A Vision Of DIVERSITY
Series: Vision Series 2016
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 5th November 2016
00:00:00 --> 00:00:08 28th of August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC
00:00:08 --> 00:00:15 and delivered what is regarded as one of the top five speeches of the 20th century and certainly
00:00:15 --> 00:00:22 for the English speaking world. He said, I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and
00:00:22 --> 00:00:29 live out the true meaning of its creed that we hold these truths to be self-evident that all
00:00:29 --> 00:00:36 men are created equal. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former
00:00:36 --> 00:00:41 slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of
00:00:41 --> 00:00:47 brotherhood. I have a dream that one day, even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the
00:00:47 --> 00:00:54 heat of injustice and sweltering with the heat of oppression will be transformed into an oasis of
00:00:54 --> 00:00:59 freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children one day live in a nation that
00:00:59 --> 00:01:06 will not judge them by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream
00:01:06 --> 00:01:16 today. He articulated and symbolized a great dream, a vision of racial harmony and social justice and
00:01:16 --> 00:01:21 peace and unity, a vision that he himself unfortunately did not see to materialize.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:30 It is, however, a dream that I would suggest aligns with God's purposes for his world and for all people.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:38 I believe it's a dream that must start with Christians embracing the Lord Jesus. It must start with the
00:01:38 --> 00:01:45 local church and it must start here at St. Paul's Chatswood. Our vision, as I launched last week,
00:01:45 --> 00:01:51 we're in a vision series and launched last week a new vision for us and our vision is to be united
00:01:51 --> 00:01:56 in our desperation for the world around us to encounter Jesus and in our desire to represent
00:01:56 --> 00:02:02 the diversity of Chatswood. I talked a lot last week about unity. This week, I want to focus on
00:02:02 --> 00:02:10 the idea of diversity for us as a church. Our vision is to be united in our desire to represent
00:02:10 --> 00:02:18 the diversity of Chatswood. God's vision, as we just heard from God's word, is a vision for all
00:02:18 --> 00:02:24 people. The vision that we're looking, working our way through in the course of these four weeks of
00:02:24 --> 00:02:32 vision series is far greater than Martin Luther King's vision of a racial harmony of the United
00:02:32 --> 00:02:37 States or even beyond the United States. Our vision is intimately connected to God's vision
00:02:37 --> 00:02:43 of all things. The biblical vision, let me say what I intend on doing in this next little while
00:02:43 --> 00:02:49 is to preach the Bible to you. So we're going to begin Genesis chapter one and see God's vision
00:02:49 --> 00:02:55 unfold really, really quickly. The biblical vision starts beginning of the Bible in Genesis one,
00:02:56 --> 00:03:01 where God creates all things. He creates all people, two of them at this point, in his image.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:07 In his image. And every person who's ever walked the face of the earth from that moment
00:03:07 --> 00:03:15 carries the image of God. There is solidarity for all people. We all are created equal.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:21 It's not just a constitutional thing for the United States. All people are created equal. But as
00:03:21 --> 00:03:27 we have solidarity in image, so we also have solidarity in our sin. In Genesis chapter three,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:31 Adam and Eve reject God's rule over their life. And every human being who's walked the face of the
00:03:31 --> 00:03:39 earth since that has followed in their footsteps. And we, from the point of conception, are flawed.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:50 Our image of God is marred by sin. We have all sinned and we fall short of God's purposes for our lives.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:57 Romans chapter three. And one of the big consequences of that is God's judgment upon all people. And you see it
00:03:57 --> 00:04:07 played out in terms of the nations in Genesis chapter 11, where he scatters people. He confuses their
00:04:07 --> 00:04:12 language so that they would not work together in order to dethrone him as the Lord of all.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:19 And yet God doesn't just act in judgment. He doesn't leave us in that place because
00:04:19 --> 00:04:25 he sets about a plan to reverse it all in Genesis chapter 12, the beginning there, verses one to
00:04:25 --> 00:04:31 three. But Genesis 12 is the hinge point of the Bible. It's the turning point of scripture. It's the
00:04:31 --> 00:04:38 beginning of God's plan of redemption that began with a promise to a bloke named Abram, that all peoples
00:04:38 --> 00:04:46 of the earth will be blessed through him. And God's call of Abraham here is a direct response
00:04:46 --> 00:04:55 to the disastrous human situation of Genesis 3 to 11. God's focus is on Abraham and it's not
00:04:55 --> 00:05:07 an exclusive focus, but to use this individual, an unimpressive individual, and his descendants to
00:05:07 --> 00:05:15 bless and deliver the entire human race. And that means that God's solution to our sin
00:05:15 --> 00:05:25 reaches its final goal when it includes all peoples, all nations of the earth.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:35 The purpose of God choosing Israel was to witness to the universal power and love and magnificence
00:05:35 --> 00:05:42 of God for all people. God's plan for all the nations is amazing in its scope and its vision.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:49 And that's what you see right through the rest of the Bible, including the Old Testament, which
00:05:49 --> 00:05:59 appears to be so centered on the people of Israel. Psalm 67, the nations will benefit from the Abrahamic
00:05:59 --> 00:06:10 blessing of Israel. The nations will come to worship the living God in Psalm 22, 86, 102, 138, 145, Isaiah 2, 12, 42, 45.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:18 The nations will be included within Israel as the standard people of God, as God's purposes are worked out,
00:06:18 --> 00:06:22 as such a way that they'll be registered in God's holy city in Psalm 87.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:29 They'll be blessed with God's salvation in Isaiah 19. They'll be accepted into God's house in Isaiah 56.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:35 They'll be called by God's name in Amos 9. They'll be joined with God's people in Zechariah 2.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:44 Just to name a few. It is absolutely essential for us to see that God is not a racist in any way whatsoever.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:59 He doesn't have favorites. The choosing of Israel was not for ethnocentric purposes. It was for universal redemption.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:09 But Israel failed consistently in living out that purpose. They consistently displayed sinful prejudice,
00:07:09 --> 00:07:16 apathy, racial pride. They consistently forgot the reason God chose them.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:21 And God's plan of redemption, which started with the promise to Abraham,
00:07:21 --> 00:07:29 was not thwarted in any way, but it continued on and finds its fulfillment in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
00:07:31 --> 00:07:35 You see, with the arrival of the Lord Jesus, you see this very early on in the Gospels,
00:07:35 --> 00:07:42 was a radically new way of defining what it meant to be part of the people of God,
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 start to be expressed with clarity from the person of Jesus.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 And it wasn't ethnically defined.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 It was defined by faith in the Lord Jesus.
00:07:54 --> 00:08:02 You see, with Abraham, God set in motion a plan of redemption that overtones every curse
00:08:02 --> 00:08:05 for everyone who receives the blessing of Abraham.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:10 And that blessing is the forgiveness of sins, acceptance by God,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 that comes through Jesus Christ, the descendant of Abraham.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 Galatians 3, 13 and 14 says it,
00:08:17 --> 00:08:21 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 For it is written,
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 Cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:31 That is, what it's saying there is that Jesus redeemed all people by his death on the cross.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:35 He redeemed us in order that the blessing that was given to Abraham
00:08:35 --> 00:08:39 might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 It's for all people.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:47 God's redemptive plan has always been to save and to bless peoples from all peoples of the earth
00:08:47 --> 00:08:53 and to unite them together with him as his people through the Lord Jesus.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 It is the center of the Christian message.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:58 We refer to it as the Gospel, the good news about Jesus.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:02 It's redemption with our Creator God,
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 being redeemed, united with him,
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 and united with all people.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:13 Galatians 2 refers to the Gospel as justification by faith.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 Justification is what a judge does in a courtroom.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:25 It's the declaration that a defendant is innocent because they are in fact innocent.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 They are truly innocent.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:35 How does God declare rebellious humans to no longer be rebellious?
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 When they've been rebellious?
00:09:37 --> 00:09:40 Not by just going,
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 Oh, let's just love everyone and forget about it.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 No, by judging it.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 By dealing with it.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 By giving it the right condemnation.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:59 Someone has to jump in to be the substitute.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 Someone has to take the place of the guilty,
00:10:02 --> 00:10:05 to suffer the just punishment for the guilty.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 And as we saw last week, that was Jesus.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 Jesus Christ lived and died to bear our punishment
00:10:11 --> 00:10:14 and provide for us a right standing before God.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:18 Justification by faith puts all people on a level playing ground.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:21 That's what justification by faith does.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:24 It's a level playing ground for all people.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:30 We are all utterly dependent upon God's grace to us in the Lord Jesus.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 No one is different.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 And justification smashes pride.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:40 It's why we have a core value written on the wall just out there called humble authenticity.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 The Gospel smashes pride.
00:10:44 --> 00:10:51 Justification by faith is at the center of the Christian faith
00:10:51 --> 00:10:56 and many new and sweet and tender and deep and strong
00:10:56 --> 00:10:59 and beautiful and noble and humble and kind
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 and wise and patient and caring
00:11:02 --> 00:11:06 and serving attitudes and behaviors that flow directly from that.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:10 And one of which is the breaking down of the hostile barriers
00:11:10 --> 00:11:13 and suspicion that gets built up between people
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 who are different than us.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 It breaks the barriers
00:11:19 --> 00:11:22 builds us together as one new humanity
00:11:22 --> 00:11:25 and that's how Galatians 3 puts it
00:11:25 --> 00:11:29 you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 for all of you
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 who were baptized into Christ
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 have clothed yourselves with Christ
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 there is neither Jew nor Greek
00:11:37 --> 00:11:40 slave nor free
00:11:40 --> 00:11:43 male nor female
00:11:43 --> 00:11:45 male nor female
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 male nor female
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 male nor female
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 if you belong to Christ
00:11:48 --> 00:11:50 then you are Abraham's seed
00:11:50 --> 00:11:53 and heirs according to the promise of Abraham
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 back in Genesis 12.
00:11:56 --> 00:12:00 When Paul states here that there's neither Jew nor Greek
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 slave nor free
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 male nor free
00:12:02 --> 00:12:02 male
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 what he does here is he
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 he strikes at the heart
00:12:05 --> 00:12:08 of three of the major barrier forming divisions
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 in human society
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 and certainly was the case in the first century
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 ethnicity
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 economic status
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 and sexuality
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 there was a Jewish prayer
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 that was prayed
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 in the first century
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 that went like this
00:12:23 --> 00:12:26 and it's a prayer of thanksgiving
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 blessed be he
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 that he did not make me a Gentile
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 blessed be he
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 that he did not make me a slave
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 or an ignorant peasant
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 blessed be he
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 that did not make me a woman
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 now I'm assuming
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 that that was only ever prayed
00:12:42 --> 00:12:42 in the
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 men's breakfast
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 at the temple
00:12:45 --> 00:12:48 the bacon free men's breakfast
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 just egg rolls
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 that's all it is
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 just egg rolls
00:12:50 --> 00:12:54 and what the Christian gospel does
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 is it smashes those barriers
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 and forms a radical new society
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 the old divisions are abolished
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 the new community is formed
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 and you see just after Jesus' resurrection
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 in Acts chapter 2
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 on the day of Pentecost
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 the Holy Spirit comes
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 the church is formed
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 and people of different races
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 and generations
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 and languages are there
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 and the coming of the Holy Spirit
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 is a symbolic reversal
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 of the judgment of
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 Genesis 11
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 with the Tower of Babel
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 where God scatters
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 and confuses their language
00:13:23 --> 00:13:27 people who were once scattered
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 and frustrated
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 are gathered together under Jesus
00:13:29 --> 00:13:31 and even language on that day
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 is not a barrier
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 as people hear
00:13:33 --> 00:13:37 hear God's plan of redemption
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 in the Lord Jesus
00:13:38 --> 00:13:41 in their own tongue
00:13:41 --> 00:13:47 the blood of Jesus unites all people
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 and what is symbolic
00:13:49 --> 00:13:52 in Acts chapter 2
00:13:52 --> 00:13:55 is a reality of the final picture
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 of all things
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 final picture of all things
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 in history in Revelation
00:13:58 --> 00:14:01 as we just saw in Revelation 5
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 in verse 9
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 John tells us
00:14:04 --> 00:14:04 why Jesus is worthy
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 to open the book
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 at the end of history
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 so that things unfold
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 according to the plan of God
00:14:09 --> 00:14:11 Jesus is worthy
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 because of how
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 his death relates
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 to all races
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 and tribes of the earth
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 it says
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 you are worthy
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 to take the scroll
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 to open its seals
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 because you were slain
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 and with your body
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 you purchased men
00:14:23 --> 00:14:25 let me just
00:14:25 --> 00:14:27 purchase people
00:14:27 --> 00:14:30 for God
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 from every tribe
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 language
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 nation and people
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 and you have made them
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 to be a kingdom
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 and priests
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 to serve our God
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 and they will reign
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 on the earth
00:14:41 --> 00:14:44 it was God's design
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 in the death
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 and the resurrection
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 of Jesus
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 to ransom some
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 from every kind of race
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 and language
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 and people
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 and kingdoms
00:14:52 --> 00:14:55 and to make them
00:14:55 --> 00:14:55 one kingdom
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 and as the king
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 of the kingdom
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 all people live
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 with Jesus
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 as their supreme
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 treasure and lord
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 every individual
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 in this new humanity
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 as you notice
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 you have made them
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 a kingdom of priests
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 there's not a hierarchy
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 of order here
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 they're all priests
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 they are all
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 full time
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 worshippers
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 of the king
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 that's what the priest's job was
00:15:17 --> 00:15:20 Jesus died
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 to ransom subjects
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 for the king
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 and worshipers
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 for the king
00:15:22 --> 00:15:24 from every race
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 and tribe
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 and language
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 the goal
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 is for all those
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 scattered from God
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 will return
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 to enjoy fellowship
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 with him
00:15:32 --> 00:15:35 the scattered ones
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 once separated
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 from God
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 and from each other
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 are now brought together
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 under the reign of Jesus
00:15:38 --> 00:15:41 and finding God's blessing
00:15:41 --> 00:15:43 his promise of blessing
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 as God said to Abraham
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 back in Genesis 12
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 we see it here
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 in Revelation 5
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 fulfilled
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 you can see it fulfilled
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 in verses 11
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 sorry
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 13 and 14
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 then I heard
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 every creature
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 in heaven
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 and on earth
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 and under the earth
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 and on the sea
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 and all that is in them
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 singing to him
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 who sits on the throne
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 to the lamb
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 be praise
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 and honor
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 glory
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 and power
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 forever and ever
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 the four living creatures
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 said amen
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 and the elders
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 fell down
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 and worshipped
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 the elders fell down
00:16:16 --> 00:16:16 and worshipped
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 and that is what
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 all of creation
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 is designed for
00:16:20 --> 00:16:23 this is what history
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 is about
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 this is what
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 the nation is about
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 this is what
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 people is about
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 this is what
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 group is about
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 this is what
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 diversity is about
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 this is what
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 language is about
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 this is what
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 St. Paul's
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 is about
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 this is what
00:16:35 --> 00:16:35 my life is about
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 this is what
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 your life is about
00:16:37 --> 00:16:39 and so it is
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 inconceivable
00:16:40 --> 00:16:44 that we should believe that the goal of God in history
00:16:44 --> 00:16:47 and the aim of the death of his son
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 is to gather all people
00:16:49 --> 00:16:54 and for us not to care
00:16:54 --> 00:16:58 about breaking down the barriers now in this city
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 and this church
00:16:59 --> 00:17:03 between you and other people and me and other people.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:07 The Christian gospel is the power of God
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 that breaks down the dividing wall of hostility
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 between Israelis and Palestinians
00:17:11 --> 00:17:14 and Russians and Poles and Nazis and Jews
00:17:14 --> 00:17:18 and white and black and male and female
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 and old people and young
00:17:20 --> 00:17:23 and whatever other divisions are in there.
00:17:24 --> 00:17:29 When our Redeemer and Great Reconcile and his gospel
00:17:29 --> 00:17:32 are what we hold as first importance
00:17:32 --> 00:17:36 which is what 1 Corinthians 15.3 says it is
00:17:36 --> 00:17:41 we are empowered to listen to those different perspectives and preferences
00:17:41 --> 00:17:44 evaluate fairly to change as we need
00:17:44 --> 00:17:47 and be proactive in reaching across those lines
00:17:47 --> 00:17:52 that have traditionally caused divisions amongst us.
00:17:52 --> 00:17:54 when Jesus is our greatest treasure
00:17:54 --> 00:17:57 we see that our lifelong preferences
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 our lifelong treasures
00:17:59 --> 00:18:03 all those little idols that I spoke about last week
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 are ultimately our hope
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 they're not our hope
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 they're not our security
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 they're not our comfort
00:18:10 --> 00:18:12 it means that we will actually become eager
00:18:12 --> 00:18:14 to have them changed
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 removed
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 refined
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 if it means less barriers to others
00:18:19 --> 00:18:22 embracing and treasuring the Lord Jesus with us
00:18:22 --> 00:18:24 you see when the cross is our salvation
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 and our daily strength
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 we're eager to crucify our pride
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 and our love for self
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 and our type
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 and our comfort
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 and our way
00:18:33 --> 00:18:36 we're empowered to take the extra steps
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 extra steps
00:18:37 --> 00:18:40 to step across those dividing lines
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 across generations
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 across cultures
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 with kindness
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 with grace
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 with a listening ear
00:18:45 --> 00:18:49 because my security is not in my preferences
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 my comfort is not in my preferences
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 my security
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 my comfort
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 my identity
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 is wrapped up
00:18:55 --> 00:18:58 that I'm a child of a living God
00:18:58 --> 00:19:03 and so as I said last week
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 there's a certain irony
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 a terrible irony
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 in this being
00:19:08 --> 00:19:11 as I launched into this vision last week
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 that this is my passion
00:19:12 --> 00:19:15 this has been my ministry passion
00:19:15 --> 00:19:17 as a church
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 for so, so long
00:19:19 --> 00:19:23 and yet
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 for me to have
00:19:25 --> 00:19:27 an idol
00:19:27 --> 00:19:31 that results in me
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 working against my passion
00:19:33 --> 00:19:37 I talked about it last week
00:19:37 --> 00:19:39 I encouraged you
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 in the past week
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 to go and look at your idols
00:19:41 --> 00:19:43 I've got other
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 treasures and idols
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 that get in the way
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 of me pursuing
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 God's vision
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 of all things
00:19:49 --> 00:19:52 I said last week
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 it was control
00:19:52 --> 00:19:55 and it's not all negative
00:19:55 --> 00:19:57 it's a positive thing
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 I am the senior minister
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 of St. Paul's
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 and so
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 there is an element
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 that I ought to have
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 a certain element of control
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 but when
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 that becomes
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 the most important thing
00:20:06 --> 00:20:08 becomes the ultimate thing
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 then it becomes
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 a treasure
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 it becomes an idol
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 that displaces Jesus
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 from being the greatest treasure
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 of my life
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 and the interesting thing
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 about the
00:20:17 --> 00:20:19 idol of control
00:20:19 --> 00:20:22 is that your biggest emotion
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 will be an emotion
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 of worry
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 when your idol
00:20:25 --> 00:20:27 is fed
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 inflamed
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 and pumping in your heart
00:20:30 --> 00:20:30 worry
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 will be the thing
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 that I'll be
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 my greatest
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 troubling emotion
00:20:34 --> 00:20:37 and
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 what will people
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 around me feel
00:20:39 --> 00:20:42 when it's really
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 got my heart
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 control's got my heart
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 that's the idol
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 that's the treasure
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 that's really got my heart
00:20:46 --> 00:20:48 people around me
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 will feel condemned
00:20:49 --> 00:20:52 isn't that ironic
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 when we're trying
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 to build a community
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 of unity
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 a unity
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 around the Lord Jesus
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 who says that there is
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 no condemnation
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 in him
00:21:01 --> 00:21:04 and so
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 I've walked away
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 since July
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 Steve
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 you've got to work
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 on this idol
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 because it's impacting
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 St. Paul's
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 it's impacting
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 my relationships
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 it's impacting
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 us as a
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 as a church
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 and the vision
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 that God has
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 for us as a church
00:21:19 --> 00:21:21 treasuring Jesus
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 is the only solution
00:21:22 --> 00:21:24 and here's how
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 the solution
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 is for me
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 for an idol
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 control
00:21:27 --> 00:21:29 I go to those
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 Bible passages
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 they're in front of me
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 all the time
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 the Bible passages
00:21:32 --> 00:21:32 we talk about
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 God's sovereignty
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 over all things
00:21:34 --> 00:21:36 they are sweetness
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 to my soul
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 I've got to
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 constantly remind
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 that he is
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 control of all things
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 do you know
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 the other Bible passages
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 which is so
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 so important for me
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 is those Bible passages
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 we speak about
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 the grace of the Lord Jesus
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 there's no condemnation
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 in him
00:21:49 --> 00:21:49 I've got to keep
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 both of those things
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 together
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 there's no condemnation
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 in him
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 the only way
00:21:54 --> 00:21:56 to displace an idol
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 is to have a bigger one
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 a greater affection
00:21:58 --> 00:22:00 and to see that
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 Jesus is the one
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 who gives you
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 all that you need
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 and all that you desire
00:22:04 --> 00:22:07 and so
00:22:07 --> 00:22:09 I believe
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 it is
00:22:09 --> 00:22:11 more than just
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 unfortunate
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 when our worldly
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 associations
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 and our identities
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 are allowed
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 to determine
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 the composition
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 of our churches
00:22:18 --> 00:22:20 I believe it works
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 against the very nature
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 of the Christian gospel
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 and God's purposes
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 here's a quote
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 from an American theologian
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 Michael Horton
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 he said
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 not that long ago
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 evangelical missiologists
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 were defending
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 the separation
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 of races
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 based on the principle
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 that people like
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 to be with people
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 who are like them
00:22:37 --> 00:22:40 South African theologians
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 have pointed out
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 that this principle
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 in mission work
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 laid the groundwork
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 for apartheid
00:22:46 --> 00:22:49 an incredible evil
00:22:49 --> 00:22:51 now that racial segregation
00:22:51 --> 00:22:54 is less explicitly deployed
00:22:54 --> 00:22:57 as a church growth strategy
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 I think he's being
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 somewhat sarcastic
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 at that point
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 we carve up
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 Christ's body
00:23:01 --> 00:23:03 into socio-economic
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 and generational segments
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 some churches
00:23:05 --> 00:23:07 use demographic marketing
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 to appeal
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 to different music styles
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 with country western
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 rock and jazz services
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 it's what has been
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 referred to
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 as the
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 homogenous
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 unit principle
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 like
00:23:18 --> 00:23:20 like to be with like
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 we like to hang out
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 with people
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 who are like us
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 it's a principle
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 that was propagated
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 by the church growth movement
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 in the 1990s
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 but has been in play
00:23:27 --> 00:23:29 for a long time since then
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 it goes right back
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 to the issues of racism
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 and everything else
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 it has led to churches
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 planted
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 to target specific demographics
00:23:35 --> 00:23:38 specific segregating
00:23:38 --> 00:23:40 segregations of people
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 segregating corporate worship
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 into individual preferences
00:23:42 --> 00:23:44 traditional services
00:23:44 --> 00:23:44 family services
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 youth services
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 ABC services
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 and a multitude of other services
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 such as cowboy services
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 even in the United States
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 in Texas
00:23:50 --> 00:23:53 and you must ride a horse
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 by the way
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 that's true
00:23:54 --> 00:23:56 it might seem funny
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 but it's true
00:23:56 --> 00:23:58 I know it's the United States
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 and anything can happen
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 especially
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 you know
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 in the next couple of days
00:24:01 --> 00:24:05 and let me tell you
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 the homogenous
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 unit principle
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 is standard practice
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 on the north shore of Sydney
00:24:09 --> 00:24:11 it's standard practice
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 right throughout
00:24:12 --> 00:24:14 Sydney Diocese
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 and it was standard practice
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 here at St. Paul's
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 until 2011
00:24:17 --> 00:24:21 Martin Luther King
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 once said
00:24:22 --> 00:24:24 that the most segregated hour
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 in America
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 is 11 o'clock
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 on a Sunday morning
00:24:27 --> 00:24:31 that was over 50 years ago
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 but I believe
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 the statement is true
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 of a lot of churches
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 in our city
00:24:34 --> 00:24:36 even today
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 even though we have
00:24:37 --> 00:24:39 an integrated society
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 our schools are integrated
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 our places of work
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 are integrated
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 our neighbourhoods
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 are integrated
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 our social clubs
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 are integrated
00:24:45 --> 00:24:47 and on Sunday morning
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 we get in our cars
00:24:48 --> 00:24:50 we drive to our
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 homogenous churches
00:24:51 --> 00:24:53 to worship our God
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 who has called us
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 to be united
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 in the Lord Jesus
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 by the power of his spirit
00:24:56 --> 00:25:00 and I am totally convinced
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 that our homogenous
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 circles of comfort
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 are a hindrance
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 to the gospel
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 as we fail to display
00:25:05 --> 00:25:07 the beautiful picture
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 that God has
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 of all time
00:25:09 --> 00:25:11 in Revelation 5
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 and 7
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 and 9
00:25:12 --> 00:25:17 it's so ironic
00:25:17 --> 00:25:19 that Christians
00:25:19 --> 00:25:21 have led some of the charge
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 in pursuing
00:25:22 --> 00:25:26 racial and social justice
00:25:26 --> 00:25:29 as well as
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 cross-cultural ministries
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 across the other side
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 of the world
00:25:32 --> 00:25:34 and yet it has not
00:25:34 --> 00:25:36 appeared to trickle down
00:25:36 --> 00:25:39 into interpersonal behaviour
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 on the local church level
00:25:40 --> 00:25:43 it's phenomenal
00:25:43 --> 00:25:47 it's so much easier
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 to pursue God's purposes
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 when they don't interfere
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 with my preferences
00:25:50 --> 00:25:53 when I can just give money
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 to
00:25:53 --> 00:25:55 seeing the gospel
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 reach somewhere
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 at the other side
00:25:57 --> 00:25:57 of the world
00:25:57 --> 00:26:03 changes we have made here
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 in St. Paul's
00:26:04 --> 00:26:06 in 2011
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 in our corporate worship
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 was to move deliberately
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 away from the
00:26:08 --> 00:26:10 homogenous unit principle
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 in our corporate worship
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 in our community groups
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 and a bunch of other ministries
00:26:13 --> 00:26:15 the ordering principle
00:26:15 --> 00:26:17 of our corporate gatherings
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 at St. Paul's
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 is
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 not
00:26:20 --> 00:26:22 personal preferences
00:26:22 --> 00:26:24 based on
00:26:24 --> 00:26:24 age
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 stage of life
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 ethnicity
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 tradition
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 music
00:26:28 --> 00:26:28 and the
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 morning tea
00:26:30 --> 00:26:32 colours of carpet
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 or anything else
00:26:33 --> 00:26:35 my personal preferences
00:26:35 --> 00:26:37 don't set the agenda
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 of what we do
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 when I say
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 my personal preferences
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 what I mean is
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 my personal preferences
00:26:41 --> 00:26:43 even me
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 as senior minister
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 of St. Paul's
00:26:45 --> 00:26:47 it's our
00:26:47 --> 00:26:49 purpose
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 as a church
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 our vision
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 our values
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 they do
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 God's glory
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 does
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 rather than valuing
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 the comfort
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 of like
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 we started valuing
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 the discomfort
00:27:00 --> 00:27:02 a shared
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 discomfort
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 when we gather
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 together
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 and that includes
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 me
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 let me tell you
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 I think I've said
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 this so many times
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 but
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 but there's still
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 an assumption
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 I've heard from a few
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 people
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 that the way we do
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 church at St. Paul's
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 right now
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 is my preference
00:27:15 --> 00:27:17 there is
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 I
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 I do not
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 recall a single
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 Sunday
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 where I've not
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 had discomfort
00:27:21 --> 00:27:25 not a single
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 Sunday
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 where I've not
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 had discomfort
00:27:26 --> 00:27:29 we don't do
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 church
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 according to my
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 preference
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 we've got a
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 purpose
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 we've got a
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 vision
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 and that
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 what drives
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 us
00:27:34 --> 00:27:40 but what I am
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 so pleased
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 about is that
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 I look around
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 at our
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 English
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 congregations
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 today
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 we have
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 so much
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 greater
00:27:47 --> 00:27:47 diversity
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 than we did
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 five years
00:27:49 --> 00:27:49 ago
00:27:49 --> 00:27:49 in fact
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 even more
00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 than we did
00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 six months
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 ago
00:27:51 --> 00:27:53 so much
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 greater
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 diversity
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 did you
00:27:55 --> 00:27:55 know
00:27:55 --> 00:27:57 since we've
00:27:57 --> 00:27:57 been breaking
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 down the
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 modulus unit
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 principle
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 our
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 Chinese
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 congregation
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 has less
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 Chinese
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 members
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 in it
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 than the
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 English
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 congregations
00:28:05 --> 00:28:13 it's been a
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 journey towards
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 greater unity
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 and diversity
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 a journey that
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 we are
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 continuing
00:28:16 --> 00:28:19 and I
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 assume that
00:28:19 --> 00:28:20 given that a
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 whole bunch of
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 people have
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 come to St.
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 Paul since
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 2011 and we
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 continue to
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 grow
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 you've found
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 Christ here
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 you've found
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 a church
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 family here
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 I would
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 suggest
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 that this
00:28:28 --> 00:28:28 is at least
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 one aspect
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 of St.
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 Paul's that
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 we actually
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 value
00:28:31 --> 00:28:35 so let
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 me just
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 take this
00:28:36 --> 00:28:36 vision statement
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 a little bit
00:28:37 --> 00:28:37 further for us
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 and point out
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 some implications
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 it says that
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 we're united
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 in our desire
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 to represent
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 the diversity
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 of Chatswood
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 now for those
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 of you who
00:28:46 --> 00:28:46 get the
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 technicalities
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 of all this
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 vision statement
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 stuff
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 you would know
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 that a vision
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 statement must
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 be measurable
00:28:52 --> 00:28:54 must be
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 measurable
00:28:54 --> 00:28:57 you need to
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 be able to
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 assess
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 whether in
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 fact you're
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 pursuing your
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 vision
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 and that
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 statement
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 right there
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 is the
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 measurable
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 bit
00:29:04 --> 00:29:06 in our
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 vision
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 statement
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 every five
00:29:07 --> 00:29:07 years
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 there's this
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 thing called
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 the census
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 if it doesn't
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 crash
00:29:10 --> 00:29:12 and there's a
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 national church
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 life survey
00:29:13 --> 00:29:15 that gets an
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 evaluation of who
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 we are as a
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 people
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 and it does
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 evaluation of who
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 the community is
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 as a people
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 and we get to
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 compare those
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 things
00:29:22 --> 00:29:24 and we get to
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 go
00:29:24 --> 00:29:26 okay
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 how we're
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 tracking in
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 our diversity
00:29:28 --> 00:29:30 we desire to
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 represent the
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 diversity of
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 Chatswood
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 that is what
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 we desire is
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 we desire not
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 to be a
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 subculture within
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 a culture
00:29:38 --> 00:29:40 our goal is to
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 have that data
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 so closely
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 aligned as
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 possible
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 it is also a
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 massive danger
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 for Christians
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 Christian churches
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 to be a
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 subculture within
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 a culture in
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 such a way that
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 the two don't
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 relate
00:29:50 --> 00:29:52 it's possibly so
00:29:52 --> 00:29:54 comfortable with
00:29:54 --> 00:29:56 one demographic
00:29:56 --> 00:29:58 group because
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 of a long
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 association and
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 yet have no
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 interest in another
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 demographic group
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 because their ways
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 are just too
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 foreign to us
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 they're too
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 strange to us
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 they're even
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 repulsive to us
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 as a Christian
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 subculture
00:30:08 --> 00:30:13 my vision is for
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 us is to always
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 be assessing
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 whether we are
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 reaching our
00:30:16 --> 00:30:16 community
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 whether we're
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 displaying the
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 diversity of our
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 community
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 if we find that
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 50% of Chatswood
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 are below the
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 poverty line
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 but we don't
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 have anyone
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 in this
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 building
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 who's below
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 the poverty
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 line
00:30:29 --> 00:30:29 I want to
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 ask why
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 is it
00:30:31 --> 00:30:33 the middle
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 class or the
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 upper middle
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 class or the
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 whatever class
00:30:36 --> 00:30:38 level of lower
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 north shore
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 that's hindering
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 the mission
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 that God's
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 placed us in
00:30:41 --> 00:30:43 and if that's
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 the case
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 we need to
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 change
00:30:44 --> 00:30:47 I need to
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 dress differently
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 or something
00:30:48 --> 00:30:51 if 20% of
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 Chatswood
00:30:52 --> 00:30:52 we discover
00:30:52 --> 00:30:55 has Icelandic
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 heritage
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 but we've
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 got one
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 member from
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 Iceland
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 in this
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 church
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 we need
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 to buy
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 some ice
00:31:00 --> 00:31:02 or something
00:31:02 --> 00:31:06 there's my
00:31:06 --> 00:31:08 narrow mindedness
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 coming to play
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 at that point
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 or if
00:31:11 --> 00:31:13 15%
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 are of
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 in our
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 community
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 are same
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 sex couples
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 and we've
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 got none
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 here
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 I want to
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 ask why
00:31:20 --> 00:31:24 my vision
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 for us
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 is that we
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 are so
00:31:27 --> 00:31:29 love
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 and treasure
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 the Lord
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 Jesus
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 that we
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 have hold
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 him of
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 such
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 infinite
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 value
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 that it
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 will be
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 displayed
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 as the
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 Lord
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 Jesus
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 said
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 in our
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 love
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 for one
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 another
00:31:39 --> 00:31:42 love
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 will be
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 the
00:31:43 --> 00:31:45 primary
00:31:45 --> 00:31:45 thing
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 that people
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 experience
00:31:47 --> 00:31:47 when they
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 gather
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 in such
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 a way
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 that even
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 those who
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 are fundamentally
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 opposed
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 to my
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 theological
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 convictions
00:31:55 --> 00:31:57 will be
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 able to
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 sit in
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 church
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 and say
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 I disagree
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 with that
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 guy
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 I disagree
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 with
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 he's
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 narrow minded
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 but I want
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 to be part
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 of this
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 community
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 because I
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 feel more
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 loved here
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 than I do
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 with the
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 liberal
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 church
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 that agrees
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 with my
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 position
00:32:09 --> 00:32:11 that's my
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 vision
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 for St.
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 Paul's
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 and so I
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 got to work
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 on my
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 treasure
00:32:16 --> 00:32:20 my vision
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 is that we
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 will be
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 welcome
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 while at
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 the same
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 time not
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 affirming
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 of all
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 cultural
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 distinctives
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 and this
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 is an
00:32:27 --> 00:32:27 issue for
00:32:27 --> 00:32:27 the whole
00:32:27 --> 00:32:28 church to
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 address
00:32:28 --> 00:32:29 if our
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 current
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 1115
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 congregation
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 is only
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 Chinese
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 I want to
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 know why
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 they're not
00:32:35 --> 00:32:35 reaching
00:32:35 --> 00:32:35 Syrians
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 and Japanese
00:32:36 --> 00:32:42 we want
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 to look
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 at the
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 data and
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 see what
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 God has
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 for us
00:32:45 --> 00:32:45 next
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 what new
00:32:46 --> 00:32:47 barriers
00:32:47 --> 00:32:48 we need
00:32:48 --> 00:32:48 to break
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 down
00:32:49 --> 00:32:49 what
00:32:49 --> 00:32:49 listening
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 ear
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 what
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 things
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 we need
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 to learn
00:32:51 --> 00:32:51 and know
00:32:51 --> 00:32:52 what we
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 need to
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 change
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 what groups
00:32:54 --> 00:32:54 we need
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 to start
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 praying for
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 what things
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 need to be
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 resourced
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 Chatswood
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 is our
00:32:59 --> 00:32:59 mission field
00:32:59 --> 00:33:00 it's a place
00:33:00 --> 00:33:00 where God
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 has called
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 us for
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 his purpose
00:33:02 --> 00:33:03 to reach
00:33:03 --> 00:33:03 it with
00:33:03 --> 00:33:03 the gospel
00:33:03 --> 00:33:04 in such
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 a way
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 that people
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 from all
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 nations
00:33:06 --> 00:33:06 gather
00:33:06 --> 00:33:06 around
00:33:06 --> 00:33:07 his throne
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 and we
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 get an
00:33:08 --> 00:33:10 expression
00:33:10 --> 00:33:10 of it
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 in this
00:33:11 --> 00:33:11 place
00:33:11 --> 00:33:14 the vision
00:33:14 --> 00:33:15 of unity
00:33:15 --> 00:33:16 in diversity
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 is for
00:33:16 --> 00:33:17 every
00:33:17 --> 00:33:17 congregation
00:33:17 --> 00:33:18 it's for
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 every
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 small
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 group
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 one of
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 the great
00:33:20 --> 00:33:21 demonstrations
00:33:21 --> 00:33:21 of the
00:33:21 --> 00:33:21 Christian
00:33:21 --> 00:33:22 gospel
00:33:22 --> 00:33:22 is people
00:33:22 --> 00:33:23 coming
00:33:23 --> 00:33:23 together
00:33:23 --> 00:33:24 all people
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 black
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 white
00:33:26 --> 00:33:26 rich
00:33:26 --> 00:33:27 poor
00:33:27 --> 00:33:27 male
00:33:27 --> 00:33:28 female
00:33:28 --> 00:33:28 cool
00:33:28 --> 00:33:29 uncool
00:33:29 --> 00:33:30 all coming
00:33:30 --> 00:33:31 together
00:33:31 --> 00:33:32 because the
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 good news
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 of the
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 Lord Jesus
00:33:34 --> 00:33:34 and so my
00:33:34 --> 00:33:35 vision for us
00:33:35 --> 00:33:35 as a church
00:33:35 --> 00:33:37 is to be a
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 trans-cultural
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 church
00:33:39 --> 00:33:41 this is
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 different
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 than a
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 multicultural
00:33:44 --> 00:33:45 church
00:33:45 --> 00:33:47 a trans-cultural
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 church
00:33:48 --> 00:33:48 you see
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 to me
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 multicultural
00:33:50 --> 00:33:51 still implies
00:33:51 --> 00:33:52 an element
00:33:52 --> 00:33:53 of
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 individualism
00:33:54 --> 00:33:55 and it
00:33:55 --> 00:33:56 still implies
00:33:56 --> 00:33:57 that the
00:33:57 --> 00:33:58 thing
00:33:58 --> 00:33:59 that is
00:33:59 --> 00:33:59 distinctive
00:33:59 --> 00:34:00 about me
00:34:00 --> 00:34:01 is my
00:34:01 --> 00:34:01 individual
00:34:01 --> 00:34:02 culture
00:34:02 --> 00:34:05 it says to
00:34:05 --> 00:34:05 me that
00:34:05 --> 00:34:06 our individual
00:34:06 --> 00:34:07 cultural
00:34:07 --> 00:34:07 identifications
00:34:07 --> 00:34:08 should in
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 fact be the
00:34:09 --> 00:34:09 significant
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 marker in
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 how we
00:34:11 --> 00:34:11 view
00:34:11 --> 00:34:12 ourselves
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 in how we
00:34:13 --> 00:34:14 view each
00:34:14 --> 00:34:14 other in
00:34:14 --> 00:34:14 the way that
00:34:14 --> 00:34:15 we relate to
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 each other
00:34:16 --> 00:34:16 as a church
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 it says to
00:34:17 --> 00:34:17 me that our
00:34:17 --> 00:34:18 individual
00:34:18 --> 00:34:19 culture is
00:34:19 --> 00:34:19 one of the
00:34:19 --> 00:34:20 significant
00:34:20 --> 00:34:20 ordering
00:34:20 --> 00:34:21 principles of
00:34:21 --> 00:34:22 our life
00:34:22 --> 00:34:22 together
00:34:22 --> 00:34:24 it means to
00:34:24 --> 00:34:25 have equality
00:34:25 --> 00:34:26 you've got your
00:34:26 --> 00:34:27 culture I've got
00:34:27 --> 00:34:28 my culture and
00:34:28 --> 00:34:29 we need to
00:34:29 --> 00:34:29 equally honor
00:34:29 --> 00:34:30 them
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 that's what
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 multicultural
00:34:32 --> 00:34:33 that's how it's
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 worked out in
00:34:34 --> 00:34:34 Chatswood
00:34:34 --> 00:34:38 it means
00:34:38 --> 00:34:39 including all
00:34:39 --> 00:34:40 aspects of
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 all cultures
00:34:40 --> 00:34:41 in such a
00:34:41 --> 00:34:42 way that
00:34:42 --> 00:34:43 we don't
00:34:43 --> 00:34:44 critique we
00:34:44 --> 00:34:44 don't seek to
00:34:44 --> 00:34:45 transform any
00:34:45 --> 00:34:46 culture we
00:34:46 --> 00:34:47 just take it
00:34:47 --> 00:34:47 on holus
00:34:47 --> 00:34:48 bolus and
00:34:48 --> 00:34:49 it means that
00:34:49 --> 00:34:50 every culture
00:34:50 --> 00:34:51 has every
00:34:51 --> 00:34:51 right next
00:34:51 --> 00:34:51 thing you
00:34:51 --> 00:34:54 know 365
00:34:54 --> 00:34:55 days a year
00:34:55 --> 00:34:56 we're celebrating
00:34:56 --> 00:34:56 someone's culture
00:34:56 --> 00:34:57 in some particular
00:34:57 --> 00:34:58 kind of way
00:34:58 --> 00:34:59 there's no room
00:34:59 --> 00:34:59 at all for me
00:34:59 --> 00:35:00 to preach or
00:35:00 --> 00:35:00 anything else
00:35:00 --> 00:35:05 in a
00:35:05 --> 00:35:05 multicultural
00:35:05 --> 00:35:06 church there's
00:35:06 --> 00:35:07 always a danger
00:35:07 --> 00:35:08 that we'll be
00:35:08 --> 00:35:08 tussling to
00:35:08 --> 00:35:09 evaluate one
00:35:09 --> 00:35:10 culture over
00:35:10 --> 00:35:11 another in
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 order that one
00:35:12 --> 00:35:12 cultural group
00:35:12 --> 00:35:12 will have
00:35:12 --> 00:35:13 supremacy over
00:35:13 --> 00:35:16 another and
00:35:16 --> 00:35:16 in that
00:35:16 --> 00:35:16 environment the
00:35:16 --> 00:35:17 majority culture
00:35:17 --> 00:35:18 will set the
00:35:18 --> 00:35:19 tone they will
00:35:19 --> 00:35:20 set the flavor
00:35:20 --> 00:35:20 they will set
00:35:20 --> 00:35:21 the agenda
00:35:21 --> 00:35:21 they will have
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 the prominence
00:35:22 --> 00:35:23 as they have
00:35:23 --> 00:35:24 at St.
00:35:24 --> 00:35:25 Paul's for
00:35:25 --> 00:35:27 decades it will
00:35:27 --> 00:35:28 always happen
00:35:28 --> 00:35:29 because our
00:35:29 --> 00:35:30 individual culture
00:35:30 --> 00:35:31 whatever it is
00:35:31 --> 00:35:32 is the unifying
00:35:32 --> 00:35:33 principle for us
00:35:33 --> 00:35:34 and what must be
00:35:34 --> 00:35:35 honored and it
00:35:35 --> 00:35:36 must be respected
00:35:36 --> 00:35:36 above all and
00:35:36 --> 00:35:37 what I'm calling
00:35:37 --> 00:35:37 to is something
00:35:37 --> 00:35:39 different a
00:35:39 --> 00:35:40 trans cultural
00:35:40 --> 00:35:41 church is a
00:35:41 --> 00:35:43 community that
00:35:43 --> 00:35:45 reflects it
00:35:45 --> 00:35:46 embraces and
00:35:46 --> 00:35:47 enjoys the
00:35:47 --> 00:35:48 diversity of its
00:35:48 --> 00:35:49 mission context
00:35:49 --> 00:35:51 but by the
00:35:51 --> 00:35:51 power of the
00:35:51 --> 00:35:52 gospel it
00:35:52 --> 00:35:53 transcends
00:35:53 --> 00:35:56 transcends its
00:35:56 --> 00:35:57 cultural context
00:35:57 --> 00:35:58 and it creates
00:35:58 --> 00:35:59 one new
00:35:59 --> 00:36:00 community in
00:36:00 --> 00:36:01 Christ
00:36:01 --> 00:36:03 that's a
00:36:03 --> 00:36:04 trans cultural
00:36:04 --> 00:36:04 church
00:36:04 --> 00:36:07 this vision
00:36:07 --> 00:36:09 this church
00:36:09 --> 00:36:11 is not about
00:36:11 --> 00:36:12 obliterating
00:36:12 --> 00:36:13 cultural diversity
00:36:13 --> 00:36:14 and distinction
00:36:14 --> 00:36:14 you see
00:36:14 --> 00:36:15 you know when
00:36:15 --> 00:36:16 Jesus broke
00:36:16 --> 00:36:17 down the
00:36:17 --> 00:36:17 barriers between
00:36:17 --> 00:36:18 people
00:36:18 --> 00:36:19 he didn't
00:36:19 --> 00:36:20 obliterate the
00:36:20 --> 00:36:20 differences
00:36:20 --> 00:36:22 he didn't say
00:36:22 --> 00:36:22 well you Jews
00:36:22 --> 00:36:23 are now Gentiles
00:36:23 --> 00:36:24 and you Gentiles
00:36:24 --> 00:36:24 are now Jews
00:36:24 --> 00:36:25 or we'll have a
00:36:25 --> 00:36:26 new thing
00:36:26 --> 00:36:26 we'll have a
00:36:26 --> 00:36:27 Jew
00:36:27 --> 00:36:33 the Jews
00:36:33 --> 00:36:34 were still
00:36:34 --> 00:36:34 Jews
00:36:34 --> 00:36:34 the Greeks
00:36:34 --> 00:36:35 were still
00:36:35 --> 00:36:35 Greeks
00:36:35 --> 00:36:36 the slaves
00:36:36 --> 00:36:37 were still
00:36:37 --> 00:36:37 slaves
00:36:37 --> 00:36:38 the free
00:36:38 --> 00:36:39 were still
00:36:39 --> 00:36:39 free
00:36:39 --> 00:36:40 the men
00:36:40 --> 00:36:40 were still
00:36:40 --> 00:36:40 the men
00:36:40 --> 00:36:41 and the women
00:36:41 --> 00:36:41 were still
00:36:41 --> 00:36:42 the women
00:36:42 --> 00:36:43 the Bible
00:36:43 --> 00:36:44 affirms culture
00:36:44 --> 00:36:45 the Bible
00:36:45 --> 00:36:46 affirms cultural
00:36:46 --> 00:36:46 diversity
00:36:46 --> 00:36:48 diversity of culture
00:36:48 --> 00:36:48 is arguably part
00:36:48 --> 00:36:49 of God's nature
00:36:49 --> 00:36:50 in order for all
00:36:50 --> 00:36:50 of humanity
00:36:50 --> 00:36:52 the picture of
00:36:52 --> 00:36:53 the end of time
00:36:53 --> 00:36:53 is people
00:36:53 --> 00:36:54 worshipping
00:36:54 --> 00:36:55 Jesus still
00:36:55 --> 00:36:56 I believe
00:36:56 --> 00:36:57 in Revelation 5
00:36:57 --> 00:36:58 and other bits
00:36:58 --> 00:36:59 of the Revelation
00:36:59 --> 00:37:00 still in their
00:37:00 --> 00:37:01 cultural diversity
00:37:01 --> 00:37:03 I don't think
00:37:03 --> 00:37:03 we're all going to
00:37:03 --> 00:37:04 walk in there
00:37:04 --> 00:37:05 and all going to
00:37:05 --> 00:37:06 look like me
00:37:06 --> 00:37:08 praise God
00:37:08 --> 00:37:10 I don't think
00:37:10 --> 00:37:11 that's what's
00:37:11 --> 00:37:11 going to happen
00:37:11 --> 00:37:13 and I don't think
00:37:13 --> 00:37:13 we're all going to
00:37:13 --> 00:37:14 speak English
00:37:14 --> 00:37:14 I don't think
00:37:14 --> 00:37:15 Jesus is doing
00:37:15 --> 00:37:16 ESL languages
00:37:16 --> 00:37:16 right now
00:37:16 --> 00:37:18 I don't think
00:37:18 --> 00:37:18 that's what's
00:37:18 --> 00:37:19 going to happen
00:37:19 --> 00:37:20 and I'm
00:37:20 --> 00:37:21 absolutely confident
00:37:21 --> 00:37:21 we're all going
00:37:21 --> 00:37:22 to be Anglican
00:37:22 --> 00:37:25 the Bible
00:37:25 --> 00:37:26 also causes
00:37:26 --> 00:37:28 to a cultural
00:37:28 --> 00:37:29 sensitivity
00:37:29 --> 00:37:31 in Romans 14
00:37:31 --> 00:37:33 and 1 Corinthians
00:37:33 --> 00:37:34 10 11
00:37:34 --> 00:37:35 we understand
00:37:35 --> 00:37:36 and we communicate
00:37:36 --> 00:37:36 the good news
00:37:36 --> 00:37:37 of the Jesus
00:37:37 --> 00:37:39 culturally
00:37:39 --> 00:37:41 the word culture
00:37:41 --> 00:37:42 is not mentioned
00:37:42 --> 00:37:43 however in the whole Bible
00:37:43 --> 00:37:44 but the Bible
00:37:44 --> 00:37:45 is deeply concerned
00:37:45 --> 00:37:46 about our human
00:37:46 --> 00:37:47 identity
00:37:47 --> 00:37:48 and interaction
00:37:48 --> 00:37:49 our vision
00:37:49 --> 00:37:51 is to embrace
00:37:51 --> 00:37:51 the diversity
00:37:51 --> 00:37:53 as part of
00:37:53 --> 00:37:54 God's creativity
00:37:54 --> 00:37:55 but transcend
00:37:55 --> 00:37:56 the diversity
00:37:56 --> 00:37:58 and find a common
00:37:58 --> 00:37:58 ground
00:37:58 --> 00:38:00 not in our
00:38:00 --> 00:38:00 cultures
00:38:00 --> 00:38:03 not in our
00:38:03 --> 00:38:03 cultures
00:38:03 --> 00:38:04 but in the Lord
00:38:04 --> 00:38:04 Jesus
00:38:04 --> 00:38:07 crucially
00:38:07 --> 00:38:07 the Bible's
00:38:07 --> 00:38:08 reflection on
00:38:08 --> 00:38:09 human identity
00:38:09 --> 00:38:09 interaction
00:38:09 --> 00:38:10 stands outside
00:38:10 --> 00:38:11 of culture
00:38:11 --> 00:38:11 itself
00:38:11 --> 00:38:12 it says
00:38:12 --> 00:38:13 all of humanity
00:38:13 --> 00:38:14 are fallen
00:38:14 --> 00:38:15 they're all sinful
00:38:15 --> 00:38:16 beings
00:38:16 --> 00:38:16 who have been
00:38:16 --> 00:38:17 made in God's
00:38:17 --> 00:38:17 image
00:38:17 --> 00:38:18 and yet
00:38:18 --> 00:38:18 redeemed
00:38:18 --> 00:38:19 and transformed
00:38:19 --> 00:38:19 by the one
00:38:19 --> 00:38:20 Lord Jesus
00:38:20 --> 00:38:21 Christ
00:38:21 --> 00:38:21 through the
00:38:21 --> 00:38:22 Holy Spirit
00:38:22 --> 00:38:23 into a new
00:38:23 --> 00:38:23 humanity
00:38:23 --> 00:38:24 under the
00:38:24 --> 00:38:24 Lordship of
00:38:24 --> 00:38:25 Jesus
00:38:25 --> 00:38:26 that is
00:38:26 --> 00:38:28 this is
00:38:28 --> 00:38:29 and I believe
00:38:29 --> 00:38:30 will be
00:38:30 --> 00:38:31 true for everyone
00:38:31 --> 00:38:32 irrespective of
00:38:32 --> 00:38:33 your culture
00:38:33 --> 00:38:34 and so what the
00:38:34 --> 00:38:35 Bible does
00:38:35 --> 00:38:36 is actually
00:38:36 --> 00:38:37 marginalizes
00:38:37 --> 00:38:37 culture
00:38:37 --> 00:38:38 particularity
00:38:38 --> 00:38:40 there is very
00:38:40 --> 00:38:41 little interest
00:38:41 --> 00:38:42 in cultural
00:38:42 --> 00:38:42 practices
00:38:42 --> 00:38:43 in the Bible
00:38:43 --> 00:38:46 they are
00:38:46 --> 00:38:46 either ignored
00:38:46 --> 00:38:48 or they are
00:38:48 --> 00:38:48 pushed to the
00:38:48 --> 00:38:49 edges
00:38:49 --> 00:38:50 in the New
00:38:50 --> 00:38:50 Testament
00:38:50 --> 00:38:51 our identity
00:38:51 --> 00:38:52 in Jesus
00:38:52 --> 00:38:53 supersedes
00:38:53 --> 00:38:54 all other
00:38:54 --> 00:38:54 cultural
00:38:54 --> 00:38:55 identifications
00:38:55 --> 00:38:57 and this is
00:38:57 --> 00:38:57 the vision
00:38:57 --> 00:38:58 that I have
00:38:58 --> 00:38:58 for us
00:38:58 --> 00:38:59 we don't
00:38:59 --> 00:39:00 try to find
00:39:00 --> 00:39:01 common ground
00:39:01 --> 00:39:01 in our
00:39:01 --> 00:39:01 respective
00:39:01 --> 00:39:02 cultures
00:39:02 --> 00:39:03 we transcend
00:39:03 --> 00:39:04 them in order
00:39:04 --> 00:39:05 to find
00:39:05 --> 00:39:05 Jesus
00:39:05 --> 00:39:07 a number
00:39:07 --> 00:39:07 of years
00:39:07 --> 00:39:08 ago
00:39:08 --> 00:39:10 in the
00:39:10 --> 00:39:11 transition
00:39:11 --> 00:39:11 from me
00:39:11 --> 00:39:12 being a
00:39:12 --> 00:39:12 country lad
00:39:12 --> 00:39:13 to getting
00:39:13 --> 00:39:14 used to the
00:39:14 --> 00:39:14 city
00:39:14 --> 00:39:16 I said yes
00:39:16 --> 00:39:16 to go to
00:39:16 --> 00:39:16 the orchestra
00:39:16 --> 00:39:19 and never
00:39:19 --> 00:39:19 been to one
00:39:19 --> 00:39:20 before
00:39:20 --> 00:39:23 and it was
00:39:23 --> 00:39:23 sold to me
00:39:23 --> 00:39:24 as a concert
00:39:24 --> 00:39:27 and so I
00:39:27 --> 00:39:27 went along to
00:39:27 --> 00:39:28 this thing
00:39:28 --> 00:39:29 with Nat
00:39:29 --> 00:39:30 thinking okay
00:39:30 --> 00:39:30 I better
00:39:30 --> 00:39:32 take something
00:39:32 --> 00:39:32 to read
00:39:32 --> 00:39:38 and I
00:39:38 --> 00:39:38 remember
00:39:38 --> 00:39:39 sitting there
00:39:39 --> 00:39:41 and we
00:39:41 --> 00:39:41 had a good
00:39:41 --> 00:39:42 spot in
00:39:42 --> 00:39:43 terms of
00:39:43 --> 00:39:43 seeing where
00:39:43 --> 00:39:43 it was going
00:39:43 --> 00:39:44 first time
00:39:44 --> 00:39:44 I've ever
00:39:44 --> 00:39:44 been to one
00:39:44 --> 00:39:44 of these
00:39:44 --> 00:39:45 events
00:39:45 --> 00:39:47 and I
00:39:47 --> 00:39:47 remember
00:39:47 --> 00:39:47 sitting there
00:39:47 --> 00:39:48 in advance
00:39:48 --> 00:39:50 when they're
00:39:50 --> 00:39:51 all practicing
00:39:51 --> 00:39:51 and people
00:39:51 --> 00:39:52 are banging
00:39:52 --> 00:39:53 on stuff
00:39:53 --> 00:39:53 and making
00:39:53 --> 00:39:54 a racket
00:39:54 --> 00:39:55 you know
00:39:55 --> 00:39:56 it was
00:39:56 --> 00:39:58 squeezing this
00:39:58 --> 00:39:58 and whack
00:39:58 --> 00:39:58 whack whack
00:39:58 --> 00:39:59 some blokes
00:39:59 --> 00:39:59 over there
00:39:59 --> 00:40:00 and I'm
00:40:00 --> 00:40:00 thinking oh
00:40:00 --> 00:40:00 this is going
00:40:00 --> 00:40:01 to be great
00:40:01 --> 00:40:03 yeah bring
00:40:03 --> 00:40:03 it on
00:40:03 --> 00:40:06 and yet I
00:40:06 --> 00:40:06 remember
00:40:06 --> 00:40:07 sitting there
00:40:07 --> 00:40:09 being mesmerized
00:40:09 --> 00:40:12 as they
00:40:12 --> 00:40:14 they started
00:40:14 --> 00:40:14 to play
00:40:14 --> 00:40:15 the conductor
00:40:15 --> 00:40:16 comes out
00:40:16 --> 00:40:16 and the
00:40:16 --> 00:40:16 conductor
00:40:16 --> 00:40:17 gets them
00:40:17 --> 00:40:17 all to do
00:40:17 --> 00:40:17 their bit
00:40:17 --> 00:40:18 at the right
00:40:18 --> 00:40:18 time
00:40:18 --> 00:40:20 and it
00:40:20 --> 00:40:21 was incredible
00:40:21 --> 00:40:23 the musical
00:40:23 --> 00:40:24 harmony that
00:40:24 --> 00:40:24 I saw with
00:40:24 --> 00:40:25 that orchestra
00:40:25 --> 00:40:27 and what I
00:40:27 --> 00:40:27 thought was
00:40:27 --> 00:40:28 interesting
00:40:28 --> 00:40:29 one guy
00:40:29 --> 00:40:30 stood at the
00:40:30 --> 00:40:31 back
00:40:31 --> 00:40:31 with this
00:40:31 --> 00:40:32 huge
00:40:32 --> 00:40:34 bell
00:40:34 --> 00:40:35 donger
00:40:35 --> 00:40:35 thing
00:40:35 --> 00:40:38 I've got
00:40:38 --> 00:40:38 a seat
00:40:38 --> 00:40:39 this guy
00:40:39 --> 00:40:40 standing there
00:40:40 --> 00:40:40 for what
00:40:40 --> 00:40:41 an hour
00:40:41 --> 00:40:41 or something
00:40:41 --> 00:40:41 I don't know
00:40:41 --> 00:40:42 how long
00:40:42 --> 00:40:42 it went
00:40:42 --> 00:40:42 for
00:40:42 --> 00:40:43 you know
00:40:43 --> 00:40:44 it doesn't
00:40:44 --> 00:40:44 matter
00:40:44 --> 00:40:44 it seemed
00:40:44 --> 00:40:45 longer
00:40:45 --> 00:40:48 he's standing
00:40:48 --> 00:40:48 there
00:40:48 --> 00:40:49 and I'm
00:40:49 --> 00:40:50 I'm watching
00:40:50 --> 00:40:51 him
00:40:51 --> 00:40:52 because I'm
00:40:52 --> 00:40:52 thinking
00:40:52 --> 00:40:53 this is the
00:40:53 --> 00:40:54 most interesting
00:40:54 --> 00:40:55 bit for me
00:40:55 --> 00:40:56 when he
00:40:56 --> 00:40:56 when he
00:40:56 --> 00:40:57 wails on
00:40:57 --> 00:40:57 that thing
00:40:57 --> 00:40:58 that's going
00:40:58 --> 00:40:58 to be great
00:40:58 --> 00:40:59 and he
00:40:59 --> 00:41:00 didn't do
00:41:00 --> 00:41:00 it
00:41:00 --> 00:41:02 until right
00:41:02 --> 00:41:02 at the
00:41:02 --> 00:41:02 end
00:41:02 --> 00:41:04 boom
00:41:04 --> 00:41:05 and I'm
00:41:05 --> 00:41:06 like yes
00:41:06 --> 00:41:08 that's all
00:41:08 --> 00:41:09 he did
00:41:09 --> 00:41:12 that's how
00:41:12 --> 00:41:13 he earned
00:41:13 --> 00:41:13 his money
00:41:13 --> 00:41:13 that guy
00:41:13 --> 00:41:14 that night
00:41:14 --> 00:41:15 he stood
00:41:15 --> 00:41:16 there the
00:41:16 --> 00:41:16 whole night
00:41:16 --> 00:41:18 and yet he
00:41:18 --> 00:41:19 played part
00:41:19 --> 00:41:19 in something
00:41:19 --> 00:41:20 that was
00:41:20 --> 00:41:20 magnificent
00:41:20 --> 00:41:22 he played
00:41:22 --> 00:41:23 part of
00:41:23 --> 00:41:23 something
00:41:23 --> 00:41:23 that was
00:41:23 --> 00:41:24 magnificent
00:41:24 --> 00:41:27 didn't draw
00:41:27 --> 00:41:27 the attention
00:41:27 --> 00:41:28 to himself
00:41:28 --> 00:41:30 at the
00:41:30 --> 00:41:30 end of
00:41:30 --> 00:41:31 the night
00:41:31 --> 00:41:33 at the
00:41:33 --> 00:41:33 end of
00:41:33 --> 00:41:34 the night
00:41:34 --> 00:41:34 none of
00:41:34 --> 00:41:35 the musicians
00:41:35 --> 00:41:35 stood
00:41:35 --> 00:41:36 the conductor
00:41:36 --> 00:41:37 did
00:41:37 --> 00:41:39 the conductor
00:41:39 --> 00:41:39 stood
00:41:39 --> 00:41:40 it all
00:41:40 --> 00:41:41 reflected him
00:41:41 --> 00:41:43 that's the
00:41:43 --> 00:41:44 vision I have
00:41:44 --> 00:41:44 for us
00:41:44 --> 00:41:45 as a church
00:41:45 --> 00:41:46 it's all
00:41:46 --> 00:41:47 about Jesus
00:41:47 --> 00:41:48 he's the
00:41:48 --> 00:41:48 one who
00:41:48 --> 00:41:49 unites us
00:41:49 --> 00:41:50 takes all
00:41:50 --> 00:41:50 of our
00:41:50 --> 00:41:51 distinctions
00:41:51 --> 00:41:51 and differences
00:41:51 --> 00:41:52 and brings
00:41:52 --> 00:41:52 them together
00:41:52 --> 00:41:53 in a beautiful
00:41:53 --> 00:41:53 harmony
00:41:53 --> 00:41:54 that the
00:41:54 --> 00:41:55 United Nations
00:41:55 --> 00:41:56 cannot achieve
00:41:56 --> 00:41:57 Amen