Shammah Temple Fellowship: Sermon of June 23, 2024
By Claver Nitonde
Theme: How can Believers live united in their differences?
Reference scriptures: Romans 14:1 -15:13
When celebrating marriage vows, the pastors tell the wed bride and bachelor that they are both different in many ways. But most importantly, they tell them to become one, to be the most united individuals in the world, the be equally-yoked. The same in the church, they are so different in hundreds of ways; social class, education, race, gender, political affiliations … However, we cannot afford to be divided.
But, how can Believers be united instead of those differences?
- When they live for God’s glory
When Believers, those who are different in many ways, they can only be united once they live for God to be glorified. The two striking differences are those strong in their faith and those who are not. Both being in the church, but strong in their own beliefs, for example, eating meat.
Even in these differences, God can find pleasure in us as we prioritize His own honor instead of ours, our own pride and personal preferences.
How can Believers be able to live for Christ’s glory?
- Christ allows to no judge and love one other
“Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4).
- Christ allows us to support and please one other
It is never about us, if we are not able to build peace and please one another, we will be failing our Lord Jesus, who also put others first.
“So then, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Romans 14:19).
- When we accept one another as God has accepted us
The very basic reason why we are here is because God has accepted us, while we were not worthy. Not because our personal preferences are the same, but because we were both of us, in our very weaknesses and differences, accepted and welcomed by God.’
“Therefore, accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
There are things we need to give up, we need to surrender for the sake of our unity in the church.
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may win more for Christ. To the Jews; to men under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might win those who are under the Law. To those who are without the Law, as one without the Law, though not without the law of God, but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-22).
Summing up, Believers should reflect Christ in this world. The way Christ has accepted us all in our differences, our imperfections, we do not have any reason to reject our brothers and sisters for subtle things that do not really matter for Jesus. Accepting one another and leading lives that pursue God’s glory are a very important attitude we need to adopt to be united and live together as Believers in their many differences.
