Unlocking fall 2015 Psalm 133:1 (ESV) Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1 (ESV) Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Right now, the world seems hopeless. Our world cannot handle differences very well right now. Agitated through politics and media – the church needs to find its voice that delights in the multicolored beauty of the world. Politics is very divided and divisive Both CNN and Fox thrive on contrived polarization. Our loyalties do not lie with politics, but with the Kingdom of God. Racial tensions continue Marriages struggle to cope with the differences between just two people. Identify with those who are marginalized like the woman caught in adultery The power of the church dwells in our differences. A hallmark of the Spirit-filled church is our differences The Holy Spirit empowers a diverse church for mission. One of the central features of the power of the Holy spirit is His ability to unify people who are different. Pentecost had a rich diversity of people who heard the Gospel for the first time Acts 2:5-6 (ESV) 5  Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6  And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. The divine community is what makes us like Heaven! We need an Ephesians moment!

Unlocking fall 2015 Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds. Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds. Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Unlocking fall 2015 I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection. I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. (Someone who cares about but doesn’t realize his indifference) I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

Unlocking fall 2015 Ephesians 2:11-13 (ESV) 11  Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12  remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13 (ESV) 11  Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12  remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. There is a sense of Kingdom in the midst of racial hostility

Unlocking fall 2015 Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV) 14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV) 14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. There is something beautiful about the flesh – black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Middle East

Unlocking fall 2015 Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV) 1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV) 1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Unlocking fall 2015 Micah 6:8 (NASB) 8  He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (NASB) 8  He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? The response of a Godly heart is outward (do justice), inward (love mercy), and upward (walk humbly) Martin Luther King day is Monday Jan 16th. Headlights (lead the way) vs taillights (follow what’s out in front) It is not who you are but what you are becoming. We are searching for the common ground to feed together on the hope of Christ.

Never give up what you want the most for what you want for the moment