God’s Plan for Inclusion - Matthew 15:21-28 & Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

God’s Plan for Inclusion Matt 15:21-28. Rom 11:1-2a, 29-32 SBCC Aug 19, 2023 Today’s point: God's greatest gift is joining His family. His wish is for you to include others in His love, but don't let sins like pride or fear exclude them. 2 Cor 5:18 - “the ministry of reconciliation” “Inclusion” has been a topic that has provoked conflict and exclusion! Example: the United Methodist Congress split. Value and Respect Diversity Inclusive Leadership Unconscious Bias Training Equity vs Equality Microaggressions Inclusive Communication Building Empathy, Allyship Secular Inclusion has merits (& biases), but is unlike Biblical Inclusion LGBTQ+ Whites Ukraine Elites Color-blind Nativists Immigrants Republicans Democrats Intolerant Religious Atheists Russia RINOs Blacks Working-class LGBTQ+ Whites Ukraine Elites Color-blind Nativists Immigrants Common Republicans Democrats Humanity? Intolerant Religious Atheists Russia RINOs Blacks Working-class Why are we looking down On our sisters and brothers? Common Isn’t love, all that we got? Humanity? Don’t we know everyone’s Got a father and a mother? The day we know we’re all the same Together we can make that change – Charlie The Bible on Our Common Humanity Rom 3:10-12 - no one righteous, not even one. Rom 3:23 - all have sinned and fall short Psalm 5:9 - their inmost self is destruction Jeremiah 17:9 - the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” Prov 28:26 - whoever trusts in his own [heart] is a fool LGBTQ+ Whites Ukraine Elites Color-blind Nativists Immigrants Common Republicans Democrats Savior Intolerant Religious Atheists Russia RINOs Blacks Working-class Inclusion – Motivated by Who He is God is love - 1 John 4:16 “God our Savior, … wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim 2:3-4 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom 10:13 God requires perfect holiness Be perfect, as I am perfect. Matt 5:48. Be holy and blameless, or irreproachable. Eph 1:4 God’s plan for inclusion - from ancient times God planned that “my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 That he would gather into unity others beyond Israel - Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 That his salvation would be known among all nations. Psalm 67 God’s chose have fallen short, and divided Division among the Chosen in Jesus’s time - Matt 15 Division among Christians: 45,000 denominations Splits Over time Every denomination has had devisiveness Worldwide Church of God Associated Churches of God: 1974 Church of God, The Eternal: 1975 Church of God, International: 1978 Church of God Outreach Ministries 1996 Intercontinental Church of God: 1998 Church of God, Worldwide Ministries: 2004 Church of God, Ministries International: 2005 Biblical Church of God: 1979 Christian Biblical Church of God: 1982 Church of God Evangelistic Association: 1980 Triumph Prophetic Ministries: 1987 Philadelphia Church of God: 1989 Global Church of God: 1993 Living Church of God: 1998 Restored Church of God: 1999 ABCDEFG COGs - dozens more United Church of God: 1995 Church of God, an International Community: 1998 Church of God–Preparing for the Kingdom of God: Church of God, a Worldwide Association Splits Over time Matt 15 - Man’s exclusion, God’s inclusion Out of pride and fear, the Chosen rejected others, even rejected God Himself. Then Jesus took a surprise trip into gentile territory And called a woman a dog. Really? All sinners are like dogs, maggots (Job), wretches (Paul), illegitimate (David). Matt 15 - Man’s exclusion, God’s inclusion Jesus went to the rejected who were “treated like dogs” The Canaanite woman showed exemplary humility Jesus brought liberation from the demonic salvation - by grace through faith, to an outsider. Rom 11 - Paul explains the plan The chosen (that’s us) need to get over their pride and exclusivity. God’s chosen are never so good that they stand above others. All need and can receive God’s mercy equally. Participate in God’s plan of inclusion Unite with “insiders” Psalm 133 “how good and how pleasant.” Jesus’s prayer that his followers be one. John 17:20-23 Healing Over time Participate in God’s plan of inclusion Unite with “outsiders” Die to pride, fear, prejudice. “deny themselves and take up their cross daily” - Luke 9:23 Healing Over time Conclusion: be inclusive as God defines it Be dedicated to a ministry of inclusion - 2 Cor 5:18 Allow no impediment: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” - 1 Cor 2:2