Q1. Full Status to the Dispossessed

[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God’s welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple? What are the implications of that for the church? Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship – if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus? What could you do about this?

[Squirt]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?
    God has declared that believers from all nations will be joined together as His people.   Where foreigners and eunuchs were treated as lower than the Jews and either excluded from the temple worship or restricted to certain areas of the temple, God has declared that they will be equals.   It is significant in that it demonstrates that it is not who you are but Who you believe that matters.  Those who believe in Christ and who live ethical lives, following the commands given in the Bible, are welcome.

What are the implications of that for the church?
    "God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." (Acts 10:34b-35)   Our actions are not based on personal likes or dislikes, but rather on our desire for peace and godliness for all mankind.

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship -- if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus?
     I am unaware of anyone who is excluded from our congregation.  We are taught to love one another, to worship the Lord, and to obey His commands.  Our congregation is composed of believers and those who do not yet believe, the righteous and the unrighteous, those who seek to live for Jesus and those who live for themselves.  We encourage all who want to learn about Jesus to come, and even those who aren’t sure they want to learn to come anyway!  For faith comes by hearing, and hearing from the Word of God.  
    Joining the church is another matter.  Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of your life?  Have you been baptized?
 
What could you do about this?
    We are told in the Scriptures that the answers we need to live peaceful and godly lives are given to us in His Word.  And if we cannot find an answer there, we are to go to Him and ask.  We’re not to add to His Word, nor are we to excise from it those things with which we disagree.   We are not to re-write the Word to fit worldly views, nor are we to take specific verses out of context in order to suit what we want to hear.  That is, we are not to become like the Pharisees, nor are we to become like those who turned away to idols but continued to offer sacrifices in the temple.  
 

 

[hanks]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8)

What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in His temple?

What are the implications of that for the church?

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship - if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus?

What could you do about this?

This is wonderful news in that we are all one in Him – that is Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, bond and free, male and female, black and white, people from every nation and out of every tongue and tribe.

All are welcome in His church. We have no problems with this in our church. 

 

 

[RD35]

What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?  "God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." (Acts 10:34b-35

 

What are the implications of that for the church?  The church must invite in its congregation all kinds of people whether they are in poverty,  of different nationality, varying skin color, failure at marriage, prison record, being overweight, physical handicap, perceived ugliness, even shame over one's sexual orientation because  Jesus loves everyone  and invites everyone to be full citizens of his Kingdom.

 

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship -- if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus? None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[angelbaby]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?

 

God wants to inform us that His kingdom  welcomes people of all strata/ skin colour/ ethnicity/health/profession/sexual abnormality or any other diverse character...the kingdom of God is all inclusive.

 

What are the implications of that for the church?

 

The church tends to exclude those who do not speak the same language/ look the same / or are sinners of a known type like prostitutes/ prisioners/ immoral /  then they tend to avoid the poor/ not similarly dressed, the obese, the physically handicapped ...all these are not christian like behaviours.and we have to rectify it

  It is imperative that the people who are needy should be welcomes graciously and extend the love of God to them  and not to socialise with friends of the same strata. You can always meet friends in their home...but God seekers come to church and we are to take the opportunity to extend our love to them and bring them into the fold.

 

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship -- if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus?

people who are unfriendly, from a different part with a language problem, from a different culture, also known drunkards, divorcees immoral criminals  ... or such victimised ..

  in fact some very corrupt people are met with eagerness and friendly way  because of their wealth and social standing!.

 

What could you do about this?

 

It is very essential to preach 'SALVATION, THE CROSS AND THE WAY OF THE CROSS  .....every christian should be born again then only the change in the treatment and behaviour of christians will change

 

PRAY....PRAY...PRAY
 

[antonate]

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus so that we may not perish but gain eternal life. God's love flows from the entire human kind and He is God of love and mercy to all. He is no respector of persons and shows no partiality based on culture , creed or social status. He is the Lord of all.

The church should also depict the same love , mercy and compassion to all without discrimination.

By God's grace we have being taught to love people of all kind and culture with the love of Jesus Christ and only His grace enables us not to discriminate people.

[Delivered]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?  Isaiah prophesied that foreigners would demonstrate saving faith and would be counted among those born in Zion.

 

Gentiles and Jews would be united in fellowship.

 

What are the implications of that for the church? We are to be a united people who love.

[Lion of Grace]

God welcomed believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in His temple in that we see the worship of God moving beyond a tribal religion to an international faith proclaimed by Jesus. All would now be welcomed through faith in Jesus.

 

For our churches today, that implies we are to welcome everyone. God loves everyone and invites them to be full citizens of His Kingdom.

 

I am in a very good church, but if I would have to name a weakness there it would be that though everyone is "welcome", not all are really "accepted." By this I mean that everyone can come and be at the church and everyone is even invited to find a place to serve and that is good, but not everyone is invited into "relationship." It's easy to greet everyone and find them a slot to serve in and stick them in groups to meet twice a month, but much harder to sincerely love them and want to befriend them and really want to share your life/time with them in intimate relationship. It's really sad to see it.

 

I can make a difference by seeking out the ones on the fringe that are struggling to make friends. I can offer my life to them to be friends with them and sincerely give my heart to them. People need to give their hearts not Christian duty.

[Guitar Jim]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God’s welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?

 

This is a fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham in that He would bless the whole earth through him. Even though the Israelites are God's chosen people, He always meant to bless the whole world through them.

 

 

 

What are the implications of that for the church?

 

If God accepts anyone who comes in faith, we should too. Incidentally, I disagree that God accepts people who continue in sexual orientation that is contrary to Biblical principles. If a homosexual or a paedophile comes to Christ they MUST be counseled unto repentance. If that requires a life of celebacy after conversion, isn't that better than going to hell?

If they continue to attend church and continue in their perverse ways they should be asked to leave. That's a hard line stance, but a Biblical one nonetheless.

 

 

 

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship – if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus?

 

At the moment I don't have a congregation. But I remember clearly when I got divorced I asked my best friend who was a cabler with a major telco company to cable my new residence for the internet. He did the job and then couldn't wait to leave before he caught divorce off me. There seems to be more prejudice against divorced people than many others. It's like: Oh dear! Jim's divorced. My marriage isn't anything to write home about either. I better stear clear of him in case I catch divorce as well. You find out who your friends are. You have none.

 

 

 

What could you do about this?

 

Lead by example and fellowship with people even though they don't meet your high standards of exactly what a Christian should look like and act like. I stopped attending a Presbyterian Bible study group because a couple of old guys knocked me continuously for being a Rock and Blues musician. For them it was classcial or nothing. I don't need THAT kind of fellowship.

 

[wjcargile]

1. What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and Eunuchs to full status in His Temple?

--All people in all nations are welcome to serve Him.

2. What are the implications of that for the church?

--Church should welcome all people.

3.Who does your congreation tend to exclude from fellowship--if not explicity, then by emphasis and focus?

--All are welcome in our congregation.

4. What could you do about this?

--If this was an issue in our congregation, I would remind then repeatedly of JESUS' love for all.

Matt 15:21-27 There was a woman who came crying to JESUS to heal her daughter from an evil spirit. JESUS' deciples said "send her away, for she keep crying out to us." (Mark 8:26) Describe her as a Greek women.

JESUS answered (24) "I WAS SENT ONLY TO THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL." (25)The woman came and knelt before Him. "Lord, help me! She said. (26)JESUS replied, "IT IS NOT RIGHT TO TAKE THE CHILDREN'S BREAD AND TOSS IT TO THE DOGS."

(27) Yes, Lord she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that falls from their master table."

(28) The JESUS answered, "WOMAN, YOU HAVE GREAT FAITH! YOUR REQUEST IS GRANTED." And her daughter was healed that very hour.

John 4:9-14 JESUS met the Samaritan woman at the well and said to her, "WILL YOU GIVE ME A DRINK OF WATER?" (9) The Samaritan woman said to Him, "You are a Jew and I am Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritan.)

(10)JESUS answered her, "IF YOU KNEW THE GIFT OF GOD AND HE WHO IT IS THAT ASKS YOU FOR A DRINK, YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED HIM AND HE WOULD HAVE GIVING YOU LIVING WATER."

(13)JESUS answered, "EVERYONE WHO DRINK THIS WATER WILL THRISTY AGAIN, (14) BUT WHOEVER DRINKS THE WATER I GIVE HIM WILL NEVER THRIST. INDEED, THE WATER I GIVE HIM WILL BECOME A SPRING OF WATER WELLING UP TO ETERNAL LIFE."

It is our responsibility to invite everyone and share JESUS and His love for all.

[humblejon]

No longer is physical "cleanliness" or hereditary background requirements to engaged in corporate worship with God's people. God welcomes all people from all walks of life. If we reject and exclude them then we may be rejecting God as well.

Perhaps the church should focus on meeting the needs of "hungry and thirsty" people, instead of just putting on a show every Sunday am. Myself and others of my church could go out to where people are instead of just inviting them to a church building.

[Jen]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple? What are the implications of that for the church? Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship -- if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus? What could you do about this?

 

The significance is immense.  It shows God's heart of love for all people regardless of race or ethnicity. It is all about our belief and faith in Him.  The world judges by the outside, God looks at  the heart.  I went to one church overseas that had people from every tongue, tribe and nation just about.  It was wonderful,  all of us worshipping the Lord together.  Everyone had something to offer and all were loved.  

The congregation here excludes anyone not from their town or nearby.  It is like a closed click.  It is uncomfortable if you are not on the inside and that includes me.  I am not from here.  There are some who make an effort however I have never seen anything like this here.  And it is by emphasis and focus.  

What can I do?  Pray and let God work.  He is doing a work.

 

God Bless!

Jen

Romans 15:13

 

[IvoryEagle]

 What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?  God's standard is based on justice and righteousness.  It is not based on WHO it is based on obedience.  "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line."

 

 

What are the implications of that for the church? The church should not judge based on what they see but based on God's standard of measurement.  Justice and righteousness.  God is the only judge.

 

 

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship -- if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus? Those who appear to be unacceptable by man's standards.

 

 

What could you do about this?  Welcome them, create a platform for service without condition.

[JanMary]

On 8/2/2013 at 8:33 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

 

 

 

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God’s welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?

In Jesus there is not Jew nor Greek, male nor female....no deformity or imperfection, race, or gender, no sin too great to exclude anyone from Salvation! Everyone is chosen and welcome. His love and sacrifice are the reason we are saved.  Jesus died for EVERYONE, but only those who choose to accept His invitation become His children. Individual rejection of His love is the only reason one is excluded..

What are the implications of that for the church?

We must never forbid or turn anyone away as unworthy of Christ....nor forget where "we came from, were saved out of" or we may become self righteous and ignore our Commission to go "into all the World with the Gospel. We are His ambassadors and must reflect His heart of love for all.

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship – if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus? What could you do about this?

Thankfully, no one is excluded....Pastor preached recently on preventing "age segregation" in our church, after hearing comments that the young people didn't want to be around the old timers, and vice versa...another form of discrimination.

This morning we celebrated a young man's 21st birthday with ice cream and cake after the service....He has severe autism but loves birthdays...it was a special day of including him with special recognition...brought tears to many.

[NancyinBelize]

Q1. (Isaiah 56:3-8) What is the significance of God's welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple?

God recognizes that we all are sinners. It's easy to fall into an attitude of self-righteousness. The attitude that God wants from his people is humility before him. There is a concept of holiness. We don't want to defile or ship, the church, or our fellowship with sin...Our God is holy. So we think that certain people don't belong in the church. David Wilkersen would say that the church is on Gods path if it is full of dinners.

What are the implications of that for the church?

The church people need to go out into the highways and byways to invite people into the church.. It's risky, and probably uncomfortable but God has told us to do it. The church has to get over the self-centered focus of what's good for "me".

Who does your congregation tend to exclude from its fellowship -- if not explicitly, then by emphasis and focus?

Our church is Deaf. We accept all kinds of deaf people...those who are poor, do drugs, those who have sexual addictions, and we have 4 former prostitutes...but...it us hard for us to mingle with hearing people who don't use sign language...and we tend to provide interpretation, but don't talk to them much.

What could you do about this?

Several of us need to try to visualize what including hearing people would look like and then share that vision with God and then with the congregation.

[WinstonY]

Question 10-1

 

The inclusion of foreigners and eunichs is very important to Israel and to modern day Christians.  The children of Israel have always had a remarkable sense of having a central key role in god’s plan for creation.  They were right what with many the sense of being special and for being called “but you Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen the offspring of Abraham my friend;”. (Isaiah 41:8) Instead of being a light to nations the special preference went to their heads and they became unable to distinguish between being special and having a unique place in God’s plan, that they were to be the vehicle by which God was to call all nations to ‘God’s self.  Instead they began to think exclusively, to think that they were not God’s people with a mission to the nations instead they thought of themselves as being exclusive to all others who were not of their religious faith.  This exclusiveness led to a feeling of self-righteousness which creates a wall between God and man.  These people who had felt that they were to be a light to the nations now had put their light under a bushel and had hid their light from the world.  Isaiah’s message from Yahweh to the people is to be more inclusive to foreigners for God will not separate foreigners and others from ‘his people’.  God is saying that God’s message is for all and that he is reaching to all through his word , through his revelation and especially through his suffering servant.  

 

 

This then has implications for the church for in a sense there is a mirroring of the church in ancient Israel of the Bible.  Israel grew from Abraham in the promise of the covenant in  him and his dependents.  The church grew from Christ and the covenant of Jesus and a new creation of a new heaven and a new earth.  In the heart of these religious systems is a concern for the poor and the concern for justice.  There can be no justice when a foreigner, the outsider and the outcast are left off side.  This scripture orders the Jews and the Christians to maintain justice and do what is right to the foreigners and eunichs who keep Yahweh’s sabbath.  Yahweh declares I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.

 

 

Our church has a problems with Missions and Service.  At a meeting recently the comment was overheard ‘let the other churches do it’. but we are the other.  There needs to education on this matter.  The church needs to know that the poor matter to God.  That God loves them dearly and we may have to answer for our lack of response to the poor .  Yahweh responded to the children of Israel delivering them from bondage in Egypt; he responded to the people of Jerusalem when they were in bondage in Babylon and returned the exiles home.  To the outsider Yahweh exclaims “I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off”.

 

winstony

[Old Jerry]

The significance of God’s welcome of believing and ethical foreigners and eunuchs to full status in his temple is to include everybody that believes in him. He wants us to know that we have been accepted by him if we believe in him. The implications for the church are that we should also welcome everybody that believes in Jesus Christ.

I don’t see that our congregation excludes anybody. I may be wrong because we don’t have much ethnic diversity in the church. But we should make sure that everybody knows that they are welcome to the church.

[Krissi]

We tend to think of eunuchs as something freakish, but in biblical times they were common and treated as very high-status slaves. Foreigners, too, were common. Unlike today when many foreigners come to Western countries illegally, in biblical times many foreigners were forcibly taken to their 'host' countries against their will. Perhaps, our tendency to look at these verses through a contemporary lens politicizes them.

When God gathers to Himself different sorts of people from different places in the world, this could mean they're saved and now part of the abstract worldwide church. It also could mean that they'll be "gathered" after they die, as the word is commonly used. Having said this, I do believe a church should accept anyone who wants to attend or belong but also think people tend to feel most comfortable in like-minded groups. 

I'm not sure there's anything wrong with seeking fellowship with whom you can easily converse, pray and understand. In church, we often segregate by gender and age, occupation and interest. I recently met a man who was a part of an international men's group of entrepreneurs and business leaders. As a woman who does not own a business, I would be excluded from this group. Would that be wrong? I think not. I do not think it is wrong to have churches that speak a foreign language during their service. Nor do I think it wrong to have groups, parachurch groups and churches that appeal to young/elderly, chefs/artists, rich/poor, married/single, working/retired, etc.

Perhaps ... if you are in a church doesn't share your interests and outlook, you should find another church rather than demanding that the church change it's focus and emphasis for you. Or, better yet, create a new group within the church. 

There are some churches that God has chosen to be primarily concerned with outreach and missions which is fantastic! I wish there were more of these churches -- we should ALL be actively engaged in evangelism, everywhere and all the time. If God puts someone in our path, that is the person to whom we must minister. He ordains our ways. He chooses those with whom we associate. He controls circumstances.

[crissy464]

God welcomes all people regardless of there race, religion, gender or ethnicity.
 
The church looks at you more closely, do you look the same, speak the same, are you sinners, poor. This is not being a Christian things must
Change. The church should welcome everone, God would
 
My church is friendly 
 
Every Christian should b treated the same, we are all the same in Gods eyes

[Kak]

Q1.I have never taken in this verse before! It is about Jesus showing us that everyone is welcome to follow Him and go to church. It is a verse that all churches need to be aware of and obey. 
We need to love people and leave God to judge them. In our church there has not been a problem, but we are a small church and a small church family.  We are constantly praying for unity within the church.