comeonecomeallm

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October 1, 2006

• comeonecomeallm

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Diversity

• Diversity describes a condition where distinct,
  unlike or dissimilar things or qualities exist.
  The opposite of diversity is uniformity. There is
  unity and diversity within the Godhead, and
  creation exhibits both qualities two distinct
  genders--male and female, diverse yet equal
  (unity). God created diversity purposefully and
  calls us to rejoice in, appreciate and seek to
  understand the purposes for the amazing diversity
  within creation.

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Gentile

• This Hebrew word refers to all nations except the
  Jewish nation. Over time, as the Jews developed
  an attitude of superiority as Gods chosen
  people, the word took on a negative association
  and was used with contempt.

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Nation

• In the Old Testament the primary usage for
  nation is the Hebrew word mishpachah, which
  means a family group, tribe, or clan. The New
  Testament uses the Greek word ethnos, indicating
  a race, people, or ethnic group. While reading
  the Bible, its important not to confuse the
  modern meaning for nation, which is a
  nationstate, with these biblical definitions. For
  example, Ethiopia is a nation-state, but it is
  home to nearly one hundred people groups or
  nations.

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Galatians 326-28

• You are all sons of God through faith in Christ
  Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into
  Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There
  is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male
  nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
  Galatians 326-28

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Questions

• On what basis does someone become a child of God?
• What was our relationship with God like before
  being adopted?
• How are we unified as followers of Christ?
• Do you think Paul intends to abolish all human
  diversity?

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John 316 Revelation 2217

• For God so loved the world that he gave his one
  and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
  not perish but have eternal life John 316
• Whoever is thirsty, let him come and whoever
  wishes, let him take the free gift of the water
  of life Revelations 2217

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Francis Schaeffer, No Little People

• The basic relationship between Christians is not
  that of elder and people, or pastor and people,
  but that of brothers and sisters in Christ. This
  denotes that there is one father in the family
  and that his offspring are all equal. There are
  different jobs to be done, different offices to
  be filled, but we as Christians are equal before
  one Master. We are not to seek a great title we
  are to live together as brethren.

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Ephesians 214-16

• For Jesus himself is our peace, who has made
  the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the
  dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his
  flesh the law with its commandments and
  regulations. His purpose was to create in himself
  one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
  and in this one body to reconcile both of them to
  God through the cross, by which he put to death
  their hostility.

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The Kingdom Gates are Open!

• Genesis 126-27
• Exodus 239
• Ephesians 211-13
• Matthew 238
• Acts 10
• John 4
• Luke 1835-42
• Romans 118-32

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The Joy of Diversity

• 1. In Gods Kingdom, followers of Christ from
  every ethnic group, gender, and class are
  co-equals.
• 2. Slaves and masters are equal in Gods sight,
  as both are under authority of their heavenly
  Master.
• 3. Jesus treated women with dignity and respect.
  Men and women are equal in Gods Kingdom.
• 4. Gods Kingdom is also open to children, the
  physically disabled, those considered untouchable
  by society, and anyone else. There are no
  inferior people.
• 5. In Gods Kingdom, we can honor and celebrate
  our diversity.

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Making it personal

• Who are the untouchable people in your
  society? It may help to think of groups that tend
  to be placed out of sight from the general
  public. Examples may include an ethnic group,
  class of people, the mentally disabled, or the
  elderly.