Together for Mission | Mission Possible
Mission Possible – Together for Mission
Big Idea:
The mission God has given us can only be carried out together. Jesus created a unified people, and our unity is essential to the credibility of our witness in the world.
Introduction
Our church’s mission: to lead our city into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church
This series has emphasized:
Life-change (God transforming our hearts)
Giftedness for mission (each believer serving in unique ways)
Today’s focus: We are united in this mission
Christian mission is impossible alone—it requires love, collaboration, and unity
Foundational Truth #1
Jesus’s death created one unified people
Unity is not a goal we’re trying to achieve—it’s a reality already accomplished at the cross
Ephesians 2:13–16:
Jews and Gentiles reconciled to God and to one another through Christ
Jesus broke down the “dividing wall of hostility”
Galatians 3:27–28:
Our identity in Christ is more fundamental than any other identity
Even when we fail to live it out, unity in Christ remains true
Foundational Truth #2
Unity is vital to the credibility of our mission
John 17:20–23:
Jesus prays for future believers to be one
Our unity helps the world know that Jesus was sent by the Father
John 13:35:
Love for one another is how people recognize Jesus’s disciples
Disunity damages our witness; unity strengthens it
Spiritual unity cannot be broken—but its visible expression often is
Protecting Our Unity
Unity does not happen automatically. Scripture calls us to actively maintain it.
Ephesians 4:1–6
One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith
We must be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit”
Five Strategies for Protecting Christian Unity
1. Overlook an offense
Proverbs 19:11
Some offenses are small enough to forgive internally and release to God
A first line of defense for unity
2. Address an offense
When harm is too serious or ongoing to overlook
Matthew 18:15–17:
Go privately first
Then involve one or two others if needed
Church leadership as a last step
Avoid gossip; go directly to the person
Division grows in darkness—unity grows in honesty
3. Seek to understand those you differ with
Disagreement does not require division
James 1:19: Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
Understanding builds respect—even when agreement isn’t reached
Respectful disagreement preserves unity better than silence
4. Pray for those you struggle to love
Consistent, sincere prayer changes our hearts
It is difficult to remain distant from someone you regularly bring before God
5. Rely on the help of the Holy Spirit
Unity does not come naturally
Galatians 5:19–21: Many “works of the flesh” involve disunity
The Spirit produces love, peace, patience, and self-control
True love flows from being shaped by Christ, not willpower alone
Conclusion
Romans 5:8–10:
Christ died for us while we were still sinners and enemies
Jesus died to create a unified people sent on mission
Our unity is not optional—it’s essential
Reflection questions:
Who am I most prone to feel divided from?
Do I need to overlook, address, understand, pray, or rely more deeply on the Spirit?
The only way to fulfill our mission is together—united in love