Embracing Community: Seeing the Overlooked and Excluded
Summary
This morning begins with the reminder that joy comes in the morning, a gift from God that renews our hope and draws us together as a community. Our faith is not just about our relationship with God, but also about how we relate to one another and to all of God’s creation. Community is a sacred gift, and each person—whether present in the sanctuary or joining online—is a vital part of that tapestry. We are called to be a people who celebrate God’s presence, who believe that hope can heal, and who actively seek to welcome those who have been excluded.
Exclusion is a universal experience, but for some, it is a daily reality because of their identity—be it race, age, or other differences. Implicit bias, often unnoticed, shapes our perceptions and actions. The story of Google’s facial recognition error is a modern example of how systems can fail to see people rightly, and it challenges us to examine our own blind spots. Personal stories, like my own initial reluctance to connect with people outside my age group, reveal how easily we can miss out on transformative relationships when we let bias guide us.
Scripture offers a powerful lens for this conversation. David, the youngest and least likely son of Jesse, was overlooked by his own family and community. Yet God saw his heart and chose him for greatness, reminding us that God’s vision is not limited by outward appearances or social status. God consistently lifts up those whom the world deems insignificant, inviting us to do the same.
The story of Nicosi, a Zulu child born into poverty and diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, further illustrates this truth. Despite being marginalized by society, Nicosi’s life and voice changed the world’s understanding of HIV/AIDS in Africa. His name, meaning “king,” is a testament to how God uses the overlooked to bring about transformation and healing. We are challenged to ask ourselves: Who are we not seeing? Who might God be calling to lead us, to teach us, and to expand our understanding of community?
Each of us is beloved, called by God, and included in God’s family. Our task is to see others as God sees them, to welcome the excluded, and to proclaim to the world that all belong.
Key Takeaways
- Implicit bias is often invisible to us, yet it shapes how we see and treat others. Recognizing and confronting these biases is essential if we are to see people as God sees them—worthy, beloved, and full of potential. Only by acknowledging our blind spots can we begin to build authentic, inclusive community. [40:25]
- God’s way is to choose the overlooked and the underestimated. David’s anointing as king, despite being the youngest and least valued in his family, reveals that God’s criteria are radically different from the world’s. We are invited to look beyond appearances and status, seeking the heart and the hidden gifts in those around us. [48:54]
- The transformation of community begins with small acts of welcome and courage. The story of Fred and Evie, who became lifelong friends despite initial assumptions, shows that openness to unexpected relationships can lead to deep, lasting bonds. God often uses these connections to expand our understanding and break down barriers. [41:55]
- The story of Nicosi demonstrates the power of a single life to change the world. Though born into obscurity and suffering, his courage and the love he received gave a human face to a global crisis, shifting public opinion and policy. God’s purposes are often fulfilled through those whom society ignores or rejects. [54:19]
- Our calling is to see and include those whom the world overlooks. Each person, regardless of background or circumstance, is a child of the King and has a place in God’s family. We are sent to recognize, welcome, and lift up the excluded, proclaiming that all belong and that God’s love knows no boundaries. [50:06]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Embracing Community and Connection
[02:30] - Announcements and Candlelight Vigil for Peace
[04:10] - The Experience of Exclusion
[05:25] - Implicit Bias and the Google Story
[07:00] - Personal Story: Overcoming Age Bias
[09:00] - The Power of Unexpected Relationships
[10:30] - David’s Story: The Overlooked King
[13:00] - Israel’s Crisis: External and Internal Pressures
[15:00] - God’s Unconventional Choices
[16:54] - God Looks on the Heart
[18:00] - Who Are We Excluding?
[19:00] - Nicosi’s Story: From Obscurity to Impact
[23:00] - The Power of One Life to Change the World
[27:00] - Our Calling: Welcoming the Excluded
[29:00] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Welcoming the Excluded
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### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 16:1-13
(God chooses David, the youngest and least likely, to be king, reminding us that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance.)
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### Observation Questions
1. In the story of David’s anointing, what reasons did Jesse and Samuel have for overlooking David as a possible king? (1 Samuel 16:6-11)
2. According to the sermon, what is “implicit bias,” and how did the Google facial recognition story illustrate it? [[40:25]]
3. What were some of the ways David was excluded or undervalued by his family and community? [[43:50]]
4. How did the story of Nicosi show the impact of being overlooked or excluded by society? [[54:19]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that “God looks on the heart” rather than outward appearance? How does this challenge the way people usually make judgments? (1 Samuel 16:7)
2. The sermon described how implicit bias can be invisible to us. Why is it important for a community of faith to recognize and confront these biases? [[40:25]]
3. In what ways does God’s choice of David (and the story of Nicosi) show that God often works through those the world sees as insignificant? [[48:54]] [[54:19]]
4. The sermon asked, “Who are we not seeing?” Why is this question important for a church or small group to consider? [[50:06]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon shared a personal story about almost missing out on a deep friendship because of age bias. Can you think of a time when you let a bias or assumption keep you from connecting with someone? What happened, and what could you do differently next time? [[41:55]]
2. Implicit bias is often invisible to us. What is one area where you suspect you might have a blind spot? How could you begin to notice and address it? [[40:25]]
3. David was overlooked by his own family, yet God saw his potential. Is there someone in your life or community who might be overlooked or underestimated? What is one step you could take to encourage or include them this week? [[48:54]]
4. The story of Nicosi showed how one life can change the world. Who is someone you know who has faced exclusion or hardship, and how might you support or amplify their voice? [[54:19]]
5. The sermon challenged us to ask, “Who are we not seeing?” Take a moment to reflect: Is there a group or individual in your church, neighborhood, or workplace who is often left out? What practical action could you take to welcome them? [[50:06]]
6. The transformation of community begins with small acts of welcome and courage. What is one small, specific act of welcome you could offer this week to someone who might feel excluded? [[41:55]]
7. The sermon ended with the reminder that each of us is beloved and included in God’s family. How can you remind yourself and others of this truth, especially when you or they feel left out? [[01:08:20]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite God to open your eyes to those you may not see, to help you recognize and confront your own biases, and to give you courage to welcome and include others as God does.
Devotional
Day 1: God Looks on the Heart, Not Outward Appearance
God does not judge by the standards of the world, nor does He value the things that society often elevates—status, appearance, or power. Instead, God sees the heart, recognizing the potential, faith, and character within each person, even when others overlook or dismiss them. This truth invites us to examine our own hearts and to look beyond surface-level judgments, seeking to see others as God sees them—with compassion, hope, and a willingness to embrace those whom the world might call insignificant. [48:54]
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Reflection: Who in your life have you overlooked or dismissed because of outward appearances, and how can you intentionally seek to see them as God does today?
Day 2: Welcoming the Excluded
God’s heart is for those who have been left out, marginalized, or pushed aside by society. Throughout history, God has chosen to work through people whom others considered unimportant or unworthy, reminding us that everyone has a place in God’s family. We are called to be a community that not only welcomes the excluded but also actively seeks them out, making space for their voices, gifts, and stories, and ensuring that no one is left unseen or unheard. [50:06]
Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Reflection: Is there someone in your community or church who may feel excluded? What is one concrete step you can take this week to make them feel truly welcomed and included?
Day 3: Recognizing and Confronting Implicit Bias
Implicit bias can blind us to the value and humanity of others, causing us to act in ways that exclude or harm, often without realizing it. By acknowledging our own biases—whether based on age, race, sexuality, or other differences—we open ourselves to God’s transforming work, allowing Him to help us see rightly and love more fully. This journey requires humility, self-examination, and a willingness to let God reveal the places where we need to grow in compassion and understanding. [40:25]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Reflection: What is one area where you recognize a bias in your own heart? How can you invite God to help you see and love others more like He does today?
Day 4: The Power of Community to Heal and Transform
True community is built when we embrace one another across differences, offering belonging, support, and love to all—especially those who have been hurt or excluded. When we open our hearts and lives to others, we create space for healing, growth, and the breaking down of barriers that divide us. God calls us to be a people who light candles for hope, pray for peace, and embody the kind of radical hospitality that reflects His kingdom on earth. [01:08:20]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Reflection: How can you intentionally build deeper connections within your community this week, especially with someone you don’t know well or who may feel alone?
Day 5: You Matter—God Sees and Calls You
No matter your background, status, or the labels others have placed on you, you are seen, loved, and called by God. Just as God used a young shepherd boy and a child from a shanty town to change the world, He delights in using those who feel insignificant to accomplish His purposes. You are a beloved child of the King, and God invites you to embrace your identity and to help others know that they, too, belong in His family. [01:05:19]
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
Reflection: In what ways do you struggle to believe that you matter to God? What is one truth from today’s devotional that you can hold onto and share with someone else who needs to hear it?
Quotes
Allow this to be a way where we all say we want to be part of this community that celebrates God's presence, that shouts that there is joy in the morning, that we still believe that hope can help us heal. [00:07:34] (16 seconds)
If God had allowed us to keep being blind to the situation, we would have sabotaged a relationship with Fred and Evie that has lasted 40 years. We would have lost out on a wonderful relationship with people that we called at the time Mom and Dad West, because they were on the West Coast. [00:42:09] (26 seconds)
David was a young boy. He was the eighth son in a patrilinear type of culture where the power and the possessions went from the father to the firstborn son. So he wasn't the heir and the spare. He was the spare, spare, spare, spare, spare, spare, right? He was way down the line. He was a nobody. [00:43:57] (27 seconds)
But you know, isn't that the way God works? I mean, I think about the magi going to see the new king following this beautiful star, and they find this baby of a peasant who had this baby and she wasn't even married to the father? Like, what in the world? And yet, that was Jesus who became the new David, the savior of the world. [00:49:16] (28 seconds)
And so that's exactly the way God works, by taking those that we in the world deem insignificant, that we push aside because they don't have all of those outward trappings that we think are necessary. And God sees instead possibility. [00:49:44] (21 seconds)
And so it invites us to really think about who are we excluding? Who is the next person that God wants to raise up to help us see rightly? [00:50:06] (16 seconds)
You see this this child that others would overlook God used in a miraculous way to help the world to help the world understand the pain and the suffering that was going on in Africa and to change the tide of public opinion for all of those people over there. [01:02:27] (24 seconds)
And so God also says to each one of you you may feel like you're from a no-name town no-name family you may feel like you're from a significant family God's like that doesn't matter you matter because I call you princess prince children of the king you matter because God loves you and God sees you. [01:02:51] (35 seconds)
But it also invites us to ask who are we not seeing who are we dismissing that God wants to use to become a king among us who will teach us to see rightly who will help us to continue to embrace our wider community who will help us to expand our understanding of who's included in this amazing realm of God all of us are included so is the rest of the world but they may not know that yet and it's your job to see them and to tell them. [01:03:26] (49 seconds)
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be a sense of compassion and openness to all those that God would want to use, that we might overlook, and let it begin with us, you are God's beloved people, go and tell the world that they also belong. [01:09:22] (26 seconds)
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