a. the #1 problem in the church b. “not our people” c. everyone loves a birth

Urban Church MinistryAIIAS • July, 2004


118. Breaking Down Barriers in the City8. Breaking Down Barriers in the City

A. The #1 Problem in the Church

B. “Not Our People”

C. Everyone Loves a Birth

D. When Elizabeth Meets Mary

E. Principles of the Kingdom

F. Urban Church Principles

A. The #1 Problem in the Church

B. “Not Our People”

C. Everyone Loves a Birth

D. When Elizabeth Meets Mary

E. Principles of the Kingdom

F. Urban Church Principles




JewsJews

Ethnic BarrierEthnic Barrier

GentilesGentiles

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.

Acts 15—The major church council in the NT

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.

Acts 15—The major church council in the NT

A. #1 Problem in the ChurchA. #1 Problem in the Church




“Natives” Anglo Americans Central Thai Togalog Jakarta

“Natives” Anglo Americans Central Thai Togalog Jakarta

Ethnic and Cultural BarrierEthnic and Cultural Barrier

“Non-Natives” Mexicans Karen Visayan Timor

“Non-Natives” Mexicans Karen Visayan Timor


Ethnicity is inherited, biological traits.Culture is learned, sociological behavior.

Ethnicity is inherited, biological traits.Culture is learned, sociological behavior.




How did God solve this problem in the New Testament?How did God solve this problem in the New Testament?





NOPNOP

B. Not Our PeopleB. Not Our People




C. Everyone Loves a BirthC. Everyone Loves a Birth




Luke 1:5 “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.”

Luke 1:6 “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”

Luke 1:5 “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.”

Luke 1:6 “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”





Luke 1:7 “But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.”

Luke 1:7 “But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.”


An Echo of Abraham and Sarah

An Echo of Abraham and Sarah




Abrahamand

Sarah

Abrahamand

Sarah

Pentecostand

Peter/Paul

Pentecostand

Peter/Paul

Zechariah Elizabeth

Zechariah Elizabeth

Joseph Mary

Joseph Mary





Luke 1:34-35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Luke 1:36-37 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

Luke 1:34-35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Luke 1:36-37 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”





ElizabethElizabeth MaryMary

D. Elizabeth Meets MaryD. Elizabeth Meets Mary




Luke 1:41 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 1:43 “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

Luke 1:41 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 1:43 “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”





Shall we treat the people who are different than us as trouble or treasure?

Shall we treat the people who are different than us as trouble or treasure?





E. Principles of the KingdomE. Principles of the Kingdom

Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.





Matthew 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Matthew 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Matthew 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.




Get in your groups and share how the Holy Spirit could help bring the groups in your church together.

Get in your groups and share how the Holy Spirit could help bring the groups in your church together.





1. The church should be as diverse as the city it serves.1. The church should be as diverse as the city it serves.

F. Urban Church PrinciplesF. Urban Church Principles




2. Ethnic churches serve a purpose as long as there are new immigrants into the area.

2. Ethnic churches serve a purpose as long as there are new immigrants into the area.





3. Native churches are harder to grow but should not be swallowed up by the ethnic movements.

3. Native churches are harder to grow but should not be swallowed up by the ethnic movements.

The Pasadena SDA Church

London

The Pasadena SDA Church

London





ThailandEthnicity Culture Church

Parents Thai Thai ThaiChildre

nThai Thai Thai

AmericaParents Thai Thai Thai

Children ThaiAmerica

nAmerica

n





Get in your groups and share how culture, ethnic and generational issues have affected your church.

Get in your groups and share how culture, ethnic and generational issues have affected your church.


a. the #1 problem in the church b. “not our people” c. everyone loves a birth

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