Matt Nelson - January 23, 2022
The Way of Unity - (12th Birthday Celebration)
Five Commitments of community: In a time of isolation, we choose to be fully known by others. In a time of deception, we need the accountability that comes with community. In a time of division, we declare our unity around the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a time of self-centeredness, we choose the sacrificial path of missional living. In a time of shallow commitment, we give ourselves to covenant community. Two ways to make a commitment: Place your commitment card in a Giving Box Forourcity.fund (QR code or cc.guide) Genesis 1:26-28 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” God creates a diverse, yet unified humanity that reflects His glory and acts as His representatives on earth. In order for our relationship with one another to be restored our relationship with God must first be restored. The cross, the work of Jesus, will begin the great reversal of sin and its effects on our relationships. The cross will begin to restore what was lost in the garden. Galatians 3:26-29 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Ephesians 2:13-18 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. In a divided time, we need a radically unified church. We must regain a vision of God’s design We must continually humble ourselves before the cross We must be aware of sinful patterns that destroy community We must embrace the diversity of God’s people We must allow our shared mission to drive our unity