Connection Across Barriers

Focus Statement

Division and barriers isolate us from one another.

Christ, through faith, breaks down hostilities

and moves us into new community

and connection with one another.

Point of Relation

As a kid,

I desperately wanted to fit in,

especially in sports.

But I wasn't athletically gifted,

and that, honestly, became a painful barrier.

Being picked last for teams wasn't just about games—

it was a stark message:

"You're not good enough.

Nobody really wants you here."

That experience of exclusion,

of feeling unwanted,

creates a real wall.

It hauntingly whispers,

"You'd be better off alone."

It's a barrier that can shape how we see ourselves

and others for years to come.

But here's the thing –

while I wasn't meant for sports,

I had other gifts waiting to be discovered.

Sometimes, the walls we face aren't meant to keep us out,

but to redirect us to where we truly belong.

One of those talents, having been excluded myself, is tearing down walls to make room for inclusion.

Things to Consider

Now, as we reflect on Paul's vision, let's ponder:

What walls have we built,

and how can we dismantle them?

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Also, how do we distinguish between healthy boundaries and unjust barriers?

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What challenges arise when barriers fall, and how can we navigate them?

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These questions aren't just for reflection—

they're calls to action.

What Scripture Says

Paul's words in Ephesians

paint a vivid mural of humanity's spiritual landscape.

With bold strokes,

he illustrates the chasm between

Jew and Gentile,

a divide as stark as night and day.

Yet, as our eyes travel across this canvas,

we see Christ emerge as the central figure,

his cross the transformative element

that bridges these contrasting realms into a harmonious whole.

This isn't just ancient history frozen in paint.

It's a living, breathing portrait of our present reality.

Paul's palette is rich with the colors of division—

fear, pride, hatred, shame.

These are the invisible barriers that have long separated "us" from "them,"

lines drawn in blood and kept alive

by generations of misunderstanding.

But then comes the game-changing brushstroke.

Christ, the great artist of reconciliation,

steps into the frame.

His cross becomes the focal point,

a powerful symbol that doesn't just cover over the old divisions,

but completely reshapes the picture.

In his flesh,

Jesus soaks up the hostility,

takes the harsh tones of our division, a

nd gives back the soft hues of peace.

And this peace isn't just a quick touch-up.

It's a total reimagining of the human canvas.

In Christ, Paul tells us,

there's a new creation -

one new humanity emerging from the broken pieces of the old.

It's a unity that doesn't erase our unique shades

but blends them, finding in our diversity a reflection of God's own multi-colored glory.

And here's the kicker -

this mural isn't finished.

Paul challenges us to pick up the brush,

to keep blending and harmonizing.

To see in the face of a stranger

a fellow subject in this grand composition.

It's a call to step out of our comfort zones,

to leave behind our familiar color schemes

and dive into the wild, beautiful unknown

of true community.

Mother Teresa captured this essence

when she said, "I see Jesus in every human being.

I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him.

This is sick Jesus.

This one has leprosy or gangrene;

I must wash him and tend to him.

I serve because I love Jesus."

Her words echo Christ's teaching in Matthew 25,

where he declares,

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, y

ou did for me."

This radical vision invites us to see Christ in every face we encounter,

transforming our interactions from mere social niceties

into sacred encounters.

It challenges us to recognize that in serving others,

we're not just helping fellow humans -

we're ministering to Christ himself.

This vision of inclusion resonates with Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 56:3-8,

where God promises to gather outcasts

and make his house

"a house of prayer for all nations."

It's a timeless call to embrace diversity a

nd break down barriers, e

choing through the ages from Isaiah

to Paul

to us today.

What This Means for You

This vision of reconciliation isn't just abstract theology.

It's a call to action in your daily life.

Look at the walls we all build—

prejudices,

fears,

old grudges.

Christ's cross challenges you to tear these down.

See Jesus in everyone you meet.

The stranger.

The outcast.

Even your enemies.

It's not about erasing differences,

but embracing them.

Your unique story is part of God's diverse masterpiece.

This might mean having a difficult conversation,

forgiving an old wound,

or simply smiling at a stranger.

Friend, whether your are a seasoned or a new disciple,

it could mean bridging the gap between your values and church traditions.

Each act of love, no matter how small, is sacred.

You're not just helping others —

you're serving Christ himself.

So, how will you live this out?

How will you let Christ's peace work through you?

The choice is yours, and it starts today.

What This Means for Us

As a church,

we're called to be living embodiments

of Christ's reconciling work.

Our community should reflect the diverse,

harmonious mural Paul describes.

This means actively breaking down barriers—

of race, class, age, or ideology—

that divide us.

We must create spaces where all feel welcome,

where the stranger becomes family.

It's about more than tolerance;

it's about celebration of our differences

as reflections of God's creativity.

Let's challenge ourselves to move beyond our comfort zones,

to reach out to those we've overlooked or avoided.

In doing so, we don't just change lives—

we transform our community into

a vibrant testament of God's all-encompassing love.

Remember:

In Christ, there are no outsiders. Only family waiting to be embraced.

Sermon written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.