2 Samuel 6:1-5
David again brought together out of Israel chosen men, thirty thousand in all. 2 He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.
Leviticus 19:33-34
33 "’When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Infinite Love
1) Review Toy Story
2) Lead in to today – Tension between the old and the new.
3) Watch clip.
4) Illustration… the difficulty of dealing with the different.
Native-born Fairburian! 5th generation Fairburian! If you have only been here for 2 generations… you are a noob!
It’s hard to get along with somebody different than you. (Odd couple) It’s hard to love a stranger. (We are taught stranger danger!) It’s hard to tolerate someone who does things differently than we do.
Buzz was pushed out the window… by Woody! Who do we push out?
5) Moving beyond love… infinite love
Have you ever noticed: When the other fellow acts "that way", he is ugly; when you do, it’s nerves. When others are set in their ways, they’re obstinate; when you are, it is firmness. When your neighbor doesn’t like your friend, he’s prejudiced; when you don’t like his, you are a good judge of human nature. When he tries to treat someone especially well, he’s a flatterer; when you try it, you are being thoughtful.
When he takes time to do things well, he’s a slowpoke or lazy; when you do, you are deliberate and careful. When he spends a lot, he is a spend thrift; when you do, you’re generous. When someone picks flaws in things, he’s cranky and critical; when you are, it is graciousness. When someone dresses especially well, that person is extravagant; when you do, it is tastefulness. When he says what he thinks, he’s spiteful; when you do, you are being frank. When he takes great risks in business, he’s foolhardy; when you do, you are a wise financier.
Leviticus 19:33-34
33 "’When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
We need to move beyond our diffrences and reach out with infinite love to welcome in those who are different than us. To make this church a place that welcomes all people and excludes none.
