Multi-cultural or Cross-cultural?

What is more important: Multi-cultural worship or cross-cultural missions?

It is exciting when different people groups come together for worship. The diversity can be uplifting. It is exciting to see different kinds of people touched by God's love.

Unfortunately, building a multi-cultural church is not easy. Societal customs and language barriers may be difficult to overcome. People tend to be comfortable with their own kind and Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour in America. This is not good, but it is reality.

Well-meaning Chrisitans may debate the merits of a multi-cultural church; but, there is no question that God has called all churches to cross-cultural missions. In the Great Commission our Lord tells us to "go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19)." This means that every obedient congregation has to figure out how to take the gospel to a people unlike their own. 

Too many churches are stuck in a pattern of only reaching their own kind of people. This is disobedience to the Great Commission. 

The Lord didn't say we had to change our church and make it multi-cultural; but, he did say we are to make disciples of all ethnic groups. This may involve  prayer-walking in a different neighborhood, starting a remote Bible study, sending out mission teams, or planting a new church. 

Multi-cultural worship is optional. Cross-cultural missions is not. 

The Weapons of our Victory, Part 2

Revelation 12:11 says, "and they loved not their lives even unto death." 

Some scholars say this verse refers to martyrs. It might, but I think the primary gist of this verse is about dying to sin and self. 

Satan "decieves the whole world." His aim is to get people to wander or go astray. To accomplish this, the devil uses all manner of tempations.

The best way to defeat temptation is to die to it. Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily (Luke 9:23)." 

Satan promises life, but it leads to death. Jesus invites us to die so we might live.

The Weapons of our Victory, Part 1

How do we overcome Satan and his incessant condemnation of us?

Revelation 12:11 tells us, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the testimony."

  • Satan tells us we are "no good." God tells us "we are forgiven."
  • Satan tells us we are "guilty." God declares us "righteous, washed in the blood of the Lamb."
  • Satan says we are "worthless." But God says, "We have purchased with a price. Thus we are valuable in His sight."

So the next time a little thought whispers in your head thoughts of condemnation. Don't accept it and don't argue with it. Instead look to Jesus and the cross. Put your faith in the  "blood of the Lamb."

The Tactics of our Enemy, Part 2

  • Through temptation Satan makes sin seem better than it is.
  • Through condemnation Satan makes us feel worse than we are.

Job 1-2 and Zechariah 3 show the devil accusing God's people. Notice Job and the High Priest Joshua were both righteous men, but that doesn't deter the enemy. He whispers his lies (Rev. 12:10).

  • You are garbage
  • You are worthless
  • You should just kill yourself
  • You are guilty
  • You don't deserve to go to church, cause you are a big fat hypocrite!

Don't listen to the devil, because a discouraged believer is a defeated Christian. In tomorrow's post we'll talk about how to overcome the devil's accusations. 

The Tactics of our Enemy, Part 1

The Bible warns us the devil is cunning and wiley. He has schemes and tactics. 

Revelation 12:9 tells us Satan is deceptive. He tries to get us to wander or go astray. 

Our adversary, Satan, tempts us. His lies include the following:

  • "No one will find out"
  • "There won't be consquences"
  • "God is keeping you from having fun"

Satan makes sin seem better than it is. But oh dear one, hear me: the devil is a chronic liar. Temptation leads to sin and sin leads to death. Don't be fooled.

Christian Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is vital for followers of Jesus, here's why:
1. God is multicultural. He created all the races and thus loves all people. Since all people are created in the image of God every culture reveals something about God (Acts 17:26).
2. The Great Commission is multicultural. Jesus commands us to make disciples of all ethnic groups (Matthew 28:19).
3. Heaven will be multicultural. There will be people from every tribe, tongue, and nation around the throne (Revelation 7:9-10).

Because of these realities there is absolutely no place for racism or prejudice in the life of a Christian.