WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:04.400 Good morning, Church. My name is James. It is good to be with you this morning. 00:00:05.060 --> 00:00:09.220 My family and I have been doing a number of walks lately, 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:14.780 because it's about the only thing you can do to get out, and it's the only thing we've been doing to stay sane. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:20.719 And one of the things that's happened for Alyssa and I is that we'll often have a location in mind. 00:00:21.240 --> 00:00:24.660 We're going to go to this particular park. We're going to go to this playground. 00:00:24.900 --> 00:00:26.400 We're going to walk down to the National Park. 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:31.259 And what will happen is that as we were walking there, I'll say to Alyssa, 00:00:31.799 --> 00:00:37.079 why are you going to turn down that street? Go this way. This is the fastest way there. 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:42.899 I don't know what you're doing. And this has happened a number of times over a number of years, 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:46.459 so much so that I've coined a phrase for it, which is, 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:50.980 you're doing something different, therefore you are wrong. 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:56.060 What are you going to go down that path? That's the wrong way. You're doing something different to me. 00:00:56.420 --> 00:00:58.120 Therefore, you are wrong. 00:00:59.039 --> 00:01:05.840 It's a way of explaining a certain frustration that we can feel when people are doing things different to us. 00:01:06.460 --> 00:01:10.040 I wonder if you've felt this kind of feeling in the past. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:13.359 We see people doing things that are different to us, 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:17.099 and we can quickly jump to judgment and assumptions. 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:22.519 You use different utensils to eat food. That's different, therefore it's wrong. 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:24.780 You eat smelly cheese. Oh, that's gross. 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:27.500 You eat durian. I can't even understand that. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:32.319 You value radical individualism. That's just wrong. 00:01:32.419 --> 00:01:35.899 You value the collectivist family unit. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:39.079 That's different to me, so you must be wrong. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:46.719 What is the impact of God's command to love our neighbor when it comes to this? 00:01:47.459 --> 00:01:50.000 Do we only love those who are like us? 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:54.340 Do we actually find it really hard to love those who are different, 00:01:54.340 --> 00:01:57.439 because we can quickly jump to thinking that they're wrong? 00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:03.739 I'm not sure how you felt yesterday as you saw the protests through Sydney. 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:09.300 I felt particularly frustrated that there would be thousands of people gathering 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:11.379 and wanting to get out of lockdown, 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:17.520 and yet seeming, in my mind, to be doing something that's just going to make COVID worse. 00:02:17.740 --> 00:02:19.939 I was frustrated, and I was angry, 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:24.659 and I was quickly jumping to assumptions about these people. 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:27.599 I don't know their individual circumstances. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:32.280 I don't know how desperate these people are feeling in this very difficult season. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:34.180 And so for all of us, 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:37.879 it is easy to think you are doing something different, 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:39.199 and you are wrong, 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:40.979 and to judge people quickly. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:44.900 We are in the second half of the book of Acts. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:47.939 Jesus has been raised from the dead. 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:49.419 He has ascended to heaven. 00:02:49.419 --> 00:02:52.799 He has sent His disciples out to spread the good news, 00:02:52.959 --> 00:02:54.739 that Jesus is for all people. 00:02:55.419 --> 00:03:01.359 And now, we are seeing that the gospel is spreading out from the ethnic base in Jerusalem. 00:03:02.139 --> 00:03:05.919 But as it's spreading to different ethnic areas, 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:08.259 it's going to cause problems. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:11.779 It's going to spread to people who live differently, 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:12.779 who eat differently, 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:13.799 who think differently, 00:03:13.799 --> 00:03:18.079 and who are going to worship the same God slightly differently. 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:20.180 What's going to happen? 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:24.880 Will the church flourish and grow in a multi-ethnic way? 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:29.360 Or will there be conflict because people are doing things differently? 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:33.160 And will they just think you are wrong and have conflict? 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:39.800 As we follow the gospel spread out of Jerusalem across the world, 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:45.859 our challenge today will be for us to grow in awareness of our own cultural, 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:47.219 ethnic blind spots. 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:50.800 For us to be aware of how quickly we judge. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:54.700 And for us to grow in love for our neighbors. 00:03:55.480 --> 00:03:58.600 So why don't I pray as we have a look at Acts chapter 15. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:03:59.180 Let me pray. 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:03.960 Heavenly Father, we ask that you would be with us this morning. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:10.460 Give us an awareness of our own blindness to other people's differences. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:14.480 Give us an awareness of how quickly we judge. 00:04:15.640 --> 00:04:17.500 And Father, help us to be like you. 00:04:17.840 --> 00:04:19.500 Help us to love people. 00:04:20.460 --> 00:04:22.939 Love people even when they are different to us, Lord. 00:04:23.460 --> 00:04:24.960 We ask this in your Son's name. 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:25.579 Amen. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:25.740 Amen. 00:04:26.919 --> 00:04:28.000 Three points today. 00:04:28.099 --> 00:04:30.899 You'll be able to find those on the St. Paul's app. 00:04:31.219 --> 00:04:34.279 First of all, we are going to see a conflict that arises 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:38.560 before we see the resolution and finally reconciliation. 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:40.899 So let's have a look at the conflict. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:47.259 We've seen some of the church in Antioch in the last couple of weeks. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:49.439 And it has been an exciting place. 00:04:50.419 --> 00:04:53.519 Steve mentioned last week that the Antioch is the place 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:56.680 where a lot of the Gentile missionaries spread. 00:04:57.259 --> 00:05:01.039 And, you know, we as a church in Chatswood can trace our roots back to Antioch. 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:03.299 It has been a flourishing church. 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:07.240 And some Jewish Christians who are misinformed 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:10.539 come down to Antioch and bring some problems. 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:14.680 Please have a look with me at Acts chapter 15, verse 1. 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:31.240 Now, there is two layers to this problem. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:35.379 First, there is a theological difference. 00:05:35.960 --> 00:05:39.420 And then there is an ethnic or a cultural difference. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:43.620 And we need to carefully look between these two. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:48.160 And it's just lazy to dismiss someone 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:50.960 because they are saying something different. 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:55.040 They're saying something that we don't necessarily agree with. 00:05:55.580 --> 00:05:59.520 It would be very easy to think they're adding to salvation here. 00:05:59.700 --> 00:06:00.860 Let's just ignore these people. 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:05.220 These Jewish believers have come down from Judea 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:08.860 and they're obviously very concerned for the Gentiles. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:10.820 They want them to be saved. 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:11.800 They've come down. 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:15.120 They've gone on a journey from Jerusalem to Antioch. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:16.820 They've gotten out their soapboxes 00:06:16.820 --> 00:06:18.600 and they're standing up in front of everyone and saying, 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:22.180 if you want to be saved, this is what you must do. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:26.100 They're not doing it because they don't care for these people. 00:06:26.320 --> 00:06:28.460 They're actually doing it out of love, 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:31.920 even if there is a problem with what they're saying, 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:35.040 even if there is big theological issues. 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:38.819 It would be easy to just dismiss them. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:40.680 It would be easy to ignore them, 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:43.980 to think these Jewish Christians are wrong. 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:46.120 It's salvation by grace alone. 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:48.060 I'm going to have nothing to do with them. 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:51.480 But we need to just step into their shoes for a moment, 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:53.259 into these Jewish Christian shoes, 00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:57.639 because it's not just a matter of them wanting people 00:06:57.639 --> 00:07:00.139 to just follow very religious rules. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:02.379 Because for these Jewish Christians, 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:06.079 it's a matter of identity and ethnicity. 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:10.519 To be saved meant to be part of God's family, 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.120 to be part of Israel. 00:07:12.779 --> 00:07:14.579 And the way that happened in the Old Testament, 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:17.039 the covenant set up by Moses, 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:19.699 which we've seen in our series through Exodus, 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:23.259 it only happened through obedience to the Lord. 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:25.500 It only happened through circumcision. 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:26.100 Circumcision. 00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:30.279 Other people have joined Israel in the past, 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:32.040 and this is what it looked like. 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:36.240 Circumcision was the external mark of the inward reality. 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:39.560 It was the mark that you were a part of God's family. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:45.160 But now, entry into God's family is different. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:46.920 Jesus has come. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:49.259 He is the true Israel. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:53.079 The one who could obey the Mosaic laws fully. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:57.379 The one who came so that we would not just have a circumcision of the flesh, 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:59.139 but a circumcision of the heart, 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:01.519 so that we could love God. 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:05.699 And so, we see these Jewish believers, 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:10.680 they come with sincere love for these Gentiles, 00:08:10.719 --> 00:08:11.959 these Gentiles in Antioch. 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:17.899 But Paul and Barnabas have good cause to have a conflict with them, 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:19.500 to have a dispute with them. 00:08:20.099 --> 00:08:23.259 Because understanding their ethnic background is important, 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:28.179 but we also need to understand the theology, the issue at hand. 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:31.740 Because what we believe about God matters. 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.860 Have a look with me at verse 2. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:40.360 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:42.419 Conflict here. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:45.300 I'm not sure how you feel about conflict. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:47.440 Maybe you don't like having conflict. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:50.200 Maybe you think conflict is equal to war, 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:51.840 and it should be avoided at all costs. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:56.240 But here, conflict is actually quite important. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:59.960 Because what these Jewish Christians were saying 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:03.500 was going to be deadly to the Christian faith. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:06.740 It was dangerous to this young church, 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:11.240 and it ran the risk of taking all of the power out of the Christian faith. 00:09:12.300 --> 00:09:16.060 Because what they were preaching was that it is Jesus plus something, 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:17.500 and that's how you get salvation. 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:20.659 It's Jesus plus obedience to the law, circumcision. 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:22.360 That's how you get salvation. 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:27.680 Whenever we add to the gospel, we actually destroy it. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:31.920 Jesus plus anything does not equal salvation. 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:35.860 That's just being burdened with something else to follow. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:41.039 And this is one of the wonderful things that sets Christianity apart from any other religion. 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:44.740 Religions say, this is what you must do to be saved. 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:47.419 Christianity says, Jesus has done it. 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:53.740 God's grace to us is Jesus came, he lived, and he died, 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:56.659 and he was raised so that we could be raised too. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:10:04.000 We must be careful to not be like these Jewish Christians and add anything to the gospel. 00:10:04.199 --> 00:10:10.299 Whether it's adding the sacraments, whether it's adding obedience to our family, 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.939 whatever it is that we add, 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:17.139 it takes away from Jesus dying on the cross. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:20.980 As if I could add to God dying on the cross. 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:24.860 Now imagine you were this young church in Antioch. 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:28.639 You have been seeing people come to faith. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.779 You've got Paul and Barnabas preaching there. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:32.679 You are hearing the good news. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.120 You are being encouraged. 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:37.879 You've changed your life. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:40.840 And you've gotten rid of sexual immorality. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:44.540 You've stopped sinning in certain ways. 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:47.080 You are growing in your knowledge and faith of the Lord. 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:49.820 And then people come down from Jerusalem. 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.899 These are people from the home church. 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:55.500 These are people who may have seen Jesus. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.420 And they come down and you're excited. 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:01.720 And then they start telling you, you've got it all wrong. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:04.740 You actually don't know how to get salvation. 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:06.639 You've got to do these other things to get salvation. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:11.759 Imagine how you'd feel if you were the church in Antioch. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:15.500 Maybe nobody here is actually saved. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:19.299 Maybe I'm actually not good enough for this God 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:21.600 because I can't do everything required. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:26.259 If I was in Antioch, I'd feel shamed. 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:30.539 Or maybe I'd just feel tempted to ignore these Jewish Christians 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:34.019 who'd come down because what they were saying was different to me. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:35.980 And so I'm just going to completely ignore them. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:38.080 This is the conflict. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:39.419 This is the issue. 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:42.240 And we're going to see how it gets resolved. 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:47.779 And so what the church in Antioch do is they send Paul and Barnabas 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:51.299 back to Jerusalem to see this situation get resolved. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:53.279 They get to Jerusalem. 00:11:53.819 --> 00:11:57.279 They report to the elders and to the leaders there 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:58.879 everything that is happening. 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:01.480 They report the church is growing. 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:03.700 Lives are being changed. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:05.279 There is real faith. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.959 There is growth in the church in Antioch. 00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:13.019 And the party that had started these issues gets up and speaks. 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.919 Have a look with me at verse 5. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:21.039 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:27.139 The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:32.259 The Gentiles must be circumcised. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.360 This is the Pharisees who stood up. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:40.220 And I'm not sure how you feel, but as soon as I see the Pharisees come on, I'm just tempted to boo. 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:44.879 It's like the villains have come onto the stage and I want to throw tomatoes at them. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:49.419 You know, the Pharisees, they're the ones who led Jesus to be crucified. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:52.519 These are the bad guys in so much of the New Testament. 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:56.220 Paul himself was a Pharisee. 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:59.939 He was out there trying to kill Christians until he got saved. 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:04.659 I can't help but see Pharisees here and not like it. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:06.820 And I want to see them get put in their place. 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:11.600 And it's really easy to demonize these people. 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:14.600 But Luke, the author of Acts, he doesn't do that. 00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:16.000 Have a look with me again. 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:16.640 Verse 5. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:23.980 Then some of the believers, some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up. 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:27.600 Luke actually describes them as believers. 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:29.540 They're Christians. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:36.200 They are Christians who have converted, but they're also Pharisees. 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:37.980 They're not the enemies. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.700 They're part of the same family. 00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:42.879 They have some theological issues. 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:45.900 They need to continue to grow following Jesus, 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:52.080 to change their previous thoughts and understand how the gospel impacts their lives 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:55.280 and what it means and how Jesus is the one who has obeyed. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:57.120 But Luke describes them as Christians. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:02.720 And sometimes people in the family of God will disagree. 00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:05.580 Sometimes there will be fights. 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:07.620 It's fights over what is important. 00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:14.879 Disagreements sometimes need church councils and leaders of the church to gather together 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:16.400 to work on these issues. 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:21.259 In church, there might also be some disagreements about music 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:26.300 or styles of music or preferred seats or morning tea. 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:30.819 But most of these issues in the church come down to personal preference and pride. 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:36.399 Here there is conflict that comes from the Pharisees' background. 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:41.459 They have historically seen the Gentiles as unclean. 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:46.000 They need to be cleansed by obedience to the law. 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:49.280 They need to be circumcised so they can be part of God's family. 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:53.900 And these Pharisees have legitimate theological concerns. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.900 And so Peter stands up in verse 7. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:15:03.240 And the first thing that we see get clarified here is not the ethnic and cultural difference. 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:06.579 The first thing that gets clarified is the theological issue. 00:15:06.699 --> 00:15:07.199 Have a look with me. 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.679 Verse 7. 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:10.919 Peter got up and addressed them. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:15.479 Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you 00:15:15.479 --> 00:15:20.439 that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.439 And believe. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:28.000 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:30.039 just as he did to us. 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:32.459 He did not discriminate between us and them, 00:15:32.859 --> 00:15:35.799 for he purified their hearts by faith. 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:40.500 Peter reminds everyone of the vision he had in Acts 10 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:43.099 and his experience of Gentiles being converted. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.879 God has showed that he is for all people. 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:52.079 The Pharisees, his concern, their concern is that the Gentiles would be pure, 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.759 that they would have pure hearts. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.879 And Peter says God's done it. 00:15:56.599 --> 00:15:59.859 God has made their hearts pure, not by obedience to the law, 00:15:59.859 --> 00:16:04.959 but by Jesus, but by his blood, people can be cleansed. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.000 Verse 10. 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:11.439 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:15.139 a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 00:16:15.859 --> 00:16:16.199 No. 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:21.000 We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.379 just as they are. 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:26.539 The issue of theology is clarified first. 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:31.679 It is only by the grace of Jesus that we can be saved. 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:35.599 Not by what happens to a certain part of our body, 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:38.379 not by what we do, but only by Jesus. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:43.759 This issue of conflict, while we might want to avoid conflict, 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:46.579 it's actually really important for the life of the church here. 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:48.439 It's really helpful. 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:53.440 Because there was a group that wanted to say that you had to believe in Jesus 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:56.040 and do these certain things, 00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:59.180 but that was never going to work. 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:03.300 Because salvation is by God's grace alone. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:08.500 So we have seen this conflict that has ethnic issues 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.059 and also a theological issue. 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:15.579 We have seen the issue be resolved, 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:18.899 but we're going to see reconciliation now. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:21.839 We're going to see the reconciliation that comes from 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:24.579 the ethnic layer being dealt with as well. 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:30.220 What is happening now is, as the gospel is spreading out, 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:33.679 it's going from being an ethnic faith 00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:37.599 and it's growing across the world and it's changing. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:40.439 It's moving from just being ethnically Jewish 00:17:40.439 --> 00:17:42.559 to being a worldwide religion. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:46.759 But that doesn't mean there won't continue to be differences and issues. 00:17:47.719 --> 00:17:49.579 It actually means there will be more issues. 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:53.759 As there are ethnically Jewish Christians 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:56.899 and different types of ethnically Gentile Christians. 00:17:57.879 --> 00:18:00.659 How are these groups of people going to live together? 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:04.819 How are they going to grow as a church without splitting 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.980 and without having continual conflict? 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:11.359 Because keeping circumcision is neither good nor bad. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:13.839 It doesn't save and so it doesn't actually matter. 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:18.519 And so for the sake of this growing multi-ethnic church, 00:18:18.699 --> 00:18:21.480 James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, gets up. 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:25.939 He speaks and he goes back to prophecy from the Old Testament 00:18:25.939 --> 00:18:28.240 that said that the Gentiles would come in. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:31.259 The Gentiles were promised to come in. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:39.220 And yet, being aware of that means that they need to be aware 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:43.940 that faith is going to look different for different people. 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:47.879 James is keen to see these Gentiles brought into the faith, 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:51.519 but he doesn't expect them to look like Jewish Christians. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:55.639 And so he sets out a plan for the Gentiles. 00:18:56.279 --> 00:19:02.619 It is for them to be culturally aware of their Jewish Christian brothers and sisters. 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:07.879 To not need to be circumcised, but to love those who are different. 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:12.000 Have a look at the plan James sets out with me in verse 19. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:17.880 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:20.299 for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:26.539 Instead, we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:31.599 from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:36.299 James sets out a plan for these different groups of people to work together. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:40.700 The Gentiles were to love the Jews by not eating meat 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:46.380 that had been strangled, don't eat food sacrificed to idols, and don't eat blood. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:54.100 These are all things that the Jews would religiously and also culturally find disgusting. 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:58.259 It's not a legal way to earn salvation, 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:01.240 but it was a love of those people who were different. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:07.000 The Jews were moving from a long history of what it meant to follow God, 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:11.059 now that they had Jesus, these Jewish Christians, 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:13.440 but they would need love. 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:20.200 And so don't get in their face and eat meat that had been full of blood, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:22.460 because it would be offensive to them. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:25.299 It wouldn't be loving to someone that was different. 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:29.440 James here also mentions sexual immorality. 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:32.580 And this might seem strange as we're talking about ethnic differences, 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:38.059 but the Jewish people had a history of seeking to be sexually pure, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:42.420 of seeing marriage as the place for sexual relationships. 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:46.920 It's in the Ten Commandments, it's in the history of the Old Testament. 00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:50.759 But what's this got to do with ethnic concerns? 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:57.819 Well, the Gentiles were historically far more sexually immoral than the Jews. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:01.839 The Christian gospel calls people to sexual purity, 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.140 just like the Old Testament. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:07.559 But it is of so much cultural importance, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.539 so much Christian importance, 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:13.400 that James really stresses it for this Gentile church in Antioch. 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:18.099 We saw that there was two layers of problems at the start. 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:22.959 There was the theological issue of what must be done to get salvation, 00:21:22.959 --> 00:21:25.179 and it's only by the grace in Jesus. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.879 That's the first issue that's been clarified. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.500 James and Peter have clarified that, 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:34.500 but now the issue of ethnic difference has been dealt with. 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.639 The council has met, 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:41.799 they've confirmed that it's only the gospel of grace in Jesus, 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:46.939 but now the gospel is actually breaking down barriers 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:49.740 between different cultures. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:53.860 Previously, Jews would have nothing to do with Gentiles, 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:59.600 but now they can have close relationships. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:03.059 They can only do this when they love each other, 00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:05.640 when they're aware of the cultural differences. 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:09.900 This young church in both Jerusalem and in Antioch 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:12.340 is learning what it's actually going to look like for them 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:14.539 to walk together in love, 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.859 to see the unity in Christ 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:20.059 and not their cultural differences which divide. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:25.480 The Gentiles here are called to have cultural intelligence, 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:29.720 to understand the impact of their actions on other people. 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:34.500 American multi-ethnic church pastor, Mark DeMaz, 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.259 wrote this book. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:38.619 It's called Building a Multi-Ethnic Church, 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:42.240 and he describes the lessons that these churches use 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:45.940 as different stages of cultural awareness. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:50.559 The first stage is called cultural destructiveness. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:54.660 It's effectively what the Jewish Christians had come down 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:56.480 to the Antioch church were doing. 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:57.480 They were saying, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:59.779 you must become like me. 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.339 You must leave your culture, 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:03.599 and you must culturally become like me. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.839 You must take on circumcision. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.120 You must take on obedience to the Mosaic law 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.519 if you want to be saved. 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:12.559 That's cultural destructiveness. 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.539 The Gentile Christians were effectively 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:18.920 in a period of cultural blindness. 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:23.240 They weren't aware of their actions, 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.660 the food they ate, 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:27.540 that would cause issues to Jewish Christians. 00:23:28.580 --> 00:23:29.940 And that is why James says, 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.740 be aware of these things. 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.940 Don't be culturally blind. 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:37.380 Be aware of these cultural differences out of love. 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:40.600 James is seeking to bring cultural awareness 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:43.019 so that there is not cultural destructiveness. 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.340 You must become like me. 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:46.640 You need to leave who you are at the door to church. 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:49.080 No, we can have cultural differences. 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:51.840 Don't be culturally blind, 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:53.860 but be culturally aware. 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:57.900 We, as ethnic Jews, 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.500 we find these things harmful. 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.360 So don't do these. 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.480 Be aware of them. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.580 Out of love for us. 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.940 The step after this 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:09.140 is called cultural sensitivity. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.580 The Apostle Paul shows this 00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:13.140 in dealing with Christians 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:14.500 of different maturity levels. 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.580 In 1 Corinthians 8, 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.640 Paul talks about 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:21.460 that if it would cause a brother or sister 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:23.100 to sin or to stumble, 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:26.639 he would rather not eat meat at all. 00:24:28.199 --> 00:24:29.319 He is saying, 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.939 I have freedom to eat meat. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.259 I can do whatever I like, 00:24:32.439 --> 00:24:33.399 but out of love, 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:35.459 I will not do that 00:24:35.459 --> 00:24:37.480 because I don't want to hurt somebody else. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:39.339 I don't want to cause them to sin. 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:42.779 He is aware of his actions on somebody else 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:44.740 and he will actually limit 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:46.440 his freedom 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:48.160 out of love. 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:51.880 Gentile and Jewish Christians 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:53.160 were to remember the gospel 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:54.140 that unites them 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:56.800 before their cultural differences 00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:57.500 got in the way. 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.980 And so James sends a letter 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.800 and two brothers from Jerusalem, 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.019 Silas and Judas, 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.580 with these details. 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:06.400 And it's a really wonderful thing 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.860 as this letter is sent. 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:10.759 Remember how this young church in Antioch 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.740 could have been feeling. 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.140 Nervous. 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:15.140 What is the church at home 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.160 going to say to us? 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.440 Are we going to get in trouble? 00:25:17.780 --> 00:25:19.180 Are we going to have to change 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.720 what we're doing? 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:20.740 Are we really saved? 00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:23.220 And James sends this letter 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:25.400 with Judas and Silas 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:27.780 and the news comes back. 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:28.480 Have a look with me. 00:25:28.540 --> 00:25:29.100 Verse 30. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.380 So the men were sent off 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.560 and went down to Antioch 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:34.300 where they gathered the church together 00:25:34.300 --> 00:25:35.320 and delivered the letter. 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:36.820 The people read it 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.960 and were glad 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.500 for its encouraging message. 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.140 Judas and Silas, 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.040 who themselves were prophets, 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:43.460 said much to encourage 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.859 and strengthen the believers. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:47.420 After spending some time there, 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.519 they were sent off 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.220 by the believers 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:51.019 with the blessings of peace 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.220 to return to those 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.819 who had sent them. 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.839 This issue of conflict 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:58.619 has actually been really wonderful. 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.879 It's brought gospel fruit. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:04.159 The conflict through dispute 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.659 taken to the council, 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.639 it's brought clarity 00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:09.700 on the good news of Jesus. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:11.940 But not only that, 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.799 coming back, 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.740 it's actually encouraged 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.200 the believers. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.279 Believers are strengthened. 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:17.059 There was peace now 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.160 between these two churches. 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.799 Now, we might be tempted 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:23.039 to think that conflict 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.299 is only a bad thing. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:27.620 Conflict over theological differences 00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:29.799 are actually a hindrance 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.920 to good and close relationships. 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:34.140 But this shows that 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:36.380 conflict can actually be good. 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:38.680 Conflict is important 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:41.200 because there is a close connection 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.500 between our theology 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.600 and fellowship. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:46.279 We are only connected 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:48.400 because of what we believe 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.220 about our God. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:52.420 As we continue to learn 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.320 more about our God, 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:55.200 as we read in the Bible 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.160 throughout the week, 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.600 we learn more about our God, 00:26:57.740 --> 00:27:00.240 it brings us to greater worship of Him. 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:03.799 It doesn't need to harden us 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.880 to each other. 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:08.200 But it can be like here in Antioch, 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.740 where we are strengthened 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.920 and encouraged 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.559 to love one another. 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.299 For us, 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:17.180 as a multi-ethnic church 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.299 full of people 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.640 of different backgrounds, 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.299 different theologies, 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.880 we all think different things 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.359 about God, 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.980 we are all growing 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.839 to learn more 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.819 and more about Him. 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:29.139 we are going to face 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.200 many of these 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.480 two issues. 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.460 Cultural differences, 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.179 theological differences. 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.859 The person that 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:39.740 thinks differently to me 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.000 and therefore they're wrong, 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:42.439 is that going to be 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:43.539 our first thought? 00:27:44.439 --> 00:27:45.659 You think differently, 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.639 you think differently, 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.740 you've got different practices, 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.679 you've got different theology to me, 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.519 therefore you're wrong. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.439 Is that how we are going 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:54.339 to first think and act? 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:56.480 A community, 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.179 a church here, 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:59.339 is united by Jesus. 00:28:00.199 --> 00:28:01.000 We are people 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.220 made up of many 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.019 different ethnicities. 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:04.319 This is expressed 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.099 in the flags 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.939 that you can see 00:28:05.939 --> 00:28:06.899 to my sides. 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:09.559 But we can all suffer 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.959 from similar issues 00:28:10.959 --> 00:28:11.619 to the church 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.519 in Jerusalem 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:13.240 and Antioch. 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:16.179 Some from the church 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:16.639 in Jerusalem 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:18.500 had a culturally destructive view. 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.259 You must be like me. 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:23.680 We can have that view too. 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.779 You must do 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.859 exactly what I do. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.519 You must think 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.539 exactly like me. 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.140 You must leave 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.259 who you are 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.039 at the door 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.980 and become like me. 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.980 We can be culturally 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.980 destructive to others 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:38.339 instead of celebrating 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:39.059 our differences 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.339 and that it is Jesus 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.359 that unites us. 00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.839 They were also adding 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.720 to Jesus' work 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.379 for salvation. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.940 But thankfully, 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:48.799 this council in Jerusalem 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:50.519 clarified the gospel. 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.440 The letters sent back 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.619 to Antioch 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.000 make sure 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.859 that the Gentile church 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:56.339 don't have 00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:57.339 cultural blindness. 00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.919 But we can walk 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:01.440 with cultural blindness too. 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.279 We can be driven 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:04.119 by these same issues. 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.960 We can be driven 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.879 by pride 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:08.960 in our own cultural way 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.819 of doing things, 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.539 in our own theology. 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.139 All cultures 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:14.980 want to emphasize 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.960 different things. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.399 Western culture 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:20.019 emphasizes radical 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:21.320 individualism. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.500 Asian culture, 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.519 Asian communities 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.180 emphasize 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:26.080 communal collectivist culture. 00:29:27.300 --> 00:29:28.420 And there are impacts 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.580 both inside 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:31.080 and outside the church. 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.920 Inside the church, 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.680 we would talk 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.920 about the importance 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:37.320 of a person being saved. 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.640 So from a Western view, 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.920 we would talk about 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.440 the importance 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.340 of you 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:42.940 following Jesus. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.860 The importance 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.840 of you 00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:45.460 repenting. 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.299 repenting. 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:46.900 The importance 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.440 of you 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.620 as an individual 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.779 turning your life 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:51.059 around and following God. 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:52.620 That is what 00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:53.500 the Western culture 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.940 is going to identify 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.960 and emphasize. 00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:59.680 An Asian community 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.660 might emphasize 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:02.380 that it is we 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:04.200 as a church 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.160 who follows Jesus, 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.059 that we 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:07.299 need to repent. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.640 And the individual 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.340 can think, 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:10.880 oh well, 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.600 I'm going in the same direction. 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:14.799 Now there is 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:16.399 positives and negatives 00:30:16.399 --> 00:30:17.279 to both of these. 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:21.759 I am not saved 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.959 because of the faith 00:30:22.959 --> 00:30:23.719 of my parents. 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.139 Both of my parents 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.119 are wonderful Christians. 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:28.139 But their faith 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.019 hasn't saved me. 00:30:29.459 --> 00:30:29.899 It's just like 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.439 my faith 00:30:30.439 --> 00:30:31.159 and Alyssa's faith 00:30:31.159 --> 00:30:31.740 is not going to 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.459 save my children. 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:35.379 But what we do 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:36.379 as a family 00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:37.099 and what we do 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.699 as a church 00:30:37.699 --> 00:30:38.299 is that we 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:40.159 teach our children. 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:42.300 And so I'm not saved 00:30:42.300 --> 00:30:43.320 because of my family 00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:44.900 but they certainly 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.700 took me to church. 00:30:46.580 --> 00:30:47.500 I certainly bring 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.259 my kids to church. 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.200 I'd love if they were 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:50.040 here at church today. 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.500 But we've been 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.040 sitting with them 00:30:52.040 --> 00:30:52.820 and reading the Bible 00:30:52.820 --> 00:30:53.320 with them. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.960 It's not just 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.540 I will leave you 00:30:57.540 --> 00:30:59.000 to choose 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.860 as an individual 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.640 whether you will 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.200 follow God. 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.420 No, 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:03.740 I value this so much 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:05.300 that I will teach you 00:31:05.300 --> 00:31:06.400 and disciple you. 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.340 I want to have 00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:08.120 other people 00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:09.380 in your life 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:09.840 as well. 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:11.120 And so we can 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:12.360 easily go down 00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:13.259 one side 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.080 and emphasize 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.680 Western values 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:17.800 or Eastern values 00:31:17.800 --> 00:31:19.180 to the detriment 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:21.620 of having both. 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.620 We do need to take 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.580 individual personal 00:31:24.580 --> 00:31:25.360 responsibility 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.320 for the faith 00:31:26.320 --> 00:31:27.060 that we have 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:29.160 but we are also 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.200 a family 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.019 of believers 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.820 a community 00:31:31.820 --> 00:31:33.800 encouraging each other 00:31:33.800 --> 00:31:34.960 calling each other 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.500 to continue 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.300 to follow the Lord. 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:38.740 We can't expect 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.619 to put all Christians 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:40.339 in the world 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.559 into the same box 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.099 and say 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.460 you must worship 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.960 exactly like me. 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.319 You must think 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:46.899 about faith 00:31:46.899 --> 00:31:48.379 exactly like me. 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.119 Because the Bible 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:50.799 doesn't do that. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:52.559 There is space 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.759 for difference. 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:55.919 I liken it 00:31:55.919 --> 00:31:56.339 to eating. 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.119 All cultures 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:58.859 across the world 00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.919 eat food differently. 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.440 And there isn't 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:01.900 necessarily 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:03.360 one right way 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:03.860 to do it. 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.279 Imagine you had 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:05.660 a table 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:07.220 even eating 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.660 at a table 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.160 is a cultural 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.519 assumption. 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.900 Imagine you've got 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.500 a group of people 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.039 eating together. 00:32:11.300 --> 00:32:11.820 You've got a person 00:32:11.820 --> 00:32:12.279 from England 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.940 they've got a lovely 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.120 set of cutlery 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.900 silver 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.900 knife and fork 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.560 wonderful. 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.620 You've got a Chinese 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.420 person with chopsticks. 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.920 You've got a Kenyan 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.700 sitting at the table 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.380 and they're eating 00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:23.279 with their right hand 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.080 and they're scooping up 00:32:24.080 --> 00:32:25.580 ugali with a curry 00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:26.559 and you've got an Indian 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.779 also using their right 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:29.319 hand to use naan 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.000 to get curry. 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.720 You can say 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.519 that they all have 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.279 to do the exact 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.079 same thing 00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:35.859 but it is not 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:36.460 being aware 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.240 that there is 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.819 good cultural 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:40.199 difference among us. 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:41.480 Celebrating 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.159 what is different 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:43.619 remembering that 00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:44.379 it is Jesus 00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:45.740 who unites us. 00:32:47.159 --> 00:32:48.419 This is a really 00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:49.720 important word 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.460 for us 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.699 for when we return 00:32:51.699 --> 00:32:52.539 as a church. 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.779 But I've hardly 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.359 been seeing 00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:55.740 anybody. 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.339 I'm sure 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:57.740 it's the same 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.059 with you. 00:32:58.179 --> 00:32:59.819 I would almost 00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.679 love to have 00:33:00.679 --> 00:33:02.279 had cultural 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.359 conflict or 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.559 theological conflict 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.039 with someone 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.559 because that would 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.339 mean I would be 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:06.899 in relationship 00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.439 with people. 00:33:08.179 --> 00:33:09.319 Church, I miss 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:09.599 you. 00:33:10.219 --> 00:33:10.919 I miss all 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:11.319 of you. 00:33:13.219 --> 00:33:14.099 But the challenge 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.959 for us in this 00:33:14.959 --> 00:33:15.819 season of lockdown 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:17.079 is that as we 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.240 stay at home 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:20.319 we tend to do 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.699 what is easiest, 00:33:21.939 --> 00:33:22.679 the things that 00:33:22.679 --> 00:33:23.759 we prefer 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.700 and what is 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.519 most comfortable. 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.220 This is not 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.000 what a multi-ethnic 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.579 church does. 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.759 A multi-ethnic 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.960 church doesn't 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.500 do what is 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.599 easiest for us. 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:36.359 In this season 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:36.940 we are not 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.579 getting a chance 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.500 to love each 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:38.759 other, 00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:40.160 to love across 00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.279 cultural differences. 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:42.920 You know, 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:43.559 we saw Paul 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.839 choose to put 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:46.240 aside differences 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.119 out of love 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:47.559 for somebody 00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:48.079 so he said 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.599 he would never 00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:49.400 eat meat again 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.119 if that was 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:50.839 what was required. 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:52.319 The Gentile 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:52.879 Christians were 00:33:52.879 --> 00:33:53.379 to practice 00:33:53.379 --> 00:33:54.019 love for their 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.539 Jewish brothers 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.159 and sisters, 00:33:55.639 --> 00:33:55.980 the Jewish 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.399 Christians, 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.740 by not eating 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.279 meat that was 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.099 strangled to idols 00:33:59.099 --> 00:33:59.919 and those things 00:33:59.919 --> 00:34:00.919 by being culturally 00:34:00.919 --> 00:34:01.419 aware. 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:04.119 When we come 00:34:04.119 --> 00:34:05.039 back from lockdown 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:07.139 it's going to be 00:34:07.139 --> 00:34:07.859 easy to think 00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:08.599 that church, 00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:09.019 you know, 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.679 it's not as 00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:10.559 convenient as it 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.199 used to be. 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:11.739 You know, 00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:12.179 I've gotten 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.539 used to sleeping 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.539 in and watching 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.279 the service at 00:34:15.279 --> 00:34:15.980 2.30 in the 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.480 afternoon. 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:17.840 I'm going to 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.579 keep doing that 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.219 instead of going 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.059 back when church 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.659 opens up. 00:34:21.680 --> 00:34:22.200 I've gotten 00:34:22.200 --> 00:34:22.940 used to walking 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.680 out halfway 00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:24.120 through and 00:34:24.120 --> 00:34:24.800 getting a coffee. 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.600 You know, 00:34:25.620 --> 00:34:26.079 I'm at home 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.480 and so I've 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.180 gotten used to 00:34:27.180 --> 00:34:28.079 watching the 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.880 Olympics during 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.579 church. 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.740 I've gotten 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.559 used to being 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.280 distracted. 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.600 We will all 00:34:34.600 --> 00:34:35.059 have gotten 00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:35.860 used to doing 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.400 our own 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.019 personal 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.840 preferences. 00:34:38.880 --> 00:34:39.960 We need to 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.880 be prepared 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:41.440 for when we 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.980 come back as 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:42.240 a church, 00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:42.760 whenever that 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:43.059 is, 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.620 hopefully very 00:34:44.620 --> 00:34:45.059 soon, 00:34:45.600 --> 00:34:46.260 to do the 00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:46.920 hard thing 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:48.100 of loving 00:34:48.100 --> 00:34:49.059 across differences, 00:34:49.720 --> 00:34:50.200 across our 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:50.820 comfort zone. 00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:53.460 It will be 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.500 hard when 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:54.980 we return 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.460 to church. 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:56.140 We will 00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:56.760 go back 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.100 with the 00:34:57.100 --> 00:34:58.059 four square 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.579 metre rule, 00:34:58.700 --> 00:34:59.320 we'll go 00:34:59.320 --> 00:34:59.800 back and 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.320 not be able 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:00.940 to sing. 00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:02.360 These things 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:02.880 aren't to 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.640 my preference. 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:04.660 They're not 00:35:04.660 --> 00:35:05.220 my preference, 00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:05.660 I'm sure 00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:05.960 they're not 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.700 your preference, 00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.140 and it can 00:35:08.140 --> 00:35:08.740 just be easy 00:35:08.740 --> 00:35:09.059 to think, 00:35:09.140 --> 00:35:09.280 oh, 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:09.600 I'm just 00:35:09.600 --> 00:35:09.780 going to 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.220 stay at 00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:10.500 home. 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.980 But we 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.519 will miss 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.100 out on what 00:35:15.100 --> 00:35:15.760 the Gentile 00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:16.480 church had. 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.699 they had 00:35:17.699 --> 00:35:19.019 joy from 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.000 being encouraged 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.619 by people, 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:21.980 encouraged by 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.639 people who 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.139 were different 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:23.740 to them, 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.740 but united 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.440 in Jesus. 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.179 Being able 00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:28.000 to love 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:28.900 and to be 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.699 loved by 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:30.260 each other. 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:32.380 Maybe we 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.119 weren't particularly 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:34.240 good at either 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:35.000 of those things 00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:35.719 before lockdown. 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.059 Maybe we 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:37.679 weren't good 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.400 at loving 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:40.019 across cultural 00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:40.800 or theological 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:41.539 differences. 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:43.599 But when we 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.119 return, 00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.659 we will have 00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:46.039 a chance 00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:46.679 to do that. 00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:48.440 To be a 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.079 community that 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:50.019 doesn't say 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:50.900 you're different 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.579 and so you're 00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:51.960 wrong, 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.300 but a community 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:54.300 that sees past 00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:55.099 cultural and 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:55.679 theological 00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:56.219 differences, 00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.219 to be a 00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:57.779 people loved 00:35:57.779 --> 00:35:58.340 by Jesus. 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.880 When we 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:02.279 carefully work 00:36:02.279 --> 00:36:03.039 through differences, 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:03.980 whether they're 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.719 theological or 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.099 ethnic, 00:36:06.259 --> 00:36:06.980 because of our 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.779 unity in Jesus, 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.840 we become 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.980 a community 00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:11.760 who love 00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:12.179 each other. 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.199 Let me finish 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:14.920 with a quote 00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:16.079 from German 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:17.159 theologian and 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:18.119 pastor Dietrich 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:18.719 Bonhoeffer. 00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:20.019 He said, 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.900 the person 00:36:20.900 --> 00:36:21.679 who loves 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:23.619 their dream, 00:36:23.740 --> 00:36:24.460 the person 00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:24.820 who loves 00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:25.539 their dream 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:26.139 of community 00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:27.599 will destroy 00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:28.240 community, 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.740 but the person 00:36:29.740 --> 00:36:30.480 who loves 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.519 those around 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.059 them will 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:33.039 create community. 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:35.340 Let us be 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:36.539 that church. 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:37.900 Let me pray. 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.280 Dear Heavenly 00:36:41.280 --> 00:36:41.699 Father, 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:43.019 I thank you 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.519 so much 00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.119 for Jesus, 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.699 that because 00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:47.240 of him, 00:36:48.300 --> 00:36:50.159 not only 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:50.599 are we 00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:50.940 forgiven, 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:51.960 not only 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.900 do we have 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:53.519 salvation, 00:36:54.619 --> 00:36:55.480 but that we 00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:55.820 can have 00:36:55.820 --> 00:36:56.380 unity with 00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:56.840 people who 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.380 are different. 00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.179 Father, 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.219 give us 00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:01.860 slowness to 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.300 judge, 00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.219 give us 00:37:04.219 --> 00:37:05.179 awareness of 00:37:05.179 --> 00:37:05.699 differences, 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.519 but fill us 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.099 with love, 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:10.239 fill us 00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:10.799 with love, 00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:11.659 your love, 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:13.259 your sacrificial 00:37:13.259 --> 00:37:13.659 love, 00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:14.319 that we 00:37:14.319 --> 00:37:14.759 would be 00:37:14.759 --> 00:37:16.639 people who 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.559 choose to 00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:18.219 limit our 00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:19.059 freedom out 00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.739 of love for 00:37:19.739 --> 00:37:20.219 other people, 00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:20.539 Lord. 00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:22.400 We pray this 00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:22.659 in your 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:23.179 son's name. 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:23.940 Amen. 00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.039 Amen. 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:24.119 Amen. 00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:54.099 Thank you.