Unity in Christ

SPEAKER A 00:00:01 - 00:01:03 Hello, I'm Kaysie Vokurka. Welcome to Let God Speak. John Howard was the 2nd longest serving Prime Minister of Australia in a coalition government. When referring to political parties, he famously popularized the saying, disunity is death. What about disunity in churches? Today we will explore how divisions arise in churches and learn practical ways to overcome cliques and be united in Christ in our congregations. On our panel today we have Carissa van Deventer, and Corinne Knopper. Welcome to you both. SPEAKER B 00:01:03 - 00:01:04 Hello. SPEAKER A 00:01:04 - 00:01:32 Let's have a word of prayer before we get into the topic. Let's bow our heads. Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the opportunity to study this topic in Your Word about unity in Christ. And we pray that Your Holy Spirit will be our teacher right now and come and give us clarity of mind and help us to grasp the things You want us to learn from Your Word today. and allow you to speak to our hearts, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. SPEAKER C 00:01:32 - 00:01:33 Amen. SPEAKER A 00:01:33 - 00:02:25 Amen. The church in Corinth was gifted and growing, yet it was plagued by quarrels and factions. Paul's heartfelt appeal in 1 Corinthians 1:10 sets the tone for the first 4 chapters. So let's begin our discussion by looking at the problem that Paul addressed. So in 1 Corinthians 1:10, it says the following. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. So Paul here is warning about disunity. And Charissa, was the church in Corinth harmonious and unified? SPEAKER C 00:02:25 - 00:03:29 No, in Paul's day disunity resulted from cliques around certain leaders, and we'll find this in 1 Corinthians 1:12-17, which says, now I say this, that each of you says, I am of Paul, or I am of Apollos, or I am of Cephas, or I am of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. Corinthian believers were identifying themselves with church leaders instead of with Christ, which led to jealousy and strife. When we elevate leaders above Christ, we deny the very foundation of our faith. SPEAKER A 00:03:29 - 00:04:21 Okay, well, thank you for, for reading that passage to kind of introduce this context of what Paul was talking about, because he was trying to help people see a new perspective, wasn't he, that they were struggling to grasp. And he elaborates a little bit more about the issue in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, so a couple of chapters over. And we're looking at verse 3 and 4. And it says there, for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, you are not carnal and behave— are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, Are you not carnal? What does this passage tell us about the spiritual condition of those who are involved in these factions? Corinne? SPEAKER B 00:04:21 - 00:04:40 It reveals to me that there's jealousy, there's strife over their leaders, and the signs of spiritual immaturity. And Paul calls the Corinthians people of the flesh and infants in Christ. Infants need to grow a little and learn. SPEAKER A 00:04:40 - 00:04:41 Yes. SPEAKER B 00:04:41 - 00:05:09 And instead of growing in the wisdom of Christ and of God, that God revealed on the cross, they were acting like carnal Christians, which is so sad. They were driven by their human pride and competition. Really, that's what it was. Spiritual maturity means feeding on the solid food Discerning the things that are spiritually and refusing to boast in men. SPEAKER A 00:05:09 - 00:05:10 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:05:10 - 00:05:57 And we— he writes a little bit more of this. The verses just before what you read in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2. And so I'm just going to go to those ones. And it says, and I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to carnal. As to the babies in Christ, I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able. So we have to move beyond our childishness and that loyalty that needs to be for our leaders and then grow in Christ. Unity then becomes possible. SPEAKER A 00:05:57 - 00:06:16 Wow, Paul really, he didn't mince his words there, did he? He really said, hey, look, this is how it is. You guys gotta grow. You really have to grow. So, Charissa, tell us, how does keeping Christ at the center help to eliminate cliques and bring about true unity? SPEAKER C 00:06:16 - 00:06:54 Yeah, well, keeping Christ at the center reminds us that our primary allegiance is to Him and not to any other human leaders. And we learn about that in 1 Corinthians 1:9. which says, God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Cliques deny this by creating rival loyalties, but when we remember that Christ is not divided and that we were baptized in his name, divisions lose their power. When Christ is Lord of every heart, we find unity in diversity as one body of Christ. SPEAKER A 00:06:54 - 00:07:19 So it really helps our focus, doesn't it? If we, if we keep our eyes on Christ, then we can, we can have the right priorities. in our minds. So over to you, Corinne. What is the difference between, say, a healthy small group for Bible study and harmful cliques? Like, how should churches help guard against small groups turning into more exclusive factions that have a wrong focus? SPEAKER B 00:07:19 - 00:07:53 I believe that healthy small groups, they focus on Christ. the Scripture that Christ has given us to. And it's encouraging our growth and our outreach. And while cliques are centered on personalities and they become exclusive and they foster pride and separation, the small groups should still remain open and welcoming and connected to the large body of the church. SPEAKER A 00:07:53 - 00:07:54 And I've— SPEAKER B 00:07:54 - 00:08:47 I believe that the key is submitting every relationship of ours to the Lordship and Christ when we are dying to self. And Paul does go on and write a little bit about this, and I'm going to go over to Philippians chapter 2, verses 1 and 2, and see what he says there. Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. So, when there's humility in our groups, they will build up and then the whole church is going to be thriving instead of dividing. SPEAKER A 00:08:47 - 00:08:51 Humility is a key attribute here, isn't it? SPEAKER B 00:08:51 - 00:08:52 It is. Yes. SPEAKER A 00:08:52 - 00:08:57 We have to have a relationship with Christ. We need humility. We have to surrender and submit to Him. SPEAKER C 00:08:57 - 00:08:57 Amen. SPEAKER A 00:08:57 - 00:09:38 Don't we? Well, let's continue a little bit in that same chapter, chapter 2 of Philippians. We'll read just from verse 5 to 7, and it says here, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. So Christ has given us a powerful example here. And, um, Charissa, how does this example of Christ's servanthood provide the antidote to the pride that can lead to division? SPEAKER C 00:09:38 - 00:09:46 Christ's servanthood shows us that true greatness comes through humility and self-denial, and not through seeking status or followers. SPEAKER A 00:09:47 - 00:09:47 Yes. SPEAKER C 00:09:47 - 00:09:57 And in the competitive culture of Corinth, Believers, they followed secular standards of leadership, but Paul points to Jesus who emptied Himself and became a servant. SPEAKER A 00:09:57 - 00:09:58 Um. SPEAKER C 00:09:58 - 00:10:18 I'll read from Philippians 2:8, which says, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. When we adopt Christ's humble servant heart, we look to the interests of others and then unity flourishes. SPEAKER A 00:10:18 - 00:10:49 We have to keep that perspective in mind, don't we? Um, definitely. So in, in Corinthians, um, 1 Corinthians chapter 4, now we go back to Corinthians, um, in verse 1, it, it talks about, um, Paul is describing himself and, um, and other leaders as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. So what does this teach us about having the right view towards church leaders, Corinne? SPEAKER B 00:10:49 - 00:10:52 Well, our leaders, they're not celebrities. SPEAKER A 00:10:52 - 00:10:53 Okay. SPEAKER B 00:10:53 - 00:12:00 And we should not idolize them, but they are God's humble servants and they are stewards who are accountable to Christ. And this view prevents personality cults and reminds everyone that all the glory does belong to God, not to each of us as people. And when we see leaders as fellow workers in God's field, we appreciate their gifts far more without exalting them above Christ. That cannot happen. And Paul keeps giving us little hints all along the way and strong ideas. And I'm going to read still in 1 Corinthians in chapter 4, and I'm going to go to verse 2, follow on from yours. Mm-hmm. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. So faithful stewardship promotes the unity, not rivalry, in our church. Yes. SPEAKER A 00:12:00 - 00:12:22 Yeah, absolutely. It highlights the responsibility leaders have, don't they, in the church to be faithful. And that's something to keep in mind. So talking about the theology of the cross, you know, where Christ Focusing on Christ's suffering and his humility, how does focusing on that help leaders and members avoid the pride that leads to division? SPEAKER C 00:12:22 - 00:12:41 The cross reveals God's wisdom and power through weakness and suffering, exposing human pride as foolishness. And leaders who embrace the theology of the cross give glory to God alone and are willing to suffer for the gospel rather than seeking status. SPEAKER A 00:12:41 - 00:12:41 Yeah. SPEAKER C 00:12:41 - 00:13:07 And this mindset eliminates competition and builds genuine unity. And we read about this in 1 Corinthians 1:18, for the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. And when the cross is central, pride dies and Christlike character Humility unites the church. SPEAKER A 00:13:07 - 00:13:59 Thank you for expanding on that one. And it's very interesting what Paul also explains in his second letter to the Corinthians about suffering amongst leaders. And in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, let's have a read of that. It says here, we are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed. We are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed, always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. And so Paul is really testifying about his own experience. And so Corinne, what does the suffering of true Christian leaders teach us about authentic ministry? And unity. SPEAKER B 00:13:59 - 00:14:52 Oh, that's a big one. I find that true Christian ministry involved— can involve our suffering for all of us. And it keeps our leaders humble and dependent on God. It keeps us the same way rather than being popularity or power for each of us. Paul endured beatings. He had imprisonment. and hardships. And yet he saw this as sharing in Christ's time when he was on the cross with his sufferings. And such a lifestyle like that leaves no room for being prideful at all and not having prideful cliques at all either. Suffering for Christ's sake, it actually produces the humility that's needed for lasting unity between us all. SPEAKER A 00:14:53 - 00:15:04 Yes, absolutely. So in what ways can pride in our own wisdom, uh, Charissa, or loyalty to certain teachers still create division in our churches today? SPEAKER C 00:15:04 - 00:15:39 Well, pride makes us think that our preferred leaders or interpretations of the Bible is superior, and this can lead us to look down on others and form exclusive groups. This mirrors the Corinthians who considered themselves wise while actually acting carnally. We must remember that all true wisdom comes from God and is revealed at the cross. We read in 1 Corinthians 3:18, Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. SPEAKER A 00:15:41 - 00:16:08 Humility before God and submission to Scripture protects us That's a blessing, isn't it, that we have something that can help us be saved from these, these sentiments that cause disunity? And so we've talked about a number of things now. What, what practical steps, Corinne, can a local church take to promote unity and, and prevent the formation of cliques around certain leaders? SPEAKER B 00:16:08 - 00:16:59 There are a number of things that we can do. Number one would be to regularly teach of the Lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Another one would be to encourage things like cross-centered preaching about the cross where Jesus died. Another one would be to foster the atmosphere of humility and servanthood, which is what we are to be. And leaders can model this unity by publicly affirming one another's ministries, Members praying for each other and praying for our leaders in our churches and serving them side by side as we could do many times, then the small groups can still remain open and focused on what and who Jesus Christ is. SPEAKER A 00:16:59 - 00:17:18 Yeah, very good, very practical things we can take away from this for our own church environments and how to encourage unity. So Paul uses some interesting imagery to help us get a clear picture of how to value every church member and resist division. Tell us a bit about that, Charissa. SPEAKER C 00:17:18 - 00:18:05 Yeah, so we see this imagery in 1 Corinthians 3:9 and 16, and it says, for we are God's fellow workers, you are God's field, you are God's building. And verse 16, do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you. This imagery shows that the church belongs to God, not to any leader or any faction. Every member has a vital part to play, like bricks in a wall or parts of a building where God dwells. When we see ourselves as co-workers with God, we stop competing and start cooperating, and this shows shared identity in humility and unity, mutual respect, and the Holy Spirit dwells and lives within us. SPEAKER A 00:18:05 - 00:18:48 Beautiful. It's, it's nice to have like a practical picture, isn't it, that can help us get the point. Sometimes we need that, don't we? Um, for sure. So, okay, let's have a read a little bit more in chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians. We'll look at verse 21 to 23. It says there, therefore let no one boast in men, for all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come, all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. So that's quite a good summary. How does this perspective help to free us from unhealthy loyalty to human leaders, Corinne? SPEAKER B 00:18:48 - 00:19:25 These verses here, they remind us that number one, all leaders need this and that all blessings belong in Christ and we ultimately belong to Christ. Boasting in men is therefore unnecessary and it's harmful for everybody, not just themselves. And when our identity is rooted in Christ alone, hmm, we are free to appreciate our leaders without giving Yes, yes, very important. We don't need that. SPEAKER A 00:19:25 - 00:19:32 Yeah, for sure. So, Charissa, do we see churches and ministries today that are focused on putting their leaders first? SPEAKER C 00:19:32 - 00:19:48 So unfortunately today we see several people just going to church to listen to their favorite speakers, and they do not settle in specific congregations and serve, and this limits their commitment and contribution to God's church. SPEAKER A 00:19:49 - 00:20:12 That is certainly something that is seen, isn't it? Not in everyone, but it can happen. And I guess it's a reminder, you know, we need to think, what are we at church for? Is it for Christ or is it for people? It's a big thing to be reminded of. So, Corrine, another thing here, what lessons can we learn when we feel disappointed by a church leader we once admired? That can happen. SPEAKER B 00:20:12 - 00:20:20 Oh, it reminds me that I'm a human being and so are they. And as a human being, I fail. I'm a sinner. SPEAKER A 00:20:20 - 00:20:21 Yes. SPEAKER B 00:20:21 - 00:21:08 So they have that in them as well. And disappointments in our leaders teaches us not to put our ultimate trust in the people, but to keep trusting in God and our Jesus Christ, who never failed when He was here on this earth. And we find that the Psalmist David does tell us a little bit about that. Strangely enough, we're going from Corinthians back here. But this is what He says in Psalm 146:3, do not put your trust in princes nor in a son of man in whom there is no help. So that tells me that our faith must rest in that unchanging Word of God. SPEAKER A 00:21:08 - 00:21:08 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:21:08 - 00:21:23 So important. And such experiences can deepen our dependence on Jesus. And they can help us extend our ability of grace to other human beings. Yes, absolutely. SPEAKER A 00:21:24 - 00:22:03 Okay, well, there's another interesting thought. We're jumping around a bit in the Bible. We're going to Colossians now, Colossians 1:24. And this is Paul again. He's saying, I now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the Now we've talked a little bit about Christ's sufferings before. This is talking about Paul as a leader, his sufferings, and, and for us as church members. How does a willingness to suffer for Christ and his church reflect the lifestyle that promotes unity? Carissa? SPEAKER C 00:22:03 - 00:22:57 Willingness to suffer shows our commitment to Christ and His body and not to personal comfort or status. It mirrors Jesus' sacrificial love and breaks down barriers of pride. Paul saw his hardships as serving the church, which models the humility needed for unity. I'll read in 1 Corinthians 4:9, which says, For we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. And here Paul described his sufferings as being worthy of men condemned to death. It takes humility and commitment to serve under the conditions he goes on to describe later in the chapter. And when leaders and members embrace this sacrificial love, the church becomes united and strong. Mm. SPEAKER A 00:22:59 - 00:23:12 Very good, isn't it, that God can use these, sometimes the trials of our lives to help bring unity, isn't it? Corinne, why is it important that unity in the church be centered on the mind of Christ rather than human wisdom? SPEAKER B 00:23:12 - 00:23:46 Having Christ's mind, His attitudes, and His true perspectives is the only way that we can have real unity. Human wisdom leads to competition and divisions, but the mind of Christ brings that humility, the love, and the true harmony that we all desire. Programs and strategies can be helpful only when they're submitted to Christ's way of thinking. SPEAKER A 00:23:46 - 00:23:46 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:23:46 - 00:24:18 And Paul still goes and tells us more in 1 Corinthians 3:19 of this, and he says, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, he catches the wise in their own craftiness. So that tells me when we have the mind of Christ, unity will flow naturally from our hearts because it's transformed by the cross. For us. SPEAKER A 00:24:19 - 00:24:37 Beautiful, isn't it, that we can have the opportunity to have the mind of Christ and have his attitudes become part of our own? That is such a help. Um, so Carissa, talking practical terms now, how can an ordinary church member contribute to unity even if they're not in leadership? SPEAKER C 00:24:37 - 00:25:06 So every church member can pray for unity in the church, refuse to participate in gossip or factional talk. We can encourage others and serve humbly wherever needed in the church environment. And small acts of kindness and loyalty to Christ over personalities can make a huge difference. And we read in Philippians 2:4, let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. SPEAKER A 00:25:06 - 00:25:24 Beautiful. That's, that's the focus we have to have, isn't it? So there's a metaphor that Paul uses, Corinne, in 1 Corinthians that can help us celebrate diversity and maintain unity. Tell us a bit about that just briefly. SPEAKER B 00:25:24 - 00:26:05 Oh, that metaphor I find in, still in Corinthians as you say, and I'm going to go to chapter 12, verse 12, and it's going to tell us there, for as the body is one, and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body. So also is Christ. And that body shows that there's unity that thrives in diversity. We all have the different parts, but they're essential and they're interdependent. And it's the same with our little cliques. They're ignoring this by elevating some parts above others. SPEAKER A 00:26:05 - 00:26:05 Hmm. Yes. SPEAKER B 00:26:06 - 00:26:21 And when we value every member that God has given to us, that role under Christ the head, the church functions just as God intended for us to function. SPEAKER A 00:26:21 - 00:26:33 Beautiful, beautiful to keep that picture in mind. And just to finish, what is the greatest encouragement you'd give to a church struggling with division Right now, Charissa. SPEAKER C 00:26:33 - 00:26:45 The beautiful encouragement is that, you know, Christ can heal our division and that He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and that this all begins with repentance and prayer and a fresh commitment to the cross. SPEAKER A 00:26:45 - 00:27:02 Absolutely. What, what hope, isn't it, that God can help us with these issues that can come up in churches? He can give the wisdom we need and the example to follow, which is a huge blessing. Thank you so much for sharing on our, on our discussion today on Let God Speak. SPEAKER B 00:27:02 - 00:27:03 Yeah. SPEAKER A 00:27:03 - 00:28:31 Cliques and divisions weaken the church, but unity in Christ makes it strong and effective for the gospel. By keeping Jesus at the center, embracing his humble servanthood, and living out a theology of the cross, we will overcome pride and build a fellowship that reflects God's love. If your church has experienced division, take courage. Christ can restore and unite. I encourage you to pray for your congregation, submit your heart to the mind of Christ, and choose unity today. Thank you so much for joining Let God Speak. All our past programs plus teacher's notes are available on our website, 3abnaustralia.org.au. email us on [email protected]. Until next time, let God speak to your heart through His Word. May God bless you. SPEAKER B You have been listening to let God speak, a production of 3ABN Australia television. To catch up on past programmes, please visit 3abnaustralia.org.au. Call us in Australia on 02 4973 3456. Or email [email protected]. we'd love to hear from you.