June_22_2025.docx

of the Sermon**

This sermon, delivered on the occasion of a baptism, explores the question of what it truly means to be a Christian and who gets to decide who is "in" or "out" of the faith community. Drawing from Galatians 3:23-29, the message highlights the early church's struggle with standards and boundaries, particularly around law observance and identity. The preacher emphasizes that Paul’s radical teaching is not about erasing differences, but about eliminating dominance and exclusion based on those differences. Instead, Paul calls the church to a unity in Christ that honours diversity, reflecting the very nature of God’s creation and the Trinity. The sermon challenges the congregation to welcome and be transformed by difference, rather than using it as a means of control or division, and to recognize that faith in Christ is what truly unites us.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Unity in Christ Transcends Human Standards Paul’s message to the Galatians is a reminder that our belonging in Christ is not determined by how well we fit into human-made categories or standards. The church’s tendency to set boundaries—who’s in, who’s out—reflects our human desire for control and sameness. Yet, the gospel calls us to a unity that is rooted in faith, not conformity. This unity is not about erasing our differences, but about finding our common identity in Christ.
• 2. Difference Is Not a Threat, but a Gift The radical claim of Galatians is that difference should not be used as a tool for dominance or exclusion. Throughout history, humanity has used difference to justify power over others, but Paul invites us to see diversity as a reflection of God’s creative abundance. In the church, embracing difference is not just a social nicety—it is a spiritual necessity that mirrors the diversity of creation and the very nature of God.
• 3. Transformation Happens in Encountering the ‘Other’ True spiritual growth often occurs when we engage with those who are not like us. The sermon points out that revelation and transformation happen in the “holy encounters” with people who challenge our perspectives. Rather than seeking only those who agree with us, we are called to seek out and learn from those who see the world differently, trusting that God works through these encounters to expand our hearts and minds.
• 4. Faith, Not Law, Is the Basis of Our Oneness Paul’s insistence that we are “clothed in Christ” through faith, not law, shifts the focus from external observance to internal transformation. The church is not a club for those who meet certain criteria, but a community of people united by trust in Christ’s work. This means that our unity is a gift received, not an achievement earned, and it calls us to humility and openness toward all whom Christ has welcomed.
• 5. Welcoming Difference Is Central to Christian Life The baptism of Mia and Jack serves as a living example of how the church is continually renewed by welcoming those who are different—whether by age, background, or perspective. The willingness to be taught by others, especially those who see the world differently, is a mark of a mature faith community. When we celebrate and learn from our differences, we participate in the ongoing work of God, who makes us one in Christ despite all that might divide us.

1. According to Paul in Galatians 3:23-29, what changes for people when they are “clothed in Christ”?
2. In the sermon, what examples were given of the kinds of boundaries or standards people use to decide who is “in” or “out” of the church?
3. What does Paul say about differences like Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female in this passage?
4. How did the preacher describe the early church’s struggle with law observance and identity?

1. Why does Paul insist that faith, not law, is the basis for being “one in Christ”? What does this mean for how the church should view its members?
2. The sermon says that Paul’s teaching is not about erasing differences, but about eliminating dominance and exclusion. How does this challenge the way churches sometimes operate?
3. The preacher mentioned that transformation happens when we encounter people who are different from us. Why might these “holy encounters” be important for spiritual growth?
4. How does the image of the Trinity (God as Three-in-One) help us understand unity and diversity in the church?

1. The sermon challenged us to notice if difference is accepted or used to dominate or discriminate in our church. Can you think of a time when you saw difference being either welcomed or rejected in a church setting? How did it affect you or others?
2. Are there any “standards” or “boxes” you personally use—maybe without realizing it—to decide who belongs in your faith community? What would it look like to let go of those?
3. The preacher said that true spiritual growth often happens when we engage with people who see the world differently. Is there someone in your life right now who challenges your perspective? How might God be using that relationship to grow you?
4. Baptism was described as a sign of being welcomed into the community, no matter our differences. How can you help make your church a place where newcomers—especially those who are different—feel truly welcomed and valued?
5. The sermon mentioned that Jesus welcomed children and those on the margins. Who are the “margins” in your community today, and what is one practical step you could take to reach out to them this month?
6. The preacher shared advice about having friends of different ages and backgrounds to keep learning and growing. Is there someone you could intentionally get to know better who is different from you in age, background, or perspective?
7. Paul says our unity is a gift received, not an achievement earned. How does this truth affect the way you view your own place in the church—and the place of others who might not “fit in” by human standards?