Embracing the Gospel: Inclusivity and Global Transformation

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound implications of the gospel's reach and its transformative power across diverse cultural and geographical landscapes. I began by highlighting the gospel's call to extend beyond our immediate communities, emphasizing our ongoing partnerships with global missions in places like Scotland, Newfoundland, and India. These efforts are not just about spreading the word but are deeply rooted in establishing sustainable, local-led church movements that resonate with the cultural and spiritual needs of the people in these regions.

I shared the inspiring story of our partnership with church planters in Scotland's housing projects, where we hope to see indigenous leaders rise and take the mantle of spiritual leadership. This narrative seamlessly connected to our broader vision of church planting both locally and globally, underscoring the gospel's vitality in rejuvenating communities spiritually.

The sermon then took a personal turn as I recounted a recent visit to Whole Foods, which became a reflective moment on how easily we categorize and segregate ourselves from others who might seem different. This story served as a springboard into a deeper theological discussion on how Jesus, unlike us, did not see 'His people' versus 'others.' Instead, He embraced all humanity, challenging us to expand our circles and embrace those who are not like us, including the marginalized and the overlooked.

Drawing from the Book of Acts, I delved into the narrative of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, a story that illustrates the unexpected and often radical paths the gospel takes. Philip's encounter in the desert, prompted by the Holy Spirit, was not just a moment of conversion for the eunuch but a powerful testament to the gospel's boundary-crossing nature. This account highlighted the importance of obedience to the Spirit's leading, even into unfamiliar or uncomfortable territories.

The sermon concluded with a call to personal and communal repentance and a renewed commitment to live out the gospel authentically. I emphasized that the gospel confronts sin directly and demands a response of repentance and transformation, a theme that resonates through the story of Simon the magician, whose initial belief was challenged by his misunderstanding of the Spirit's power.

### Key Takeaways

1. Global Church Planting Initiatives: The gospel compels us to support and initiate church planting efforts globally, recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities in regions like Scotland's housing schemes and rural India. These efforts are crucial in cultivating local leadership and sustainable faith communities. [01:03:12]

2. Cultural Bridges and Personal Reflections: Encounters like my visit to Whole Foods remind us of the subtle yet pervasive ways we segregate ourselves. The gospel challenges these divisions, calling us to see all people through the lens of Christ's inclusive love and grace. [01:05:57]

3. The Power of Scripture and Divine Encounters: The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch underscores the transformative power of Scripture and the importance of divine appointments. Being open to the Spirit's leading can result in profound moments of conversion and clarity for those seeking truth. [58:05]

4. Confronting Sin with Gospel Truth: The gospel does not shy away from confronting sin. Like Peter's interaction with Simon the magician, we are called to boldly speak truth, urging each other towards repentance and deeper faithfulness to Christ. [49:20]

5. Inclusivity in the Gospel Message: The gospel is for everyone, transcending cultural, ethnic, and social barriers. This inclusivity is foundational to how we live out our faith, ensuring that our church and personal lives reflect the unbounded love of Christ. [01:10:11]

### Youtube Chapters

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:03:12] - Global Missions and Church Planting
- [01:05:57] - Personal Reflections at Whole Foods
- [43:51] - Philip's Ministry in Samaria
- [56:25] - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
- [49:20] - Confronting Sin: The Story of Simon the Magician
- [01:10:11] - Embracing Gospel Inclusivity

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 8:4-40
2. Acts 1:8
3. Isaiah 53:7-8

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Philip's mission in Samaria, and how did the people respond to his message? ([42:22])
2. Describe the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. What was the eunuch reading, and how did Philip assist him? ([58:05])
3. How did Peter respond to Simon the magician's request to buy the power of the Holy Spirit? ([49:20])
4. What was the significance of the gospel spreading to the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch? ([45:17])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the gospel is for people who are not like us, as demonstrated by Philip's mission to Samaria? ([45:17])
2. How does the story of Simon the magician illustrate the gospel's confrontation with sin and the call for repentance? ([49:20])
3. What does Philip's obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading to the desert teach us about following God's guidance, even when it seems illogical? ([56:25])
4. How does the Ethiopian eunuch's conversion highlight the importance of Scripture and divine encounters in the process of coming to faith? ([58:05])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt out of place or different from those around you, similar to the pastor's experience at Whole Foods. How can you use that experience to empathize with and reach out to those who are not like you? ([01:05:57])
2. The gospel calls us to confront sin and call for repentance. How can you lovingly and truthfully address sin in the lives of those around you without being judgmental? ([49:20])
3. Philip was obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading, even when it meant going to an unfamiliar place. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a step of obedience this week? ([56:25])
4. The Ethiopian eunuch was seeking God and found guidance through Philip. Is there someone in your life who is seeking spiritual truth? How can you be a guide for them in their journey? ([58:05])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of global church planting initiatives. How can you support these efforts, either through prayer, financial support, or personal involvement? ([01:03:12])
6. Reflect on the invisible lines you may have drawn in your life, categorizing people as "your people" and "not your people." How can you work to break down these barriers and see everyone through the lens of Christ's inclusive love? ([01:07:15])
7. The gospel's inclusivity is foundational to our faith. How can your church or small group become more inclusive and welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds and experiences? ([01:10:11])

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating Global Church Leadership
The gospel's call to global engagement is not merely about spreading the word but fostering sustainable, local-led church movements. In regions like Scotland's housing schemes and rural India, the focus is on cultivating indigenous leadership that understands and meets the local spiritual and cultural needs. This approach ensures that the gospel is not just heard but is lived out in ways that are meaningful and transformative to the community. The efforts in global missions are crucial for building resilient faith communities that can thrive independently and impact their surroundings profoundly. [01:03:12]

Acts 13:2-3 (ESV): "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Reflection: How can you actively support or engage in global missions to foster indigenous church leadership?

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Day 2: Challenging Cultural Divisions with Gospel Love
The subtle ways in which we segregate ourselves, as seen in everyday encounters like a visit to Whole Foods, reveal our often unconscious biases. The gospel calls us to break down these barriers and view every individual through the lens of Christ's inclusive love and grace. This challenge is not just about recognizing diversity but embracing it, allowing our interactions to reflect the unbounded love that Jesus showed to all people, regardless of their background or status. This inclusivity is foundational to living out a faith that truly mirrors the gospel. [01:05:57]

James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'Sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'Stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: In what ways might you be maintaining cultural or social barriers that prevent gospel inclusivity in your daily interactions?

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Day 3: Embracing Divine Appointments and Scriptural Transformation
The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch highlights the unexpected and transformative power of divine appointments and the active role of Scripture in guiding us to truth. Being open to the Holy Spirit's leading can bring us into profound encounters that not only change lives but also affirm the boundary-crossing nature of the gospel. This narrative encourages us to be attentive and obedient to the Spirit's prompting, which can lead us into meaningful engagements with those seeking truth, often in the most unexpected places. [58:05]

Acts 8:29-31 (ESV): "And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."

Reflection: Can you recall a moment when you felt the Holy Spirit's prompting to engage with someone? How can you be more attentive to such divine appointments?

---

Day 4: Confronting Sin with Gospel Truth
The gospel does not shy away from confronting sin, as illustrated by Peter's interaction with Simon the magician. This narrative teaches us the importance of speaking truth boldly and urging each other towards repentance and deeper faithfulness to Christ. It's a reminder that our belief must be coupled with an understanding of the gospel's power, not just for initial conversion but for ongoing transformation and sanctification in our lives. This boldness in confronting sin is essential for living out an authentic Christian life. [49:20]

Acts 8:20-22 (ESV): "But Peter said to him, 'May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to confront sin more boldly? How can you seek accountability in this process?

---

Day 5: Ensuring Inclusivity in Our Gospel Witness
The gospel's inclusivity transcends cultural, ethnic, and social barriers, calling us to ensure that our church and personal lives reflect the unbounded love of Christ. This foundational aspect of our faith challenges us to look beyond our circles and embrace all humanity, particularly the marginalized and overlooked. By doing so, we live out the gospel in its fullest expression, demonstrating a faith that is not only heard but vividly seen in our actions and interactions. [01:10:11]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How can you make your personal or church activities more inclusive to reflect the gospel's call to embrace all humanity?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Yesterday, I went to Whole Foods. It's in Louisville. I don't have one in Indiana. And, you know, I was walking to the parking lot and I was about to walk into Whole Foods. And here's what I thought. I'm just going to be a little transparent. I know some of you really love Whole Foods. You're welcome here. Okay, so don't, so I'm not hating on you. Just listen to the illustration because I think you'll be encouraged." [01:05:57]( | | )

2. "Jesus says, nobody, nobody was his people, but he made everybody his people. It doesn't matter where you live, work and play. And a couple of years ago, I'll close with this illustration. There was a person who came to our church and they still come intermittently. They watch online. They might even be watching now. They came up to me and they said, can I talk to you in private? I said, absolutely." [01:08:47]( | | )

3. "The gospel is for everyone. The gospel is for everyone. You know why? Because it came to you. And it came to me. Let's be a gospel people." [01:10:11]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "The gospel calls us to go to people far from us geographically. Right now, Pastor Tony, one of our pastors, you saw his wife do the announcements, Miss Andrea. He is in Scotland with a small team and they are working with church planters called 20 Schemes. A scheme is a, essentially it's a housing project in Scotland." [01:03:12]( | | )

2. "The gospel confronts sin and calls for repentance. And I'll just kind of tag the last one here and we'll close here this morning. The gospel, calls us to go to people who aren't like us." [01:05:57]( | | )

3. "The gospel is for everyone. You know why? Because it came to you. And it came to me. Let's be a gospel people. Okay. Father, I pray that you would see fit by the spirit of God to help us be gospel people." [01:10:11]( | | )

4. "The gospel also calls us to go to people who are far away geographically. Now, Philip is at kind of the climax of his ministry. I mean, there's like a revival breaking area. And the spirit of God moves Philip and tells Philip to go out into this place in the middle of nowhere in the desert." [56:25]( | | )

5. "The gospel is for everyone. The gospel is for everyone. You know why? Because it came to you. And it came to me. Let's be a gospel people." [01:10:11]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?