Episode 009 - Marinating on how to reach across ethnic lines

Christ-followers should be known as peacemakers, but are we? Sometimes it can feel awkward or even scary living as a cultural peacemaker. Pastor Derwin walks through some practical steps we can all take to reach across ethnic lines.

Show Notes:

  • Pastor Derwin starts off with sharing about his new book. The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches About Finding True Happiness. Find out more about this book here: thegoodlifebook.net.

  • Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.

  • Jesus invites us to experience happiness.

  • Blessed = makarios = happy. This is the Greek word used in Matthew 5 in the Beatitudes. This is a manifesto in how to he happy. If you want to be happy become like this…

  • Matthew 5:9 says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” We can be peacemakers horizontally because God has made peace with us vertically.

  • The human race is comprised of many different ethnicities. Jesus wants us to be peacemakers because He wants us to be happy and because you are an offspring of God.

  • A cross-cultural peacemaker understands that the Gospel is about God getting His family back.

  • Galatians 3:8 (cites Gen 12:1-3).

  • Our ethnicity does not get obliterated, it gets celebrated, because it is redeemed in Christ.

  • Everyone who is in Christ is clothed in Christ. We can’t look down on anybody because we are all wearing Jesus. Galatians 3:28-29. Racism, classism, and sexism have no place in the life of the believer. The promise in vs. 29 - God is making a family out of all the families on earth.

  • Peacemakers understand that the Gospel creates a new family of one-ness.

  • Peacemakers understand that Gospel creates reconciliation between ethnic groups. Ephesians 2:14-16.

  • Dividing wall in Herod’s temple.

  • We already have peace with each other. we just need to learn to walk in it.

  • As a result of God’s grace we seek to build intentional relationships with brothers and sisters of different ethnic groups.

  • When we have intentional relationships across ethnic boundaries we learn and grow.

  • As peacemakers, pray and ask God to connect you with people from different ethnicities. Cultivate a posture of listening and learning. Seek to understand before being understood.

  • Colossians 3:1-13. How to get along with God’s new family. It’s the Gospel that does it!

  • Travel internationally when possible so you can be exposed to other cultures.

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