Growing in Unity - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. 

Intro: (1) recap (2) read passage (3) “calling” — singular vs. corporate, recognition that all of life with God is a response to what he has initiated toward us (4) format of covering passage

The Foundation of Christian Unity (4-6)

1. Spirit (4): (1) “one body” = church (cf. 1:23) — the Spirit connects all the diversity within the body (cf. 2:22, 1 Cor. 12:13) (2) differences in elders (Keith vs. Andy), shep groups, SS teachers (Eliza vs. Jonathan), David vs. Brent (3) Spirit points us to our shared hope (cf. 1:18)
2. Son (5): (1) “Lord” = Jesus — “faith” = accepted teachings about Jesus (cf. Jude 3) (2) baptism the outward step of acknowledging faith in Christ (cf. Gal 3:27-28) (3) core doctrine grounded in Christ — all else secondary (cf. Gen.1, schooling) (4) college group categories, denominations
3. Father (6): (1) God as “Father” (cf. 1:3) (2) appeal to God over creation seems to be in play here, perhaps points to God’s presence with his people all over the world (cf. Viars, Drakes, Finfrocks) (3) more in common with Christian of different culture than non-Christian of same culture

The Marks of Christian Unity (2)

1. Humility and gentleness: (1) humility despised then and now (i.e. rights) (2) Jesus flips this (Phil. 2, Mark 9-10) — how do I think I’m better than others? (cf. Rom. 12:3) (3) gentleness = strength under control (cf. Mt. 11:29) — everyone going through something (Katie’s student, 1 Thess. 5:14)
2. Patience and forbearance: (1) putting up with aggravating/struggling people — reflects God (cf. 1 Tim. 1:16) (2) kid during Peterson’s lesson (3) why this is hard — personalities, inconsistencies, susceptibilities, opinions, pride, expectations, familiarity (4) naturally impossible (cf. unity march)
3. Love: (1) more than putting up with others externally (cf. 3:17, sermon on mount) (2) Peterson’s description of 1 Cor. 13 (3) John 13:34-35— are we baking love? (4) things that compete with love — personalized spirituality, biblical knowledge, personal sacrifice, dismissal of God’s commands

Conclusion: (1) unity is not drifted into (2) we are to actively seek peace — peacemakers prioritize honesty at the risk of pain (3) let’s fight, not with each other, but for each other

“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.” – Peterson, 1 Cor. 13:4-7