They Not Like Us

Opening Monologue: "Better Together" Series

Welcome to our new sermon series, "Better Together". Throughout this month, we'll be exploring the profound importance and benefits of unity among believers.

As we progress through this series, we'll discover how working together, despite our differences, not only honors God but also empowers us to make a greater impact in our community and the world. Let's embark on this journey of understanding and embracing the beauty of being "Better Together" in Christ.

Attention Grabber:

"We Are the World" was written in 1985 by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

It was produced by Quincy Jones for the USA for Africa charity initiative.

The song featured a supergroup of popular musicians, including Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, and many others.

It was recorded in a single night on January 28, 1985, at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.

The purpose of the song was to raise funds for famine relief in Africa, particularly Ethiopia.

I’ve lot of heard of a lot of battles

I’m a wrestling fan

I love war moviess

I even seen prophets battle

But one of the most interesting battles I’ve seen is rap battles

Currently there is a battle going on between Kendrick Lamar and Drake

Not Like Us

In this song he goes to great length to explain how him and drake are not the same

Text: Ephesians 2:18-22

Ephesians 2:18–22 KJV 1900

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Thesis: They Not Like Us

Setting the Scene:

Background:

Paul wrote Ephesians during his imprisonment in Rome, likely between 60-62 AD.

The letter addresses the church in Ephesus, which had faced challenges including deeply rooted pagan worship practices.

Paul's goal was to stabilize the church and reinforce the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Breakdown of Ephesians 2:18-22:

Unity in Christ (v.18): Paul emphasizes that through Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access to the Father by one Spirit.

This highlights the unity that Christ brings, breaking down previous barriers.

Access in this text is the greek word prosagoge

it means that you can approach

You now have admission

New Identity (v.19): Gentile believers are no longer strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. This speaks to the inclusive nature of God's family.

Foundation of the Church (v.20): The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

This emphasizes the importance of apostolic teaching and Christ's centrality.

Growing Temple (v.21-22): Paul describes the church as a holy temple, growing and being built together to become a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

This metaphor illustrates the church's unity, holiness, and purpose.

This passage emphasizes the theme of unity in Christ, which is central to Paul's message throughout Ephesians.

He's addressing the division between Jews and Gentiles, showing how Christ has created "one new humanity" (Ephesians 2:15) and brought peace between these formerly divided groups.

When I first went to bible college, one of my professors, use the word that I was not too familiar with. He stood in front of the class and he asked the question how many of you have engaged in apologetics.

Most of us did not raise our hand because we did not know what that word meant.

And so he began to explain to us the meaning of the word apologetics.

The word "apologetics" has its origins in ancient Greek philosophy and rhetoric. Here's a brief explanation of its origin and meaning:

Origin: The term comes from the Greek word "apologia" (ἀπολογία), which means "a speech in defense" or "a reasoned defense."

Meaning: In modern usage, apologetics refers to the systematic, logical defense or justification of a position, doctrine, or set of beliefs, particularly in the context of religious or philosophical discussions.

It's worth noting that while apologetics is often associated with defense, its primary goal is to provide a reasoned explanation rather than to argue or prove others wrong.

"Real Christians don't use instruments in worship. It's not biblical."

"Churches that allow women to preach are compromising God's word."

"If you don't tithe exactly 10%, you're robbing God."

"Christians who practice yoga are opening themselves up to demonic influence."

"Reading any Bible version other than King James is promoting false doctrine."

These examples demonstrate how we can misuse apologetics to create divisions rather than foster understanding, often focusing on peripheral issues instead of core beliefs. This approach contradicts the unity in diversity that Paul emphasizes in Ephesians.

We have become riddled with the concept of superiority

and instead of using apologetics as a bridge to understand one another

We are using apologetics as a weapon against one another.

so often do Christians seek to divide themselves based on their denominational ideology

but whenever I’m using my face to identify your faults rather than identify your God, there’s something wrong with me

B. And As much as we are paying attention to somebody else else, we must never forget that we all have Blindspots.

A blindspot is something we don't see or understand about ourselves or a situation, even though we might be smart or observant in other ways. It's like the area around a car that a driver can't see without turning their head or using mirrors.

And so many of us will remain blind because we are surrounded by people who lack perspective

I must submit to you that if you don’t surround yourself with people of different perspectives and a different viewpoints, you will never know your limitations

And it is in those limitations that the devil will exploit you

Because the devil knows that you don’t have friends who know how to pray

He knows you don’t have friends who know what holiness looks like

And so nobody around you is able to call you out on where you’re wrong because everybody is blind to the Blindspots.

And so Paul’s argument here my brothers and sisters

is trying to explain that the same access that you were denied in your sinful and no good state is the same access that God is now granted onto those you look down

At this particular time, the gentiles had become somewhat of discussed to the Jews

They despised their company

They didn’t wanna be seen with them

They didn’t wanna be around them

They didn’t want them in there houses

Let alone in the churches

And brothers and sisters mentality does not always have to be spoken because sometimes we can speak, louder with our actions than our words

So what Paul says is you’ve got to get to the place what you can accept the diversity of gifts

You gotta wake up up to the fact that God’s hand is not just on you

That’s what I wanna tell you today that God’s hand is not only on you and sometimes we can get so caught up and ourselves

We believe we’re the only ones God wants to use

We’re the only ones that can preach

We’re the only ones that can sing

We’re the only ones that can usher

Paul says Jesus did not come just to make you look good

He did not come to make you great

But Jesus came to show us how to lift the savior up

And whenever we begin to exclude people because of our preference that is not God that’s flesh

*Whenever we begin to mistreat people because they Don’t worship like us

They don’t fast like us

They don’t like us

We are creating barriers

And there are people who would leave God‘s house, battered and broken by Saints, who lack the spirit of God

Because those same people that create barriers, do it in the name of God

We use all kind of Bible verses to justify our barriers

No, there is a difference between a standard and a barrier

Standards are things that are setup and established by authority as a rule for how we measure a thing

For example, there may be a standard in the church that we dress modestly asked to ensure a certain decorum in the house.

Barriers on the other hand are man-made ideologies created to block certain people out.

In our current political climate, there is a conscious and intentional effort to remove what is called diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The effort to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our current political climate can be explained in simple terms:

• Diversity refers to having people from different backgrounds and experiences.

• Equity means ensuring everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

• Inclusion is about making sure everyone feels welcome and valued.

And if we are not careful we will be guilty of the same thing we are fighting at the ballot box:

We must be careful that cliques don’t run the church

I got get out of here

But I remember when I wasn’t in school around My teacher would have us at the board working on fractions And that was a particular assignment When my teacher had us trying to find denominators

And the problem on the board was 1/2 + 1/3

And I remember asking her how am I going to get these fractions that have different denominators to equal a

And she looked at me and said

You’ve got the common denominator

So I began to work out the problem

Quickly discovered that the common denominator was six

Because 2×3 is six And 3×2 is six

And it was at that moment that I understood

The easiest way to make two things that are different

Have the same same label Is the common denominator?

And even in our churches

They are some different labels

Some call themselves Baptist

And with these labels, we do things a little differently

And one of the reason why

We’re not a unified Is because we’re operating off of our own denominator

We’re busy walking around Being frustrated about what separates us

Ephesians 2:16 (KJV 1900): And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby

The song writer wrote the song at the Cross At the Cross Where I first saw the light

The light is in Jesus

For he is the light of the world

He is our common denominator No matter our label

The church is full of factions

Factions full of people that don’t match

But Paul says

There is a common denominator

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Every denomination is built on him

The Baptizer for the Baptist: John prepared the way for Jesus, just as Baptists follow the example of Christ's baptism.

The Lamb for the Hebrews: Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb, fulfilled the Passover tradition, central to Hebrew faith.

The Witness for Jehovah's Witness: They actively spread their faith, emulating the early Christian witnesses.

The Way for the Methodists: John Wesley emphasized a methodical approach to spiritual growth, central to Methodism.

The Name for the Apostolic: They focus on the power of Jesus' name, reflecting early Apostolic practices.

The Word for the Lutherans: Martin Luther's emphasis on the Bible as the sole authority echoes in Lutheranism.

The Rock for the Catholics: Peter, considered the first Pope, is seen as the rock upon which the Catholic Church is built.

The Spirit for the Pentecostals: Their focus on the Holy Spirit's gifts reflects the Pentecost experience.

There’s One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

He’s the center of all Christendom

We need a kingdom mindset

Maybe they not “like us” but if they lift up Christ and him crucified, they’re still apart of the body

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32, KJV) He’s coming back for a unified body, will you be in that number

"That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

“I just want to be in that number!”