Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Our Ethnic Identities
Summary
In our journey through the "United" series, we have been exploring the profound truth that unity in diversity reflects the kingdom of God. Galatians 3:28 reminds us that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one. This unity does not erase our individual identities but rather brings them together under the lordship of Jesus. Our ethnic identities are not to be sidelined but celebrated as intentional gifts from God. They are part of the beautiful tapestry that God has woven, and when we come together, we reflect the fullness of His kingdom.
However, the journey to embracing our ethnic identities within the church can be challenging. Many of us have been taught to adopt a colorblind mentality, which can inadvertently dismiss the richness of our diverse backgrounds. Our ethnic identities are given with purpose and beauty, and they should be acknowledged and celebrated. This is not just about acknowledging differences but about seeing them as integral to who we are in Christ.
Our panel discussion today highlighted personal stories that illustrate the tension between beauty and pain in our ethnic identities. These stories remind us that the church is a place where we can find healing and acceptance. It is a place where we can see ourselves as fearfully and wonderfully made, as Psalm 139 declares. The church should be a vibrant and robust community that acknowledges and celebrates the beauty in each of us.
As we strive for unity, we must intentionally walk through the messy and painful parts of our stories. This journey is not easy, but it is necessary. It reflects the heavenly picture where every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship God together. Our unity in diversity is a foretaste of heaven, and it is worth pursuing because we are better together than apart.
Key Takeaways:
- Unity in diversity is a reflection of God's kingdom. Our ethnic identities are not erased in Christ but are celebrated as intentional gifts from God. This unity brings together our diverse backgrounds under the lordship of Jesus, reflecting the fullness of His kingdom. [00:00]
- Embracing our ethnic identities within the church can be challenging due to a colorblind mentality that dismisses the richness of our backgrounds. Our ethnic identities are given with purpose and beauty, and they should be acknowledged and celebrated as integral to who we are in Christ. [31:28]
- Personal stories of ethnic identity highlight the tension between beauty and pain. The church is a place where we can find healing and acceptance, seeing ourselves as fearfully and wonderfully made. This community should be vibrant and robust, acknowledging and celebrating the beauty in each of us. [54:04]
- Striving for unity requires intentionally walking through the messy and painful parts of our stories. This journey is not easy, but it is necessary. It reflects the heavenly picture where every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship God together. [54:04]
- Our unity in diversity is a foretaste of heaven, and it is worth pursuing because we are better together than apart. The church should be a place where we can bring all of who we are to the table, acknowledging the beauty and gifts each person brings. [54:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to the "United" Series
[02:15] - Exploring Galatians 3:28
[05:00] - The Importance of Ethnic Identity
[10:45] - The Challenge of Colorblindness
[15:30] - Personal Stories of Ethnic Identity
[20:00] - The Tension of Beauty and Pain
[25:00] - Healing and Acceptance in the Church
[31:28] - Panel Discussion: Personal Experiences
[40:00] - The Church's Role in Embracing Diversity
[45:00] - Unity as a Reflection of Heaven
[50:00] - The Journey of Walking Together
[54:04] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
[58:00] - Announcements and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Unity in Diversity
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
- Psalm 139:13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Galatians 3:28, what does it mean to be "one in Christ"? How does this unity relate to our individual identities? [00:30]
2. In the sermon, Pastor John mentioned the challenge of a colorblind mentality in the church. What does this mentality overlook about our ethnic identities? [31:28]
3. How did the personal stories shared during the panel discussion illustrate the tension between beauty and pain in ethnic identities? [54:04]
4. What role does the church play in helping individuals see themselves as "fearfully and wonderfully made," according to Psalm 139? [54:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of unity in diversity, as described in Galatians 3:28, challenge traditional views of identity within the church? [00:30]
2. Why might some people find it difficult to embrace their ethnic identities within the church setting? How does the sermon suggest overcoming these difficulties? [31:28]
3. In what ways can the church be a place of healing and acceptance for those struggling with their ethnic identities? [54:04]
4. How does the vision of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping together in heaven influence our understanding of unity in the church today? [54:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own ethnic identity. How have you experienced both beauty and pain in this aspect of your life? How can you bring this experience into your church community? [54:04]
2. Consider the idea of a colorblind mentality. Have you ever found yourself dismissing the richness of your own or others' backgrounds? How can you begin to celebrate these differences more intentionally? [31:28]
3. Think about a time when you felt like you didn't belong because of your ethnic identity. How can the church become a more inclusive space for people with similar experiences? [54:04]
4. How can you personally contribute to the church's mission of unity in diversity? What steps can you take to engage with and support those from different backgrounds? [54:04]
5. Identify one way you can help someone in your church see themselves as "fearfully and wonderfully made." What specific actions can you take to affirm their identity? [54:04]
6. Reflect on the heavenly picture of unity described in the sermon. How does this vision inspire you to pursue unity in your own church community? [54:04]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to walk through the "messy and painful parts" of your story with others in your church? How can this journey lead to greater unity? [54:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity Reflects God's Kingdom
Unity in diversity is a profound truth that mirrors the kingdom of God. Galatians 3:28 emphasizes that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one. This unity does not erase our individual identities but brings them together under the lordship of Jesus. Our ethnic identities are not to be sidelined but celebrated as intentional gifts from God. They are part of the beautiful tapestry that God has woven, and when we come together, we reflect the fullness of His kingdom. [00:00]
"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." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively celebrate the diverse backgrounds of those in your community this week, recognizing them as intentional gifts from God?
Day 2: Embracing Ethnic Identity in the Church
Embracing our ethnic identities within the church can be challenging due to a colorblind mentality that dismisses the richness of our backgrounds. Our ethnic identities are given with purpose and beauty, and they should be acknowledged and celebrated as integral to who we are in Christ. This is not just about acknowledging differences but about seeing them as integral to who we are in Christ. By doing so, we honor the diversity that God has intentionally created and reflect His kingdom more fully. [31:28]
"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place." (Acts 17:26, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to move beyond a colorblind mentality and truly appreciate the ethnic identities of those around you?
Day 3: Healing and Acceptance Through Personal Stories
Personal stories of ethnic identity highlight the tension between beauty and pain. The church is a place where we can find healing and acceptance, seeing ourselves as fearfully and wonderfully made. This community should be vibrant and robust, acknowledging and celebrating the beauty in each of us. By sharing and listening to these stories, we create a space for healing and acceptance, allowing us to see ourselves and others as fearfully and wonderfully made, as Psalm 139 declares. [54:04]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you invite to share their story with you, and how can you create a safe space for them to do so?
Day 4: Walking Through the Messy Parts of Our Stories
Striving for unity requires intentionally walking through the messy and painful parts of our stories. This journey is not easy, but it is necessary. It reflects the heavenly picture where every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship God together. By embracing the messiness, we move closer to the unity that God desires for His people, a unity that is a foretaste of heaven. [54:04]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one messy part of your story that you need to confront, and who can you trust to walk with you through it?
Day 5: Unity as a Foretaste of Heaven
Our unity in diversity is a foretaste of heaven, and it is worth pursuing because we are better together than apart. The church should be a place where we can bring all of who we are to the table, acknowledging the beauty and gifts each person brings. This unity is not just an ideal but a reflection of the heavenly picture where every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship God together. [54:04]
"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a church environment that reflects the heavenly unity of every tribe, tongue, and nation?
Quotes
"Exploring what it means for us as a church to be brought together in the midst of our differences, acknowledging that when we're together, it is better for us than to be divided. Amen. But more importantly, it is that the diverse people of God, when we come together, reflect the kingdom of God and the fullness that we'll see in the kingdom. Amen." [00:26:30] (28 seconds)
"The passage that we've been thinking about and going through has been in Galatians. If you guys will look over at Galatians 3, 28, that there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave or free, nor there is male or female, for you are all one in Christ. And it's important to note that as we hold some of these identities together, these differences, we're ultimately held together by Jesus. Amen." [00:27:14] (29 seconds)
"But yet we conveniently ignore the ethnic identity that we bring to the table. Why is that? And I think sometimes it's because we're taught to be colorblind. Right? That as Christians, we should have a colorblind mentality because, hey, our identity is in Christ. You know, that stuff doesn't really matter as much. But what if... What if I told you that our ethnic identities were given with a purpose, with intention, with beauty, that we should be seen as our whole self, and that when we are seen as our whole self, that we are seen as beautiful and an intentional gift from God." [00:29:11] (48 seconds)
"It means that the experience that we have of being treated differently because of our race or ethnicity or our language, right? When someone looks at us and treats us in a different way. And our last is our ethnic heritage. And I think that this is a helpful framework to think and to acknowledge that we all come from different places, right? We all have different stories. And all those stories come together to form who we are." [00:30:10] (27 seconds)
"And while we are, that acknowledges that we're complex, right? We all have different stories of how we have developed and who we are in our ethnic identities. So while we're speaking, speaking from our personal experiences, we know that we can't speak for everyone here, right? There are some that are third culture kids. There are some that are born and has adoption experiences, right? We have different stories and different experiences that shape who we are." [00:31:04] (29 seconds)
"I appreciate you guys just sharing so deeply and vulnerably and your willingness to just share openly and honor us with your stories. I think that sometimes we forget that when we come together, right, that we carry a lot of our own stories to, to the church, right, to our communities. And some of them means that we carry a lot of pain and a lot of hurt. Some of them are joyful and they're great and they're beautiful, but we have to recognize that we have these, these tensions of both beauty and pain." [00:49:11] (34 seconds)
"And we bring these complex stories to the table. And I think it's helpful to remind ourselves as a multi-ethnic church, that what it means to grow in diversity means intentionally, that what it means to grow in diversity means intentionally, walking through some of the messy stuff, right, to acknowledge the pain and walk with joy, walk with pain as we hear in Romans." [00:49:44] (22 seconds)
"I mean, for me, I think that. Yeah. The church was the place where I discovered where I can look at myself and see that I'm beautifully and wonderfully made, right? When I read Psalm 139, 13 to 14, it says, you created me from my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's room. I praise you because I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. I did not think that included all this, OK?" [00:54:22] (28 seconds)
"Right? Like, for some reason, that was just turned off, right? But it was the church that says, no. That means all of you, that you are all of you is fearfully and wonderfully made. And that blew my mind, right? It was the church that allowed me to see and look in the mirror and be like, yeah, wow, I can look in my mirror as a Korean-American male and know that God is redeeming, but that God is doing good work." [00:55:22] (28 seconds)
"which is beautiful because i think in heaven we get the same picture right i mean we see we maintain our ethnic identities in heaven right where every tribe every tongue every nation will be praising and singing out to god that god values beauty and diversity in his creation i mean i'll still be asian in heaven which is like what you know maybe maybe i'll speak korean fluently for the first time in my life you know i don't know right but we all would be praising god right and so the church gets to be this beauty and the reflection in the here and now pointing to what heaven's gonna be like amen right and so but that means we walk through beauty we walk through pain together as the church" [01:02:32] (45 seconds)
"So, God, may we do the hard work. May we walk together with one another through the joys, through the pains, but knowing that it's worth it because we are better together than we are apart. May we bless, I bless each and every single one of us in this room. Pray that no weapons form against us to prosper in the name of Jesus. And that we are blessed. May God bless you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen." [01:04:21] (28 seconds)
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