In this episode, Larry highlights the urgent need for churches to adapt to the digital age through a strategy he calls parasocial evangelism. He explains the limitations of traditional outreach and offer practical tips for building one-sided relationships using social media. By creating engaging short-form videos, we can foster trust and connection that lead to in-person discipleship. 

True religious liberty goes beyond external freedoms like worship rights and Sabbath observance. The most important battle for religious liberty happens within our hearts as we seek freedom from sin's bondage. Revelation 14 describes 144,000 people who receive God's seal before Christ's return, representing those transformed by His power. While external religious freedom challenges are real, Jesus offers something deeper - freedom from sin itself. In John 8, Jesus explained that whoever commits sin is a servant of sin, but the truth can make us truly free. The seal of God isn't just a future hope, but a present invitation for complete surrender to Christ's transforming power.

Uniting Heaven and Earth: Christ in Philippians and Colossians — Unity Through Humility — The Source of Unity

Join us as we study the Bible Study Guide for the first quarter of 2026 called Uniting Heaven and Earth: Christ in Philippians and Colossians. We are studying the lesson for week 4 called Unity Through Humility.    

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Are foundational Adventist doctrines fading from the pulpit? A global survey of pastors reveals which key topics are being regularly preached—and which are surprisingly absent—raising questions about how to maintain theological depth and identity in the church.

The Source of Unity

Think more about Paul's emphasis on unity in Philippians 2:2, saying essentially the same thing in four different ways. Note also his focus on the mind, thoughts, and feelings. While the religious leaders tended to emphasize outward behavior, Jesus focused on our thoughts and feelings. For instance, the rich young ruler claimed to have always kept the law. Yet, by telling him to sell all he had, give to the poor, and follow Him, Jesus tested his attachment to worldly things. He also said it's what comes from the heart (or mind) that defiles a person: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matt. 15:19, NKJV), and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34, NKJV).

Read Philippians 2:3-4. What practical steps does Paul urge to have unity in the church?

Paul's words provide a picture of humility: lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves, looking out for the interests of others and not merely our own. Easier said than done, right? But these are principles important to keep in mind in all our interactions. Often in conversation there is the tendency to concentrate on our reply to whatever is being said, rather than focused on listening in order to understand what the other person is saying and trying to see the issue from their point of view. Often strife arises from simple misunderstandings that could be avoided simply by active listening. We may not agree, but listening and seeking to understand the other person's viewpoint is the first step for fostering healthy communication and trust.

Paul speaks of the unity "[produced by] the Spirit" (Eph. 4:3, AMPC), which creates "the peace that joins us together" (Eph. 4:3, EXB). If there is strife in the church, the Holy Spirit can calm the waters and bring us into unity, creating harmony. In the same chapter, Paul speaks of "the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Eph. 4:13, NKJV). The two are related. Having the same faith, the same understanding of Scripture that springs from knowing Christ and His teachings, is vital for unity to prevail among us.

What kind of death to self would lead us to where we, indeed, esteem others better than ourselves? How can we learn to do that? How different would our relationships be if we all lived like that?