Unity and Diversity in the Church Jesus, Continued Pastor Kile Baker April 28th, 2024 One of the most challenging things about life is to have unity and diversity in a community. Being unified is only possible through God, and being diversified is a gift from God, John 17:20-23 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me. Ephesians 4:1-6 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to: Spiritual gifts and offices are not a way of measuring importance, they’re God’s way of directing service. (1) equip the saints for the work of ministry, (2) to build up the body of Christ, (3) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, (4) growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. Next Steps Get equipped: Take a class, join a team, pray for God to use you in the local church. Encourage: Someone at church today & a fellow Christian every day this week. Read: John 17 this week, about unity in the church. Mature: In your faith by taking your next step this week.