What Does The Bible Say About Inclusion?

 Tonight we're going to be looking at different Bible verses and how each scripture relates to us in our own life. 

I first want to say thank you for allowing me to be able to lead Warriors In Faith because I feel we're all Warriors in Christ that have been given the opportunities to do what God has called all of us to do. 

Tonight's message is on inclusion. When we think of that, we go back to a point in our life where we have all felt excluded and felt like we didn't belong. I want all of you to think of a time where you felt that you were alone in this world, and that you didn't fit in because you were different from your peers. I want you to think of that for a moment because when it comes time for some questions, I want all of you to be able to share if you would like. 

The first scripture I would like us to take a look at is Exdous chapter 4 verse 11-16. The second scripture we will be looking at is Luke chapter 14 verses 12-14. The next verse we will look at is John 14:6 and the last chapter we will be looking at is John 3:3. 

From the scriptures we read, we see that each verse in each book has something in common. We see that God has shown mercy, grace, wisdom, perseverance, strength, and unconditional love to us. With that, I would like to ask these questions to all of you.

Q. Have you ever felt called by God for a certain task? How have you responded?

Q. What personal struggle makes you feel most helpless? Where do you turn?

Q. Creative people often find ways to transcend the limits put on them. What do you feel hems you in? How can you achieve God's will despite obstacles?

Thank you all for sharing, I would now like to share some song lyrics I feel can help us not only know that God is working in our lives for something greater but helping us know we're not alone.

The first lyric of the song by Mass Anthem called Through People Like Me says this: People like me we feel so ordinary, looking for a place where we fit in. And people like me we lie awake and worry we're gonna miss a moment when life kicks in. It's nice to know I'm not alone because this is what gives me hope. Your the God who goes before your the God who comes behind, your the God who dreams big dreams with the perfect plan at the perfect time. I can only see what is, You see what will be, I believe you change the world through people like me. 

In the song by Matthew West called My Own Little World it says: I'm going to break my heart for what breaks yours, give me open hands and open doors. Put your light in my eyes and let me see that my own little world is not about me. What if there's a bigger picture, what if I'm missing out what if there's a greater purpose I could be living right now. I don't wanna miss what matters, I wanna be reaching out. Show me the greater purpose so I can start living right now, outside my own little world.

Finally in Micahel W. Smith's song Place In This World it says, If there are millions down on their knees, among the many can you still hear me? Hear me asking where do I belong? Is there a vision that I can call my own? Show me.

As we hear these lyrics from each song, we remember that God shows us that when we feel like we can handle the things that we can take control of and we feel that we don't need help, that is when we stop and really take time to reflect that we do need help and God shows us that the greater purpose He has for our lives is beyond our control. He shows us that while a lot of us, if not all of us are wondering if we belong and fit in, God shows us again that we have always belonged and have fit in because He has accepted us from the moment He created us to be who He wanted us to be. He shows that we have a place in this world and that His plan is continuing to be revealed to us each and every day.

I would like to ask three final questions before we go into any final comments or prayer requests. 

Q. What do you feel you can do this week and everyday to be a light to someone who doesn't know Christ but wants to know Him?

Q.  Does your faith resemble the childlike faith of Psalm 23 or the barely hanging on faith of Psalm 22?

Q. What obstacles do you face when you try to talk to people about God?