Panel Discussion
Sermon Notes
Today’s the last week in our teaching series called Graceful Resistance. It’s about living with convictions in a culture of compromise. We’ve addressed some major cultural topics such as critical race theory, sexuality, gender identity, and religious liberties. We’ve addressed these topics not to be controversial, but to show that the gospel of Jesus can bring healing to what’s already controversial topics. Our desire throughout this series has been to approach these topics with the same attitude the Apostle Peter teaches us in 1st Peter 3:15 (ESV), “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” Our desire has been to approach these topics with “gentleness” and “respect,” with a graceful resistance, and it’s still our desire as we close this series out with a panel discussion. Zack will lead the panel discussion, and it’ll consist of various questions from the topics we preached on in this series. So, at this time let’s have Emmanuel and Kristen come on up, and we’ll start addressing some questions.
Zack: Thank you guys for being willing to sit in the hot seat and give us some further insight on these questions. You guys know Pastor Louis, he’s the lead pastor here at City Awakening. Kristen Wood is our Missions and Discipleship Catalyst. She is passionate about discipleship, especially among women. And Emmanuel Bellon is one of our elders here at City Awakening. He serves as the Vice President for the Executive Network at ScholarLeaders. He works with a team of people around the world developing leaders and brings a lot of experience to the table. So Emmanuel we’re going to jump in with you first.
What's your perspective on how race is viewed in U.S. compared to other parts of the world?
Emmanuel: In my experience, there is more awareness outside the US about the reality of race and its impact on individual lives, families, tribes, and nations. Race-related issues are discussed more freely in other countries. This awareness and openness motivates Christians to be intentional about addressing inequalities.
How do you think the Gospel can lead the way in race reconciliation? How have you seen that take place around the world...breaking down dividing walls?
Emmanuel: At the core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the message of reconciliation. Jesus came to reconcile us to God and one another. Anyone who truly follows Jesus Christ must pursue reconciliation no matter the cost (2 Cor. 5:17-20). It cost Jesus his life for us to be reconciled to God, and it will cost us all something to turn away from our sinful nature to be reconciled to one another. The dividing wall was erected by our sin (Gen. 3). The message of salvation and hope in Jesus Christ is the only way to be reconciled to one another (Eph. 2). The one faith, God and one baptism unite all believers regardless of race. Nonetheless, reconciliation must begin in the church if we seek God to break the dividing walls of division in the church, then we can experience reconciliation in other areas in society (John 17:21). I have been involved in so many reconciliation meetings but all of them have fallen through after few years (Uganda, South Sudan, etc). The only reconciliations that have been sustainable are those that happened in the church (Kenya, Pasadena, etc.).
Louis, when you think about diversity within City Awakening, what is your hope/vision for the future?
My hope is to fulfill the Great Commission Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:19-20 which is to make disciples of all nations! It’s one of the reasons I wanted to start a church in Orlando, it’s because Orlando’s so diverse, that we literally have a chance to make the Great Commission a reality! Several years ago I did a study on the demographics of East Orlando, and within a 5 mile radius of UCF I learned there’s roughly 56% Anglos and 44% Non-Anglos. I also learned UCF’s student population represents 50 states and 120 different nations. We literally have the chance to reach the nations in our own front yards, which is why our mission statement is to Reach People, Reach The World. Its because we believe if we can reach people in East Orlando with the gospel, we can reach the nations with the gospel, since the nations are already here. It’ll take time and intentionality for this to happen, because people are comfortable living within their own cultural ethnic boundaries. But we’re committed to this vision, it’s a part of our code, our genetic DNA as Christians to value cultural diversity yet gospel unity, since the gospel’s our common ground. We want to see more diversity on our worship team, preaching team, leadership team, greeters at the door, every ministry area in the church. We want to see the people in our church living diverse lives, inviting a diversity of people in their homes and to the church. It isn’t about tokenism, it’s about fulfilling the Great Commission. It’s about making disciples of every nation, and we have such a great opportunity to do that here in Orlando. God willing, it’ll happen.
Kristen, we spent two weeks talking issues of sexuality and gender. This is such a relevant topic in our lives right now, and one that I know you have some personal experience with over the past few years.
So in your opinion, how can Christians help a same sex orientation or gender fluid person feel welcomed in Christian community?
I think it’s important that we as Christians start by asking ourselves, “what aversions or fears do I have towards engaging with the LGBTQ community?” Maybe it’s fear that you’ll say the wrong thing. Maybe it’s fear that their lifestyle will rub off on you or your family. Maybe it’s a genuine disdain for their lifestyle. Whatever the case, it is important to challenge those fears by examining how Jesus interacted with those that were radically different than Him. During his time, tax collectors were the ones viewed as “untouchables” or “unredeemables,” yet several times throughout the Gospels we see Jesus reclining at a table with them. He was not only dining with them in their homes but was relaxed and unfazed by their presenting brokenness. But it’s also important to remember that He dined with sinners without sinning with sinners. He was accepting, but not approving. We can and should open our homes, but with great discernment and a community of believers to partner with us and hold us accountable. In one of my favorite books by Rosaria Butterfield called The Gospel Comes With a House Key she addresses the power of radical hospitality, loving people where they are instead of where you want them to be. She says, “in post-Christian communities, your words can be only as strong as your relationships. Your best weapon is an open door, a fresh pot of coffee, and a box of Kleenex for the tears that spill.” Fight to remember that God desires ALL people to know him no matter their current brokenness.
Louis, in follow up to that, the next question is one that some of our people may have already been faced with and will likely be faced with in the future.
Should I attend a same-sex wedding?
This is certainly a difficult situation, because many of us have same sex orientation friends and family members that we love tremendously. We don’t want to hurt them by saying “no” to their invitation, and we also don’t want to burn a bridge in being able to talk with them about Jesus since they already trust you as a Christian. We know they love and trust you as a Christian, or else they wouldn’t have invited you to their wedding. So it’d be a painfully difficult situation to say “no” to their invitation. But if you say “yes” to their invitation, then you’re being dishonest in the relationship because you’re showing support for something you don’t believe in. You’re also giving them a false impression of the Christian view on marriage and sexuality. In Genesis 1 God designed marriage and sexuality for 1 man and 1 woman in a heterosexual marital relationship, which Jesus later affirms in Mark 10. So saying “yes” to the invitation gives a false impression that God would approve of their same sex union, which goes against God’s design.
Now some people are like “Yeah but Jesus often shared meals and interacted with all kinds of people whose lifestyles weren’t consistent with biblical teachings. Why is attending a same sex wedding any different?” It’s because weddings represent so much more than just sharing a meal or interacting with others, they represent an endorsement and celebration. Attending a wedding entails witnesses, signatures endorsing a marriage certificate, and celebrations during and after the ceremony. Your attendance is saying “I endorse this marriage, I approve this marriage, I’m here to celebrate this marriage.” So Christians need to ask is this something God would endorse and celebrate? According to Genesis 1, Jesus in Mark 10, and other scriptures speaking against same sex sexuality, the answer is “no.”
Some might say “Well then we shouldn’t attend a non-Christian heterosexual wedding either?” But that’s different since that marriage isn’t against God’s design for marriage and sexuality. It also has the potential of one day being a Christian martial union in alignment with Jesus’ teachings, unlike same sex marital unions which go against Jesus’ teachings. Since that’s the case, I’d have to gracefully decline a same sex invitation for the following 3 reasons.
1. I don’t want to be dishonest to my friend by supporting something I don’t believe in.
2. I don’t want to give a false impression of Christianity’s view on marriage and sexuality.
3. I don’t want to endorse and celebrate something God wouldn’t endorse and celebrate.
I’d have to decline for those 3 reasons, but I’d do it in a tender way that expresses how much I still love them as a person, even though we have different beliefs on marriage. I’d want them to know that our differing beliefs doesn’t change my love for them, and hopefully it doesn’t change their love for me. It’d be wrong for me to hate them and alienate them for their differing beliefs, but it’d be just as equally wrong for them to hate me and alienate me for my differing beliefs. So I’d say “no” to the invitation, but “yes” to still loving them instead of alienating them.
Emmanuel, I think one of the biggest challenges with the topic of sexuality and gender is for parents. Kids are now faced with this issue at increasingly younger ages.
In your opinion, what are some helpful tips for parents on talking to their kids about gender identity and any uncertainty they may have?
Parents have a challenging task to lay a biblical foundation for their children about gender identity. Parents can do this by investing time in the study of God’s Word with our children. A. It does not need to be complicated; brief devotional time with kids twice or thrice a week will give teachable moments for parents to (1) discuss and explain why God created humanity male and female (2) discuss the relationship between the fall of humanity and our sinful world (3) discuss other genders and God’s plan for humanity. B. Ask children questions about gender identity as you go about regular life duties such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, vacation, travel, and play.
Last week, we touched on the topic of religious liberties. I think a lot of people are beginning to feel the pressure against their faith. This can likely lead one of two responses: 1) We shut down, hide our faith, or feel embarrassed to be different; or 2) We get very defensive and feel the need to fight back and defend our beliefs, maybe even write off people that don’t share the same beliefs that we do. Unfortunately, this plays right into the culture of canceling that has become so popular in the media today.
Emmanuel, what would you say is a Gospel alternative to our modern cancel culture?
Modern canceling attempts to silence, banish and even punish someone for making an unpopular statement. This "canceling" can sometimes result in a loss of a job and disassociation from peers. We learn from the Bible that Jesus did not silence or banish the religious leaders or the politicians during his time on earth. Doing so would have taken away any opportunity to dialogue and share the good news with them. Instead, he reached out with grace to share with corrupt tax collectors, hypocritical religious leaders, oppressive politicians to demonstrate the power of love. Apostle Paul admonished us to let no unwholesome words come out our mouths but that which can build others up according to their needs (Eph. 4:29). Christians should not condone the modern "cancel culture" practice but should reach out across the aisle to demonstrate the power of God for those who think, talk, and act differently from what we believe.
Two more questions. Louis, we know we should be open to listening and having conversations with people, but sometimes we may just feel like we need to do something more…and maybe we do.
But what are your thoughts on whether we should join in with boycotts or protests?
I’m always very hesitant to join boycotts and protests, unless they’re gospel centered and biblically motivated. The problem with a lot of boycotts and protests we’re seeing today is they have hidden agendas that aren’t gospel centered and biblically motivated. The bigger concern for me is with how many Christians are being duped into following the social media herd, following boycotts and protests with catchy hashtags that sound good, but have anti-gospel agendas. I’m concerned with how intellectually and theologically lazy Christians have become like Hebrews 5 states. I’m concerned with how easily Christians are being tossed back and forth by cultural ideological waves, instead of growing into Christ like maturity like Paul says in Ephesians 4:14 (CSB), “Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching...” So I’d encourage Christians to do their research before joining any boycott or protest. I’d encourage you to think critically, biblically, theologically, and to stay away from any boycott, protest, or movement that doesn’t have gospel centered alignment.
Kristen, last question of the day. How can Christians engage in respectful dialogue over political conversions with those they disagree with?
I think we should begin by considering what our end goals are in engaging in political discourse in order to keep it respectful. God certainly is not opposed to respectful dialogue about differing viewpoints. In Acts 17 Paul talks civilly with intellects and stoics about the Gospel. He took the time to explain as well as listen, finding redeemable aspects of their viewpoints. But ultimately, his goal was to lead them to Christ. Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” Although this is primarily referring to sharing our faith, the same concepts can be applied to sharing our opinions about political manners. We are to give a respectful defense, not looking to be “right” or to win an argument, but looking to show the world a different, more selfless approach to discourse. We also have to have the wisdom to pull back when we see our hearts starting to grow in anger or resentment towards others. At the end of the day, the care and concern for other people’s souls and views of Christ is far more important than having an upper hand in a conversation.
Thanks again for answering these questions. This has been a challenging series, but I know our groups have had some great discussion each week, hopefully your families have been able to have some good discussion. Remember that if you want to come back to one of these topics or dive deeper into any of them, each week have been posting additional resources on our website that can help you with that. Our goal is to maintain a Biblical worldview, standing on the truth of God’s Word, while showing compassion and grace to the world that needs to know and see Jesus.