Teach The World To Sing

Scott Eastveld August 4, 2025

Do you remember that old Coca-Cola commercial from the ’70s—the one with young people from all over the world standing on a hilltop, singing together, “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony”? Even if you weren’t around in 1971, you may have caught one of its replays over the years, especially around Christmastime. That simple tune became more than a jingle—it became a symbol of hope, unity, and the longing for a better, more connected world.

That song came to mind while preparing this week’s message from Romans 15. And honestly, it fits. Because in these verses, the Apostle Paul is dreaming of a church that sings—not just the same words, but the same heart-song. A community that glorifies God not in uniformity, but in harmony.

The Sound of a Divided World

If you’ve tuned into the news lately, you’ve likely heard the dissonance. We live in a time when division seems to be everywhere—between nations, within families, across church aisles. Racial tension, political outrage, economic disparities, and cultural battles pull people apart at the seams. And yet, as Paul writes to a fractured first-century church in Rome, his words feel surprisingly modern.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5–6 NIV)

Paul isn’t urging these early believers to pretend their differences don’t exist. He’s not calling for sameness. He’s calling them—and us—into something richer: harmony.

A Church Like a Chord

If you’ve ever sung in harmony with someone, you know how beautiful it can be. One voice sings the melody, and others layer in different notes—not the same, but beautifully compatible. Together, the sound becomes fuller, richer, more complete.

That’s the kind of community Paul envisions.

The Roman church was deeply divided—Jewish and Gentile believers trying to worship side-by-side while bringing radically different histories, habits, and worldviews. Jews clung to the Law, Sabbaths, and kosher traditions; Gentiles came from pagan backgrounds, unfamiliar with Jewish customs. Tensions simmered. Resentments grew.

And yet Paul says: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)

Think about that. Jesus didn’t wait for you to figure everything out before he welcomed you. He didn’t require you to align with him politically or culturally or doctrinally before he drew you close. He welcomed you as you were. With your mess. With your baggage. With your broken song.

That’s the posture we’re called to extend to one another.

A Radically Welcoming Table

Jesus didn’t just talk about acceptance—he embodied it. His disciples were a walking contradiction: tax collectors and zealots, fishermen and skeptics. His dinner tables were full of sinners, outcasts, women with bad reputations, and religious elites alike. He didn’t erase their differences; he embraced them in a way that pointed to something greater.

So how do we live this kind of welcome today?

We make room. We invite someone to lunch who votes differently than we do. We sit next to someone whose worship style feels unfamiliar. We listen before we argue. We build longer tables instead of higher fences.

And we ask: Who have I been holding at arm’s length? Who do I find hard to welcome? And how has Christ welcomed me?

The Bigger Picture: One Family

Paul doesn’t stop at the internal church divisions—he reminds us that this vision of unity is part of God’s eternal plan. Throughout Romans 15, he weaves together ancient promises from the Old Testament, showing how God has always intended to bring all people—Jew and Gentile, near and far—into one family.

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.” (Romans 15:12)

This isn’t a divine pivot. It’s the original melody, finally coming to fullness. The people of God were always meant to be a blessing to the nations—not an exclusive club, but a shining city on a hill drawing others toward the light.

So… What Song Are You Singing?

Here’s the challenge: What kind of song are you singing with your life?

Are you adding to the noise of division, or are you offering a note of harmony? Are you embracing the diversity of God’s people, or subtly pushing those who are different away? Are you trusting God enough to overflow with joy, peace, and hope?

Because Paul closes with a prayer that isn’t just poetic—it’s powerful:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Imagine a church like that—a community so filled with hope that it spills out onto sidewalks and into neighborhoods. A place so rooted in joy and peace that the watching world leans in and says, “I want what they have.”

That’s the song worth teaching the world to sing.

Let’s Live It Out

So how do we respond to this call?

Practice the Welcome of Jesus
Seek out someone different from you. Not to fix them or change them, but to learn and love. Extend hospitality to those on the margins—just like Jesus did.
Pursue Harmony, Not Uniformity
Celebrate differences in background, culture, and opinion. Don’t silence others to maintain comfort. Instead, make space for multiple voices to glorify God together.
Overflow with Hope
Don’t let cynicism win. Lean into the Holy Spirit. Let joy, peace, and hope become your song—one that draws others in.

In a world where everyone seems to be singing their own tune, let’s be a people who sing in harmony. Many voices. One heart. One song. All for the glory of God.