Sermon Tone Analysis

Summary of the Unanswered Questions series

Inward

How to be a Christian today.

Gospel centered mentality.

The Purpose of the Church.

Servant Leadership

Outward

Christianity and LGBTQ

The Problem of Suffering: if God even exists why is there so many problems in the world?

The Bible- why do we believe it’s from God?

Depression and Anxiety

Love versus Fear

Christianity and Islam

If you are NOT a Christian maybe this will help you to understand Christians a little bit better and possibly even draw you to the place where you say “I want to be born again and have my sins forgiven just like these people!”

In fact maybe most important to our Christianity is the inclusivity of Jesus towards those who think differently.

God is more open to diversity than anyone in the world.

God Loves Diversity

Economic Diversity: Lydia was wealthy and the slave girl was not.

Both were set free by Jesus.

Racial Diversity: tells us that the church in Antioch was a racially diverse church.

Generational Diversity:

Paul older, Timothy younger

God called Saul and David when they were young.

called Saul and David when they were young.

He called Moses when he was older.

He called Moses when he was older.

God called Moses when he was older.

Cultural Diversity: reminds us that even though all the groups at that time were Jewish they did not share all things in common.

Religion yes but not language or culture.

It was important for the early church to learn how to appreciate the different cultures.

Personality Diversity: The Bible had Peter and john- one was outspoken the other soft spoken.

Gideon and Timothy were both a bit more fearful and timid and God used them just like he used an Isaiah and Apollos who were both excellent communicators.

Gender Diversity: God used men and women.

In fact God was so open to diversity that he used a donkey to speak and He was willing to use rocks to cry out if the people didn’t!

God does NOT discriminate!

(NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

(NKJV)

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

(NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

He made us all, unique individuals with our own free will.

Nobody is more committed to diversity than God is.

WHY?

Because diversity of people shows how big the love of God is.

God doesn’t have a type.

Ghandi story

He really loves the world and we are a part of helping the world see that.

Travel examples:

Cuba: Camajuani

Mexico: Ensenada

Europe: Hungary

That same peace and joy and love that is changing you and me is changing others all over the world.

That same peace and joy and love that is changing you and me is changing others all over the world.

But what does this have to do with being a Christian in the world we live in today?

There are two ever-conflicting realities that we as Christians must recognize.

God is NOT changing

Everything else IS changing

(NKJV)

17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

(NKJV)

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

“Because God’s Love for the world has not changed, neither has His Word or His heart.

What is changing is us and the world around us.

We are constantly needing to figure out what it looks like to show people Jesus.”

Phil Metzger

If you imagine God as a constant but everything around Him is in movement.

How we see God changes from where we are at.

That doesn’t mean God changed- He didn’t!

But how people understand Him and connect to Him does change.

Issues to address:

Gun control

smoking

If you are hoping that I’m going to tell you what to think on these issues then I am sorry to disappoint! It’s not my calling to create a culture that limits the diversity of God’s amazing love.

Main Point

God’s love and God’s kingdom are bigger than the issues

Next step:

Socrates, “Know yourself”.

Every country I’ve gone to has changed my perspective on the love of God for the world.

Every trial I’ve walked through has changed my perspective on the kingdom of God.

Having kids has completely transformed my understanding of the grace of God.

(NKJV)

The Law of Liberty

14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.

4 Who are you to judge another’s servant?

To his own master he stands or falls.

Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

And Paul calls them both to “know yourself” and “respect others”.

Modern example: Starbucks

And it is absolutely important that we see how Paul defines the weaker and the stronger.

And it is absolutely important that we see how Paul defines the weaker and the stronger.

Weaker Christian = less liberties

Stronger Christian = more liberties

(NKJV)

“10 But why do you judge your brother?