 this week for about 15 minutes. So where we take time to talk about one of the faculty will present the topic for about 15 to 20 minutes and then after that we get an opportunity to ask questions and it can be about the topic primarily or it can be about any of the subjects that we are learning or it could be anything that there is of interest to you from the Bible and from what is happening in your own lives with regard to your spiritual walk. So that is what we do in our mentoring hour. So we'll get started and I just want to ask maybe one person to pray and then we'll get started. So anyone can pray and we'll get started. Would anyone like to pray from Sanjay or Nikhil or Sanjay? Good morning everyone. Have any father? We would just like to thank you for this hour of mentoring father. We pray that as we learn from your word and as we learn something new father that we'll be able to apply this in our lives father. Let the word speak to us today father and we pray a lot for a blessing upon the entire faculty and a blessing upon all the students in Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you Sanjay. So today we have Pastor Selena Nakuwana and Pastor Selena will be sharing on the topic Christian Unity and after that we'll open this time for questions. So over to Pastor Selena. Thank you Pastor Jaykumar. Good morning everyone. Just like to very briefly share on Christian Unity this morning. So is Christian Unity important? What do you all think? Is Christian Unity important? Yes, no? Any replies? Yes. Thank you Sanjay. Thank you Pastor Jaykumar. Thank you Joseph. Yes, it's important. So why is Christian Unity important? We'll just look at three factors. Just three important reasons why Christian Unity is important. Firstly we see you know Jesus mentions about Unity thrice in his prayer to the father in John chapter 17. John chapter 17 is a high priestly prayer of Jesus the night just the night before he was crucified and so we read in John chapter 17 verses 21 to 23 Jesus says in verse 21 he prays in verse 21 that they all may be one he's basically praying for all the believers so he's praying that we may be one that they also may be one in us verse 22 he prays that they may be one just as we are one and in verse 23 he's praying to the father saying that you know that we may be made perfect in one. So Jesus' desire is that those who believe in him you know are united are one in him just as the father the son and the holy spirit are one and that you know we are made perfect in this unity. So that is the first reason why Christian Unity is important. The second reason that I think Christian Unity is important is because of what Christ did on the cross the finished work on the cross and when he died on the cross he secured Unity for all of us and we see in Ephesians chapter 4 you know Paul is writing to the churches at Ephesus and he's very concerned about the unity among the Jews and Gentiles and he also is discussing in this chapter about the maturity in the body of Christ and verses 13, 14 and 16 Paul mentions but now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ for he himself is our peace who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation and that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross thereby putting to death the enmity. So the work of Jesus on the cross is the common ground of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles and therefore there is no longer any dividing wall between the Jew and Gentile and Jesus broke down this wall so Paul is mentioning this to the church and we also know that Christ's finished work on the cross not only brought about unity between God and mankind or God in humanity but also unity among people of all races and we read this in Galatians chapter 2 verse 28 that you know where Paul is saying that we are all one in Christ Jesus and in Christ there is no true nor Gentile slave nor free male nor female. Romans chapter 12 verse 5 says so in Christ though we are many form one body and 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 13 says for in one spirit we are all baptized into one body Jews or Gentiles slave or free so we are all one in Christ and this unity is what Jesus secured for us on the cross when he died on the cross and completed the work that he had he was sent by the Father. The third reason why I think Christian unity is important is because it's a key part of our testimony as believers in the Lord Jesus to the world. In Paul's day you know the divide between the Jews and Gentiles was really great was huge and it was Paul's desire just like it was Jesus's desire that if the church could display to the world a unity between the Jews and Gentiles that which Christ is secured on the cross it would be a powerful witness and that is why he writes you know most of his letters at Paul's proposal Paul is writing the churches he's talking a lot about unity and oneness and we see that even Jesus paints this as well in John chapter 17 verses 20 and 23 we looked at this verse in the beginning you know where Jesus says you know I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe in me through their word that they also may be one as you Father are in me and I in you that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that you sent me verse 22 and the glory which you gave me I have given them that they may be one just as we are one verse 23 I in them and you in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that you have sent me and love me as you have sorry as sent me and love them as you have loved me so here we see that you know Jesus knew that if there was unity and oneness among the believers you know it would lead others to believing the gospel that they were preaching and also would result in people putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ believing in him and also believing that the Father has sent Jesus Christ so these are the three reasons which I would state you know why Christian unity is important of course there are various other important reasons but I've just mentioned these three before we look at what is Christian unity I would just like to mention what Christian unity is not Christian unity is not denominational unity we read in John chapter 17 we don't read anywhere in John chapter 17 that you know Christ was praying for one world church organized under one leader and church government but he was just praying for unity and oneness and peace among the believers so Christian unity is when we talk about Christian unity I don't mean you know denominational unity where we're saying that you know there should be one world church organization under one leader and church government also Christian unity is not doctrinal unity you know we can have come from different denominations with different doctrines but having said that we need to be very careful because when we're saying that even if we are from different denominations that teach different doctrines but it's important that you know we come together as one and that our foundation is the same we are building our unity on the same foundation which means we are building our unity on the essential truths that become our strong foundation and what are these essential truths that we need to believe on is that all of us believe on the inspiration and the authority of scripture the trinity the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ his substitutionary death on the cross his bodily resurrection his bodily second coming and salvation by grace through faith alone and not by works so these are the common essential truths which can become our common foundation that we can come together so it's very important when we say that christian unity is not doctrinal unity doesn't mean that you know we encourage all heretical teachings and teachings that are not aligned with the word of god but these are some of the essential truths that we can if you all believe one can become the common foundation that we can come together and you know further the kingdom of god in the city and in our nation christian unity is also not uniformity by this i mean you know not uniformity in the the form style and expression of worship so we can have different come from different backgrounds which have different styles and forms and expressions of worship but we can still come together and meet together and you know to build and further the kingdom of god in our city and nation so having said what christian unity is not we will look at what then is christian unity i like to define christian unity you know with with what paul says or states in Ephesians chapter four verses four to six i like to go with what paul says in Ephesians chapter four verses four to six he says there is one body and one spirit as just as you were called to one hope when you were called one lord one faith one baptism one god and father of all who is overall through all and in all so christian unity is basically all of us coming together being united in our belief that you know we are all part of one body which is the church which is the body of christ okay so we all belong to christ and i already have mentioned these verses in Galatians chapter two verse 28 and romans 12 five and first Corinthians chapter 12 verse 13 where we are all one in christ jesus so you know when we become we're born again when we we believe in the lord jesus christ we all are part of the body of christ we are all one in christ jesus so you know that is what is causes the unity and oneness in us and the other thing is you know that we are under the submission and the lordship of jesus christ and we are all seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness and his will to be done in our city so it's our prayer that you know his kingdom come and his will be done in our city and in our nation so this is what we what i basically mean when i'm talking about christian unity that we are all even though we are from different backgrounds different denominations come from different styles of worship you know but we are all part of the body of christ and we are under the lordship of jesus christ and we have one god and father and one lord jesus christ and one holy spirit and we all believe in one you know the bible which is the basis for our faith and our doctrine and so that forms the basis for our christian unity and our oneness so is christian is achieving christian unity easy what do you all think is achieving christian unity easy yes no maybe or it's impossible it's challenging yes what do the others think i think if you basically ask you know people if it's christian achieving christian unity easy the you know the unanimous response would be a resounding no it's not easy right but yes it like sunday says it is necessary it is challenging but christian unity is a high call in a hard call and in fact it sometimes seems impossible apart from the help of the holy spirit but with the help of the holy spirit yes we can be united and that is why you know jesus even prayed about this in the high priestly prayer in john chapter 17 to the father so what should we do as believers you know to maintain christian unity just quickly look at some passages and close sorry so what should we do as believers to maintain christian unity roman chapter 14 was 19 says you know we need to pursue things which make up for peace some other translations say you know we need to aim for follow after make every effort or keep on pursuing so it's it's not easy but we keep on following after it make every effort aim for it keep on pursuing peace and the things which one may edify and other efficient chapter four verses two and three says you know we need to be completely humble and gentle be patient bearing with one another in love and make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit to the bond of peace so we make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit to be united even though it seems difficult we bear with each other we put up with each other and it requires us to be completely humble and gentle and patient bearing with one another in love colossal chapter three verses 13 and 14 says bear with each other you know forgive one another forgive as the lord has forgiven us and over all these virtues put on love so it's important that we love love not when it's convenient not when it's easy when it's you know even when we disagree when we agree and you know not just when it's convenient for us but love at all times and pursue love as well so here it says you know in we need to bear in in Colossians chapter four verse three says we need to bear or even in sorry Colossians chapter three verse 13 says we need to bear with each other you know some other translations say we need to put up we need to tolerate we need to be patient with one another and that is what we need to do sometimes you know to maintain peace and unity in the body of Christ yes we need to put up we need to tolerate and we need to be patient with one another just like to close with the Ephesians chapter four verses 22 and to verse 32 where you know Paul is basically as I mentioned earlier it has been talking about you know being the Jews and Gentiles being united and one and also talking about maturity in the body of Christ and then he goes on the latter half of that chapter where he says you know to keep this unity we need to put off our old selves you know and we need to put on the new self which is created in to be like God in true righteousness and holiness and then he says to keep the unity in this the spirit and to be united we need to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor you know in your anger do not sin verse 26 verse 28 says anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer must work hard and verse 29 do not let any unholy talk come out of your mouth and verses 31 and 32 he says you know get rid of all bitterness rage anger brawling slander along with every form of malice be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you so all of these things you know it's very difficult on our own but if we are connected to we have intimate relationship with God you know the Holy Spirit sanctifies us works in us and you know we would be able to maintain christian unity in the body of Christ and it's important for us to keep going back to these verses to keep finding out areas where we are lacking and you know do our best to pursue and unity and oneness and to bear with each other and to love each other just as Christ loved us thank you everyone over to Pastor Jacob. Thank you pastor Selena thank you for that presentation on christian unity so I just open it up for others if you have any questions on what pastor Selena shared or any further questions on this topic of unity maybe you tried at this you know worked at unity and maybe some challenges and difficulties and maybe you have some questions you know you can go ahead and ask those questions and then pastor Selena and the others will respond so yeah just open this time up you can either unmute and ask or you can post your questions on the chat thank you any any questions any doubts any clarifications it can be on this topic or it can be on any other topic as well some things that you've been learning um anything from the word anything from you know your spiritual walk with God can go ahead and ask those questions. Good morning pastor just a thought I wanted to share on what christian unity is not so these three um that is denominational unity doctrine unity and uniform uniformity uh three things which um can uh or most likely brings divisions among believers so I I was uh I had these uh you know I thought like why why are most believers kind of divided I I noticed these are three I didn't I was not aware of these three things before I heard them today so it kind of was like an eye opener for me if if we if we if we if we can stay away from things like denominational unity or doctrine unity and uniformity we can focus on the core values or the the core things which pastor Selena shared that keeps us together so if you can just keep eyes on the core values and stop um what do you say uh giving too much of importance to the uh what christian christian unity is not it kind of helps us you know uh build bridges you know between others that's all just a thought right thank you thank you Sanjay Selena would you like to respond to that or um we can move on otherwise I think he just stated what is already mentioned yeah right right okay so we have a question from Prath it's why do churches have different doctrines or dogmas even though they all worship Jesus Christ and have one holy spirit why do churches have different doctrines uh or dogmas um would anyone like to respond um just request a faculty um maybe pastashish if you if you'd like to respond to this and others can also add on yeah I think there are a lot of reasons and maybe when we make a long list of reasons why you know although we all worship the same thought and how to say from the spirit we have these differences I think one is sometimes we have a misplaced I mean the one that I would mention is a misplaced emphasis or that means we are more committed to our denomination or more committed to a certain way of doing things than the word of God and Jesus Christ himself you know sometimes I've heard people say like you know I actually heard a person say you know I'm a Baptist at heart so it's like I was wondering I didn't say anything but it just showed that his commitment is to his denomination rather than to the Lord Jesus Christ you know so things like that I I'm sure we can make a long list of things yeah I would just put number one was a misplaced misplaced commitment or focus others can add to it sure um thank you pastor would anyone else like to add yes pastor jakes I'd just like to share I think it's a wrong interpretation of scripture or the not the right interpretation of scripture or the understanding of a scripture maybe not interpreting scripture in its right context in the way why it was written looking at all the tools necessary for interpretation so that can lead to you know kind of a misunderstanding of what is in scripture and hence you know also to different doctrines or also reading too much into it and you know trying to understand the scripture from their own perspective rather than you know in the context that it was written thank you thank you thank you also I just had a thought about you know when we study revivals and restorative moves of God we see that like after the dark ages that God is restoring back to the church some of these key truths that was there in the early church right starting from the Reformation about faith about purity and and so on and we see that you know whenever God well restores that maybe raises a person or a group of people to restore the the truth back to the you know we back to the church back to the body of Christ the global body of Christ and then we see that yes there is that teaching and then there are you know groups of churches formed around that teaching so nothing wrong in that so they're emphasizing that maybe healing and deliverance and so on but we also see that well in another season God is bringing back a restorative move and and an emphasis or the truth being restored and then the ones who who were part of the previous move actually resist and you know the other truth being restored so so which means that the church is just parked around that truth or doctrine or emphasis and then not willing to look at the truth being restored you know as a whole and that also causes you know divisions doctrinal disunity so yeah this could be you know some of these reasons that thank you Brad for those questions for that question and hope that was answered we'll move on to the another question from Zalitoli says can you suggest some ways to unify interdenominational and mainline churches like the Catholic Church and so on some ways to unify so just open it up any practical ways to unify different denominations to bring about unity thank you Zalitoli for your question I think I just want to understand a question better are you talking about you know different Protestant denominations and the mainline churches that are Protestant joining along with the Catholic churches is that what you're meaning to say or it's how all of us whether Protestants or Catholics can be united I just want to know basically how we can unify all the churches okay thank you so I think what we can do is you know we can come together and organize you know if there's been persecution in our city you know all of us can come together and pray for for the believers pray for the churches you know we can stand together and help those who are going through persecution if there is you know like at APC once I remember we on 15th August so we had organized where all the churches had come together you know from different denominations just all of us coming together just worshiping God you know we just had different songs for worship we had hymns we had you know contemporary songs and then we just had someone share from God's word and then we had people praying for the city so you know we can organize churches can organize where on you know 26th January 15th August where we can come together and you know meet together as one body as a city white church just worshiping together praying together also you know if we are having programs that for example like feeding the poor slum outreach equipping believers the marketplace also working for you know marriages and other you know orphanages and and people who are women who are trafficked so churches doing these same projects can you know work alongside each other can support each other can contribute each other you know contribute to each other just to help our city to you know impact us I'm sorry we can't hear Selena we just lost the audio can you just repeat that last line what you shared please I'm sorry we're not able to hear probably you can just check that out and try and fix the audio I just want to add to what Pastor Selena was sharing like churches coming together and working together like just want to say that you know each church is a you know representation of Christ in that and in that particular geographical location right each local church so each one has a different or a unique call a unique you know expression and unique way to serve that community so that's fine but the thing is that if we were to you know work in cross purposes in the sense we are opposing each other and putting down each other now that's wrong so that's why you know we're working towards unity and I would say that it starts with the leaders of the churches where the leaders of the churches have this vision of saying that if we need to work together we cannot view each other with suspicion and we need to build friendships and so that you know that can further be transferred to everyone in the church right so so if if we were to communicate that or if we were to work towards that if the leaders were to work together with that and then get together maybe meet with one another they can start in a small way but that would actually help in in the larger body coming together and working together so it would start with the leaders right okay any other thoughts any practical ways maybe you can work at this okay there's another question from Pratt is there any such thing as spiritual lineage or tribe spiritual lineage or tribe I'm sorry I didn't really understand that question Pratt spiritual lineage or tribe if any of the pastors if you understand the terms and that question probably you could answer or Pratt you could clarify I think what he is Pratt is kind of referring to is something that we see and especially contemporary in the church that there are actually different streams just like what you were sharing earlier you know about God raising up different leaders who give birth to different movements and so you naturally have different streams that are emphasizing different aspects of our Christian faith and generally what happens is communities form around these streams now all streams should flow into one river which is the river of God and we should be drinking of the river of God which is everything God is releasing in the church the problem is that people tend to base their identification on their own particular stream and they kind of just stay with their own stream rather than drinking from the river and that's when we have this idea of you know I belong to this tribe or I belong to this particular expression of Christian faith and each tribe obviously has its own characteristics its own emphasis but then when people feel that you know their tribe is better their tribe is more important their tribe is their identity then we get all of these problems and I mean which they emphasize that particular lineage you know so and so was our spiritual father and so you know whatever father movement etc and so on and and I think it kind of gets back to what the emphasis of today is the unity that we need to maintain it is true that there are different manifestations expressions of the Holy Spirit but because he is one spirit he should all drink of that same spirit and learn to receive from one another and enjoy the emphasis that God is releasing through different people and that should be a response I think man thank you thank you Basta that was good so we have another question from Joseph Pratt I hope that response was helpful so the next question is from Joseph what should be done for those who are running home churches house churches and have no one to support them how to unite them okay again just wanted to add that you know just I just want to share that okay when we're talking about unity we're not saying that you know I need to conform to a particular organization or I need to sign up under I come under an umbrella right we're not saying that we're just saying that you know that we have the sense of being one as being one you know we have the sense of being part of the kingdom of God right we are part of the kingdom it might be different churches different expressions but we are part of the kingdom so that is what we're saying right so if it's a house church well that's what God has called that pastor and that leadership team well they continue to be faithful there right they continue to faith be faithful in serving in that manner but have friendships have fellowship with others as well with the larger body of Christ and be with the leaders and and so on so like we shared earlier if the leaders could you know get together or have these times together or you know when we have these city-wide you know let's say events you know for want of a better word city-wide events like maybe a prayer event or a worship event or something that brings the city-wide churches together you know to be to be part of that to participate to help and you know and that would that would really aid that sense of oneness we are part of the same body and we're not putting down any other denomination or church we're working towards the same goal right okay I hope that helps any other any others would like to add to what Joseph has asked you can please go ahead okay right Joseph so yeah any other questions on unity maybe you can even share you know if you pride something or maybe some success stories of you know bringing about a body of believers together you can work at that I know we were talking about different you know denominations and so on but what about you know within the local church itself right to to bring about you know an end to strife or division so there are any success stories if there's any learnings right or any questions on that you could share that you can ask that also are you all busy typing questions or okay we have about 10 minutes just want to remind us about the time so if you have any questions you could ask or any learnings to share on this topic also you're welcome to do that on any other questions you know any other questions that you have you can ask now hello pastor I just wanted to share something it's not particularly aligned to what you stated just now so I was just thinking about maintaining that sense of unity especially when we come together with people of other denominations you know people who believe in a different doctrine I think in those moments and it happens all the time especially like family gatherings and you know when you meet up with friends so it's good to like you know it's good as pastor Selena shared about being gentle and humble and kind you know with with other brothers and sisters to to really put on that attitude and not bring up those matters of contention and just sort of maintain that that sense of peace at all times and you know not make it about my church and my doctrine and this is what I believe so even that really helps as brothers and sisters when when we come together in various settings so I was just thinking about that one simple point you know and wanted to share that thank you thank you pastor Nancy thank you so much yeah that's very helpful that we put on that cloak of humility and also not try to elevate one denomination over other or one pastor over another and and of share something with an air of superiority that definitely you know loses the audience and also creates so much of division yeah that's very true yes I was also reminded of you know certain ministers of God who and God has really called them for the you know the larger body of Christ irrespective of what denomination maybe it could be a worship leader it could be you know everybody comes together and and and these are some qualities that we see that they elevate Christ and they say and they keep true to the what is core of it all you know about Jesus about the cross about the word of God and and then it's it's it's so you know refreshing and people also come together we know that you know there could be different division different you know differences and so on but still people want to gather around because around Jesus and the word and the true worship and so on thank you so much for sharing that okay so Nikhil I think put his hand up Nikhil would you like to ask a question so any other questions any other thoughts anything that you would like to share okay that was a mistake okay Nikhil right if there are no more questions we could bring this to a close bring this session to a close and then continue with our classes so if there are any questions you know one last question anyone otherwise we'll pray and close okay no further questions just wanted to remind us about mentoring sessions happening on Thursday so you know you can just invite other students as well remind each other and make sure to tune in for this time of you know asking questions and it's a you know wonderful time of learning together right okay let's pray and then we'll close Father we thank you for this for this time we thank you Lord that we could gather together and yes Lord this very important thing of what you brought about Lord that and what you prayed and declared over us that we may be one Father we thank you that we are different we thank you that our calling is unique our gifting is unique oh God everything coming from you and yet Lord you've called us to be united united in Lord lifting your name united in serving united in reaching out God the sake of the kingdom and yes Lord even as Lord you do this Lord we pray that each one of us in our own spheres of influence whether with whose increase or whether with hundreds and thousands Lord we pray that we would work towards it under your guidance Lord and yes Lord I pray the Spirit of God that you would bring us together and knit our hearts together and let your kingdom come and let your will be done Lord wherever we are from or master and yes Lord to you be all the glory and all the honor in Jesus's specialist name we pray amen amen okay everyone thank you for joining in thank you Pastor Serina for sharing thank you all pastors who answered and thank you for being here God bless have a great day and we'll see you next week as well God bless