We Are A Place That Celebrates Diversity | Herbert Cooper - Audio

Acts 15:1–2 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. (NIV) 4 Reasons We Celebrate Diversity 1. We celebrate diversity because God celebrates diversity in His Church Acts 15:7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. (NIV) Acts 11:17–18 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” 18  When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (NIV) 2. We celebrate diversity because God’s heart is for us to be one Acts 15:8–9 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9  He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. (NIV) John 17:21–23 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (NIV) Romans 12:5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (NIV) Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (NIV) Ephesians 4:4   There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; (NIV) 1. We celebrate the different generations 2. We celebrate the different races and cultures Galatians 3:26–28 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NIV) 3. We celebrate the different gifts 1 Corinthians 12:4–5 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (NIV) 3. We celebrate diversity because it shows we have the love of God in our hearts 1 John 2:9–10 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister  is still in the darkness. 10  Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. (NIV) 1 John 4:20   Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (NIV) John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV) 4. We celebrate diversity because it builds bridges and tears down walls Acts 15:19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. (NIV)