The Church's Answer To Division In Society

Have you noticed the divisions and polarization in our society? Neighbors are angry with neighbors; families are divided; friendships have been lost. All too often dialogue and communication has been replaced by angry tweets and online posts.  

The church 2000 years ago experienced something similar. The Greeks often thought of themselves as the educated, and they called anyone who is not Greek a “Barbarian.” A “Scythian” was even lower than a Barbarian, having a terrible reputation and a history of being a drunk, angry fighter. 

And then of course there were the Jews, who wanted nothing to do with Gentiles, and then there were the Romans. Can you see that strife and division have always been there the enemies of the gospel? 

Yet, it was at this difficult time that God birthed His church. That’s one of the reasons why Paul, the apostle, wrote in Colossians 3:11: “There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.” 

That’s it! The church – the Toronto International Celebration Church – is like the church 2000 years ago; we are inclusive, and not exclusive. We who were not a people have become a people of God.

And here is something for us in Toronto. The believers 2000 years ago recognized what defined them. It was not about all having the same politics, or the same culture, or education and societal standing. Instead, they rallied around the cause of the Gospel of Christ. Salute, they had a purpose and we do too! 

Acts 2:44-46 tells an amazing story about the 1st century believers: 

All the believers were together.
They continued meeting together in one place.
They took the Lord’s communion together.
They were full of joy and sincerity.

Notice it said: “all the believers.” Yes, that included the Barbarians, Scythians, the Greeks, the Romans and the Jews, regardless of their politics or culture.

What defines us as believers? Political causes come and go, but what unites us remains:
We share the same Father. 
We are family; brothers and sisters in Christ. 
We have the same purpose – to advance Christ’s kingdom in our lives, our 
neighborhoods and in our world.

So, Celebration Church, with different backgrounds, various political leanings, and an array of different cultures, we are what the church is meant to be. WE ARE ONE – in Christ! 

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Nathan