The Multi-ethnic Church: a Biblical Mandate Dr. Mark DeYmaz / Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas

TIME TO MOVE OUR CHAIRS

“…on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus taught us to pray…

…then why on earth is the local church? If the kingdom of heaven is not segregated…

*Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford Seminary **From the Research of Dr. Michael Emerson 86.3% of churches in the US are racially segregated (80%+ of attending membership is comprised of a single ethnic group).* Churches are 10x more segregated than the neighborhoods they are in; 20x more segregated than nearby public schools.** FACTS

…that so many churches throughout this country are segregated by race and class and that little has changed in the more than 100 years since it was first observed that 11:00 AM on Sunday morning remaiNS the most segregated hour of the week. SURELY IT BREAKS THE HEART OF GOD

Between 1990 and 2009 more than 56 million people were added to the US census (56,819,471); During the same 20 year span 446,540 people became active members of a local church; less than 1%.* Why are so many rejecting our message? More than this… * David T. Olson – The American Church Research Project

An increasingly diverse and cynical society is no longer finding credible the message of God’s love for all people as preached from segregated pulpits and pews. WE HAVE A CREDIBILITY PROBLEM

Envisioned by Christ John 17:20-23 Described by Luke Acts 11:19-26; 13:1 Prescribed by Paul Ephesians THE NT CHURCH WAS MULTI-ETHNIC

The night before He died John 17:20-23 ENVISIONED BY CHRIST

① He prays first for Himself (1-5) ① He prays for His disciples (6-19) ① He prays for “…all those who come after them who believe in Me through their word.” (20-23) THREE SECTIONS OF THE PRAYER

That they may all be one John 17:21 …that they may be one John 17:22 …that they may be perfected in unity John 17:23 3X HE PRAYS THAT WE WOULD BE ONE

1 2 If they will be one… two guaranteed results: THE HINA CLAUSE: AN IF/SO THAT PROPOSITION

…the world will know that You Sent Me... So that…

…the world will know that You love them. So that…

The Church at Antioch Acts 11:19-26; 13:1 DESCRIBED BY LUKE

Gospel of Luke Book of Acts The Story of Jesus…The Story of the Church… DISCIPLE OF PAUL AND STORY TELLER

Acts 2 - a starting point, not a stopping point Acts 6 - overcoming us and them; language Acts 8 - Samaritans; an Ethiopian Acts 10 - a Roman (Gentile) soldier and his family FROM ONE NOTE TO CRESCENDO

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH Diverse men from Cyprus and Cyrene (20a)Diverse men from Cyprus and Cyrene (20a) Speak intentionally to Jews and Gentiles (20b)Speak intentionally to Jews and Gentiles (20b) Large numbers of diverse people respond (21, 24, 25)Large numbers of diverse people respond (21, 24, 25) Disciples are first called Christians (26)Disciples are first called Christians (26) Christ recognized in unity and diversity, just as He said. (John 17:23)

DIVERSE LEADERSHIP Barnabus (Cyrene) Acts 4:36 Barnabus (Cyrene) Acts 4:36 Simeon, called Niger Simeon, called Niger Lucius of Cyrene Lucius of Cyrene Manaen (Judean) Manaen (Judean) Paul (Roman Jew) Acts 9:11 Paul (Roman Jew) Acts 9:11

Acts 2: a starting point not a stopping point Acts 6: Overcoming us and them; language Acts 8: Samaritans; an Ethiopian Acts 10: A Roman and his family Acts 11: Jews and Gentiles at Antioch Acts 13:1 Diverse leadership Acts 16: Economic diversity Acts 26: To the very heart of the Roman Empire FROM ONE NOTE TO CRESCENDO

The mystery of Christ Ephesians III. PRESCRIBED BY PAUL

A GOSPEL OF GENTILE INCLUSION Individual unity with the Father through faith in Jesus (1)Individual unity with the Father through faith in Jesus (1) Corporate unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ & church (2)Corporate unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ & church (2) The mystery of Christ (3)The mystery of Christ (3)

THE MYSTERY REVEALED (3:3) Gentile inclusion in an otherwise all-Jewish gospel, church, and kingdom of God (3:6)Gentile inclusion in an otherwise all-Jewish gospel, church, and kingdom of God (3:6) “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

ADMINISTRATION OF THE MYSTERY How to walk, work and worship God together as one for the sake of the gospel (3:8, 9)How to walk, work and worship God together as one for the sake of the gospel (3:8, 9) “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.”

…so that the manifold wisdom of God might be revealed and His glory displayed through the (local) church. Ephesians 3:10 21 WHY?

…so that we might may be able to comprehend with all the saints the breadth, depth, length and height of God’s love which surpasses knowledge. Ephesians 3:18, 19 WHY?

…far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us? AND WHAT IS HE ALONE ABLE TO DO?

MAKE US ONE IN THE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL Ephesians 3:20, 21

WALK WORTHY OF YOUR (THIS) CALLING In humility, gentleness, and patience (4:2)In humility, gentleness, and patience (4:2) showing tolerance to one another in love (4:2) showing tolerance to one another in love (4:2) Be diligent to preserve unity in the bond of peace (4:3)Be diligent to preserve unity in the bond of peace (4:3)

WHY? There is one body and one Spirit (4:4)There is one body and one Spirit (4:4) You were called in one hope (4:4) You were called in one hope (4:4) (by) one Lord, faith, baptism (4:5)(by) one Lord, faith, baptism (4:5) (by) one God and Father of all (ethne) who is over all (ethne) and (working) through all (ethne) and in all (ethne; 4:6).(by) one God and Father of all (ethne) who is over all (ethne) and (working) through all (ethne) and in all (ethne; 4:6).

HOW? Use your different gifts (4:7-12)Use your different gifts (4:7-12) Lay aside the former self…be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (4:17-32)Lay aside the former self…be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (4:17-32) Be imitators of God (5:1-21)Be imitators of God (5:1-21) Be one husbands and wives… (5:22-33)Be one husbands and wives… (5:22-33) children and parents… (6:1-4)children and parents… (6:1-4) slaves and masters (6:5-9)slaves and masters (6:5-9)

CHURCH: PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD Embrace dependence (6:10)Embrace dependence (6:10) Resist the schemes of the devil – division (6:11)Resist the schemes of the devil – division (6:11) The struggle (to walk worthy of the calling to be one in the church for the sake of the gospel) is not vs. flesh and and blood (color and culture), but forces of wickedness in heavenly places that seek to divide, keep us from God, one another (6:12)The struggle (to walk worthy of the calling to be one in the church for the sake of the gospel) is not vs. flesh and and blood (color and culture), but forces of wickedness in heavenly places that seek to divide, keep us from God, one another (6:12) Pray for me that boldness will be given me in declaring this message (6:19)Pray for me that boldness will be given me in declaring this message (6:19)

The gospel of Paul? Romans 16:25-27 A more excellent way to be one in the church for the sake of the gospel? I Corinthians 12:31-13:1-13 Their first love? A love for all the saints Revelation 2:2-5 For Additional study…

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Don’t miss it! November 2-3, 2016 DaLLas, TX