Leading with Love in Divided Times

### Summary

Good morning, Menlo Church! Today, we continue our series, "Smear Campaign," where we reflect on how fighting dirty is dividing relationships and damaging our witness. Whether you're a Christian or not, no one is happy about the state of public discourse today. We aim to equip you with lessons to navigate these challenging times, especially as we approach a national presidential election year. I hope you had a chance to apply some of the things we talked about last week, and I have a hunch you'll get more opportunities to apply this week's lessons.

First, I want to give a shout-out to our Bay Area campuses in San Mateo, Mountain View, Saratoga, and right here in Menlo Park. We are one church in multiple locations, and the hope of Jesus is available throughout Menlo Church because of faithful followers like you. I've been reminding you that your financial support allows Menlo to make a difference in the communities we serve. Automating your giving is crucial, especially as our ministry ramps up in the summer with special events and trips. If you're a follower of Jesus and call Menlo Church home, consider making giving financially a priority as part of your journey with Jesus.

Last week, we talked about the underlying fear feeding the dysfunction around us and expanded the two political parties into the four Americas we live in. Today, I want to talk about diversity, a word that has become loaded over the years. The extremes in the conversation have dominated the space, leading to confusion. But before we dive in, let's pray. God, thank you that no matter what's happening in the headlines, your kingdom will continue to reign. Help us to reframe our understanding and submit our view to your vision.

We need to commit to caring for the world around us. Part of this is through the listening magnets you received. Place them somewhere visible to remind you to lead with listening. When we moved from Colorado to California, I joked that my approach to polarization wouldn't change much, but I'd be called a crazy liberal in Colorado and a crazy conservative in California. We live in crazy times. During the 2020 election season, I received messages criticizing my preaching from all four Americas. Many left for churches that aligned more closely with their specific convictions. But when we lead and live out of fear, we make bad choices. Jesus always moved towards people who were different and sought to learn from them. He invites us to do the same.

The younger generation is increasingly cynical, with many believing elections don't matter. Avoid this extreme of cynicism. God has a vision for how we should walk out our views and values. Let's pray for people and ideas that confront our assumptions. Who is the neighbor you've been avoiding? Who's the coworker you haven't spoken to because of their political views? Use the lessons from the magnet and lead with listening. You have no idea what hangs in the balance of your ability to lead with love, just like Jesus.

Jesus was so good at meeting people where they were without surrendering His convictions. He led with compassion. Let's pray that God gives us the heart and vision to do the same. For some, this is a hard conversation. You've made decisions that have alienated friends. This won't end soon, but let's be people of love, welcoming different perspectives because everyone is made in God's image. Neither political party has the moral high ground. We need to live as thoughtful witnesses in a world that needs hope.

I want to share a list of ten kingdom commitments from "The Party Crasher." These include worship, loving our neighbors, honoring the image of God in all people, biblical wisdom, biblical justice, fruitful speech, peacemaking, removing the log from our own eye, humble learning, and loving our enemies. Imagine what it would look like if we committed to this list through November. Some of you aren't followers of Jesus because these commitments seem far from your experience with Christians. I'm sorry about that, but we all need the grace of Jesus as we figure this out together.

In Luke's biography of Jesus, he records the moment Levi, also known as Matthew, was called to follow Jesus. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector, a combination unthinkable at the time. He had to bid for the right to collect taxes, enriching himself at the expense of his people. Jesus offered him a spot as a disciple, representing a path to a life he thought had passed him by. This is a beautiful picture of repentance. Jesus' approach to diversity was radical. He chose people who had been passed over, like Matthew, and invited them into a relationship that seemed impossible. This is the example we should follow.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Importance of Financial Support: Automating your giving is crucial for the church's mission, especially during the summer when ministry activities ramp up. This act of financial stewardship is part of our journey with Jesus, reflecting our commitment to support the work God is doing through Menlo Church. Consider making giving a regular rhythm in your life to help sustain and grow the impact of our community. [] [22:44]
• 2. Embracing Diversity: Diversity has become a loaded term, but it's essential to our faith. Jesus modeled radical diversity by engaging with people who were different from Him. He moved towards them, learned from them, and built relationships. We are called to do the same, leading with listening and love, even when we disagree. This approach can transform our interactions and witness in a divided world. [] [24:47]
• 3. Avoiding Cynicism: The younger generation is increasingly cynical about politics, believing that elections don't matter. This cynicism is dangerous and contrary to God's vision for us. We must engage thoughtfully and let our faith shape our politics, not the other way around. Pray for people and ideas that challenge your assumptions and help you grow in understanding and compassion. [] [49:20]
• 4. Leading with Love and Compassion: Jesus met people where they were without compromising His convictions. He led with compassion, inviting people into a relationship with Him. We should follow His example, especially in politically charged times. Engage with those you disagree with, listen to their stories, and show them the love of Christ. This approach can break down barriers and build meaningful connections. [] [51:27]
• 5. Kingdom Commitments: Living as thoughtful witnesses involves ten kingdom commitments: worship, loving our neighbors, honoring the image of God in all people, biblical wisdom, biblical justice, fruitful speech, peacemaking, removing the log from our own eye, humble learning, and loving our enemies. Imagine the impact if we committed to these principles through November. This commitment can transform our interactions and witness, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus. [[41:15]]
  ### [41:15]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [22:44] - Importance of Financial Support
• [24:47] - Embracing Diversity
• [41:15] - Kingdom Commitments
• [49:20] - Avoiding Cynicism
• [51:27] - Leading with Love and Compassion

Bible Reading

Luke 5:27-32 (ESV) — > "After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me.' And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'"

2. Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)
> "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

3. Romans 12:18 (ESV)
> "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

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Observation Questions

1. What was Levi's (Matthew's) occupation before Jesus called him, and why was it significant? ([33:29])
2. How did the Pharisees react to Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, and what was Jesus' response? ([33:29])
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick"? ([33:29])
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the ten kingdom commitments mentioned? ([41:15])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose someone like Levi (Matthew), a tax collector, to be one of His disciples? ([33:29])
2. How does the concept of removing the log from your own eye before addressing the speck in someone else's eye apply to our current political and social climate? ([44:57])
3. What does it mean to live peaceably with all, and how can this be challenging in today's divided world? ([49:20])
4. How can the ten kingdom commitments help us navigate political and social divisions? ([41:15])

Application Questions

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any "tax collectors" or people you have avoided because of their differences? How can you take a step towards them this week? ([33:29])
2. Think about a recent disagreement you had. How could leading with listening and love have changed the outcome? ([50:54])
3. Identify one of the ten kingdom commitments that you find most challenging. What practical steps can you take to incorporate it into your daily life? ([41:15])
4. Have you ever felt cynical about politics or social issues? How can you shift your perspective to align more with God's vision? ([49:20])
5. Jesus met people where they were without compromising His convictions. How can you balance holding your convictions while showing compassion to those who disagree with you? ([51:27])
6. Who is a neighbor or coworker you have been avoiding due to their political views? What is one action you can take this week to engage with them positively? ([50:21])
7. How can you automate your giving or make financial stewardship a regular part of your journey with Jesus? ([22:44])