8/28/21 "All In: Unity"
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recap last Sabbath - our All In initiative
the list - all in = Jesus first in all = fruit of the spirit = prayer = all in
We are good at being individuals - but what about being a group?
current tendency towards choice of group-ish-ness/silos
Forced unity - rulesworklaws - etc.
Church is supposed to be different.
a place not of force, and not of like-mindededness on issues - but a place where we freely choose to serve each other in love
Romans 15:5 ESV
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Romans 15:6 ESV
that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
seems impossible, a fairy tail - today? Really?
We serve a God of the impossible
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another...”
Ok, Paul clearly knows
harmony/unity requires:
endurance
Romans 5:3–5 ESV
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
What suffering means for us
not much physical
emotional/relational is very real
What endurance meant for Jesus:
Hebrews 12:1–4 (ESV)
Therefore... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Encouragement
How God encourages us
English Standard Version Chapter 6
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17
English Standard Version Chapter 6
So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
To have harmony, God is just as big and capable. If we are willing to look with God’s open eyes towards each other.
Just as those gifts are from God in order to be together, I think there is a both/and here - it is also supposed to be a part of our being together
endurance
encouragement
Hebrews 10:23,24
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works
So that we are unified in Christ
But why? Why do we do this thing called church? Can’t we just do it individually?
this thing called church - people are hard. Not here - everywhere. Church everywhere is hard.
why has God called us not to individual faith but the church is his bride. That we collectively bear the image of God.
Why? Why people - imperfect, sinning people?
full of sinners and hypocrites
Church is one place where we don’t filter people out at the doors. Where all are welcome. It isn’t a gathering of the like-minded. It is welcoming to all, regardless. Which sometimes makes me want to stay away.
Key Question: When is unity uniformity? When is/is ever disunity ok? What makes things a big enough deal to step away from “unity”? What makes us unified?
Keeping the focus
Romans 15:6 (ESV)
…in accord with Christ Jesus so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If it is of Christ - we are together.
Each person is created in the image of God. I cannot see you and not see a child of God, and image-bearer of God. If I treat you as any less than that, I am harming a child of God.
The church is full of sinners and hypocrites. Of whom I am the greatest.
be aware - this has always been the case, and will always be the case. That is the beauty of Church
If I think the church should be welcoming, then it actually has to be welcoming of all.
Unity is not excusing this, but is instead recognizing we are called together to one purpose - to serve Christ. Recognizing that each and everyone one is called to this same purpose. Everything else is peripheral.
we need each other, this also is from God.
And out of love is God’s calling to all of us. He knows we struggle, and His answer is action.
There is nothing better for attitude than service and awareness. Church is a beautiful thing for this.
- not about being burnt out or need - God will provide, no guilt needed. This is about God’s love for you and for us.
If you are angry - serve
If you are scared - act and serve
If you are anxious - serve
God calls us to active service to Him - all of us.This is true unity - unity of purpose in Christ.
Feeling tired or burnt out? This is not of God. This initiative of All In is God’s calling to the tired, hurt and burnt out. God says we have been stretched in too many directions - he is calling us to one thing - Himself. Give everything to him.
The class can help - if you are interested
coming alongside other servants of God in service to Christ grows relationships deeper and shows what community can do together.
We are called individually and as a whole - to see the image of God in each other and serve in unity. In every word and deed, do all for the glory of God.