Why do we have an International Meal and International Service on the first weekend of July? As a church we have members from many different parts of the world, probably somewhere in the region of 50 different nationalities represented. As we have seen from recent studies in Ephesians - we are one in Christ. But we're also all different - and we want to make a conscious effort to celebrate our diversity and to thank God for it.
Genesis 1:27 tells us that we're all made in the image of God. Therefore we are all special. One group of people are not more special than another - we're all created in the image of God.
John 3:16 drives this point home - in case you're struggling to believe that it is true. Here John tells us that God so loved the people of the world that He sent Jesus to die for us. We're all so special and God loves us so much.
Revelation 7:9 is a picture of what heaven is going to be like - multicultural - made up of people from every nation, tribe, people and language. If you struggle with the concept of living with people from different parts of the world as your neighbours - I suggest you start getting used to the idea quickly. Otherwise eternity is going to seem an awfully long time!
Acts 13:1 shows a multi-cultural (and multi-class) leadership of a multi-cultural church. The Jew from Cyprus, the black African, the north African, the well connected Jew and the Jew from Tarsus. Wherever we come from we have an important place within the life of the local church. There are things that we bring from our culture that reflect God and others will benefit from us sharing those things. There are of course things in every culture that need to be rejected when we become a Christian.
Think of one thing in your culture that reflects God and needs to be celebrated and endorsed. Also think of one thing in your culture that needs to be rejected once a person becomes a Christian.
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