God Includes Many in the Kingdom

Our vision is “God guides St John’s to grow as a Christ-centered, inclusive, and active community.” What do we mean by “inclusive”? How can we grow to be more inclusive?

The story of God is the story of including more and more people in God’s Kingdom who were separated by Sin! Here’s some steps in the process and stories (try looking up these verses!):

1. God chooses a small group to be God’s people, by grace not by their qualifications:

• God chooses Abraham and Sarah (Gen 12)

• Jesus chooses 12 Disciples (Mark 1)

• Christians are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8)

2. The small group shares God’s blessings beyond their group:

• God promises Abraham his family would be a blessing to all families of the earth (Gen 12:3)

• God gives God’s people the role of being a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6)

• Jesus send the disciples out to preach and heal, each in unique ways (Mark 6:7-13)

3. Some people respond and bring their unique identity and gifts into God’s people:

• God gives a vision of all nations bringing their gifts together for God’s glory (Isaiah 60:4-7)

• Over 3000 people from many nations respond to Peter’s preaching and are baptized (Acts 2)

4. God’s people grow and change as new people become active:

• Christians are scared of the former persecutor Paul, but Barnabas sticks up for Paul, and God does mighty works through him (Acts 9:26-27)

• Paul and Barnabas advocate for Gentile Christians, that the Holy Spirit is working in Gentile believers and they don’t need to obey the whole Jewish Law (Acts 15:12)

Because of this process of inclusion, we are here today! Thank the Holy Spirit for working in many people’s lives to bring their unique sets of passions and gifts to build up the Church (Eph 4:11-16). This is the same process of inclusion we use today. Are there ways to grow at each step?

1. God chose you (and other disciples at St John’s) by grace, not your qualifications! God gave you Jesus, who forgives you and makes you a disciple! Can every disciple express this truth and grow in confidence in Christ and not their qualifications?

2. Disciples share their blessings beyond the group in many ways, informal (for example, listening to someone grieving or giving someone a ride to the doctor) and formally (for example, the Food Pantry, Shower Ministry, Family Promise, Heat Respite). How can you share your blessings outside the usual circle of people?

3. Some people respond by helping with one of these ministries (for example, food for shower ministry). Some come to the Men or Women’s breakfast. Some come to worship. They bring new questions, new ideas, new strengths, new styles, and new food! Are new people invited to respond by helping in a specific way that fits them?

4. We grow and change as new questions, ideas, strengths, and styles (and food!) are integrated into the life of the congregation. New people become leaders and do things differently than they’ve been done before. How do current disciples accept new ideas and give potential leaders opportunities?

I think we will discover there are many ways God’s grace guides us to grow as an inclusive community!

Trusting Christ will guide,

Pastor Peter