Part of the problem or the solution?

What biases and preferences do you bring to church that keep you from enjoying unity and fulfilling your mission?

Our lives are to be built upon Christ and his church—we are a new person and old prejudices and desires have been replaced with peace and unity in the Spirit.

Built Upon Christ’s Church 1.Christ gives us hope to overcome alienation (11-12) 2.Christ gives us hope for reconciliation (13-18) 3.Christ gives us hope for integration (19-22)

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:2,3

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3:4-6

Ephesians 2 11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—[12] remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

What we were: 1) separate from Christ 2) excluded from the commonwealth of Israel 2) excluded from the commonwealth of Israel 3) strangers to the covenants of promise 3) strangers to the covenants of promise 4) having no hope 4) having no hope 5) without God in the world 5) without God in the world Do you remember when this described you?

What separates us? Forms of bias and segregation: 1. Ethnic/racial 2. Education 3. Socioeconomic 4. Age 5. Social structure

Built Upon Christ’s Church 1.Christ gives us hope to overcome alienation (11-12) 2.Christ gives us hope for reconciliation (13-18) 3.Christ gives us hope for integration (19-22)

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, [15] by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, [16] and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

Christ has opened the door of salvation to us all. The purpose of Jesus removing the division is two-fold: 1) To create one new group out of the two old groups 2) To reconcile both groups to God

How can we be at peace in our church and become one? -We need to identify the barriers that tend to divide us: language, age, etc. -We need to overcome the obstacles that keep us from unity -We need to extend fellowship to those from other cultures -We need to learn how our biases and preferences keep us from others

Built Upon Christ’s Church 1.Christ gives us hope to overcome alienation (11-12) 2.Christ gives us hope for reconciliation (13-18) 3.Christ gives us hope for integration (19-22)

Ephesians 2 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; [18] for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

How a multi-cultural community answers the gospel mystery 1. The New Testament church was a multicultural community. It promoted diversity. 2. Paul often addressed problems of multiculturalism in the church: what to eat, circumcision, when to yield freedoms, the role of women, the rich caring for the poor, etc.

3. Paul began to install leaders in churches that were not of Jewish descent. (Titus follows Timothy). 4. There is a biblical mandate for unity which surpasses diversity in the local church as a part of Christ’s body. The Spirit which unites us is stronger than that which divides us. The Church is stronger.

Ephesians 2 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, [20] having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, [21] in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, [22] in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

We are living building blocks “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 4:5,10

Christ, his church, and you He is the cornerstone and foundation of the building, we are built upon him He is the vine and life giver to the plant He is the bridegroom and leader of the bride He is the head and authority of the body, we are the members of the body all working together to maintain unity, health and productivity

Something to build your life upon  Live missionally in your community  Consider your home, work and play places in relation to your church  Celebrate diversity as you strive for unity  Ponder the cross and why Christ has called you to build your life upon him and his church.

A New Creation The church has a new identity. It is a new community, a city within a city. The citizens of this city are composed of many different cultures that are to be celebrated and enjoyed. Yet, what defines this city is our identity to Christ. He has made us into one, new body.