Unity in Diversity: Embracing Cultural Differences in Christ

 

Summary

In Romans 14 and 15, we are reminded of the importance of accepting one another despite our differences in faith and practice. The passage addresses disputes within the early church regarding dietary laws, highlighting the tension between those who felt free to eat all foods and those who adhered to traditional Jewish dietary restrictions. This issue serves as a metaphor for broader cultural and racial differences that can create division within the church and society. The key is to understand that our cultural backgrounds influence our perspectives, and these differences should not be ignored or dismissed. Instead, they should be embraced as opportunities for growth and unity.

Christian hope offers a unique perspective on these challenges. It is rooted in the certainty of God's future, a future that is not just spiritual but also material, encompassing a new heaven and earth. This hope shapes our present behavior, encouraging us to live in a way that promotes peace and mutual edification. The passage calls us to bear with one another's weaknesses, to refrain from judgment, and to seek unity in diversity. This is not about broad-mindedness for its own sake, but about a deeper, gospel-centered acceptance that involves making space for others in our lives, even when we disagree.

The power to live this way comes from the hope we have in Christ. This hope is both optimistic and realistic, acknowledging human sin while trusting in God's ultimate justice and reconciliation. It frees us from the need to prove our worth through moral or open-minded superiority, allowing us to engage with others in love and humility. By embracing our cultural differences and working together, we can more fully grasp the glory of the gospel and the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Cultural and Racial Differences: Our cultural and racial backgrounds significantly influence our perspectives and can lead to misunderstandings and disputes. Recognizing and embracing these differences is crucial for unity and growth within the church. We must acknowledge that our cultural experiences shape how we interpret scripture and life, and only by coming together can we fully understand the gospel's implications. [11:20]

2. Christian Hope as a Distinctive Force: Christian hope is unique because it is based on the certainty of God's future, which includes a new heaven and earth. This hope shapes our present behavior, encouraging us to live in a way that promotes peace and mutual edification. It is not just about a spiritual future but a material one, making it a powerful force for change in our lives and communities. [03:41]

3. True Tolerance in the Gospel: The gospel calls us to a form of tolerance that involves making negative evaluations while still accepting and loving others. This is the opposite of the world's view of tolerance, which often avoids making any judgments. Instead, we are called to adjust our lives to build deep relationships with those who are different from us, both within and outside the church. [22:57]

4. The Power of Hope in Overcoming Division: Our hope in Christ gives us the endurance and encouragement to overcome cultural and racial divisions. This hope is both optimistic and realistic, acknowledging human sin while trusting in God's ultimate justice. It frees us from the need to prove our worth through moral or open-minded superiority, allowing us to engage with others in love and humility. [28:09]

5. The Gospel's Resource for Unity: The gospel provides an enormous resource for overcoming the barriers that divide us. It destroys uncertainty about our value and loveliness, enabling us to handle differences with grace and love. By embracing our cultural differences and working together, we can more fully grasp the glory of the gospel and the kingdom of God. [34:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - Introduction to Romans 14 and 15
- [01:13] - The Kingdom of God: Righteousness, Peace, and Joy
- [02:39] - Unity in Christ
- [03:19] - The Series on Hope
- [04:15] - Living Together in Peace
- [05:20] - The Problem in the Roman Church
- [06:49] - Fulfillment of the Clean Laws in Christ
- [08:09] - Weak and Strong in Faith
- [10:08] - Cultural Differences in the Early Church
- [11:20] - The Impact of Cultural Differences
- [13:02] - The Irony of Cultural Differences
- [16:10] - False and True Solutions to Division
- [20:58] - Paul's Call to True Tolerance
- [28:09] - The Power of Hope for Unity
- [34:00] - The Gospel's Resource for Overcoming Division

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Romans 14:1-15:7

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#### Observation Questions

1. What specific issue was causing disputes in the Roman church according to Romans 14 and 15? How did Paul suggest the church members handle these disputes? [05:20]

2. How does Paul describe the "kingdom of God" in Romans 14:17, and what does he say it is not about? [01:13]

3. In the sermon, what does the pastor identify as the two purposes of the Old Testament clean laws? [06:10]

4. How does Paul instruct the "strong" in faith to interact with the "weak" in faith, according to Romans 15:1-2? [20:43]

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#### Interpretation Questions

1. How do cultural and racial differences influence our understanding of the gospel, according to the sermon? Why is it important to acknowledge these differences? [11:20]

2. What does the sermon suggest is the "true solution" to overcoming cultural and racial divisions within the church? How does this differ from the world's view of tolerance? [20:58]

3. How does Christian hope, as described in the sermon, provide a unique perspective on dealing with divisions and disputes? [28:21]

4. What role does the gospel play in helping believers overcome the need to prove their worth through moral or open-minded superiority? [31:00]

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#### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when cultural or racial differences led to misunderstandings in your church or community. How can you apply the principles from Romans 14 and 15 to promote unity in such situations? [11:20]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making space for others in our lives, even when we disagree. What practical steps can you take this week to build relationships with those who have different beliefs or cultural backgrounds? [22:33]

3. Consider the concept of "true tolerance" as described in the sermon. How can you practice making respectful negative evaluations while still accepting and loving others? [22:57]

4. How does the hope of a new heaven and earth influence your current behavior and interactions with others? What changes can you make to live in a way that promotes peace and mutual edification? [03:41]

5. Identify a personal area where you might be relying on moral or open-minded superiority for your sense of worth. How can the gospel free you from this need and help you engage with others in love and humility? [31:00]

6. Think of someone in your life who you find difficult to accept due to differences in faith or practice. What is one specific action you can take to show them love and acceptance this week? [20:58]

7. How can you encourage your church or small group to embrace cultural differences as opportunities for growth and unity? What role can you play in facilitating this process? [15:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Cultural Diversity for Unity
In Romans 14 and 15, the early church faced disputes over dietary laws, reflecting deeper cultural and racial differences. These differences, while potential sources of division, are opportunities for growth and unity. Recognizing that our cultural backgrounds shape our perspectives is crucial. By embracing these differences, we can come together to fully understand the gospel's implications. This unity in diversity is not about ignoring differences but about valuing them as part of God's design for His church. [11:20]

"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: Think of a cultural or racial difference you encounter in your church community. How can you actively embrace and learn from this difference to promote unity?


Day 2: Hope in God's Future Shapes Our Present
Christian hope is distinct because it is rooted in the certainty of God's future, which includes a new heaven and earth. This hope is not merely spiritual but also material, influencing how we live today. It encourages us to promote peace and mutual edification, knowing that our actions contribute to God's future kingdom. This hope is a powerful force for change, urging us to live in a way that reflects the reality of God's promises. [03:41]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does the certainty of God's future kingdom influence your daily decisions and interactions with others today?


Day 3: True Tolerance Through the Gospel
The gospel calls us to a form of tolerance that involves making negative evaluations while still accepting and loving others. This is different from the world's view of tolerance, which often avoids making any judgments. Instead, we are called to build deep relationships with those who are different from us, both within and outside the church. This gospel-centered tolerance requires us to adjust our lives to accommodate others, fostering genuine acceptance and love. [22:57]

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who holds different beliefs or practices. How can you show them gospel-centered tolerance and love this week?


Day 4: The Power of Hope in Overcoming Division
Our hope in Christ provides the endurance and encouragement needed to overcome cultural and racial divisions. This hope is both optimistic and realistic, acknowledging human sin while trusting in God's ultimate justice. It frees us from the need to prove our worth through moral or open-minded superiority, allowing us to engage with others in love and humility. By focusing on this hope, we can work towards unity and reconciliation in our communities. [28:09]

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a division you see in your community. How can your hope in Christ empower you to be a peacemaker in this situation?


Day 5: The Gospel's Resource for Unity
The gospel provides an enormous resource for overcoming the barriers that divide us. It destroys uncertainty about our value and loveliness, enabling us to handle differences with grace and love. By embracing our cultural differences and working together, we can more fully grasp the glory of the gospel and the kingdom of God. This unity is not just a goal but a reflection of the gospel's transformative power in our lives. [34:00]

"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a personal barrier that prevents you from fully embracing unity with others. How can the gospel help you overcome this barrier today?

Quotes


"Accept him whose faith is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him." [00:00:19]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." [00:01:06]

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not build himself up, but as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'" [00:02:10]

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." [00:02:40]

"Christian hope is unique. First of all, there's a certainty of God's future because of the cross, because Christianity, our standing with God isn't based on what we've done but on what He's done. Secondly, our understanding of the hope is what is certain is not just an ethereal heaven but a material physical new heavens and new earth." [00:03:24]

"Paul here shows us the Christian hope gives us an enormous resource to use on this problem. This passage from Romans 14, in here Paul shows us the problem, a false solution, the true solution, and the power to do it. The problem, the false solution for the problem, a true solution, and the power to do it." [00:04:50]

"Racial and cultural differences are there. They are there underneath a lot of what we like to think of as philosophical or even theological or doctrinal or ecclesiastical disputes are really cultural differences. Our racial differences, our cultural differences have a big impact on our view of things." [00:11:08]

"Paul is calling us to the very exact opposite of what the world calls tolerance. What do I mean? The world says make no negative evaluations. The world says I'm not going to say that what you're doing is your behavior or your beliefs are wrong or sinful or heretical or anything. I would never say that." [00:21:08]

"Paul is not urging the strong simply to bear with or to tolerate or to put up with the weak and all their scruples. Paul is calling us to sympathetically enter deeply into the attitudes of the weak, refraining from criticizing and judging them and do what love would require toward them." [00:24:22]

"Notice what he says in verse 4: he says, for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement and hope give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Jesus Christ." [00:28:00]

"If you have hope, if you know that because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, God loves you, God accepts you, has nothing to do with your performance, that changes things. You don't have to, you don't look to you, you might be moral, but you don't look to your morality as the basis for your significance." [00:31:40]

"Help us to see we have an enormous resource in the gospel, an enormous resource to deal with the things, the barriers that have divided people, that have kept people from, kept people sustaining each other, despising each other, excluding each other, whether they're narrow-minded or broad-minded, but the gospel destroys all uncertainty about our value and our loveness." [00:33:41]

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Transcript
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