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.
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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