Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Baptism and Belonging

Devotional

Day 1: Celebrating Diversity Reflects God's Creativity

Description:
The ethnic and cultural diversity within our congregation is a testament to God's creativity and inclusiveness. Just as the early New Testament church was a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures, our congregation mirrors this beautiful diversity. This diversity is not just a coincidence but a deliberate design by God to show that His family transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. It is a blessing that should be celebrated and not taken for granted.

In the early church, the inclusion of Gentiles was a radical shift that required divine intervention. Peter's vision and the conversion of Cornelius marked the beginning of this widening of the church. By the end of the first century, the majority of Christians were non-Jewish, showing the success of this mission. This historical context reminds us that diversity is a part of God's plan and should be embraced with gratitude and joy. [03:09]

Bible Passage:
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)

Reflection:
How can you celebrate and embrace the diversity within your own community today? What steps can you take to ensure that everyone feels included and valued?

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Day 2: Jesus as the Unifying Factor

Description:
The early church's shift from being exclusively Jewish to including Gentiles was a monumental change. This was made possible through the realization that Jesus is Lord over all people, not just the Jewish people. This truth unites us all under one family, regardless of our backgrounds. The breaking down of the 2,000-year-old wall between Jews and Gentiles was accomplished through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is Lord over all people, and this realization brought a new reality where anyone who could declare Jesus as Lord was brought into the same family. This unity in Christ transcends all other markers of identity, such as ethnicity, culture, or background. It is a powerful reminder that our primary identity as Christians is based on our declaration that Jesus is Lord. [07:39]

Bible Passage:
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection:
In what ways can you actively promote unity within your church or community, especially among people from different backgrounds?

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Day 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit

Description:
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling us to declare Jesus as Lord. This declaration is not just a historical fact but a personal commitment. The Spirit's presence unites us and breaks down the walls that divide us, making us one family in Christ. The early church experienced this transformation through the Holy Spirit, which allowed them to embrace a diverse community of believers.

The Holy Spirit's work is essential in our lives today as well. It empowers us to live out our faith and to love and accept others as part of God's family. The Spirit helps us to see beyond our differences and to focus on our shared identity in Christ. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of God's love and grace. [12:21]

Bible Passage:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection:
How can you be more open to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? What steps can you take to allow the Spirit to break down any walls of division in your heart?

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Day 4: Primary Identity in Christ

Description:
Our primary identity as Christians is not based on our ethnicity, culture, or background but on our declaration that Jesus is Lord. This identity transcends all other markers and unites us as one family in Christ. The early church's diversity was a result of this understanding, and it should be the same for us today.

In a world that often emphasizes differences and divisions, it is crucial to remember that our most important identity is in Christ. This identity unites us with believers from all walks of life and backgrounds. It is a powerful reminder that we are all part of God's family, and our allegiance to Jesus is what ultimately defines us. [13:35]

Bible Passage:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection:
What are some ways you can prioritize your identity in Christ over other aspects of your identity? How can this perspective change the way you interact with others?

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Day 5: Baptism as a Declaration of Allegiance

Description:
Baptism is a public declaration of our allegiance to Jesus, symbolizing our death to the old self and resurrection to new life. It is a reminder of our unity in Christ and our commitment to follow Him. As we witness baptisms, we should reflect on our own baptismal vows and support those who are newly baptized.

Baptism is not just a ritual but a profound statement of faith. It signifies our entry into the family of God and our commitment to live according to His will. It is a powerful reminder of the transformation that takes place when we declare Jesus as Lord. As we celebrate baptisms, let us also renew our own commitment to follow Jesus and support our fellow believers in their faith journey. [22:27]

Bible Passage:
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on your own baptism. How can you live out your baptismal vows more fully in your daily life? What steps can you take to support those who are newly baptized in their faith journey?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we are taking a break from our series on the Sermon on the Mount to celebrate International Sunday and a special baptism. Our focus today is on unity and baptism, reflecting the beautiful diversity of our congregation, which mirrors the early New Testament church. Granville Chapel is a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures, much like the early church, which was also ethnically and culturally diverse. This diversity is a blessing and should not be taken for granted.

Historically, the early church was entirely Jewish, and it wasn't until midway through the book of Acts that the church began to include Gentiles. This shift was so radical that it took a special vision from Jesus to Peter to understand that God's family was meant to include all peoples. The conversion of Cornelius and his household marked the beginning of this widening of the church. By the end of the first century, the majority of Christians were non-Jewish, showing the success of this mission.

The breaking down of the 2,000-year-old wall between Jews and Gentiles was accomplished through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is Lord over all people, not just the Jewish people. This realization brought a new reality where anyone who could declare Jesus as Lord was brought into the same family. The Holy Spirit played a crucial role in this transformation, enabling people to declare Jesus as Lord and uniting them into one family.

Our primary identity as Christians is not based on our ethnicity, culture, or background but on our declaration that Jesus is Lord. This identity transcends all other markers and unites us as one family in Christ. Today, as we witness Lucas' baptism, we are reminded of our own baptismal vows and our unity in Jesus. Baptism is a public declaration of our allegiance to Jesus, symbolizing our death to the old self and resurrection to new life.

As we celebrate our diversity, let us also remember our unity in Christ. Our common pledge of allegiance to Jesus is what ultimately unites us. If you haven't yet made Jesus your Lord, I invite you to consider doing so and joining this family of God.

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Key Takeaways

1. Diversity Reflects God's Creativity: The ethnic and cultural diversity within our congregation is a testament to God's creativity and inclusiveness. It mirrors the early New Testament church, which was also diverse. This diversity should be celebrated as it shows that God's family transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. [03:09]
2. Jesus as the Unifying Factor: The early church's shift from being exclusively Jewish to including Gentiles was a monumental change. This was made possible through the realization that Jesus is Lord over all people, not just the Jewish people. This truth unites us all under one family, regardless of our backgrounds. [07:39]
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling us to declare Jesus as Lord. This declaration is not just a historical fact but a personal commitment. The Spirit's presence unites us and breaks down the walls that divide us, making us one family in Christ. [12:21]
4. Primary Identity in Christ: Our primary identity as Christians is not based on our ethnicity, culture, or background but on our declaration that Jesus is Lord. This identity transcends all other markers and unites us as one family in Christ. This was the key to the early church's diversity and should be the same for us today. [13:35]
5. Baptism as a Declaration of Allegiance: Baptism is a public declaration of our allegiance to Jesus, symbolizing our death to the old self and resurrection to new life. It is a reminder of our unity in Christ and our commitment to follow Him. As we witness baptisms, we should reflect on our own baptismal vows and support those who are newly baptized. [22:27]
### [22:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:31] - Celebrating Diversity
[03:09] - Early Church Diversity
[04:13] - Jesus' Ministry to Jews
[05:07] - Peter's Vision and Cornelius
[06:28] - Breaking Down the Wall
[07:39] - Jesus is Lord Over All
[09:05] - Cornelius' Conversion
[11:46] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[12:21] - Declaring Jesus as Lord
[13:35] - Primary Identity in Christ
[14:50] - Personal Reflection on Identity
[16:36] - Baptism, Faith, and Unity
[17:55] - Faithfulness of Jesus
[19:49] - Faith in Jesus Christ
[21:02] - Justified by Jesus' Faithfulness
[22:27] - Baptism as a Declaration
[24:21] - Witnessing Lucas' Baptism
[26:26] - Unity Through Diversity
[27:48] - Invitation to Join God's Family
[28:30] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of Peter's vision in Acts 10, and how did it change the early church's understanding of who could be part of God's family? [05:07]
According to Galatians 3:26-28, what happens to our individual identities when we are baptized into Christ?
How does 1 Corinthians 12:13 describe the role of the Holy Spirit in uniting believers from different backgrounds?
In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the diversity within Granville Chapel? [01:31]

Interpretation Questions

Why was the inclusion of Gentiles into the early church such a radical shift, and what does this tell us about God's plan for His family? [05:46]
How does the Holy Spirit enable believers to declare that "Jesus is Lord," and why is this declaration significant for Christian unity? [12:21]
What does it mean for our primary identity to be in Christ rather than in our ethnicity, culture, or background? How does this affect our relationships within the church? [13:35]
How does the act of baptism serve as a public declaration of our allegiance to Jesus, and what implications does this have for our daily lives? [22:27]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own cultural or ethnic background. How has it shaped your identity, and how does your identity in Christ transcend these cultural markers? [14:10]
Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt the Holy Spirit enabling you to declare "Jesus is Lord"? How did this experience impact your faith and sense of unity with other believers? [12:21]
In what ways can you celebrate and embrace the diversity within your own church community while maintaining unity in Christ? [27:03]
Think back to your own baptism or a baptism you have witnessed. How did it serve as a reminder of your commitment to follow Jesus? How can you support those who are newly baptized in their faith journey? [24:21]
How can you actively work to break down any "walls" that may exist between different groups within your church, following the example of the early church's inclusion of Gentiles? [06:28]
What specific steps can you take this week to prioritize your identity in Christ over other aspects of your identity, such as nationality, profession, or social status? [13:35]
If you haven't yet made Jesus your Lord, what questions or concerns do you have about taking this step? How can you seek guidance and support from your church community in making this decision? [27:48]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "With the coming of Jesus, there is a new reality. The first believers realized that Jesus was King, but not just over the Jewish people, but in fact, over all peoples and over everything. And so that means, so long as anyone is able to declare this truth, Jesus is Lord. Jesus, Jesus is King. Jesus is Messiah. This same Jesus who was born of Mary and born of Joseph and bled and died on a cross in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, if anyone can say that he is Lord, something fundamental shifts in them." [09:05](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What broke down this 2,000-year-old wall between Jews and Gentiles? Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit being present to them. But really, they're two sides of the same coin. You see that because this is a spirit that enables us to believe. It's a spirit that enables us to say that Jesus is Lord and want Jesus to be our Lord. And what that meant for the early church was that this now becomes your identifying marker. Not what ethnicity you come from, not what language you speak, not whether you're Jew or Gentile or male or female, but that you can say, Jesus is your Lord." [12:56](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So everywhere, it seemed like every sphere, every structure, every circle that I was in was a different cultural identity. And so for me, growing up, it's like, what culture am I? I don't know. All I know is I watch hockey and I cheer for the Canucks. But that lack of cultural identity, I feel, opened up the space in the way I was processing as a young person, opened up the space to find my true identity in Jesus. That wasn't the only thing, but that was one of the things, that opened up a way that I can't find my identity in my culture, in the people around me, even in my family growing up. So I find my identity in what? In the one who truly knows me, Jesus. And I can submit my life to him." [15:55](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So today as we celebrate all of our diversity, may we also be reminded of our unity through Jesus. Let's pray together. Father, thank you for the gift of unity in Christ. Thank you that despite our cultural backgrounds, our different languages, we find our unity in Jesus. We thank you for Lucas' baptism today. And may his testimony and his baptism be a reminder for all of us of our allegiance, our pledge of allegiance to Jesus. Something through which all of us are united together." [27:48](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So in response to a non-Jewish woman begging Jesus to heal his daughter, Jesus says, That's his response to her, pleading with her. It wasn't until midway through Acts, the book of Acts, that the biblical story starts to widen and get broader. In fact, it's this widening of the church, this opening up of the people of God. It was so unthinkable, so unthinkable for the early disciples. It took Peter a special vision from Jesus. Not once or twice, but three times, Jesus had to show him this vision, tell him that what God has called clean, you should not call unclean." [05:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And as they listen to this story, these Gentile people who know something of God and in whom God is doing something, suddenly truth is known to them. They realize that what they are hearing is truth and they are able to say, Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Messiah. And with that, the spirit comes down on them. The spirit falls down on them and they start speaking in different languages, just like the first Jewish people, the first Pentecost with the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. A second Pentecost with Gentile peoples. And Peter and the other disciples recognize that just as they were able to say, Jesus is Messiah, Jesus is Lord, we were able to say, Jesus is Messiah." [10:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So it's not just our believing in Jesus Christ that's being contrasted to the law here. It's really the faithfulness of Jesus that's being contrasted to the law. It's Jesus' life that's being contrasted to what God had been doing up till that point. And this is what, baptism is all about. Because as we understand this story, the faithfulness of Jesus, that is the work of Jesus, the life and death of Jesus, and we are able to say that Jesus is our Lord, the New Testament over and over again says, then be baptized. Because the spirit has come upon you and is enabling you to actually testify that Jesus is your Lord, if he truly is your Lord." [22:27](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You could say maybe that they had a simpler kind of faith. Not that it was perfect, right? The disciples didn't have a perfect faith. Peter didn't have a perfect faith even after his knowing Jesus, that he continued to make mistakes. We see that in scripture, even after Jesus was raised and taken away. He still made mistakes. But he could say that Jesus is his Lord. And so his faith was secure because it was secured in Jesus' faithfulness for him. Meaning that he's able to say Jesus is Lord because he's my Messiah. And I believe that he is the Messiah. So it's not simply about what I believe and about what I'm thinking, but it's about what Jesus has done. And who he is." [23:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I began this message with some thoughts about unity and identity. And I think, it's just amazing the cultural diversity, the ethnic diversity that's represented here in this group because it really does portray some of God's creativity in this world. And it shows us that God is bigger than who we are individually and what languages or cultures we come from or what languages we speak. We are all a part of God's creation. But more importantly, I think our cultural diversity, our ethnic diversity, helps point us to something very important. And that is our unity through Jesus. Our unity in Jesus Christ. Our common pledge of allegiance. That's what brings us together ultimately in the end. That's what unites us. Is that all of us here are able to say, Jesus is my Lord." [27:03](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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