York Alliance Family of Churches Podcast

The world is shrinking. We live in a community that is increasingly diverse in every way as God brings the nations to us and sends us out to the nations as well. Unfortunately, fear of "the other" and of the increasing diversity of our world often blocks our ability to love and learn in this incredible landscape. The practice of hospitality makes the stranger a friend and allows us to see others as people, not as ideas

The singular thing that we all agree on is that the world is broken. For those of us who are following Jesus, we recognize that He alone is the answer. However, what will it take for others to have the freedom to ask the questions necessary in order to come to the same conclusions? We must be ready to do whatever it takes to bring all of Jesus to the whole person for the whole world.

Cynicism seems to seep out of every pore in our world, and that often includes the church. We can be cynical about the move of God because we've experienced a broken world and have a hard time imagining anything different. In this world of cyncism, we are called to be people of joy who reflect the hope of Jesus. Celebration is a posture of godly defiance in a culture of doubt. Jesus calls us not to a Year of Jubilee but to a culture of Jubilee

Hate is a common theme throughout our world. In a world of increasing polarization, each side feels justified in their hatred of the other, claiming a defense of the common good. First-century Rome was no different. In the midst of that world, and in the midst of ours, Jesus calls us to enemy love. When we choose love in a world of hate, we are transformed, we transform others, and we follow the teaching and example of Jesus.

Individualism and self-sufficiency in the world around us is a powerful force that pushes against the lordship of Jesus. Inherent in confessing Jesus as Lord is a recognition that we are unable to save ourselves and that the "good life" is beyond our human grasp. It's only when we lay down our preferences and embrace our place as subjects in the Kingdom of God that we truly live into the salvation and fullness of life that Jesus promised.

We must have a grounding in the Truth of Jesus that is stronger than the lies that surround us. We are constantly being formed by something—either the way of the world or the way of Jesus. Unless we engage Truth with intentionality, the foundation on which we build will be broken. When we commit to the face of God, we will no longer be conformed to the world but will be transformed by Him.

The prevailing culture around us is rushing headlong away from the gospel, the church and the hope of Jesus. As apprentices of Jesus, how do we remain faithful to His Way and call others to do the same? We must have a loyalty and conviction that is stronger than the cultural forces around us. The only way that will happen is if we relentlessly pursue the face of God and reflect His face to one another.

We are called to forgive because it's only through forgiveness that we find freedom. However, when we remain in unforgiveness, we also remain in bondage. For us, the call to forgiveness is grounded in the love of Jesus, even when it's difficult. There is deep power that comes from forgiving one another, both on a personal level and societal level. When living a lifestyle of forgiveness, we find the power of God for the fullness of life

Forgiveness is our personal act to release individuals who sinned against us from our personal right to collect on the moral debt for their offense, with or without their participation in the process. Reconciliation, however, is when you move toward another and work to restore a broken relationship. We must work beyond guilt and shame as a community to fully embrace the life and freedom Jesus offers.

Forgiveness is releasing the personal right to pay back the one who has hurt me and absorbing the pain with God’s help. The process of forgiving someone can be laced with deep and powerful emotions. The memory of the wound and the offender has the ability to influence my behavior—relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. One of the hopes in the journey of forgiveness is to move from anger and hatred to love and compassion.