Radical Inclusion: Embracing the Marginalized with Love
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound truth that Jesus Christ, our Savior, actively sought out those who were marginalized and considered outsiders. He extended His love and grace to tax collectors, sinners, and all who were deemed unclean by the religious elite of the time. Jesus' radical inclusion of these individuals was a testament to His mission to reach the lost and demonstrate the boundless love of God.
Jesus did not merely tolerate the presence of the outsiders; He welcomed them with open arms, dined with them, and shared the good news of the Kingdom. His actions were a clear rebuke to the Pharisees' self-righteousness and exclusionary practices. The Pharisees could not fathom why Jesus, a holy man, would associate with such people. Yet, Jesus remained sinless and pure, never compromising His divine standards for acceptance or to appear 'cool.' He was the perfect Lamb of God, yet He was able to engage in meaningful conversations with those on the fringes of society.
The message of Jesus is one of relentless pursuit and unconditional love. He is the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. This parable illustrates God's heart for the individual, the value He places on each soul, and the joy that erupts in heaven over one sinner who repents. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect Jesus in such a way that outsiders are drawn to Him, not repelled. We must live lives that are distinct from the world, not conforming to its patterns but being transformed by the renewing of our minds.
We are reminded that the church is not a gathering of the 'perfect' but a hospital for the broken, a refuge for the weary, and a home for the lost. The church should be a place where all are welcome, regardless of their past or present struggles. It is our mission to extend the same grace we have received to others, to be instruments of God's love, and to bring the lost sheep back into the fold.
As we partook of the Lord's Supper, we remembered the sacrifice of Jesus, who was broken for us. His body was given, and His blood was shed to establish a new covenant, one that is based on grace rather than the law. In this sacred act, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes, and we are reminded of the call to live lives that glorify Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' engagement with the outsiders of His time demonstrates God's heart for all humanity. He did not wait for the marginalized to clean up their lives before extending His love. Instead, He met them where they were, showing us that our mission field includes those who feel unworthy or distant from God. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching out to those in need of His grace. [09:38]
- The parable of the lost sheep teaches us about the value of the individual in God's eyes. Each person is precious, and heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. As believers, we are called to share in this divine joy by actively participating in the search for the lost and celebrating their return to the fold. [12:20]
- Our lives should be a reflection of Jesus' purity and love, attracting others to the Gospel. We must live in such a way that our actions and words do not compromise our testimony but rather point others to Christ. In doing so, we become beacons of light in a world that desperately needs the hope of the Gospel. [10:56]
- The church is not a club for the spiritually elite but a sanctuary for all who seek God. We must resist the temptation to become modern-day Pharisees, judging and excluding those who do not fit our mold. Instead, let us embrace the diversity of God's creation and welcome all into His family. [05:37]
- As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us. This act of remembrance should not only be a personal reflection but also a communal declaration of our faith and a commitment to live out the Gospel in our daily lives. [26:25]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
2. Matthew 9:10-13 - Jesus Eats with Sinners
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - The Lord's Supper
#### Observation Questions
1. What types of people were gathering around Jesus to hear Him, according to Luke 15:1-2?
2. How did the Pharisees react to Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners? ([00:41])
3. In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, what does the shepherd do when he realizes one sheep is missing? (Luke 15:4)
4. What does Jesus say the cup represents during the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:25?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to spend time with tax collectors and sinners, despite the criticism from the Pharisees? ([00:57])
2. How does the Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrate God's heart for the individual? What does this tell us about the value of each person to God? (Luke 15:7)
3. What does it mean for the church to be a "hospital for the broken" rather than a club for the spiritually elite? ([04:03])
4. How should the act of partaking in the Lord's Supper influence our daily lives and interactions with others? (1 Corinthians 11:26)
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How did someone’s actions or words make you feel welcomed or unwelcome? How can you apply this experience to make others feel included in your church community? ([01:17])
2. Jesus did not compromise His standards while engaging with outsiders. Are there situations in your life where you feel pressured to compromise your values? How can you remain true to your faith in these situations? ([02:29])
3. The sermon mentioned that the church should be a place where all are welcome, regardless of their past or present struggles. What practical steps can your small group take to ensure that your church is a welcoming place for everyone? ([04:03])
4. The Parable of the Lost Sheep emphasizes the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. How can you actively participate in seeking out and welcoming those who feel distant from God? ([12:20])
5. During the Lord's Supper, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can this act of remembrance inspire you to live a life that glorifies Him? What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to reflect this commitment? ([26:25])
6. Think of someone in your life who might feel like an outsider. What is one specific action you can take this week to show them the love and grace of Jesus? ([01:17])
7. How can your small group support each other in reaching out to those who feel unworthy or distant from God? Share one practical idea and commit to implementing it together. ([04:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Heart for Humanity
In the Kingdom of God, there are no outcasts or untouchables. Jesus Christ demonstrated this through His intentional engagement with those society had pushed to the margins. He did not wait for the marginalized to clean up their lives before extending His love; He met them where they were. This approach shows that the mission field includes those who feel unworthy or distant from God. It is a call to action for believers to be the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching out to those in need of His grace. The challenge is to look beyond societal labels and see individuals through the eyes of Christ, offering the same acceptance and love that He did.
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'" (Luke 19:9-10 ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community is often overlooked or marginalized, and how can you actively show them Christ's love this week? [09:38]
Day 2: The Value of One
The parable of the lost sheep is a powerful illustration of the value God places on each individual. Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents, emphasizing the importance of every soul. This parable invites believers to share in this divine joy by actively participating in the search for the lost and celebrating their return. It is a reminder that in God's eyes, no one is insignificant, and every effort to reach out to a lost soul is of eternal significance.
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4 ESV)
Reflection: Consider someone you know who is drifting away from God. What can you do to gently guide them back to the fold? [12:20]
Day 3: Reflecting Jesus in Our Lives
Believers are called to live lives that reflect Jesus' purity and love, serving as beacons of light in a dark world. This means that actions and words should align with the Gospel, drawing others to Christ rather than pushing them away. It is not about conforming to the world but being transformed by the renewing of the mind, which in turn affects how one interacts with others and represents the faith.
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
Reflection: How can your life better reflect Christ's love and purity to those around you, starting today? [10:56]
Day 4: The Church as a Sanctuary for All
The church is meant to be a sanctuary for all, not a club for the spiritually elite. It should be a place where diversity is embraced and all are welcome into God's family. This calls for a resistance to the temptation to judge and exclude, much like the Pharisees did. Instead, the church should reflect the inclusivity and love that Jesus showed, becoming a true refuge for the weary and a home for the lost.
"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13 ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a more welcoming environment for those who are seeking God? [05:37]
Day 5: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice Through Communion
Partaking in the Lord's Supper is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made and the new covenant established through His blood. This sacred act is not just a personal reflection but a communal declaration of faith and a commitment to live out the Gospel. It serves as a reminder to live lives that glorify God in every aspect.
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV)
Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper inspire you to live out the Gospel in your daily life? [26:25]
Quotes
1) "Reflect Jesus enough that outsiders want to hear his word from you. Reflect Jesus enough so the outsiders are asking you, tell me more, tell me more instead of outsiders feeling repulsed and forgotten." [08:31] (Download | )
2) "Jesus didn't compromise his standards to feel accepted and cool by those who were on the outside. He didn't let go of his values; Jesus remained perfect and pure." [03:08] (Download | )
3) "What if a church said in order to be part of us you have to think like us, act like us, look like us, behave like us? What if the church was filled with a bunch of Pharisees?" [05:37] (Download | )
4) "The outsiders were attracted to Jesus in such a way that whatever Jesus was talking about, the outsiders didn't feel condemned, they didn't feel marginalized." [01:39] (Download | )
5) "The shepherd celebrates not the 99; what does he celebrate? The one. He celebrates the one he comes back and puts that sheep on his back and brings it back." [19:23] (Download | )
6) "There are a lot of people who don't come to church because they're burdened, they're overwhelmed, and they don't know where to go. They need to experience the love of God." [17:55] (Download | )
7) "How cool is it gonna be when you celebrate, you help celebrate? Have you ever asked God for the question, what makes God happy? How can heaven celebrate when we go and find the one?" [19:23] (Download | )
8) "Go and reflect Jesus enough that the last person wants to hear what he has to say to them. Help the outsiders hear about Jesus; let's see heaven's song." [20:56] (Download | )
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