In this sermon, Pastor T. C. teaches on the kind of community God is forming in Christ—a community of misfits. Jesus didn’t gather the best and brightest, he gathered the overlooked and underestimated. Jesus did this to demonstrate the nearness of God’s Kingdom to all, not just the religious elite. In fact, God’s election has always been this way. Israel was not chosen because it was great in size or particularly devout. No, God’s choosing is always for God’s glory, not ours. That’s why Pastor T. C. translates First Corinthians 1.26–31 this way:
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish ones of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak ones of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly ones of this world and the despised ones—and the ones who are nobodies—to shut the mouths of the ones who think they’re somebodies, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ ”
The Moravian tradition includes a theological innovation that facilitates the unity with diversity that Christ’s misfit community requires. For centuries, Moravians have been guided by these words:
In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.”
In this message, Pastor T. C. outlines what are “essentials” for Moravians, and what are not. This is vitally important for cultivating a community that prioritizes unity with diversity.
