Building Bridges of Love and Acceptance

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we are called to be the living embodiment of God's Word, a beacon of hope and transformation for those who feel lost and marginalized. Our actions and interactions with others are a testament to the love and grace of our Heavenly Father. We are placed in the lives of those who are hurting, those who have been cast aside, and it is our divine appointment to show them that they are not defined by their past or the negative words spoken over them. They are, in fact, children of the King, and their true identity lies in Him.

We are reminded of the importance of tearing down the towers of self-righteousness and building bridges of compassion and understanding. The story of the bridge builder illustrates this beautifully. An old man, having crossed a vast chasm, chooses to build a bridge for those who will follow after him. This is the essence of our calling—to ease the journey for others, to extend a hand, and to walk alongside them in their times of need.

Our community should not resemble the Tower of Babel, where uniformity and self-gain were the driving forces. Instead, we must embrace diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that our circle is not limited to those who look, think, and act like us. We must be wary of the walls we inadvertently build when we elevate ourselves above others, creating a hierarchy that has no place in the Kingdom of God.

The story of the Sidonians serves as a powerful example. Once considered cursed and hopeless, they experienced the transformative power of Christ's love. Jesus Himself went to Sidon, healed their sick, and praised their faith, overturning the curse and demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.

As we move forward, let us be mindful of the direction we are heading. Are we moving towards self-centeredness, or are we journeying towards a life that reflects God's love and purpose? Let us not settle for a life of strife and turmoil, but instead, strive for the abundant life that God has promised us.

In conclusion, we are called to be bridge builders in a world that often promotes division and self-interest. Let us be a community that not only welcomes but actively seeks out those who are different from us, tearing down the towers of judgment and building bridges of love and acceptance. Let us walk in the footsteps of Christ, who showed us that true greatness lies in serving others and lifting them up.

Key Takeaways:

- Our lives are a testament to God's love, and through our actions, we have the opportunity to show others their true identity as children of the King. We must embrace this responsibility with humility and grace, knowing that we may be the only reflection of Jesus that some people ever encounter. [35:11]

- Building bridges, not towers, is the essence of our Christian walk. We must look beyond our own achievements and focus on how we can assist others in their journey, just as the bridge builder in the poem did for the youth who would follow after him. This outward mindset is crucial in fostering a community that reflects God's love. [37:54]

- Diversity within our community is a strength, not a weakness. When we surround ourselves with people who challenge and enrich our perspectives, we grow and become more effective in our mission to reach out to a hurting world. Uniformity leads to stagnation; diversity leads to vibrancy and life. [01:25]

- The story of the Sidonians reminds us that no one is beyond redemption. Jesus' actions towards those deemed cursed by society demonstrate that we must never write off any individual or group as beyond God's grace. Instead, we should be agents of healing and affirmation. [26:49]

- Our direction in life matters. Heading east in biblical literature often symbolized moving away from God's best. We must continually evaluate our path to ensure we are not settling for less than what God has for us, but rather pursuing His abundant life with intentionality and purpose. [03:51]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 24:27 - "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
2. Genesis 9:20-22 - "Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside."
3. Luke 10:14 - "But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the direction "east" symbolize in Hebrew literature, and how does it relate to the story of the Tower of Babel? [01:25]
2. How did Jesus' actions towards the Sidonians challenge the prevailing views of His time? [26:49]
3. What was the significance of Noah's curse on Canaan, and how did it affect future generations? [21:43]
4. How does the story of the bridge builder illustrate the essence of our Christian calling? [37:54]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of the Tower of Babel teach us about the dangers of self-centeredness and uniformity in a community? [07:09]
2. How can Jesus' interaction with the Sidonians serve as a model for how we should treat those considered outcasts or cursed by society? [26:49]
3. In what ways can the direction we are heading in life (symbolized by "east" or "west") impact our spiritual journey and relationship with God? [03:51]
4. How does the concept of building bridges instead of towers apply to our daily interactions and relationships within our community? [37:54]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt marginalized or cast aside. How did someone’s actions help you see your true identity as a child of God? How can you do the same for someone else this week? [35:11]
2. Think about your current community or social circle. Are there ways in which it resembles the Tower of Babel, focusing inwardly rather than outwardly? What steps can you take to foster a more inclusive and diverse environment? [07:09]
3. Jesus went to Sidon and healed those who were considered cursed. Is there someone in your life who you have written off as beyond redemption? How can you reach out to them with Christ’s love and grace? [26:49]
4. Evaluate the direction you are heading in your life. Are there areas where you have settled for less than what God has for you? What changes can you make to pursue His abundant life with intentionality and purpose? [03:51]
5. The bridge builder in the poem chose to build a bridge for those who would follow after him. Who in your life could benefit from a bridge you build? What practical steps can you take to ease their journey? [37:54]
6. Consider the walls you may have built in your relationships, whether through judgment or self-righteousness. How can you begin to tear down these walls and build bridges of love and acceptance instead? [33:01]
7. Reflect on the new technologies or resources you have at your disposal. Are you using them to benefit others or to elevate yourself? How can you shift your focus to use these tools for the greater good of your community? [14:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting Divine Love in Action
Our lives are a living testament to the love of God, and through our actions, we have the opportunity to reveal to others their true identity as children of the King. It is a profound responsibility to be the only reflection of Jesus that some may ever see. This calls for humility and grace in every interaction, recognizing that each person we meet is a divine appointment, an opportunity to demonstrate the love and acceptance that can only be found in Christ. We are to be mirrors, reflecting the light of God's love into the dark corners of people's lives, showing them their worth and potential in the eyes of their Creator.

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate God's love to someone who feels undervalued or overlooked in your community today? [35:11]

Day 2: Building Bridges, Not Towers
The essence of our Christian walk is to build bridges that help others cross the chasms of life, rather than towers of self-righteousness that separate us from those in need. Like the bridge builder in the poem, we are called to consider those who will come after us, making their journey easier and more hopeful. This outward focus is essential in creating a community that truly reflects the love of God. It is not about the monuments we build to our own achievements, but the pathways we create that enable others to find their way to God's love and grace.

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4 ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can build a bridge this week to someone who is facing a difficult journey? [37:54]

Day 3: Embracing Diversity as Our Strength
Diversity within our community is not a challenge to be overcome but a strength to be embraced. It is through the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences that we grow and become more effective in our mission. Just as a body is made up of many different parts, each with its own function, so too is the body of Christ enriched by the variety of its members. Uniformity leads to stagnation, but diversity leads to vibrancy and life. We are called to be a community that reflects the full spectrum of God's creation, celebrating and learning from our differences.

"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5 ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand and appreciate someone from a different background than your own this week? [01:25]

Day 4: No One Beyond Redemption
The story of the Sidonians is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Jesus' ministry to those who were considered cursed by society shows us that we must never label any individual or group as beyond hope. As followers of Christ, we are to be agents of healing and affirmation, extending the same love and grace that we have received to everyone we encounter. This is the heart of the gospel: that every person, regardless of their past or present circumstances, has the opportunity to be transformed by the love of Jesus.

"And he said to her, 'For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.'" (Mark 7:29 ESV, referring to the Syrophoenician woman, a Gentile)

Reflection: Who have you considered 'beyond redemption,' and how can you change your approach to show them Christ's love instead? [26:49]

Day 5: Pursuing God's Best for Our Lives
Our direction in life is of utmost importance. The biblical symbolism of heading east often represented moving away from God's best. It is essential to continually evaluate our path to ensure we are not settling for less than what God has for us. We are called to pursue an abundant life, one that is filled with God's presence and purpose. This requires intentionality and a willingness to turn away from self-centeredness, embracing the fullness of life that God offers to those who follow Him wholeheartedly.

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8 ESV, illustrating the separation from God's best)

Reflection: In what ways might you be 'heading east' in your life, and what steps can you take to realign with God's direction for you? [03:51]

Quotes

1) "We are supposed to respect and love each other regardless of our differences. This is what God's wanting us to do here at Falon." [32:22] (Download)

2) "The only Bible that they ever read may be you. I'm not talking about you telling them over and over again of all the things they've done wrong." [35:11] (Download)

3) "God's going to put us into contact with people that feel like they're cursed, to let them know that's not their identity." [36:36] (Download)

4) "What God's calling us to do is tear down those Towers and build a bridge. I believe what God's wanting us to do is help the next person." [37:54] (Download)

5) "If you're not allowing the 'thems' in our lives to be a part of our world, it's going to be a very small world eventually." [20:19] (Download)

6) "If you think that our salvation or our fix is in a political party, you're wrong. That is not where the solution is." [31:43] (Download)

7) "Anytime you're in a community that the reason for doing stuff is inward to profit those only within the community, then it's most likely the wrong kind of community." [07:09] (Download)

8) "If in your circle everybody thinks like you and acts like you, it's going to quickly become a very boring circle." [01:25] (Download)

9) "Any time you continue to go the wrong way, eventually you're going to get tired and you're going to just settle for whatever there is right there." [03:51] (Download)

10) "Jesus doesn't only go to Sidon but starts healing them and bragging about their faith, showing that no one is beyond redemption." [28:14] (Download)

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Transcript
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