The Same But Different

Dr. David Lorenz
July 27, 2009

Everyone's heard of the phrase, "the same but different."
- Coke & Pepsi
- Toyota & Lexus
- Pastor David & Pastor David
- Coach & 1st Class

Galatians 3:25-29


Here are 3 ways of how the promises of our faith bind us together:

1. Our Faith Connects Us
When we accept Christ we exchange our clothes for the new clothes of God. We go from having a guardian that tells us what we can and can't do to having the freedom and grace we have in Christ. This relationship connects us to all people in Christ. We have a global church because no matter where in the world they are or their backgrounds we are connected. Humanity is divided. Culture, flesh, law, religion divides us but Jesus can bring us together.

2. Our Faith Unifies Us
We are one in Christ. When we are baptized we are showing outwardly that we are all on the same team. We are all from some place else just like in Galatia. It doesn't matter our profession or status because we are all different but we claim the same God. We are a part of the same family but we have a hard time seeing past the outside of people. When we label people it divides us.

Just like in the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, there are lessons in loving people no matter their background because we are all family. Gus, a devote Greek man and the father of the bride, wants his daughter to marry a Greek man. When Tula, his daughter finds the man of her dreams, Ian Miller, her dad disapproves and can't understand her motives. Over time he learns to love him and accept him. Watch a clip below...



Through a beautiful picture of God's grace, He connects and unifies us. The church needs to do life together. A big church becomes small through Life Groups. We can't get pass our differences unless we live together. Everyone is important in the family of God. The church is the place to change the world. 25% of Americans gather voluntarily to worship each week. We are unified. If we can minister to each other we can minister to the world.


3. Faith Provides Us an Inheritance
We will be perfect in heaven and we will be together forever. We will understand what it means to be perfect and we can start now. We are no longer bound to a set of rules because we have a relationship with Christ. We can look forward to the day we will be with Christ. We get to look forward to this day together with our church family.

The big question is: What has our faith done for us? Connects and Unifies us and gives us Hope.

Some people are self-reliant. If all you see are difference you need a relationship with Jesus. God's family want you to be a part of the family. We are different but the same in God.