Unity In Our Differences

Introduction

Good morning. You will open your Bibles with me to Matthew chapter 10. Matthew chapter 10. In a peanuts cartoon, Linus was watching television. And Lucy came in the room and said, You need to change the channel. And he said, Who do you think you are coming into this room and telling me to change the channel? And she said, Do you see what I have right here? He said, No. She said, I have five fingers. They don’t do much by themselves, but if I put them together, they’re going to put a big force in your forehead. And he changed the channel, and he looked at his hand and he said, Why don’t you guys act like that? See, there’s power and unity. Unity is important. Unity is called on by Jesus, by the apostles.

Certainly, Paul spent much of the New Testament epistles urging for, pleading for, expressing the need and the advantages of unity. This morning’s lesson is not about the power of unity. That should be obvious. If Jesus asked for it, if God commands it through his inspired word, then we know it has a power that we should harness. The question this morning is, how do we find that unity? In a world full of differences, of segregation, of separation, of differences. How do we as Christians find the unity that God not only wants, but expects us to have to harness and to practice in our everyday life? How is it that we can be together when we’re so different? I think if we look at the pages of the New Testament, we’ll see we’re really not that different than the world was 2,000 years ago.

1. Matthew and Simon Worked Together

And if this group of people you read about in Matthew chapter 10 can be on the same page, we can too. In Matthew chapter 10, beginning in verse 1, Jesus called him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these. First, Simon, who is called Peter. Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, remember him. James, the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus, Simon the zealot, remember him, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Now we think about these men, and probably seven of them were fishermen, and we think Jesus called the everyday every man.

He called the everyday Joe to follow him, and they did. And not only did they follow him when Jesus called, they went. And if you notice in chapter 10 and verse 1 and 2, and what we call the limited commission, Jesus is giving these apostles, these followers of his a unique ability. Do you see that in verse 1? He gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out to heal every disease and every affliction. That is amazing. We’re so used to the New Testament and the miracles that Jesus could work that we don’t even stop to think about the fact these are men untrained in many cases, certainly in healing others, and being able to cast out demons, who in many cases didn’t know each other too well.

And Jesus calls them together and sends them on their way after he stopped them for just a little bit of time. And they can go out casting out demons. That is phenomenal. That is miraculous. But notice something about this group, they aren’t all just fishermen. Remember Matthew, what was he? What does the text say? Matthew was a tax collector. That means in the first century world, he was essentially working for whom? The Romans. And by the way, the Romans and the Jews, to say they didn’t get along, would be an understatement. To say the Romans and Jews didn’t get along would be to say that brothers and sisters sometimes fight. Not that I would know anything about that at all. But then there is in verse 4 that important disciple Simon.

Simon is a zealot. We’re familiar with the segregation amongst the Jews of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And there’s a sense in which the zealots were kind of Pharisees. But they weren’t just any kind of Pharisee. We have to understand about Matthew the tax collector, this Roman official essentially, and the idea of Simon the zealot, this guy with some Pharisee beliefs and tendencies. That was not even the tip of the iceberg of their differences. When we think about Matthew as a tax collector, he wasn’t just a Roman who would bother Jews. Jews were bothered by Roman authority. Because as we look to the Old Testament, what were the Jews? God’s chosen people. In fact, they weren’t just God’s chosen people under David and Solomon in particular.

They were a rich, prosperous, might we even say powerful people. But after hundreds of years, perhaps even around a thousand years, they weren’t anymore. They certainly were not the world power, and they couldn’t come anywhere close to ruling with the fist of iron that Rome did. And so there would be this detesting of the Jews. And by the way, if you were a tax collector, what were you known for being like? Do you think you were a good person? That was not the stereotype. It might be kind of how we think of lawyers today. We say, well, to be a lawyer or to be a politician, you have to be a little bit slick, and that’s a nice word for it. Tax collectors were like that because they could abuse their authority.

They could take more, perhaps, than they were licensed to. That did not help the tensions between the Jews and the Romans. And here’s Matthew following Jesus, healing and casting out demons, by the way, in Matthew chapter 10 of other Jews. But he’s working side by side with Simon in Luke chapter 6. More translations give the idea of him being a zealot. A zealot was not just a Pharisee. You see, we have to go even deeper. A zealot was essentially a terrorist of sorts. They did not believe in being governed by another authority, especially not a Jewish authority, in the case of a Jewish zealot. And they were willing to do whatever it takes to cause a problem to regain their autonomy. So here is Matthew, the Roman tax collector.

And here is Simon, somebody willing to cause bodily harm and destruction in society to those types of people. And by the way, Jesus said, hey, you guys go and work together, and you heal the Jewish people. Do you think that might have been a little bit of a combustible situation? But they are able to work together. You see, while zealots had Pharisee type leanings, they were willing to make a point. And it’s history argues that around 66 AD, right before Jerusalem was destroyed by Rome in the 70s, the zealots were successful to some extent. They flexed their power. They got Jerusalem some control until Rome showed them what real power is and wiped them out, as Jesus had prophesied they would be by God, using Rome as his tool.

2. In Christ There Is Zero Division

So as we think of Matthew, we think of Simon, they are about as different, as opposed, as angry as any separation you can possibly think of. And by the way, that includes Republicans and Democrats. That includes race, economic segregations. This is as bad as it gets. And this isn’t even talking about the divide between Jews and Gentiles that Paul and Peter would be dealing with for decades after Jesus died and was resurrected again. You see, Paul had to deal with the fact that there is no division in Christ, and yet people sometimes act like it. Look at me in Galatians chapter 3, a very powerful, very important passage. Turn with me to Galatians chapter 3. It’s often misused, misunderstood. We need to understand what the point is and how to learn from this.

In Galatians chapter 3, we’re thinking about a people, I know the auditum class is studying Galatians. We’re dealing with a people who are trying to make sure that they’re not going back under the old law. Galatians chapter 5, Paul makes it very clear if you uphold even just circumcision, just part of the old law, you’re throwing off all the grace of Jesus, and you’re bound by that law. And you know what the problem with that is? You’re not going to be able to keep it perfectly, which means you have no hope. What Jesus brings is better than even what the old law brought. And so in Galatians 3 and verse 25, now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.

Here’s the good news. Did the law have a purpose? Yes. Is it in effect any longer? No. Why? What Jesus brings is better. Jesus offers the forgiveness of sins, not just for Jews, but for the entire world. How do we access that? Verse 25? With faith. Verse 26. Through faith. Verse 27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. How do we access the blessings of Jesus? You are baptized into Christ. All Jews and Gentiles can share in the blessings of Jesus. But notice verse 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek. There is neither slave nor free. There is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

I want to look at verse 28, and I want to highlight that this morning. In verse 28, when he says there is neither male nor female, does that mean that when Jesus came andor when you are baptized, there’s no longer a gender distinction? Biology ceases to exist. Is Paul saying that by becoming a follower of Jesus, or because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, there’s no longer a Jewish or Gentile people? No. Those distinctions still exist. But what is he saying? Verse 29. If you are Christ, your Abraham’s offspring heirs according to promise. What promise? All the way back in the book of Genesis that through your seed all families of the earth shall be blessed. Not just Jewish family, not just the Gentile.

All families shall be blessed with what? A hope of inheriting eternal life, the forgiveness of sins. In Christ, there is zero division. Of course, division is the opposite of unity. We know there’s power and unity, but the question is, if Matthew can work with Simon and Jesus has no problem calling them, he says, You follow me, and Matthew went. He says, You follow me, and Simon came. And Paul says, there is no division. It doesn’t matter that there are male and female, it doesn’t matter that there’s Jews and Gentiles. It doesn’t matter that they’re slave men and freemen. You are all one in Christ Jesus. How then do we get so divided? Why is it so difficult to be united if we know Jesus died for everyone?

3. We’re Tribal People

1 John 2 2 says Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. Does anyone dispute that? We shouldn’t, of course not. But do we act like that? Sometimes we don’t. Because we’re tribal people. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, we see one of those problems. Even within Christ, if you think about one of the most petty things to be divided over, the Corinthians found it. By the way, if you think you are unique and having a petty problem, read Corinthians. You are not alone.

I will see somebody has been there and thought that, let’s say, less than wise thought before me. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 10, I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same judgment. What’s his worry? Why is Paul worried about this? Verse 11. It has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, I follow Paul. Or I follow Apollos, or I follow Cephas, or I follow Christ. Paul says in verse 13, is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?

Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptize none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. Verse 17, Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Paul saying baptism’s not important? Not at all. In fact, all these Christians apparently were baptized, which shows inherently there’s something critically important about it. But when he says in verse 10, don’t be divided. Notice what are they dividing over? Who baptized them? Who do I follow? It’s interesting, they say, I follow Paul. I follow Cephas, I follow Apollo. Somebody said I follow Christ.

I hope whoever that was understood that they had the right idea. Paul says, I didn’t want to be a part of that. I’m glad I wasn’t baptizing too many of you because goodness knows Jesus doesn’t need another division in his body. Here’s the ugly truth. If Christians can be divided over who baptized us, or who the best teacher is, or what type of leader we should follow, don’t you think we can be divided on even deeper issues? Even more substantial differences. In Galatians chapter 3 and verse 28, to go back to the idea there’s neither slave nor free. There’s neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female. Those are real observable differences. The Corinthian Christians were dividing over nothing. That division did not exist. And they found it.

And Satan used it to drive a wedge in between God’s people. They all responded to the same gospel message. But biology is true. There are two genders. You are a Jew or a Gentile. Gentile being defined as a non-Jew. That’s handy enough. And you were either slave or free. And so why are we divided? Because it’s our inclination. And because somebody’s out there stoking those flames. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather be with a group of people who agree with you, think you’re smart, think you have the right idea, and agree with all of your life choices, or be with people who tell you you’re dumb and ridicule every decision you make and every position you posture under? It’s not that difficult of a choice, is it, really?

And what’s happened is in our society that has social media where everyone decides their thoughts are worthy of sharing to the whole world all the time because I have all the answers, and if people will just listen to me, type in 150 words or less, they’re gonna have all their answers to life problems. Well, now we’re on the record. And now I see Craig doesn’t agree with me. Craig hurt my feelings. Or as I write, John hurt my feelings. He doesn’t agree with me. Well, I’m just not going to participate with him. I’m gonna try to show him how wrong he is, and if he doesn’t repent, well, then that’s just on him. I’m gonna go my separate way and be with my people. You see how that’s easier?

It feels good. It’s simple. If you were in the Corinthians and you’re with Paul, you say, hey, Paul is the apostle. He’s the best. I’m sticking with Paul. Apollos is good, but somebody had to teach them the right way. He had it wrong for a while. Don’t you remember that? Yeah, I know Paul had it wrong, but that’s not that’s inconvenient to my argument right now. I’m gonna follow Paul. He’s the apostle. What happens is, not in one moment do we look at somebody and say, hey, I’m not gonna be with them. We say, I don’t need that in my life. And we stop thinking about others as much. We start separating ourselves just a little bit. If you’ve ever seen a small boat anchored in to the shore, what happens when you pull up that anchor?

It drifts. The first day, the boat doesn’t end up in the middle of the ocean. The first hour, it doesn’t end up even necessarily out of sight. But over time, it drifts farther and farther, and eventually it’ll be lost at sea. Our relationship with others can go in that same way. When we stop stressing verse 10, because we’re acting like verse 13 and 14, we have missed the point. Paul says there should be no divisions among you. Why at the end of verse 10? That you be united in the same mind and same judgment. Does that mean I have to agree on everything? Because I don’t like that. That’s not what he says. United in what? United in Christ. Did Simon and Matthew all of a sudden forget who they were, forget where they’ve been?

No. But they followed Jesus because Jesus was a higher priority than their petty worldly squabbles. Paying taxes, receiving taxes, that doesn’t matter. Jesus even flicked off that question like a gnat. Remember, they thought the group thought they’d have him. They’d say, We’re going to get Jesus in trouble. We’re going to ask him, Do you pay taxes to Caesar? Did Jesus go, ooh? That’s a good one, guys. No? He said, Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. What impact does that have to me? Jesus is king over a spiritual kingdom, he made clear to Pilate. He wasn’t worried about the physical, and as his followers, we can’t be either. And so that says then, why would we be tribal? Because it’s easier. If you consider in Galatians chapter 2, you consider the idea of what’s simple and what’s hard, what’s easy and what’s difficult.

4. A Christian First, Who Happened to Be a Jew

It’s easy to stick with who you already know and who you’re already comfortable with. Peter learned this lesson. In verse 3 of Galatians chapter 2, that even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so they might bring us into slavery, to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment. So the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. And from those who seem to be influential, what they were makes no difference to me. God shows no partiality. Those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised, for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles.

And when James and Thefus and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only they ask us to remember the poor. The very thing I was eager to do. Now, here again is a clear example. In Jesus there is no division. Paul says, I was sent to the Gentiles, and who sent me? God did. Peter was an apostle largely to the Jews. Who sent him? God did. There should be unification there. There is unity in Jesus. But even Peter, one of those apostles, one of the ones present in Matthew chapter 10, notice what happens to him in verse 11.

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles, but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. If Peter can give in to tribalness, if he can allow himself to act the foolish hypocrite. This is a real threat that can impact me too. What got Peter? This strong pillar apostle, who not only was condemned by Jesus before his death, remember he said, get behind me, Satan, who learned from his wrong after denying Jesus three times, as Jesus prophesied he would. The great apostle Peter who preached in Acts chapter 2, the kingdom is open.

What Jesus has long promised and long prophesied is here and now. Take advantage of it. He speaks and eats with the Gentiles, no problem. He speaks and eats with the Jews, no problem. But when they’re together, what was the problem in verse 12? He feared the circumcision party. It was easier to just stay with his tribe. Because Peter was a Jew. You see, when we think about Peter, we think of him as a Christian, as an apostle. But you know the problem with Peter was? He started thinking of himself as what? A Jew. His identity from a racial standpoint had overcome his status as a follower of Jesus. And that’s how Satan gets us. The minute I think of myself as anything first besides a follower of Jesus, I have lost.

And as I’m losing, I’m going to cause great damage to the kingdom in the process. You see, Peter in verse 13 didn’t just turn away. Who did he take with him? Barnabas. Acts 13 says, Barnabas was the son of encouragement. Barnabas is one of the people who made others take the example of Paul. He said, I will be there with you, I will travel with you, I will vouch for you. Barnabas was one of the good guys. And Peter pulled him away. Why? Because he feared the Jews. It was easier to be a part of this physical body of people than to separate himself and stand up for what it means to be a Christian. And to stand up for Christ means I don’t care what people of this life think of me, as long as I do what Jesus says first.

Peter, the great apostle, was willing in this moment, unfortunately for him, forever immortalized in the Word of God, was willing to set aside his apostleship and his Christianity to be a Jew first instead of a Christian. Remember, we said in Galatians chapter 3, Jews and Gentiles still existed. Males and females still existed. Peter was a Jew, but he was a Christian first, who happened to be a Jew. Rather than a Jew who happened to be a Christian. And when I become a member of the middle class or the upper class or the lower class before I’m a Christian, that’s a problem. When I become a Republican or a Democrat before I’m a Christian, that’s a problem. I become white, black, or Hispanic before I become a Christian, that’s a problem.

Because it changes the way we act. It changes the way we influence others. And we’ve separated our members instead of being unified. They’re worthless. You see, it’s bad enough to fail God and to act selfishly and pridefully. It’s worse when it damages the kingdom in the process. And if we’re honest, we realize that this is difficult to be unified despite our differences, which are real, despite the struggles of that segregation, which is real. It’s a problem because the devil knows just how to stoke the flames. In 1 Peter chapter 5, consider the warning. In 1 Peter chapter 5, as you consider the warning that’s given, we’re to look out for, be sober-minded of the devil. You see in verse 8 to be sober-minded and watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Resist him firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Is it worth it to overcome? You bet. But it’s going to be really, really difficult. The devil wants us to be divided. He’s seeking, you see at the end of verse 8, seeking someone to devour. And he got Peter. He devoured it. He can get me. How? He can make me fear a response from those of my people. He can make me prideful that I’m right and those other people are wrong. But you know what the simplest thing is?

All he has to do is make me think about my people instead of Christ’s people. And then he’s won. That’s it. He doesn’t have to make us champion team left or team right. He doesn’t have to make us champion old or young, rich or poor. He just has to make us champion something or someone that’s not Jesus. I wonder in this past week if I’ve thought more about my relationship to Jesus than an affiliation with any other physical, fleshly organization. Have I thought more about sports than Jesus? Have I thought more about politics than Christ’s kingdom? You know, it’s interesting. If you go to a theme park, and I’m someone who’s pretty shy, there’s one thing that makes people talk to you no matter what. And it’s not even complaining.

More than complaining, people will stop to you if you wear what? Some sort of sports team memorabilia. They see you wearing a gator hat, they say, go gators. They see Ken wearing an Alabama hat, they say, I’m sorry for that poor man. Because we’re unified by our tribe, by our affiliations. It makes us speak up and speak out. I wonder how much good we would do if we looked for how to serve Christians as much as we glance around and see that people are fans of sports teams or share their opinions on social media about politics or crucial issues of the day. The devil wants us divided, but God needs us united. How do we get united then? How do we achieve that unity in Jesus?

5. Count Others More Significant Than Yourselves

Paul gives us the answer, and he even gives us the case in point example. In Philippians chapter 2, in case you’re wondering, is it possible? The answer is yes. The question is, has anybody done it? The answer is yes. In Philippians chapter 2, we have both the instructions and the perfect example of how to be perfectly unified. And by the way, that does not mean agreeing on the sports teams. That does not mean agreeing on the politics. That doesn’t mean agreeing on a wealth inequality problem or solution. Philippians chapter 2 and verse 1. If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Here’s the key, verse 3. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. Flip side. But in humility. Count others more significant than yourselves. What does that look like? How do I do that, verse 4? Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Verse 8 says, He humbled himself by becoming obedient even to the point of death, even that gruesome death on a cross. There’s a way to be unified in Jesus.

And it’s not just to tell other people they’re wrong, or to stop participating, or to not watch football, or to not post on social media. We can be united and do those things. We have to change the approach to them. It’s not about me being right and teaching others. It’s not about my side being better than your side. It’s about verse three doing nothing that is 0% out of selfish ambition or conceit. But rather do what, verse 3 and 4? Count others more important than myself and look out how to serve their best interests. And nobody’s best interests are served by me being rude to you. Let me be clear. You can be blunt without being rude. You can teach truth without being harsh. In fact, we are commanded to do just that.

Nothing about being unified means not standing up for truth. In fact, Paul even makes that point in Galatians chapter 2. When there were people causing a problem, we gave them not an inch. We didn’t give them a bit of ground. We stood up for Christ’s teaching. But when Peter was wrong, I condemned him where? To his face. Because as Ken preached so capably last week, that’s how Jesus said to deal with the problem. If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. Why? So that you can gain your brother. You deal with error. But you do it through love and humility. Thinking what’s best for you, not what makes me feel best or brings me the most satisfaction.

6. Thank God Every Day for Being His Child

Secondly, thank God every day for the privilege of being his child. In 1 John chapter 3, a verse perhaps we could read every single day. In 1 John chapter 3, notice this great promise, this wonderful news. See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God. And so we are.

Do you see that in verse 1 and 2? We are God’s children. That should be cherished, and we should thank God for it every single day. You know how you get unified? You realize that even if you are to draw lines of division, you are to be tribal, which team are we on? We’re in the body of Christ. Scripture teaches of division. In fact, a gruesome division. Those who are saved with Jesus and those who are lost without him. There is absolutely division, but that’s the only one. And does that mean that those who are saved look down with ridicule and scorn on those who are lost? Not in the slightest. In 2 Timothy chapter 2, it’s clear we are to teach those who are perhaps under the snare of the devil with gentleness and kindness, so they may see the air of their way, see the snare of the devil, and come to a knowledge of the truth that leads to repentance.

As we think about what 1 John chapter 3 tells us, it means I first of all have to remember who am I as a child of God? A sinner who was forgiven. And so when I approach others and look at others, I realize I don’t have all the answers. And just because they don’t doesn’t make them any less important than me. It’s a check against my pride. It’s a reminder of my humility, that I can’t do it by myself, but that God can. If we think we have all the answers on any physical problem, make sure you give them with humility and love. And remember that the only reason you have those answers, if you even do, is because God blessed you with that understanding and wisdom and knowledge.

Conclusion

But also realize that when you deliver that news, it should be given with gentleness, kindness, and marked by love. And so we have to remember what truly matters. Look with me at one final passage this morning, Mark chapter 1. If we think about the disciples, the apostles, as we think about Simon, the zealot, the terrorist who would cause destruction to get his way, Matthew, the poster child for Rome’s overreach, the tax collector who could abuse his position. Consider Mark chapter 1 and verse 16. Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

And going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee and John his brother who were in their boat mending the mess, and immediately he called them out, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. This is what truly matters. When Jesus says, you follow me, what do we do? You go. That’s it. And if I am a Christian, I am no other segregated group of people. I am male. I do have leanings. I do root for sports teams. But you know what happens to all of those distinctions in eternity? They disappear. I’m a child of God. When Jesus says go, I go. When he says come, I come. Anything else is a distraction. It is real.

We have to deal with it. We have to face the problems of that division. But it’s always secondary to when Jesus says, come, I follow. If you’re here this morning, you’ve never become a Christian, recognize Jesus is sending that message to come. He did die on the cross for our sins. It is possible to become a child of God, to say, as John did in 1 John 3 and verse 2, we are children of God now. At this present time today, you can have your life right with God. You can have your sins washed away if you believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Confess Him as Lord and all that that entails. Repent of your sins and be baptized. Share in the death, burial, and resurrection that has cured so many of our incurable problem, that is sin.

Maybe you’re a Christian who’s been pulled away by division. Devoured like Peter.

James 5 says, confess your sins to one another. You can take advantage of that confession now. You can be washed clean. You can live in good conscience before God. Jesus has come. Does any wish to take his invitation? If you do, come forward now as we stand and sing the invitation song. Jesus will not be shaped.