NavNight Message April 16, 2025

United in Christ: The Gospel's Call to Unity

Bible Passage: Lk 11:14-17,23, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 12:1-2 Mt 28:18–20, Matthew 22:37-38

Big Idea: The Gospel calls us to unity in Christ, enabling us to fulfill our mission together as one body, reflecting God's call on our lives to go into the world as we follow out the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

—————

Hello friends, my name is Sean Donovan. If we haven’t met yet I want you to know that we are so excited that you are here tonight!

Whether it’s your first time here or not let me explain where we are heading. We are The Navigators ministry and we have been studying the ways of a Labor what it means to follow Jesus and then because of our pursuit of Him making Him known to others as seen in Matthew 4:19

Matthew 4:19 CSB

“Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”

I am on staff with the Navigators here at UW and I have been given the privilege to speak and teach tonight.

-SLIDE: Abby and Sean

I’m joined by my wife Abby and here is a photo of us.

Truthfully this is the photo we always share of us, one because it was professionally taken, and two because it’s one of our favorites but there are two photos that we took on our honeymoon that I think really represent us and our goofiness, especially with one another.

Our topic today is on Unity, you may have picked up the icebreaker and how it connects to tonights message.

I love that we get to have icebreakers, because I am the guy who comes up with them I had a hoot of a time thinking about how to get y’all moving.

That said I figured that we could get a bit more audience participation. I’d like to ask a few questions, raise your hand if you fall into the category or question I ask.

Baptist

Presbyterian

Unbeliever

Pentecostal

Catholic

Non-denominational

Evangelical Free Church

There are plenty more options I could ask in terms of religious denomination. I’m curious though Did you look around thinking of any of these people as enemies? As someone against you? Hopefully not.

Pause

How about a fun one what about restaurants: where are my taco bell lovers? Freddy’s, Chipotle, Arby’s?

But what if I asked something more controversial?

Pause

Lets say politics. Now this is rhetorical, If I were to how many of you would say you lean more toward one political party or another, would you answer in front of the crowd here?

Pause

Now be honest—when you hear someone is on the opposite side of the aisle, do you find it harder to love them? Do you ever see them more as an opponent than a fellow image-bearer?

Pause

And what about social media—do you think it's done more to bring people together, or has it just amplified the noise and pushed us further apart?

Let’s be honest—how many of us have judged another believer based on their denomination, politics, or even social media posts? We laugh about fast food preferences, but when it comes to spiritual or social issues, those differences often divide us.

Pause

Divided We Fall

Lk 11:14–17

That’s how I would like to set the stage tonight, That we are Unity in the Gospel, yet Divided we Fall.

In Luke 11, Jesus highlights that a divided house cannot stand.

Luke 11:14–17 CSB

Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” And others, as a test, were demanding of him a sign from heaven. Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.

Jesus doesn’t leave any room for gray here. He’s saying, “Division isn’t just dangerous—it’s destructive.” And then He follows that with this sobering line: in verse 23 Luke 11:23 “Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.”

How often do we tear down other believers or ministries? Not because of false teaching, but because their style is different. Because their politics don’t align. Because they’re not “our group.”

I know I am liable here myself, and I have seen first hand how our words and actions against other believers affect our mission to make the Good News of the Gospel known. When we speak poorly of other Bible-teaching, Gospel-preaching Christians, we’re not just being petty. we’re dividing the Body that Christ calls to be one.

A few summers back, I had a great opportunity to live high up in the mountains of Colorado during the Navigators summer training program. 

The days were long and absolutely beautiful, all while working on the YMCA buildings and ground crew hauling trash and handling code browns (I’m sure you can guess what those are) all while trying to follow Jesus a little more closely.

I also managed to crash my work truck—twice—which definitely didn’t do any favors for my driving record.

But the real crash that summer wasn’t with my work truck. It was with a leader named Thomas.

Thomas was someone I admired from a distance. He was a guy’s guy—pretty easy to talk to, had some good jokes, was connecting well with people, and clearly growing in his faith. He had this mix of fun and wisdom, but in my pride, I thought I had everything figured out.

I convinced myself he wasn’t discipling me well enough—and that I knew better than him.

Instead of voicing my concerns in love, I started talking behind his back. I made snide comments in Bible study discussions. I wanted him to feel my frustration. I wanted him to know he had let me down.

But instead of pushing back or firing off a defensive response, Thomas did something a little different. We sat down for a meal, and he listened patiently to me. He shared his heart, and told me he wanted us to grow in our faith together. No pride. No walls. Just grace

Let’s just say—I didn’t have it figured out. And in my pride and divisiveness, I was actually getting in the way of the very mission we were all called into.

Because when we as believers can’t even get along with each other, how can we possibly preach a gospel of reconciliation?

pause

To say I grew that summer is an understatement. Thomas and I now get to laugh together at occasional social events about those hard conversations and awkward moments.

But looking back, that summer was a huge turning point. God used the mountains, the mess-ups, and the mercy of a faithful friend to show me the cost of disunity—and the power of grace.

Jesus has a high calling for us. As believers, we’re meant to work together, even when we don’t agree on everything.

And all of us together—are essential to fulfilling the Great Commission and living out the Great Commandment.

That’s the kind of unity Jesus calls us into. That’s what we’re talking about tonight.

Let me pray for us as we jump in.

Pray

The Call to Unity: Ephesians 4:1-16

If you have your Bibles please open with me to Ephesians 4:1-16 for some context here Paul urges believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, emphasizing unity in the body of Christ despite diversity within it.

In the first half of the letter chapters 1-3 Paul shares of the rich blessings that God has bestowed on the people of Ephesus and that we are saved by the grace of God once seen as gentiles or unbelievers and now welcomed into the household of God with our identity being firmly rooted in Christ. Chapter 3 ends with a prayer from Paul onto the people for their spiritual insight that they would be firmly rooted in the Love of God which surpasses all knowledge.

Into second half of the letter Paul is writing on what we should do now that we know all this. Chapter 4 Paul outlines the importance of each member functioning together for the growth and maturity of the church. Let’s look at What Unity Looks Like:

1. What Unity Looks Like

Ephesians 4:1–6 CSB

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Paul opens with a personal statement in verse 1. He reminds the Ephesians that he is writing from Roman house arrest but he is not writing as a victim, but as someone honored to suffer for the sake of Christ. His imprisonment is not a detour from his calling but a direct result of his obedience to it.

The word Paul uses for "walk" is the Greek word peripateō, meaning "to conduct oneself." This idea appears a few times in chapter 4 and frames the rest of the letter with our conduct.

Paul is essentially saying, “Conduct your life in a way that is worthy of the calling you have received from Christ” just as he himself is doing, even in chains. To walk worthy of this calling means to live in a manner that honors Christ’s work and reflects His character.

Verse 2 gets practical with this character: unity is pursued through humility, gentleness, patience, and love—character traits that reflect the heart of Christ and the posture of a servant. These are the marks of someone laboring to keep the body together.

In verse 3, Paul charges believers to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. An important note here: unity is not something we create it already exists through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Our job is to maintain it. That bond of peace is held together by Christ and expressed through our relationships with one another.

Paul then anchors this unity in deep theological truths in verses 4–6. He lists seven foundations:

One body

One Spirit

One hope

One Lord

One faith

One baptism

One God and Father of all

The Spirit, the Son, and the Father are all mentioned. Just as there is unity within the Godhead, we are called to reflect that same unity in how we live together as the body of Christ

The divine mandate tis hat unity is not optional but essential, rooted in our shared faith in one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.

Unity is walking in faithful submission to the call of Christ. We are called to be one in our faith and is the foundation for promoting unity in the body of Christ. We are many parts, but all come together.

Why does this Unity Matter? Verses 7-16 give us the answer.

2. Why Unity Matters

Ephesians 4:7–16 CSB

Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people. But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Unity reflects Christ’s Character

2. Unity Fuels Maturity

3. Unity Guards us from Deception

4. Unity requires all believers to do the work

Unity reflects the character of Christ. Jesus is the head of the Church and the giver of all spiritual gifts. He descended and ascended in victory to fill all things and accomplish His mission. He gave gifts uniquely to each of us to build up His people. Our unity as the body of Christ shows the world who Jesus is. He brings different people together for one purpose: to reflect Him and carry out His work.

Unity fuels maturity. Jesus is the one who builds up the Body of believers in community. He gives leaders, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to teach and train us so we can grow. Each believer is equipped for ministry in their personal context. As we grow in our faith and walk with Christ, we move toward maturity, measured by Christ’s fullness. Spiritual maturity leads to stability and truth in love. It strengthens the whole body.

Unity guards us from deception. Without maturity, we’re like children tossed by the waves blown around by every wind of teaching or false ideas. Disunity creates space for confusion and false teaching. That’s why we need to grow together in Christ, learning from the people He’s called to teach and guide. When we accept the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, not just the idea of Him, but the reality, we stand firm.

Unity requires all believers to do the work. Every believer has a role. The diversity of spiritual gifts is unique to each of us, but all are given by Christ to build up the Church. Unity doesn’t mean we all do the same thing it means we each do our part, working together in love. Your role in building up the body of Christ will look different than the person next to you. But as you foster your own spiritual growth, you contribute to the whole. That’s how the body grows—by the proper working of each individual part.

Jesus said in John 17 that the world will know the truth of who He is by our unity. Paul echoes that here. A unified church is a powerful witness to the Gospel. When we grow in faith and knowledge of Christ together, when we speak truth in love, when we each do our part—we become a picture of Christ to the world.

The Gospel is the Cornerstone

The Gospel is the Cornerstone or foundation for this unity to be built on.

Without the Gospel, unity is impossible. With the Gospel, division becomes disobedience

If you are here tonight and don’t know Jesus and the good news of the Gospel please listen, and to those of you who are faithfully following Jesus I encourage you to reflect on the truth of the Gospel

John 3:16–17 CSB

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 5:8–9 CSB

But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath.

The Good News of Jesus, the Gospel, it is that we are saved by grace not because of any righteous act we had done, but because of His sacrifice on the cross by humbling himself to the point of death and resurrecting on the third day.

So often this is where many good to do Christians end the Gospel. Your salvation is secure, you’re done!

But the Gospel doesn’t stop at forgiveness—it calls us to offer our whole lives to God as living sacrifices emulating Jesus in every way.

Romans 12:1–2 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

This transformation is what unifies us.

When we stop living for ourselves and start living for Christ, we begin to love each other better. We become less about the earthly comparison, criticism, competition and self and more about Christ, living a life that reflects His love for the Father and for others.

I’ve seen this play out in my own life.

Marriage, for example, has been one of the most humbling ways God has taught me about unity. Abby and I are very different in many ways—how we process things, I’m an external talker, she's an internal thinker. How we handle conflict for me in the moment wanting to go headfirst, whereas she desires to spend time thinking things over before hashing it out. Even how we approach schedules and planning is different.

This doesn’t just play out in marriage but in each of your contexts maybe that hard roommate that you are living with. Maybe a friend or a parent? You might not be married to them, but you are still called to love them.

The heart of it all is this: our unity together doesn’t come from being the same or agreeing on everything. It comes from our surrendering to Jesus. 

Both Abby and I have to intentionally choose day by day, to put Christ first and love each other like He loves us. We are not perfect in that, I promise you, but each day as we move closer to Jesus individually we in turn move closer to each other.

Your unity with others is the same, as you move closer to God it becomes easier to love those around you.

It’s not about everyone thinking or feeling the same, if that was God’s plan He could’ve made a bunch of subservient robots.

Rather He chose to create each of us uniquely, that we might come to the realization that He is Lord, accept the grace and mercy given to us on the Cross and then seek out one another in the same way by choosing love, humility, and grace because we’re united in Christ.

This is the heart posture we all need to carry. None of us will ever be perfect, but that’s the beautiful part, we are not perfect, Jesus is the only person who held that title and He sets the example for us. This is what unifies us on our mission to labor. Jesus gave us two clear directions forward with the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

Unified in the Mission to Labor

Matthew 4:19, Mt 28:18–20 We don’t labor to earn salvation—we labor because we’ve been transformed by our salvation. That’s why we’re unified in this mission. The Great Commandment compels us to LOVE God fully and The Great Commission calls us to make that LOVE known to the entire world.

A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; he must be loved first and best.

Charles Spurgeon

Loving God is number one, and He is jealous for the things we put above Him. Our Christian faith walk with the Lord begins with saying “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him—and that “yes” continues as we obey His call on our lives.

That yes means we are willing to follow Him in whole hearted obedience, we’re called to live out both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus shares the Great Commandment

Matthew 22:37–39 CSB

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

We are called to love Jesus before anything of this world. I love my wife Abby so much, but Jesus comes before her. The world says that’s crazy, but the Lord calls that obedience.

At that same summer training program that I mentioned earlier I had told Abby once that I didn’t feel she was dedicating enough time to me, she told me “Sean, Jesus comes first you come second”

Those few words shifted my world view on what it means to love God first above all else.

In following the great commandment of loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind we then can overflow as we seek out to fulfil the great commission found a few chapters later in Matthew 28

Matthew 28:19–20 CSB

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Great Commission is a call to unified action. Disciple-making isn't a solo mission. It’s a collaborative effort, requiring all of us the Body of Christ to be on board and committed.

But what are you committed to, LOVING JESUS and putting our personal relationship with Him first above all else.

Pause-Jesus first, others second.

Last week Mike made a great illustration. He would put a photo up of a person, such as Tucker or Me or Abby and would ask you to stand up if one of those people had impacted you in your faith walk.

Then he had those sitting were to look around and stand up if they were impacted by someone else standing. Eventually most of the room was standing and I think it is a perfect illustration of our unified action as believers together.

Those people that have impacted you in your faith journey, it’s because of their love of God overflowing into you.

As we love God, we can’t help but love others.

That will Unify us in our mission to Labor making disciples who make disciples for the Kingdom of God. It all comes back to being unified for our Love of God and Love of Others.

He is working through each and everyone one of you, and each of you has a calling in this grand mission.

To live this way, we must reflect the unity and mission-mindedness that Jesus Himself lived and commanded.

Let’s be a people who live out the Gospel in such a way that it draws others to Christ—by loving God, loving others, and striving for unity in the Body of Christ.

I know I’ve talked a lot, and we want you to have the space to connect and talk with your neighbors in groups of twos and threes. The questions I would like you to consider tonight:

Reflection Questions:

How can we actively work to overcome divisions within our faith community in light of the Gospel's call to unity?

What unique gifts do you believe you have that contribute to the unity and mission of our ministry to know Christ, and making Him known?

How is God asking you to respond to the Great Commandment to Love God and others today?