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To gain insight on how I perceive the role of this sermon, please see Perspectives on Color Your World Sermons
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We were all baptised by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but many.
“Look!” he said, “If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them!”
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity
Western Pole
Eastern Pole
Southern Pole
All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you.
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As I’ve interacted with various cultures from around the world, I’ve discovered that we live in a very diverse place.
In some cultures, the idea of using utensils – cutlery – that have been placed in the mouths of other people is offensive. (Perhaps the first good reason for plastic cutlery. It can’t cut or pick up food, but as least you can throw it away!)
In some cultures, the idea of using hands to eat all food (not just takeaway) is expected (Let’s hope there’s a capacity to wash your hands before you start!)
In some cultures, the idea of expectorating (spitting) food out of your mouth (that you no longer want in your mouth) on to the floor is appropriate. (Clearly it makes washing up substantially easier!)
In some cultures, (and one close to my heart) it is expected that you invite people – anyone passing by - to join you for coffee. (I would really enjoy living in this culture!!!)
Perhaps you consider your family to be a culture in itself! There are some unique elements to your family environment that sometimes cause you to pray, “Father, why can’t I be in a normal family?”
Understandably, however, just because cultures are different doesn’t mean they are necessarily wrong. We, as the pinnacle of God’s creation, have a capacity to extract the principles behind the cultural expressions. We can then seek understanding as to how they might apply to our context. Just because other people or people groups are different doesn’t preclude their contribution.
We are all different people by design and, as a result, are capable of learning from each other. What one culture or people group consider appropriate, another dismisses as inappropriate. Irrespective of our starting position, we can appreciate the qualities and well developed cultural expressions of people different from ourselves.
Similarly, yet not surprisingly, one of the many paradoxes contained in the Bible is that we are all called to be one – yet we are made of many parts unique but necessarily complementary to each other. Within the Bible the church is often metaphored as a body. Physiologically we know that it is difficult to function as a human body without the all limbs, organs and functioning systems working together.
Similarly it is difficult to function as the body of Christ without each part undertaking it’s part. And from each part we can learn, grow and become increasingly transformed into the image of Christ.
We were all baptised by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but many.
Another consistent reference to Christ followers within the Bible is “brothers and sisters”, as we have been all adopted into the family of God through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Like our earthly family, we are all different, with different abilities, personalities, passion and capacities. We still, however, are all part of the one family, and in healthy families, seek to speak life into each other.
Like our earthly families, we have within the family of God those who seem to possess that Grandfatherly wisdom, or perhaps the uncle who is the professor at the university.
Also within the family of God we see those groups of Christians, movements or denominations who seem to possess that motherly capacity to get the job done, to focus on what’s required, whilst making continuous assessment of what’s been achieved and what is yet to be achieved.
Perhaps the other representation of the family of God we see in an earthly family is the child or young people. They possess youthful exuberance, willing to accept (hopefully) people at the their word and a passion for life that is sometimes diminished in older generations.
As we….
…..commence this journey of teaching, learning and growing from each other within this congregation, other congregations in this nation and around the world;
…..prepare ourselves, as budding artists, to produce a wonderful artwork that reflects the vibrant colors of the creator, with the help of others in this room; and
…..start on the Color Your World Campaign, as individuals and as a community of Christian faith,
we have an opportunity to grow in the way we think about the kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven and, as a result, impact with the gospel of Jesus Christ those outside the kingdom.
Jesus was and is the master of life. His desire as he walked this earth was to allow people to experience life in all its fullness. He desires that for you today. That you experience the hand of the master in your life, so that you can enjoy life in all its fullness.
Irrespective of your church experience, your culture or family heritage, Jesus is calling for you to move from where you are on a growth journey to become more like him. Today, if you sense this journey has been on hold, is going backwards, has never started or is going forward only because of existing momentum, I encourage you to start the growth journey, learning from the family of God.
I recall wandering through a church growth conference in Korea, hearing a buzz of conversations in all sorts of Asian languages – Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese (I guess). I almost had a sense of being overwhelmed, when I heard, almost as music to my ears, a conversation being shared in English. Like a moth to a light I headed straight for the conversation, appreciating at an instant a sense of connectedness with the people because of our common language, despite having only just met.
Sharing the same language – the same mode of communication – is very powerful. It enables ideas to be expressed readily. It enables new learnings to be acquired simply. You and I will be sharing the same language, in an intentional manner, over the next five weeks.
“Look!” he said, “If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them!”
With members of our church and members of other churches around the world participating in this the first Color Your World Campaign, all sharing the same language, we will be different people, renewed people, at the conclusion. Our world view will be enlarged, our understanding of God’s design for kingdom growth will be enhanced. We will be participating in a powerful, God glorifying activity.
I recall attending a conference where the pastor sharing indicated how he and almost every member of his church were reading the same part of the Bible everyday. They were following a Bible Reading Plan. This pastor shared how much power and connectedness existed because almost all members connected with the church were all on the same page – literally – as they walked their spiritual journey together.
The Color Your World Campaign will create the environment for the same power and connectedness to be engendered. As small groups share and as the leadership team share, we will all find ourselves referencing the same phrases, similar stories and complementary reflections. The power and connectedness experienced by the pastor referred to above will be same power and connectedness experienced by you.
The only requirement for your participation in this journey is a longing in your heart to experience more of what God has in store for you and your church. Are you up for the challenge? Are you prepared to speak life into your spiritual family over the next five weeks and beyond. Let’s journey together.
Today, as we kick off to The Color Your World Campaign, I want to explore the way we perceive others in this community of faith and how we can learn, both the positive and negative, from each indicative family member referred to earlier:- Grandfather / Uncle; Mother; Child / Youth
Teaching my children how to complete a jig saw puzzle was a teaching moment for me. Perhaps my grand fathers grand fathers father passed on a tradition through the generations suggesting that the jigsaw completion strategy requires first to identify the corners, second, identify the edges and third, identify everything else.
My eldest child advocated for a strategy whereby he would pick up a piece and compare it to the picture of the completed puzzle (usually found on the top of the box) and then place it in the approximate final position.
To my surprise, my middle child thought that these two strategies were too cumbersome. All that was required, in his opinion, was the collection and assimilation (my words, not his, of course!) of pieces that appeared to form a part of the overall picture. He busied himself doing this, and, to my surprise completed a number of the portions of the puzzle.
My youngest thought all of these strategies were overrated. All that was required, (though he didn’t express this in as many words) was to chew on each piece enough until it was sufficiently malleable to ensure that it could fit in any gap required! This proved a little messy, a little frustrating, but in hind sight, particularly funny.
I realised that each strategy was as valid at completing the puzzle as the next. (Though I still remain unconvinced of my youngest’s.) At times when completing the puzzle I used all three strategies. I appreciated that each had a contribution to the process and to ignore anyone would be to the detriment of completing the puzzle (and to the enhancement of my frustration).
Similarly, each part or piece of the body of Christ has something to contribute toward the growing of the kingdom. To assume that exclusively only one strategy promoted by one part of the body of Christ is going to effectively and consistently grow the kingdom fails to recognise the very inspiration God has given to others involved in the harvest field.
We must be prepared to learn from each other. The student and teacher often learn off each other.
Christian says that creative learning exchanges can occur between the most diverse Christian groups. “No group has to hide its identity; everyone has something to give and to receive.” If we are willing to give and receive, we can experience that God promises where unity amongst his people is present (Psalm 133).
My mother seemed to possess an innate capacity to get things done. Regardless of the circumstances, there would be food to eat, something to wear and activities to do. My wife seems to also possess this characteristic. Perhaps God’s designed it so that Mums are consistent in their desire to apply whatever energies are required to care for their children.
Mum also seemed to vigorously defend my position or the position of my other siblings. (There were six of us!) If there were dramas involving myself and others (those who know me can probably understand that there were many as I grew from a younger child, to an older child, to a teenager who behaved like a child) she would be quick to uphold the position I was advocating.
NCD is a framework of thinking rooted in an understanding of the trinity. In fact, it is described in CYW with NCD as the “heart” of NCD. Now most of us would appreciate that the absence of a heart in a living, breathing organism is a contradiction in terms. It is impossible for an animal requiring blood to be flowing around its body for it to exist without a heart.
Greater time will be spent on the Trinitarian theme next week, but for now, let’s explore one revelation of the trinity – God the son, redeemer.
As some of you have read or are about to read this week, there are three distinct cultural poles evident in this world of ours. We distinguish… (see page 28 of CYWNCD)
The Western Pole both …. (see page 30 of CYWNCD)
There are dangers in everything we do. Just ask a lawyer. Every venture we undertake both within and away from our home leads us into areas of risks. If we wanted to avoid risk all together, we couldn’t live life – hardly something to which Christ has called us.
There are dangers in focussing exclusively on the western cultural pole in our world. If we assume that this is the centre rather than an expression, away from the centre, we could discover find ourselves having a skewed view of the world. (Note: To explore this concept further, please read and integrate pages 39,40.)
Danger: Domination
There are strengths in the Western paradigm, and there are weaknesses. One of the most…. (see page 28,29 of CYWNCD)
It amazes me how children, who have only “just met”, can play harmoniously within such a short period of time. They have less criteria for analysing or judging others their age. Provided they can smile and play together, they seem to engage and get along well.
Children also seem to be able to spend their complete focus and energy on one particular play area, then, within a short space of time move toward another area with equal focus and energy.
I see children or young people providing a great illustration for the Eastern cultural pole.
The Eastern world, which encompasses most of Asia, function very differently. Traditionally, these cultures …. (see page 29 of CYWNCD)
There are dangers in focussing exclusively on the eastern cultural pole in our world. If we assume that this is the centre rather than an expression, away from the centre, we could discover find ourselves having a skewed view of the world. (Note: To explore this concept further, please read and integrate pages 39,40.)
Danger: Copying others (Duplication)
Just as with the other cultural poles, there are limitations…. (see page 30 of CYWNCD)
Grandfathers seem to have three things in common – they smell like moth balls, usually have dentures and possess wisdom in some areas that cannot be acquired but through life itself.
There are a number of expressions of Christian faith and Christians that are similar to our beloved Grandfather. Not that they smell like moth balls or have false teeth, but that they seem to able to readily identify and express knowledge, wisdom and truth in a way that seems to cut straight to the issue.
As indicated earlier, greater time will be spent on the Trinitarian theme next week, but for now, let’s explore one revelation of the trinity – God the father, creator.
What is a common denominator of the Southern hemisphere …. (see page 30 of CYWNCD)
There are dangers in focussing exclusively on the southern cultural pole in our world. If we assume that this is the centre rather than an expression, away from the centre, we could discover find ourselves having a skewed view of the world. (Note: To explore this concept further, please read and integrate pages 39,40.)
Danger: Conformity
Just as with the other cultural poles, there are limitations…. (see page 32 of CYWNCD)
So we have before us an opportunity experience life in all its fullness, only if we are willing to place ourselves in a position where we can give and receive to and from other respectively within our church.
A mural is an incredible piece of art. It expresses at the same time the collective thought of individual contributors, yet so effectively communicates the nuance of each contributing artist. In one picture we can see more than 1000 words, expressing a number of concepts or ideas, yet bridged together by an over arching theme.
Amazingly, yet not surprisingly, given the creative genius found in God, the body of Christ is similar. Here we find all members of the body of Christ able to learn style and technique from each other as they seek to “colour the canvass of life”.
As we seek to speak life into others in the kingdom, simultaneously we can learn life from the people, local churches, denominations, movements or cultures.. The overall kingdom picture is powerful and necessarily not able to be achieved by one group alone.
Says Christian Schwarz (the founder of NCD ) of NCD, “we strive to relate the characteristic insights of different cultures to each other. It can be demonstrated that the very answers that are so greatly needed in the churches of one culture have usually already been found in another culture. As long as there is no culture exchange – or, even worse, an exclusively one-way cultural export – we will never be able to benefit from this reality.
ll over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you.
remember when I bought my first car. I read as much as I could about cars on the internet. I asked my father, uncles, friends, brothers in law and anyone else that had professed to have some idea about cars. I spoke with new and used car sales people, wanting to gain insights into cars from their perspectives. I spoke with mechanics and the local automobile club, discovering insights that those with whom I had spoken to date could not share. Naturally, I explored all cars that had a good look and feel about them, and, of course, were red (because they go faster!).
I was able to assimilate all the relevant information to insure that the decision I finally made was responsive of all data. I learnt different information from different sources, realising that each source had a different perspective, understanding and appreciation of the same vehicle under consideration.
My final decision however was dictated by the final discussion I had – with the source of my finance – my father. This very quickly established some strong parameters surrounding the purchase of my car.
No matter how right we perceive is our theology, Christology, missiology or ecclesiology, others within the family of God are able to provide some helpful insight, usually in areas which are underdeveloped in our understanding and expression of faith. If we’re willing to learn and understand, our re-presentation of Jesus can be even more vibrant.
Since Christian churches are so different, they are able to win many outsiders with differing backgrounds, tastes, interests, and styles. … One of the blessings of many church models is that they have managed to bring together believers from the most diverse denominational backgrounds. Thus you get the impression that there is s strong unity-building power behind the model-oriented approach, and to a certain degree, this observation is correct. However, a closer look reveals that this kind of unity depends on saying “Yes” to the distinctives of that specific model. (CYWNCD p23)
A well known African Proverb – “It takes a village to raise a child” – speaks of the conclusion that it takes all of the people involved in the life of a child to give their best in doing their part in the raising of a child. It speaks of the need for a child to learn from many and varied stimuli – that one person can’t be an expert in all things. (I’ve heard it said that an “expert” is a combination of an “ex” – has been and “spurt” – a messy leak = a has been mess.)
In quoting this proverb, a school prospectus states, “This is the key to the concept of Total Education. This is why when prospective parents ask would we like to see their child’s report card we say “no, we enrol families not children”.”
The family of God is enrolled in the process of raising up children of God around the world. Each family member imparts a different perspective of the coming of the kingdom. Each family member has different strengths and different weaknesses. Each family member has different personalities. But each is necessary to see the fullness of “God’s kingdom come, his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
At NCD, and at the heart of how God sees his kingdom, we deliberately try to focus on the elements that different Christian groups have in common, allowing differences to enlarge our understanding, experience and activity of partnering with God to grow the kingdom.
There are many ways in which we can learn from each other in this room and others around the globe. Let’s believe that from this day, as we journey together over the next five week, we will be different people for the kingdom. That as we become increasingly healthy, we will bear increasing fruit … fruit that will last. The only fruit that truly lasts is the eternal lives of those around us.
I am convinced that the unity building power inherent in the principle-oriented approach is one of the secrets of NCD that still waits to be discovered by countless Christian groups.
That’s the journey that starts for many today. For some, it started when they first accepted Christ. I pray you sense God’s empowerment as you learn from the family of God in the coming weeks, months and years of your journey.
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My children enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles. They have their favourites – one of “Bob the Builder” or “The Airport Puzzle”. These ones, unlike the others we have (the alphabet puzzle doesn’t seem to be used any where near as much), are showing signs of high use. Some of the pieces don’t lock together as crisply as they did when our children first started playing with it. The portion of the picture on each puzzle piece is fading, particularly near the edge of the piece.
As a result, once the puzzle is finished and the picture is “completed”, there is an incomplete picture. A plane is seemingly missing a wing, the tarmac seems to stop too soon. Or on the other puzzle, Bob appears to be missing his most important tool – his cell phone!
The church can sometimes present as an incomplete picture. Though each piece is supposed to perfectly relate to the next, because of over or under use, each member doesn’t quite connect sweetly. Similarly, as each member of the body of Christ doesn’t quite do his or her part, there are gaps in the presentation of the church. Some members have their metaphorical pieces coloured in, right to the very edge. Others seem to be dull, lacking in lustre and life.
For the picture of the church to be truly vibrant, presenting the fullness of colour and life of the creator of life, each part, each person must participate.
y children enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles. Because of this, over the years, we have bought quite a few. It appears as that, in direct proportion to the number of puzzles they have, they lose as many pieces from existing puzzles. These pieces are MIA – Missing In Action.
It is amazing how dysfunctional a jigsaw becomes when not all the pieces are there. When the pieces are locked together, the spaces for the pieces lacking become obvious, distracting and detracting from the overall picture.
A similar picture of the church exists when “pieces” of the body of Christ are “MNIA” - missing not in action. Others in the body are unable to rely on them, celebrate them and learn from them to make a greater impact in the lives of those yet to know Jesus.
The difference in each puzzle piece is essential to it’s unique contribution to the overall puzzle. Similarly, the difference of each part of the body of Christ is essential to the overall contribution made to the body of Christ. Synergy is created – the sum of the collective, interacting parts is greater than the sum of the individual pieces.
I’ve heard many and varied messages on the passage of scripture calling us to be like little children enabling us to inherit the kingdom. One I haven’t heard, but is perhaps quite appropriate, is the need for us to be like children in regards to our teachability.
Children are like sponges – willing and receptive minds prepared to accept as truth whatever adults (or sometimes other children) claim as truth. They are prepared to learn from others they perceive have something to offer that they themselves haven’t mastered or haven’t explored.
What a different place the kingdom of God would be like if we were like children in this regard. We were willing and receptive to ideas of kingdom expansion potential, something which we hadn’t fully explored or mastered. Imagine the potential for increasing health and growing fruit.
When I started our church I realised that we needed to have FAT Leaders – an acronym for Faithful, Available, Teachable. It has been our experience that leaders who are unable to learn are unable to teach. Leaders who can’t appreciate lessons of life that many and various provide are unable to lead effectively – in drawing others to the likeness of Jesus.
Since this time, we’ve changed it to FAST Leaders – Faithful, Available, Spiritual, Teachable Leaders. Needless to say that many of our leaders prefer to be known as Fast than Fat.
An Australian missiologist, Michael Frost, has authored a book entitled, “Eyes Wide Open”. The thesis of his book is that God is wanting to communicate with his people, and is doing so, in the everyday, in the ordinary. All we need to do is be willing to see and hear his work amongst us.
Seeing God in the ordinary requires us to have a heart to hear and an eye to see. Seeing God though God’s family requires us to have a heart to hear and an eye to see – a willingness or preparedness to learn from others in the family God. Something in which we, for some reason, are reluctant to engage.
Research has revealed that people receive information in three forms: Auditory, Visual and Kinesetic. As we seek to encourage others in their journey of faith, we need to communicate truths in three forms, as most of us resonate to a greater degree with one over the other two.
If wish to be part of a learning faith community, not only do we need to be prepared to learn, but we must also be prepared to impart in a form reflective of the learners amongst us. Teaching in one form only may not impact lives for the kingdom as expected because only a portion of the information being sent is received.
This information restriction adversely impacts application capacity, which in turn compromises transformational outcomes. It is this transformational level which causes people to orient their head, heart and hands towards Jesus, his kingdom and his principles of life.
My children are so very different. One will ensure that there is a picture to colour first, preferably with a colour by number pattern pre-established so that the predetermined coloured sketch is achieved. The final result is a master piece, accurate to every detail.
Another prefers to have a picture to colour, the choice of colours and perhaps even the finalisation of the picture is left as his discretion. He will then busy himself to ensure that a picture is created. Some lines may be stuck to, others won’t. The final result will be a mater piece, created from ideas supplied by others, but finessed with his own flair.
Our third son likes blank paper, without parameters as to what to draw and how to colour. He will use everything at his disposal (glue, cardboard, pencils, pens, crayons, lipstick and any other implement which is able to leave a mark) to express his creativity. He won’t even be constrained to paper. (I think he thinks he is Michelangelo, able to draw on walls and ceilings.) A master piece without comparison.
All have expressed themselves. Each has observed the work of the other and affirmed them in their creative works. All so different, yet, complementary of each other.
All of us in the family of God can contribute in our own unique, yet complementary way to the growing of the kingdom. Some are up front, others are behind the scenes. However every effort we make is colouring in some way the master piece of life to which God has collectively called us.
We assess needs in many ways. We can conduct surveys of local residents. Access national data acquired by the government. We can observe needs of the community. We can observe various matters which point back to needs being unfulfilled. We can experience needs ourselves.
All assessments of need referred to above are accurate. Each provides a helpful shade to the complete picture of need in a particular community. Failure to identify a complete picture may result in ineffective stewardship of God’s resources available to grow the kingdom. We can learn from many sources within God’s family, provided we have a willingness to explore, a preparedness for correction and design to see outcomes beyond our own personal agenda’s achieved.
Before my friend could participate in a series of business meetings in an Asian country, he had to attend to a two day training event to understand the cultural nuances of the nation companies from which his business had significant dealing. How to receive a business card, how to give a business card, how low to bow in a meeting of many people, where to sit, what posture was required. (I think he spent more time studying his notes than actually participating in the meetings!)
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
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