Rev Graeme Lauridsen
Thank for the opportunity to share.
Background:
Family, NZ - pastor and leader with AG 25 years.
2010 - after 15 years
Acts 13:46 (NIV)
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you
first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn
to the Gentiles.
Resign and step out in faith…
Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his
inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Began the journey - what would it mean to turn to the gentiles?
Began to dream. To fulfil the great commission in our lifetime.
What would a church dedicated to reaching lost people look like?
What a journey the past four years have been!
- Made a shift to Melbourne, Australia.
- Began to work with a number of large churches in Melbourne and Adelaide exploring new initiatives in reaching unchurched people.
- Established a number of what we call "redemptive communities" amongst people groups like asylum seekers, refugees, single parent families, the elderly, and university students.
- Seeing some remarkable stories of salvation.
- We have begin the development of an online training programme for the unchurched
We are living in some of the most exciting days in the history of the church.
But this morning, I want to share with you a surprising direction God took us in our journey
of turning to the gentiles.
In a sense, when God spoke to us to resign from leading a local church and turn to the
gentiles, I had lots of ideas on what that might look like.
But then I had a phone call - Danny Guglielmucci - need your help to lead and bring health
to a church in Melbourne. So we became campus pastors for Danny and began the process of bringing health and unity to the congregation.
After 18 months - another phone call - large church - senior pastor in serious burnout -
could we come for six months. Six months became twelve, then eighteen, then two years.
This church was a church of factions. One group met on Sunday, another on a Wednesday
- with completely different views on what the church should be like. Some people were
followers of this leader, another of that leader.
If I made a decision of any kind, one group would love me, and another would loathe me.
I was faced with the task of bringing unity and reconciliation. Many stayed, some left, many other new people came. The church came into unity and health.
But I was left wondering - what has this to do with turning to the gentiles?
God called me to leave a church - to turn to the gentiles, only to then ask me to turn to the
church.
Such a contradiction - until one morning I was reading through John 17.
In this passage Jesus is praying for the disciples before His arrest in the garden of
Gethsemane….
John 17:20-23 (NIV)
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their
message,21 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.221 have given them
the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—231 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.
I think one of the most powerful words in the Bible is the word "then”.
Jesus is praying that the church might be "one".....that they may he brought to complete
unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have
loved me.
God had called me to turn to the gentiles. He had called me to champion the cause of the great commission
Having done so - I needed to understand one important truth - for the local church to reach
fulfil the great commission, they must first be ONE.
.....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.
Jesus prayer was that His followers might be ONE - in complete unity - and only then would
the world know that the father sent the son.
This morning - I hope to bring you a greater understanding around the call of God for the
church to be one - in complete unity - as the foundation upon which the great commission
will be fulfilled - and I believe, in our lifetime!
Come with me to the book of Ephesians.
1 want to take you on a quick journey through this letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in
Ephesus, and I would like to demonstrate to you the power of being one as a church.
Ephesians 3:2-6 (NIV)
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Paul is talking about a mystery that had been hidden for all of history - which was now being revealed. Paul is unlocking the great purpose of the gospel. He is revealing the great hidden mystery of God's plan. That there is no longer Jew and Gentile. No longer Jew and Palestinian.
But through Christ - there is now one body of believers. You will find here a key word - "together".
Heirs together, members together, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
The theme of the letter to the Ephesians is the word Together. Together with Christ and together
with one another.
Go back a chapter.....
Ephesians 2:12-15 (NIV)
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
Can you see the mystery of the gospel here?
In Christ, God was creating in Himself one new humanity. No longer a dividing wall of hostility.
Isn't it interesting that this is the very battle going on in the Middle East. A wall of hostility between two peoples, Jesus came to bring down that wall of hostility so that there might be one new humanity in Himself!
One people - TOGETHER.
In Christ, God is creating a new community - a new nation - a new humanity - a new people.
This is the great mystery of the gospel.
That’s why Peter writes this in…..
1 Peter 2:10 (NIV)
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
You are now the people of God.
So - the mystery of the gospel is that God was creating in himself a new people in Christ.
Let's move to Eph 2…..
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Now - stay with me here this morning…
This whole letter to the Ephesian Church is unfolding a mystery that has been hidden until this time.
That in Christ a dividing wall is being brought down. That there would no longer be two people groups on the earth - Jew and gentile - but one new humanity.
This new nation - this new body of believers would...no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household. This is why Jesus could say - that when you and I become one - we are fulfilling the mystery of the gospel - so that the whole world may know that the father sent the son and loves them.
Now - notice this -
this whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him
you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit
I mean - how many get this?
In Christ, God is making one new people - one new community -one new humanity - and GOD is
going to build this new body of believers together - to become a dwelling in which God lives by his
Spirit
Somebody say WOW!
We are being built together to be God's dwelling place.
NOT just individually - but TOGETHER.
TOGETHER - a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit
Church - this is the great mystery. You and I together - united - in community - and in that place - we become God's dwelling place on the earth. That is such a wow statement right there! If we were to read together of the day of Pentecost - notice three things
- The people were TOGETHER in ONE ACCORD
- They were FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT - becoming the dwelling place of God by His Spirit
- 3000 people from every nation were added to their number.
We were born again to be one - that the world may know...
So - Paul then says this to the Ephesians church….
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Why?
Because the mystery of the Gospel is that God is making one new people that will fulfil the great
commission - therefore it's important that we keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
THROUGH THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, WE ARE A COMMUNITY, INVITING OTHERS INTO COMMUNITY!
TOGETHER - we are a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit - and we invite outsiders to become
part of that dwelling place.
Paul goes on….
Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Paul is passionate about this new people - this new humanity - this new together - build one another up, get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander-be kind, compassionate, forgiving…. Then he challenges not to .... grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
It's like he makes the point - God is so passionate about this new humanity - this new citizenship -
that when we slander one another, are angry and unforgiving - the Holy Spirit is grieved.
We were born again for community.
TOGETHER - we are a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit
We have to keep that together.
Paul continues on this theme…..
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Walk in the way of love.
Let me make this very simple - when we reach beyond our walls - we are inviting others into
community. So Paul is passionately calling the Ephesian church to be the kind of GOD community into which we can invite others.
Keeping the unity of the Spirit.
Now - It is in this context that we reach this great crescendo in Paul's letter to the Ephesians…
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
So, what can we take from this?
This passage almost looks out of place - just spiritual warfare - but what if we keep it in the context
of "together”?
The context is the mystery of the gospel - one new humanity - built together as the dwelling place
of God on the earth-
So this is where the enemy will always attack. To divide what God has united. What God loves, the devil hates. So the devil will attempt to sow division within you.
So, when our relationships come under attack -be aware of this:
...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Listen to me - often times when we think it is about flesh and blood - different opinions, offenses
and arguments - It is not just flesh and blood. It is a spiritual war to destroy your unity!
So - Paul's advice is this:
Ephesians 6:13-18 (NIV)
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
This morning - take this passage around the armour of God - and share a process whereby we can
keep the unity of the spirit. A process through which we can reconcile with others. A process of how to resolve offences.
This process has two outworking's - first one on one - then if you are unsuccessful, with a mediator.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
So - how do we reconcile our differences and maintain the unity - the oneness - the together - we
have in the spirit?
Step one…
1. Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
The beginning of reconciliation is always to talk about the truth. If you have been hurt - just talk to the person. It may just be a misunderstanding. The truth might be that you misunderstood their motive? And carry your own truth. What is my role in this? Did I lose my temper? Did I have a part to play?
Sometimes when embracing the truth - you don't even need to approach the other person.
Sometimes the truth is, I am being over sensitive. There is now real issue here. I need to get over myself - and let this go. This is only an issue with me. But whether we approach the person, or decide this issue is only me - we need to embrace the truth about what is going on. must.
I have an older brother who 25 years ago came to the conclusion that anyone who believed in the
baptism in the Holy Spirit is of the devil, and that any Pentecostal church is a cult. Of course, by that definition I am therefore a cult leader. Any Christmas cards are sent back, as I believe in a different Jesus to the one he believes in.
Of course, in the earlier days we tried to discuss this, but there was simply no movement in his
decision. The thing is - for me to move on, I needed to put on the belt of truth. This was costing me an important relationship - but the truth would give me a foundation to build a healthy future.
I remember another situation - I was in a board meeting type situation (not here) - something had
happened that made me really angry - and I snapped. Wasn't a big deal - no brawling - but I knew
someone was hurt. I had to begin with the truth. "I was out of line”. I have to tell you - the number of times I had to go down the hallway to apologise to my kids when growing up - to embrace and own the truth. Sorry I over-reacted.
Marriage - how hard it is to say - I was wrong! Keeping the unity of the spirit begins with embracing the truth!
Interesting - Roman Soldier - It was the belt that held the scabbard, without which there would be no place to put a sword - The Matthew Henry Commentary says the belt "girds on [secures] all the other pieces of our armour. All the other armour hangs on truth.
To take a stand for healthy relationships - to experience true reconciliation - always look for an
opportunity to begin with the truth. When it is a broken relationship, to sit down and listen to each other. Only with the belt of truth securely fixed can we move to the next step. Truth on its own will not complete reconciliation!
2. The breastplate of righteousness in place.
The breastplate of righteousness covers the heart.
Once we have aired the truth - forgiveness is paramount.
Jesus said this….
Matthew 6:15 (NIV)
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Whatever the outcome of step one - you cover your heart with righteousness by forgiving. Sometimes step one is a disaster - but you have tried. You have acknowledged truth. We need to forgive in order to move on. No bitterness. No resolution - but the breastplate of righteousness demands that I forgive.
My Dad is in prison in NZ. Unfortunately I became aware of his offending and was required to testify for the prosecution at his court case. Of course, that was a very difficult thing to do - but sometimes we need to both honour our parents while at the same time take a stand for the victims of their actions. It was a nightmare season. There was a lot of hurt in every direction. The breastplate of righteousness demanded that at the end of the season, I forgive. That I continue to pray for and reach out to my Dad.
Truth and forgiveness are bedfellows in reconciliation. Then to step three….
3. Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Another way this phrase could be translated - is to be ready to walk the path of peace. We have shared our truth by talking things through - we have offered forgiveness - now walk in. Let’s not cross the street when we see each other coming. Speaking of my brother - after ten years of silence - drove up his drive. Ten daughters - one son.
Next we get to step four…
4. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Because I have acknowledged the truth. Because we have the breast place of righteousness through forgiveness. Because we are now committed to walking in peace. We can now take up the shield of faith.
Shared last week - interesting thing about shields in Paul's day.
Roman army - shields were made to stand together and make up a shield wall. The shield is not just to cover ourselves, but to cover each other. In fact - in a shield wall, you shield covers the person on your left!
Can I ask you this - have you been hurt along the way? Have you been treated unjustly? Falsely accused? When that person who hurt you comes up in gossip - can you defend them?
Jesus called us in Matt 5 - to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Joseph - sold as a slave, falsely accused of rape - imprisoned. When his fortunes turned - marred - first son - Ephraim - make me forget. So while we are still in reconciliation - we make a commitment to be each other's shield of faith. May be a tough call.
Then we go to step five….
5. Take the helmet of salvation.
The helmet of salvation covers the mind. It is a commitment to stop rehearsing this offence in my mind. I'm not going to go over it again, and again, and again. Sometimes you don't get a satisfactory response from the person who hurt you.
They are not sorry. They don't even get it.
Remember one time - older brother shouting at me - I needed to repent. I was going to hell.
Nothing I could say could change his mind. I would rehearse the conversation. How could he? Not fair. Wouldn't listen. - Put on the helmet of salvation and move on. Time to let it go.
2 Corinthians 10:5.... and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Sometimes it is yourself you need to forgive. Yes - you blew it in the past - God has forgiven you - stop rehearsing it in your mind.
Then we come to step 6….
6. and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
So far everything has been dealing with the past. We have dealt with the issue.
Truth - righteousness - walking in peace - shield of faith - Helmet of salvation over my mind......
Here is what I think….
Until we are prepared to resolve our differences, we are unable to fully embrace the future. Until we can let go of the past, the past becomes the enemy of our future.
1 Timothy 1:18 (NKJV)
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
Reconciling with offence positions us to take God's word into the future. By embracing the Word which is the Sword of the Spirit, we are saying, we are not going to go back here.
7. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
First - pray with or for the person you are reconciling with. Praying for my dad. Resolving offence does wonders for your prayer life.
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
'Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Then finally….
8. Be alert (watchful) and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
Let's be watchful. Let’s be alert - on guard. Why? Because you and I together are God's dwelling place by His Spirit.
The mystery of the gospel is that we become one - a new humanity, and then the world will know…!
Many thanks Rev Graeme Lauridsen for sharing his sermon notes with us.
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