Changing Our Traditions

Story

Food is Important - not just for eating: China; not offering food was inhospitable; not eating was disrespectful, - food is important; it is a part of cultural; big part of living; identity

Israel’s lives: You are to be different. Diet was different. Clothing was different. Houses were different - things non essential to was essential to them. It showed the world they were set a part from God.; no eat with Gentiles; deeply ingrained

It was a tradition, it was good, but God wanted to change it?

Bishop, marches with Black Lives Matter - encouraging churches to become anti race church; if we don’t, we are a part of the problem; by not becoming an anti race chrurch

I won’t sign a petition, I won’t put a label, I want us to be a church that interracial worships with black persons, fellowships with black persons, ministry with black persons; care for black persons

Listen

1. to God challenge your tradition

explain the importance of tradition; why it must change no matter how good or bad

Acts 10:13 NIV

Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

2. to people - see them differently; how they experience God

Acts 10:29 NIV

So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

e.g Ask questions about shirts - tell me more? what’s that mean?

Got to listen, or all you will hear is your own opinion and your traditions stay the same

Learn

From God

Acts 10:15 NIV

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Acts 10:34 NIV

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism

Peter is listening to God; he’s listened to the Cornelius’ testimony; learned something; saw the gentiles, saw the barrier that God wanted to destroy;

e.g. Phi Alpha Phi - mentoring ministry to young men;

Black lives matter - did not offer me one - why not?

From poeple

Pray

Both began in the context - made listening and learning possible; hearing from God - how much would change if we prayed:

“Help me to know and love my brother and sister in Christ” every day

My vision: Gather to do ministry, worship, prayer (minimal expectations of all) - if we can’t even pray?

Listen, Learn, Pray

My personal failure - migrant church

Here: involved in argument; explain myself; listen, learn, pray