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Unity in our Helper.

When you are down, there is little room for pride. When you are at your lowest, cultural heritage is of little consequence. In deed, our problem with sin is the great equalizer. But there is also unity in the only One that is willing and able to help us. Soccer or futbol. Sweet Sixteen or Quinceañera. People-oriented or task-oriented. Legal or illegal. Republican or Democrat. It does not matter. We all have one problem, and we all can find hope only in One. Gone are the reasons for pride and erased is the need for holding to cultural heritage.

Praise God for the only One who came to restore us.

Unity in our sin.

Everything goes slower in a diverse church: it takes longer to cast vision in a way that overcomes cultural barriers, and good communication requieres several attempts before it is reached. There are many ways to overcome the cultural inertia that exist in this kind of settings, but the most effective one is the intervention of the Holy Spirit. When he allows each individual to see that, regardless of cultural background, we all are sinners without hope except for the work and person of Jesus Christ, then unity starts to emerge. It does not matter the color of your skin, the language you speak, your immigration status, or your socio-economics… we all need God’s restoration.

What keeps us united.

At a diverse church, like Christos Community, unity is of very high importance. But, how do we accomplish it? How could we? Is it evrn possible? In the lance instalment of our current sermon series, the Apostle Paul will tell us that our unity comes from knowin that, individual cultures aside, we all share the same need for God the Holy Spirit to help us. It is our common estate of sin and misery that unites us all. But our unity is also estableshed by the fact that there is only One who can help us… and he actually does it. One need, one Helpe; that is how our unity is secured.

Frustration in the field

The big challenge of a diverse ministry is the speed things happen. And by things I mean discipleship. I have a clear idea of what God wants from us, as a congregation, but I cannot (do not want to?) press the issue. I rather wait to see if the vission takes root naturally and organically… but, o man, does that takes time! I need to take my own advice, and keep things balanced.

Needs&Expectations – Sermon 4, Note 2

“It is not fair!” How many times have we said that? And how many times have we thought about it? It is not only little kids having an argument, over some rules of the game they are playing, who will present this complain, questioning the very fabric of this caos we call life, but we adults also raise this doubt about the daily experiences. How nice would it be to reach a place where fairness could be expected every time we were confronted with an argument with other human being.
The Israelites thought they were in such a place. 1 Kings 3:28 says they perceived Solomon to be God’s instrument to secure justice. But Solomon’s heart was divided… and that is never a good thing; sin – when left unchecked – will find a way to distract us from true worship.
The only true just judge is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. And it is his justice, and not our opinions or desires, that is the best answer to our dilemas.

Needa & Expectations – Sermon 4, Note 1

From the life of Solomon. 1 Kings 3 – 7.
A divided heart will fail to honor God.
A productive life is not proof of spiritual transformation.
God’s blessings will always display His character.
God is very generous.
It is wiser to address our shortcomings when they are in their seminal stage.
The people was in need of justice and a place to worship. Only in Jesus we can find satisfaction for those needs.