Glencairn Church
Sermon Notes
Exclusivity that Leads to Inclusion
Locations & Times
Glencairn Church
725 Erinbrook Dr, Kitchener, ON N2E 3E3, Canada
Sunday 10:15 AM
Exclusivity that Leads to Inclusion
1 John 4:1-10
1 John 4:1-10
The Problem with Religion
If you are saved by “performing the truth” of your religion, you might ...
Feel Superior to others
Separate from others
Become unfamiliar with others
Believe the worst in others
Create stereotypes of others
Marginalize and dehumanize others
If you are saved by “performing the truth” of your religion, you might ...
Feel Superior to others
Separate from others
Become unfamiliar with others
Believe the worst in others
Create stereotypes of others
Marginalize and dehumanize others
There are two main strategies to deal with the problem of religion. Neither of them work. A third strategy based on Scripture, will work.
Calling for Religion to Weaken
Religion is not disappearing, but growing rapidly.
Islam is projected to make up 30% of world’s population by 2060
Christianity projected at 35% of world’s population by 2050 or 2.9 billion people
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1 CSB
“Properly understood, a prophet is the mouthpiece of some spirit ... either the Spirit of truth, ... or the spirit of error. Behind every prophet is a spirit and behind each spirit is either God or the devil.”
-- John Stott
Every human being will worship something, it is unavoidable, we are embodied souls. And there is a spiritual dimension behind it.
Religion is not disappearing, but growing rapidly.
Islam is projected to make up 30% of world’s population by 2060
Christianity projected at 35% of world’s population by 2050 or 2.9 billion people
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1 CSB
“Properly understood, a prophet is the mouthpiece of some spirit ... either the Spirit of truth, ... or the spirit of error. Behind every prophet is a spirit and behind each spirit is either God or the devil.”
-- John Stott
Every human being will worship something, it is unavoidable, we are embodied souls. And there is a spiritual dimension behind it.
2. Confine Religion to the Private Realm
Two assumptions needed to solve the problem of religion with this strategy.
1. All religions are equally valid paths to God
2. Religion can be helpful in private life, but never bring it into the public sphere
“They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.”
1 John 4:5 CSB
Two assumptions needed to solve the problem of religion with this strategy.
1. All religions are equally valid paths to God
2. Religion can be helpful in private life, but never bring it into the public sphere
“They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.”
1 John 4:5 CSB
Everyone has their own take on spiritual reality which is based on religious assumptions. Therefore everyone has a set of exclusive beliefs.
3. Exclusivity that Leads to Inclusion
Biblical Strategy:
Look at what is distinctive to Christianity, for that is what will empower you to be agents of reconciliation in the world.
Biblical Strategy:
Look at what is distinctive to Christianity, for that is what will empower you to be agents of reconciliation in the world.
The Origin of Jesus’ Salvation
“This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” 1 John 4:2 CSB
The Purpose of Jesus’ Salvation
“Jesus Christ has come in the flesh”
1 John 4:2 CSB
The Method of Jesus’ Salvation
“Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 CSB
The Origin of Jesus’ Salvation
The exclusive claim that God came in the flesh creates inclusion because Christ died for those who hated him.
The Purpose of Jesus’ Salvation
Not escape this planet, but transform it and work for peace
The Method of Jesus’ Salvation
Saved by Grace not Performance
The exclusive claim that God came in the flesh creates inclusion because Christ died for those who hated him.
The Purpose of Jesus’ Salvation
Not escape this planet, but transform it and work for peace
The Method of Jesus’ Salvation
Saved by Grace not Performance