Unity - January 4, 2026
More Than Just a Shared Hobby: The Beauty of Being "One"
Have you ever noticed that most things in life bring people together because of a shared interest? Maybe it’s a group of friends who meet up for a weekly board game night, or a crew that loves serving at the local food pantry. Those connections are great, but this Sunday, Pastor Michael challenged us to look for something much deeper.
Revisiting Philippians 1:27, we dove into what it truly means to live a life "worthy of the gospel." The secret ingredient? Unity.
It’s Not About Being the Same
Pastor Michael pointed out that unity in the church isn't about us all having the same personality or the same hobbies. In fact, he took us to John 17, where we got to "eavesdrop" on a prayer Jesus prayed for us right before he went to the cross.
Jesus didn’t pray that we would all just "get along." He prayed that we would be one, just as He and the Father are one. That is mind-bending! It means:
A Shared Identity: We are united because we are all running toward Jesus.
A Gift to Receive: Unity isn’t just a command we have to white-knuckle our way through; it’s a gift God gives us that we get to live out.
A Witness to the World: When we love each other—despite our differences—the world looks at us and thinks, "There must be something real about Jesus, because there's no other way those people would be that close!"
Unity and Mission: Hand in Hand
Pastor Michael shared a beautiful image of Unity and Mission shaking hands. They are indivisible. If we have a great mission but no unity, our witness is weak. If we have great unity but no mission, we’re just a social club.
When we are "one" in spirit and purpose, we become a "marathon pack" running toward Christ. It’s that unity that makes us resilient. When we feel overlooked or offended, we stay steady because our connection isn’t based on an invitation or a preference—it’s based on the Christ who lives in us.
Let’s Live It Out
As we head into this year, let’s take Pastor Michael’s challenge to heart. Let’s be a community where:
Jesus’ story is our center. (His life, death, and resurrection for our "ick!")
We choose to be "in" God. (Saying yes to Him and no to our own drama.)
We love unconditionally. (Showing our lonely city that they were never meant to be alone.)
Let’s be one, so the world may know Him.
