Removing Barriers to God's Kingdom: Embracing Inclusivity

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of Salvation is Freely Given

The gift of salvation is freely given to all, without any prerequisites or conditions. Unlike starting a business, which requires significant investment and meeting various criteria, the Kingdom of God is open to everyone. Sometimes, we may unintentionally create barriers by making people feel they need to meet certain standards to be accepted into the church. This can deter individuals from seeking God and experiencing His grace. It is crucial to communicate that salvation is a gift from God, freely available to everyone, regardless of their past or present circumstances. By doing so, we can break down barriers and make the church a more inclusive and welcoming place.

[57:03]

Romans 3:24-25 (ESV): "and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins."

Reflection: Think of someone you know who might feel unworthy of God's love. How can you share the message of God's free gift of salvation with them today?

Day 2: Avoiding Exclusivity in Church

Sometimes, churches can unintentionally create an exclusive environment by expecting people to dress, speak, or act a certain way to be accepted. This can create barriers for those seeking God, making them feel unwelcome or judged. It is important to remember that Jesus came for everyone, regardless of their background or appearance. Our church should reflect this inclusivity, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and accepted. By doing so, we can create a community that truly embodies the love and grace of Christ.

[01:00:17]

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 if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: Reflect on your own attitudes and behaviors. Are there ways you might be unintentionally creating barriers for others in your church community? How can you make your church more inclusive and welcoming?

Day 3: Forgiveness and Non-Judgment

The world has become an unforgiving place, often punishing people for past mistakes and holding grudges. As a church, we must be a place of forgiveness and acceptance, welcoming people with open arms and not holding their past against them. This approach will help break down barriers and make the church a more inviting place. By embodying forgiveness and non-judgment, we reflect the heart of Christ and create a community where people can experience true healing and transformation.

[01:16:37]

Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Think of someone you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?

Day 4: Differentiating Ourselves from the World

Our lives should reflect the fruit of the Spirit, differentiating us from worldly values. This means living lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By doing so, we show the world that we are different and that the Kingdom of God offers something unique and transformative. This differentiation is not about being better than others but about living in a way that reflects God's love and grace, drawing others to Him.

[01:07:59]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit in your daily life? How can you ask God to help you grow in this area?

Day 5: Evangelism and Accessibility

We must actively tell people about Jesus and make the church accessible to all. This means breaking down any barriers that might make people feel unwelcome or unworthy. By doing so, we open the doors to the Kingdom of God and invite everyone to experience His love and grace. Evangelism is not just about preaching but about living lives that reflect Christ's love and making the church a place where everyone feels they belong.

[01:21:42]

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: Think of someone in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you share His love and message with them in a way that makes them feel welcomed and valued?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to share some reflections from our recent trip to Dallas and delve into the topic of "Barriers to Entry" in the Kingdom of God. We had a blessed time in Dallas, partnering with various ministries like Deliverance Alley and the Abigail Initiative. We saw firsthand the transformative power of God's grace, as exemplified by Miss Rhonda, who overcame 20 years of drug addiction. This trip reminded us of the importance of being accessible and available to those in need.

Transitioning to our main topic, we discussed the concept of barriers to entry, a term often used in the business world to describe obstacles that prevent new competitors from entering an industry. We drew parallels to our spiritual journey, asking ourselves if we, as members of Christ's body, are creating barriers for others seeking to enter the Kingdom of God.

Romans 14:10-13 urges us not to condemn each other but to live in a way that does not cause another believer to stumble. We explored various types of barriers, such as economic, regulatory, and market barriers, and how they can manifest in our spiritual lives. For instance, while the gift of salvation is free, we sometimes act as though people need to meet certain criteria to be accepted into the church. This can create an exclusive environment that deters people from seeking God.

We also discussed the importance of brand loyalty and differentiation. Just as people are loyal to certain brands, we can sometimes become loyal to a particular way of doing church, which can exclude others. We must ensure that our church is not seen as an exclusive club but as a welcoming place for all. Jesus came for the sinners, and we must reflect that in our actions and attitudes.

Furthermore, we talked about the need for forgiveness and non-judgment. The world has become an unforgiving place, and we must counteract that by being a forgiving and welcoming community. We must also differentiate ourselves from worldly values by living lives that reflect the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In conclusion, we must strive to remove any barriers we might be placing before others, whether through judgment, pride, or lack of forgiveness. Instead, we should be gateways to God's Kingdom, reflecting His love and grace in all that we do.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Judgment**: The world has become an unforgiving place, often punishing people for past mistakes. As a church, we must be a place of forgiveness and acceptance, welcoming people with open arms and not holding their past against them. This approach will help break down barriers and make the church a more inviting place. [01:16:37]
4. Differentiating Ourselves from the World: Our lives should reflect the fruit of the Spirit, differentiating us from worldly values. This means living lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By doing so, we show the world that we are different and that the Kingdom of God offers something unique and transformative.

5. Evangelism and Accessibility: We must actively tell people about Jesus and make the church accessible to all. This means breaking down any barriers that might make people feel unwelcome or unworthy. By doing so, we open the doors to the Kingdom of God and invite everyone to experience His love and grace.

### [76:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:42] - Dallas Trip Highlights
[48:32] - Testimony of God's Favor
[50:03] - Barriers to Entry in the Kingdom of God
[53:53] - Economic Barriers
[57:03] - The Gift of Salvation is Free
[58:44] - Regulatory Barriers
[59:35] - Market Barriers and Brand Loyalty
[60:17] - Avoiding Exclusivity in Church
[62:00] - Jesus Came for All
[67:59] - Differentiating Ourselves from the World
[76:37] - Forgiveness and Non-Judgment
[81:42] - Evangelism and Accessibility
[88:35] - Commitment to Removing Barriers
[89:38] - Closing Prayer and Offering
[103:57] - Church Anniversary Announcement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 14:10-13, what are we urged to avoid doing to other believers?
What are the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23?
In the sermon, what were some examples given of barriers that can prevent people from entering the Kingdom of God?
How did the pastor describe the concept of "brand loyalty" in relation to church practices?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the importance of not judging others in Romans 14:10-13? How does this relate to creating barriers for others?
How can the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 help us differentiate ourselves from worldly values?
The sermon mentioned economic, regulatory, and market barriers. How do these business concepts translate into spiritual barriers within the church?
What does the pastor mean by saying that the church should not be an "exclusive club"? How can this mindset create barriers?

Application Questions

Reflect on your own actions and attitudes. Are there ways in which you might be creating barriers for others seeking to enter the Kingdom of God? How can you change this?
Think of a time when you felt judged or excluded. How did it affect your spiritual journey? How can this experience help you be more inclusive to others?
Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others?
How can you ensure that your church is a welcoming place for all, regardless of their background or appearance? What practical steps can you take?
Identify one person in your life who might feel unwelcome or unworthy of coming to church. How can you reach out to them and show them God's love and grace?
The sermon emphasized the importance of forgiveness and non-judgment. Is there someone you need to forgive or a judgmental attitude you need to let go of? How will you address this?
How can you actively participate in evangelism and make the church more accessible to those who feel distant from God? What specific actions can you take this week?

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "When it comes to coming into the kingdom of God, the gift of salvation is free. There is no cost. And that is something we have to remind people and we have to make sure that people know and that they are aware that the gift of salvation is free. Where it is you have to spend a lot of money in doing business or even to join other groups, the gift of salvation is free." [57:03] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We have to ensure that even as our church here, and other churches, that we do not make church to become like some sort of country club, where it is you have to have a special pass that you are able to access. I always tell this story, and if you have heard it before, there was this minister from Guyana, Pastor Alex, and he was telling this story to us at a time when he was outside the church." [01:00:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We have to be able to show that we are differentiated. People have to see patience, people have to see faithfulness, people have to be able to see goodness and gentleness and kindness that comes from us. That is what differentiates the brand of Christianity because there's a brand of Christianity that is the bootleg version. There's a brand of Christianity that is the knock-off version." [01:11:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have to be able to evangelize because if the barrier is there, if somebody doesn't think that they need Jesus or if somebody passes by a place and they see a no entry sign or they see barriers up or they think they have to be a particular way because we have made the church a place where it is you have to be ready to come to church rather than the scripture that says come as you are." [01:21:42] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus loves you, Jesus is concerned about you. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever that yes he died for you Derek, that he died for you Peter, that he died for you Jasmine whoever those persons may be that they need to know that Jesus died for them." [01:22:43] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We must ask ourselves are we members of Christ's body creating barriers for others who seek to enter the kingdom of God and that is what we want to look at this morning. Romans chapter 14 verse 10 to 13 it reads so why do you condemn another believer why do you look down on another believer remember we all stand before the judgment seat of God for the scripture says as I surely live." [55:48] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We have to be able to differentiate and stop looking like the world. Scripture tells us that He calls us to be holy in all manner of conversation and conversation just doesn't mean the way that you speak when you look at the Greek it says it is the manner of your life it is your behavior it is your conduct it is your deportment it is the way that you carry about yourself." [01:08:30] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We have to be able to show a difference and of course Jesus summed up the commandments this way he says love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and your soul and he also says to love your neighbour as yourself and if we practice these things we will be able to show Christ to other people." [01:25:10] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have to come to the place to say hey nice to see you anything I could pray for you about or it is nice to see you I have been keeping you in prayer the first thing when we see them shouldn't be the salvation get baptised as yet those things those things are for after we have to have a conversation with people because that sometimes turn off people the way that we approach them." [01:19:13] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have to commit ourselves to examining our hearts want to be living examples of Christ ensuring that we do not hinder but rather we help others in their journey towards God's kingdom Amen and so Father this morning we bring all of us before you God those in house, those in person those who may not be here today." [01:28:35] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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