pull us closer. Call someone you’ve dodged. Pray for that person who rubs you wrong. Whatever it is, God’s got the strength for you. He’s not asking you to do it alone—He’s with you.
Let’s pray: “Jesus, we want to be Your church—strong, together, smashing through the gates of hell. Help us love You first, more than anything. Help us love each other, even when it’s messy. Show us how to stick together and show the world who You are. Give us the guts to keep going and the grace to pull as one team. Amen.”
Alright, folks, we’ve got work to do. Let’s be one—and watch what God does through us!
