Transforming the Church: From Exclusion to Belonging
Summary
In the sermon, I explored the concept of the church as a temple, drawing from the Old Testament where King Solomon built a temple as a place defined by God's presence. However, I noted that the first-century believers might have seen the temple as a place of exclusion and division, with a literal wall separating Jews from Gentiles. I emphasized that Jesus, as the leader who restores all things, transforms the image of the temple from a place of exclusion to a place of belonging. This new temple is not a physical building, but a multi-ethnic, multi-generational group of people built on the foundation of Jesus. The church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is now tasked with creating spaces of belonging in their everyday lives and local communities, reflecting God's freedom, healing, love, grace, and truth.
I further discussed the concept of creating spaces of belonging, drawing from Sandra Von Opstel's description of a multi-ethnic, multi-generational space of belonging. I shared a personal anecdote about grabbing two glasses of water at a self-serve station, one for myself and one for a friend, as a metaphor for creating spaces of belonging for others. I encouraged listeners to consider where they need to make Jesus the center of their lives and who Jesus is inviting them to create a space of belonging for. I concluded by emphasizing that Jesus's love invites us to find belonging in him and leads us to create spaces of belonging for others.
Key Takeaways:
- The church is not a physical building but a multi-ethnic, multi-generational group of people built on the foundation of Jesus. This group is tasked with creating spaces of belonging in their everyday lives and local communities ([18:52]).
- Creating spaces of belonging involves hospitality, solidarity, and mutuality. These are not just about being more hospitable or walking with more solidarity, but about building our lives on the foundation of Jesus ([25:47]).
- Creating spaces of belonging requires us to take ourselves out of the center and surrender that spot to Jesus's leadership. This can be challenging, but it is essential for true belonging ([27:00]).
- Jesus's love invites us to find belonging in him and leads us to create spaces of belonging for others. This is a call to action for us to consider who Jesus is inviting us to create a space of belonging for in our lives ([33:14]).
Study Guide
Takeaways from the Sermon:
1. Jesus's love invites us to find belonging in Him and leads us to create spaces of belonging for others. This is a call to both receive and extend love, creating a community that is inclusive and welcoming. [31:56]
2. We are invited to place Jesus at the center of our lives, surrendering our own needs, preferences, and priorities. This surrender allows us to build bridges instead of barriers, fostering a sense of belonging for all. [28:48]
3. Hospitality, solidarity, and mutuality are key elements in creating spaces of belonging. These are not just actions, but attitudes that reflect the love of Jesus and His invitation to belong. [25:09]
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2
2. Philippians 2:1-11
Observation Questions:
1. In Ephesians 2, how does Paul describe the transformation that occurs when we place Jesus at the center of our lives?
2. What does Philippians 2:1-11 teach us about the attitude of Jesus and how it relates to creating spaces of belonging?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus as the cornerstone in Ephesians 2 relate to the idea of creating spaces of belonging?
2. In Philippians 2:1-11, how does Jesus model the attitudes of hospitality, solidarity, and mutuality?
Application Questions:
1. How can you create a space of belonging for someone in your life this week?
2. When was the last time you felt like you were building barriers instead of bridges? How can you change this moving forward?
3. How can you practice hospitality, solidarity, and mutuality in your daily interactions?
4. In what areas of your life do you need to surrender your own needs, preferences, and priorities to make Jesus the center?
5. How can you encourage others in your community to create spaces of belonging?
Devotional
Day 1: Creating Spaces of Belonging
In the way of Jesus, when we seek to create spaces of belonging for others, it leads to spaces of abundance. This is a reminder that Jesus's love has created a space of belonging for us and now empowers us to create a space of belonging for others. This is a call to be known as people that metaphorically grab two glasses of water because we know that with Jesus, we won't run out ([32:35]).
1 Peter 4:9 - "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
Reflection: How can you create a space of belonging for someone in your life this week?
Day 2: Surrendering to Jesus's Leadership
We are called to take ourselves out of the center and surrender that spot to Jesus's leadership. This could be in our marriages, families, workplaces, or friendships. It's about receiving Jesus's steadfast love for us and letting go of worry and fear ([28:48]).
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
Reflection: In what area of your life is Jesus inviting you to surrender to His leadership?
Day 3: Building Bridges, Not Barriers
We serve a Savior who empowers us to build bridges, not barriers. We are called to create spaces of belonging for others, especially those who are different from us or those we disagree with. This is a call to live in mutuality and learn from each other ([30:43]).
Ephesians 2:14 - "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
Reflection: Who is someone different from you that Jesus is inviting you to build a bridge towards?
Day 4: Jesus as the Cornerstone
Our lives should be built on the foundation of Jesus, our Chief Cornerstone. When we build our lives on this foundation, we are empowered to empty ourselves for others and create spaces of belonging. This is a call to model our lives after Jesus and emulate His way of hospitality, solidarity, and mutuality ([26:21]).
1 Corinthians 3:11 - "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you model your life after Jesus's way of hospitality, solidarity, and mutuality?
Day 5: Jesus's Love Destroys Dividing Walls
Jesus's love invites us into peace and destroys the dividing walls of hostility. His love has made a way for everyone to have access to God and live in relationship with one another. This is a call to build bridges towards each other instead of bolstering barriers ([15:36]).
Ephesians 2:19 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household."
Reflection: How can you actively work to destroy dividing walls of hostility in your life and community?
Quotes
1. "Jesus's love invites us to find belonging in him and leads us to create spaces of belonging for others. It's both Jesus's love invites us to find belonging in him and leads us to create spaces of belonging for others." - 05:56
2. "Where is Jesus inviting you to place him at the center? And then second, once we surrender Our Lives to Jesus, we're empowered by his Spirit to ask this next question: who is Jesus inviting you to create a space of belonging for?" - 29:27
3. "When we build our lives on the foundation of Jesus, we see a savior who emptied himself for us and empowers us to empty ourselves for others. Empowers us to take ourselves out of the center." - 26:21
4. "Jesus invites us as individuals and as Mill City into a new way of life to take ourselves out of the center and build our lives on Jesus. And when we do, I believe we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to start creating spaces of belonging for others." - 27:39
5. "When it comes to belonging, a worry can be that if we take ourselves out of the center, there won't be enough to go around. But in the way of Jesus, when we seek to create spaces of belonging for others, that leads to spaces of abundance." - 31:43
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