Embracing New Beginnings and Breaking Down Barriers
Summary
Today, we witnessed the joy of new beginnings as Jameis and Kendris, two brothers, were baptized into Christ, publicly confessing their faith and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Their excitement is a reminder of the wonder and anticipation we should all have as we follow Jesus each day. We also welcomed new members into our church family, celebrating the unity and purpose that comes from gathering as God’s people—not out of obligation, but because this space and this journey matter deeply.
Reflecting on the recent community prayer gathering, we saw how the family of God transcends boundaries, uniting people from all walks of life. Even when the wind threatened our candlelight vigil, the determination to shine our light together was a powerful image of what it means to persist in faith and love, especially for those who are hurting or marginalized.
Turning to Acts 15, we explored a pivotal moment in the early church—the inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God. The story of Cornelius and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles challenged the long-held boundaries and rules that had defined God’s people. The Jewish believers, rooted in tradition, struggled to accept that God’s grace could extend beyond their expectations. Yet, through the discernment of the apostles and the movement of the Holy Spirit, the church recognized that salvation comes by grace, not by rule-keeping.
This moment in Acts is not just history; it is our origin story. We, too, were once outsiders, brought in because someone saw past labels and spoke up for us. The Spirit’s work is always about breaking down barriers, seeing people instead of categories, and inviting all into God’s story. Our responsibility now is to do the same: to speak up for those who are overlooked, to see past the labels, and to participate in the ongoing work of the Spirit. The call is to be attentive, discerning, and courageous, joining God in what He is already doing—welcoming, forgiving, and making all things new.
Key Takeaways
- The Power of Confession and New Beginnings
Confession of faith is not just a ritual but a transformative moment that marks the start of a new life in Christ. Baptism is a visible sign of God’s forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, reminding us that every day can be approached with the same excitement and hope as the day we first believed. Our journey with Christ is meant to be lived with anticipation, gratitude, and openness to continual renewal. [10:45]
- Seeing Past Labels to the Person
We are often quick to categorize people—homeless, addict, felon, outsider—forgetting that behind every label is a story, a name, and a face. The Holy Spirit is actively reaching out to those we might dismiss, and we are called to do the same. True love for our neighbor begins when we see them as God does, refusing to let labels limit our compassion or our willingness to engage. [45:51]
- Grace Over Rule-Keeping
A faith built on rules without grace becomes spiritually hollow, no matter how holy it may appear. The early church struggled with the tension between tradition and the radical inclusivity of the gospel, but ultimately recognized that salvation is by grace alone. We must be vigilant not to let our own preferences or traditions become barriers to the movement of the Spirit or the inclusion of others. [51:36]
- Discernment Through the Spirit and Community
When faced with difficult questions or disagreements, the early church sought unity not through argument, but through Spirit-led discernment. The phrase, “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us,” reflects a deep commitment to listening, praying, and seeking God’s will together. True unity and wise decisions in the church come from humble, prayerful conversation and a willingness to be led by the Spirit, even when it challenges our assumptions. [01:04:32]
- Our Responsibility to Speak Up and Include
Our own inclusion in God’s family is the result of others who spoke up, advocated, and saw us as worthy of grace. This origin story gives us a responsibility: to speak up for those who are still on the outside, to see past categories, and to actively participate in God’s ongoing work of reconciliation. The Spirit is still moving, and we are called to join in, making disciples, extending forgiveness, and ensuring that no one is left unseen or unloved. [01:08:40]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[10:45] - Baptisms of Jameis and Kendris
[40:09] - Welcoming New Members
[44:40] - Apartheid, Labels, and Seeing People
[45:51] - The Power of Names and Stories
[47:24] - Forgiveness and New Beginnings
[48:35] - Our Own Inclusion Story
[49:36] - The Gentile Problem in the Early Church
[51:36] - Rule-Keeping vs. Grace
[56:39] - The Turning Point: Acts 15
[58:16] - The Spirit Moves Beyond Boundaries
[59:05] - The Importance of Questions and Conversations
[59:58] - Peter’s Epiphany: No Distinction
[01:01:14] - Jesus’ Ministry and the Inclusion of Outsiders
[01:03:27] - Joining the Spirit’s Work
[01:04:32] - Discernment and Unity
[01:06:19] - God’s Relentless Pursuit
[01:08:00] - Our Origin Story and Responsibility
[01:08:40] - The Call to Speak Up and Include
[01:09:59] - Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Acts 15:1-21 (ESV)
(You may want to read the whole passage, but especially focus on verses 6-11, 19-21.)
> 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 15, what was the main issue that caused disagreement among the early believers?
2. According to Peter, how did God show that He accepted the Gentiles? (see verses 8-9)
3. What was the response of the church leaders after hearing the stories of what God was doing among the Gentiles?
4. In the sermon, what modern-day examples did the pastor give of labels we use for people? [45:51]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Jewish believers struggled so much with the idea of Gentiles being included without following all the traditional rules? [49:36]
2. What does it mean that “God made no distinction between us and them”? How does this challenge the way we see others in our own community? [59:58]
3. The phrase “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28) was highlighted in the sermon. What does this reveal about how the early church made decisions? [01:04:32]
4. The pastor said, “A rule-keeping religion without grace may look holy but it’s spiritually hollow.” What are some ways this can happen in churches today? [51:36]
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### Application Questions
1. The excitement of Jameis and Kendris about their baptism was described as contagious. When was the last time you felt that kind of joy or anticipation in your faith? What would it look like to approach each day with that same sense of newness? [10:45]
2. The sermon talked about seeing past labels like “homeless,” “addict,” or “outsider.” Is there someone in your life or community you tend to label or overlook? What would it look like to see them as God does? [45:51]
3. Think about your own “origin story” in faith. Who spoke up for you, included you, or helped you feel like you belonged? How can you do the same for someone else this week? [01:07:13]
4. The early church had to let go of some traditions and preferences to welcome new people. Are there any “rules” or preferences in your own life or in our church that might be keeping others out? How can you be part of removing those barriers? [51:36]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of discernment—listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another. When was the last time you made a decision as a group or family by praying and listening together? How could you practice this more intentionally? [01:04:32]
6. The pastor challenged us to speak up for those who are overlooked or marginalized. Is there a specific person or group God is putting on your heart to advocate for? What is one step you can take this week to act on that? [01:08:40]
7. The sermon ended with a prayer asking God to show us the names and faces of people we have ignored. Will you pray this prayer this week? What might change if you do? [01:09:59]
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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for open eyes and hearts, courage to speak up for others, and a renewed sense of joy in following Jesus.
Devotional
Day 1: God Makes No Distinction—All Are Accepted by Faith
God welcomes all people into His family, not by their adherence to rules or traditions, but by faith and the gift of the Holy Spirit, making no distinction between backgrounds, histories, or labels. When we look at the story of the early church, we see that the Spirit moved powerfully among those who were once considered outsiders, breaking down barriers and purifying hearts by faith. The challenge for us is to recognize that God’s grace is not limited by human boundaries or expectations. He calls us to see others as He sees them—beloved, forgiven, and included. May we open our hearts to the Spirit’s work, trusting that His acceptance is greater than any label or rule we might impose. [59:58]
Acts 15:8-11 (ESV)
"And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
Reflection: Who in your life have you unconsciously labeled as an outsider or “less than”? How can you intentionally see and treat them as someone God welcomes and loves today?
Day 2: The Spirit Moves Beyond Our Expectations
The Holy Spirit often works in ways that challenge our assumptions, traditions, and comfort zones, inviting us to join in what God is already doing rather than insisting on our own expectations. The early church struggled to understand how Gentiles could be included without first becoming Jewish, but the Spirit was already at work, drawing people from every background into God’s family. This reminds us that God’s plans are bigger than our own, and His Spirit is not confined by our rules or preferences. We are called to discern where the Spirit is moving and to join Him, even when it stretches us beyond what we thought possible. [01:03:27]
Acts 15:12-19 (ESV)
"And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, 'Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, "After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old." Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.'"
Reflection: Where might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to let go of your own expectations or traditions in order to join in the new things God is doing?
Day 3: See Past Labels—See People
It is easy to categorize others with labels that distance us from their humanity, but God calls us to see past those labels and recognize the names, faces, and stories behind them. When we reduce people to categories like “addict,” “felon,” or “outsider,” we risk missing the work of the Spirit in their lives and our own. The call is to listen, to notice, and to speak up for those who are often dismissed or ignored, just as others have done for us. In doing so, we participate in God’s redemptive work, offering forgiveness and a chance for a new beginning. [45:51]
Matthew 9:36 (ESV)
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Reflection: Think of someone you’ve labeled or dismissed—how can you take one step today to truly see and listen to their story?
Day 4: Our Origin Story—Gratitude for Inclusion
Each of us is part of God’s story because someone spoke up for us, noticed us, and shared the gospel with us; our inclusion is not accidental but the result of God’s persistent love working through others. Reflecting on our own journey, we see the many people God used to draw us to Himself, often in ways we did not recognize at the time. This should fill us with gratitude and humility, knowing that we are not self-made but deeply loved and intentionally included. Our story is a testimony to God’s grace and the faithfulness of those who saw past our labels and welcomed us in. [01:07:13]
Ephesians 2:12-13 (ESV)
"Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
Reflection: Who are the people God used to bring you into His family? Take time today to thank God for them—and, if possible, reach out to express your gratitude.
Day 5: With Inclusion Comes Responsibility
Being welcomed into God’s family brings the responsibility to speak up for others, to make disciples, and to extend the same grace and forgiveness we have received, refusing to be silent or complacent. Our origin story is not just about being included; it is a call to action. We are to continue the work of seeing, naming, and loving those who are still on the margins, leading them toward the hope and new beginning found in Christ. May we be people who break down barriers, who refuse to label or dismiss, and who actively participate in God’s mission of redemption and inclusion. [01:08:40]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community that needs an advocate or encourager? How can you take a concrete step this week to speak up or reach out to them?
Quotes
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