Let’s Talk: An Introduction

As we head into our new series Let’s Talk: Identity this weekend, I’m aware that there are a variety of reactions people have had even before a word has been spoken - and can I say, this is completely understandable. Christian people have not always been good at talking about sensitive topics. I have been at talks by Christian preachers where people who think differently or appear to be living outside a Christian moral framework have been spoken about derogatorily, personally criticised and even mocked. I have just this week seen Christians behaving badly on social media - a Christian friend of mine with a theological PhD was described as “an annoying girlboss theologian […], like a maggot in the rotting corpse of good intention.” That was what another Christian theologian from America called her. Incredible right.

So I understand that for some people, you might be coming to these sessions with a measure of anxiety. For others, you might be coming, wondering what all the fuss is about - one person said to me, isn’t the Bible clear on these topics, so why do we need a sermon series? For others, you might be coming, hoping that what is said falls into line with the trajectory of society, assuming we are all ready to leave the Bible behind and keep in step with culture.

With all this in mind, I thought it would be helpful to let you know four things about the way we are approaching this series that will be helpful context for each of us as we arrive at church on Sunday and for each of the talks.

First, it is important to remember that we are not just talking about theoretical ideas in this series, we are talking about real people.

Every person who walks this planet is a precious creation of God and loved by him and we ought to view people through this lens. Every person is also unique and the way we experience life, our joys and sorrows, our strengths and frailties are often intensely personal. I don’t know what each of you are struggling with and you don’t know what the person next to you is struggling with. But I guarantee we are all struggling with something. So let us pursue kindness and compassion as we talk to each other; let us be curious and interested rather than cutting and ignorant. Consider the language you use, the way you speak and the assumptions you make as you speak. Why not try restricting yourself from sharing your own view on a subject until you have asked two questions about the view of the person you are talking to?

Second, it is important to remember that the heart of what we will do in this series is listen to God.

God’s word, the Bible, is not an old foundational text for fools. We believe the Bible is our final authority in matters of life and doctrine. As we saw in our 2 Timothy series, “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) So following Jesus means taking the Bible seriously; and just as he was gracious and compassionate, truthful and confronting, we will find the Bible to be the same. God is not a mute inanimate force but the merciful revealer of himself in Jesus Christ and through his Word. As we open the Bible we find the Spirit’s words that lead and guide us into all truth (not truths) and also judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). As we read the Bible, we trust the Spirit to be at work transforming our hearts and minds and leading us away from the patterns of this world (Romans 12:1-2). So come with your thoughts but prepare to be challenged by the God who speaks!

Third, we ought to expect that there will be disagreement among us about certain things.

I am certain this is already true and I am equally certain that this series will unearth new things for us to disagree about. Our growth group spent the last two weeks discussing what Christians believe and what we should do when we disagree and when we landed in Romans 14-15 we found three wonderful principles:

1. We should all pursue humility under God and in our relations with each other (14:4);

2. We should pursue truth under the Lordship of Jesus and through God’s word (14:8, 15:4); and

3. We should seek peace with each other (14:13-15).

None of this means that there is no truth or we can adopt multiple truths or that we ought not struggle to work things out. To the contrary, we ought to pursue truth together but humbly and peaceably. Theological disagreement has been ripping churches apart from the beginning (see Acts 15) and this is something to lament. So, Let’s Talk differently: pray, listen, be curious, think and engage with deep humility and real compassion.

Fourth, we hope that this series will equip you for life in the world.

We will move beyond the theoretical into the practical in each of the talks, question times and panel discussions that follow. We hope everyone will be equipped to answer hard questions and speak winsomely about Jesus to a world that does not want to hear his name. We will recommend books for further reading and thinking so you can continue to consider what God has to say and how to share that with the world. No theological exploration is ever simply intellectual because the one who lies at the centre of all theology loves you.

So with those things in mind, Let’s Talk. If you have already have questions you would like to ask you can head to https://slido.com/letstalkidentity. James and I are looking forward to opening the Bible with you and seeing what God might do among us in the weeks ahead.

See you Sunday.