H4 – Good Words: Harmony – Series 4 of 4, January 25, 2026

This is week number four of my New Year’s series that I want to share with you. I’m calling this "Good Words" because I’ve tried to identify four keywords that will help you remember as you enter into 2026. I know we’re well underway and not looking back as we quickly find ourselves in 2026.  

Let me summarize each of these themes that I have tried to share effectively with you.

1. Habits: Each of us forms habits through our activities and daily living. Not all habits are good, but as we think through what would make a difference in our lives, we must realize that habits formed from the disciplines we learn through the Word of God further equip us on our discipleship journey with Christ.

2. Hunger: It’s important that we satisfy the spiritual cravings in our lives. We should have an appetite for God’s Word that sustains us. What matters most is that we engage with God’s Word to inform our lives so that we can develop the right plan that He has for each of us.

3. Humility: I want to share this word to help us understand that pride is the grossest of all sins; it limits our capacity to learn, grow, and develop as followers of Jesus Christ. As we walk through life with humility, we are lifted up by Jesus. If we begin with humility, God will work with us to gain the confidence we need in Christ alone.

Today, I want us to look at the fourth word that helps us understand what it means to produce unity in the body of Christ as we interact with one another. I told you that I would define this word "unity" in different terms than we may be used to.

We begin with a few questions because curiosity is essential in our search for truth. So, I will ask, why does harmony matter?

The church is made up of individuals. Each of us embodies the church. We reflect Christ as Christians, and we exemplify what Christ wanted us to know about the church. We are a portrait that reflects the values, purposes, and meanings of the body of Christ. Each of us joins together as a body, with Jesus as the head. We are individuals who make up the various aspects and functions of the church.

We all have them, but cannot see them. What are they? Blindspots! We all have blind spots, but we don’t always see them. Recently, I rented a vehicle equipped with a blind-spot indicator. If there’s a vehicle in a blind spot that my mirrors cannot see, a light flashes in my mirror, notifying me of its presence. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, in our spiritual lives and interactions with others, we could see our own blind spots? 

We may be overzealous about a topic and come on too strong, unaware of our blind spots. We might hold a particular position firmly but be oblivious to how we communicate that issue. It may be an attitude or a set of beliefs—not biblical—that can lead us to conflict.

The word I’m using to define unity is "harmony." In musical terms, we call it dissonance. Dissonance occurs when notes are tightly constructed on a music sheet, creating an uncomfortable sound. We need harmony to be resolved into a melody for us to feel at ease.

Wherever there are people, there will be differences. Wherever there are ideas, contradictions will arise. Wherever there are perspectives, there will be diversity. However, diversity is not a bad thing. Let me be clear: God does not call us to uniformity.

Indiana University recently won the national championship as a cohesive team made up of individuals, each with specific responsibilities that contributed to their success. When we witness Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback, leading the team to an undefeated national championship, we must respect their achievement. What I cherish is Mendoza’s testimony—how he respects his mentors and coaches and compliments his teammates and fans, demonstrating his love for the game and, more importantly, for Christ. His faith in God was tested, and he testified that we don’t need to agree on everything to see the effectiveness of his message. God elevated his status, clearly a remarkable achievement, and as he rightly says, "To God be the glory!"

I have to ask you, what do you have in your hand? What gifts, abilities, and opportunities has God given you that can be used for His glory? For Moses, it was a rod. For David, it was a sling. For Paul, it was his ability to write. But what about you? What has God placed in your hand that would bring Him glory?

Let’s look to scripture to understand what Jesus desired for His disciples—and for us as modern-day disciples. In John 17, He prayed that we would be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one. God employs each of us as individuals, but as we are knit together in the Spirit, we can accomplish much more for His glory. Take a moment right now to write down one quality you possess. What is that one thing you do well? Then reflect on how you will allow God to work through you.

Today, we sit as individuals; I know this because you have your assigned seats. In fact, it can be disorienting if someone else sits in your seat. I’ve occupied the wrong seat many times, unaware that it belonged to someone else. I’m grateful for this because it signifies a degree of loyalty and certainty about your place in this church. I was tempted to ask you to sit in a different seat today to illustrate my point more clearly, but I decided that might border on harassment. If you’re comfortable, that’s a good thing.

I want to explore this question of unity further: What is it in you that points to Jesus? The world needs you, and God has called and gifted you, enabling you to do every good work for His glory through His Holy Spirit.

Each of us is called to different responsibilities pointing to Jesus—whether serving, teaching, mentoring, leading, or any calling God places upon us. This is for His glory; it’s not about us; it’s about Jesus.

Last week, I took a trip to St. Louis via the route through Effingham, Illinois. I’ve passed through there many times and know what to expect, but the first time I saw the giant cross at the intersection of highways, I was taken aback. You could say I was shocked. As you turn at that intersection and suddenly see the huge cross, it’s astonishing that it visually represents faith in Christ and its purpose is undeniable.

If you take the time, as I have on other trips, to stop at the visitor center, you will find Bibles and tracts that point to Jesus. You can walk around the perimeter of the cross and find different stations that speak about Jesus. It’s almost worth the trip just to stop there.

Now, let me clarify my understanding of unity. I define it as harmony. This concept is musical. It’s like an orchestra where members of all kinds play their parts in the musical presentation.

Can you grasp what I’m saying? Each of us doing our part is what God calls us to. We’re not to play the fiddle if we’re percussionists. We shouldn’t trumpet ourselves when we should be playing the harp. We are not like the tuba when we are meant to play the flute. God keeps us balanced in the orchestra as we keep our eyes on the conductor while knowing our music.

John Wesley wrote,  

“If you understand your particular calling as you ought, you will have no time that hangs upon your hands… And whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Do it as soon as possible: no delay! No putting off from day to day, or from hour to hour. Never leave anything ’til tomorrow, which you can do today. And do it as well as possible. Do not sleep or yawn over it: put your whole strength to the work. Spare no pains. Let nothing be done by halves, or in a slight and careless manner. Let nothing in your business be left undone, if it can be done by labor or patience.”¹

Today we are discussing a good word: harmony. You see, God isn’t looking for uniformity. He doesn’t want us all to look the same. In fact, I would submit that even our differences in political positions can be healthy for the body of Christ. Each of us brings gifts that may provide valuable perspectives and help us become more aware of others. I am certain only you can reach the people you know for Christ. It takes each of us.

God is looking for your availability, not your ability. Too often, we are impressed by our capabilities, but God merely asks us to be available within our ability—not because of it. He told us that He has given different abilities to each of us—something we see in the scriptures today. We try to emphasize this point by recognizing each of your contributions to the church. Every person here is valued by God, and if you allow it, you can help advance His kingdom. Each of you has a ministry! Together, we form a church. Each of you possesses not only the ability, but as you avail yourselves, your ministries will grow alongside your personal growth in Christ. Yes, I’m calling each of us to embrace the opportunities God has placed within you through the gifts He has given you.

Consider this: Who made a difference in your life? Was it a teacher, coach, parent, friend, or perhaps even a pastor?

It was through someone, not something, that your life was changed. God might have used circumstances, but His greatest work is accomplished through individuals who make themselves available for His purpose. After all, He receives the glory regardless.

We are CALLED to do God’s work—that is ministry. God EQUIPS us for every good work—for His glory. We are a BODY serving one another!

John 17 contains the prayer Jesus prayed for the disciples and for us today. He prayed that we would be united. It is a state of being in harmony!  

Harmony means being in tune with God! We all need to be tuned up by God!

What does Romans teach us?

Romans 12:6-9  

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  

Do not just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”²  

The Romans needed to understand that the gifts of the Spirit are given by God’s grace to all who follow Him. As we serve one another, we supernaturally come to love one another! Notice how we’re instructed to serve according to our giftedness. See the active verbs? Doing things well. It’s about being eager to help!

What does Ephesians teach us? 

Ephesians 4:11-13:  

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all reach such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.³ “

Can you see how our gifts interweave to bring encouragement to the body of Christ? We are “fitted together.” There is perfection in our love for one another!

As we near the end of this series, I am reminded that we serve together to reach people who need hope and support. What we have here in our church is special, and I believe people are searching for this kind of fellowship!

---

Footnotes:  

¹ John Wesley, "The Works of John Wesley."  

² The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Romans 12:6-9.  

³ The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Ephesians 4:11-13.