Kate’s sermon focuses on breaking down barriers, embracing disruption, and following the Spirit into deeper expressions of God’s love. It begins by exploring how our worldviews, shaped by culture, religion, and personal experiences, can sometimes cause us to plateau in our growth. Using the story of Peter in Acts, the sermon highlights how his encounter with God, through visions and interactions with outsiders like Cornelius, shattered his rigid framework of clean versus unclean. This transformation led Peter to embrace freedom, inclusion, and complexity, demonstrating that God’s love is expansive and boundary-breaking. Historical examples like John Newton, the former slave trader turned abolitionist, and personal reflections on gender identity further illustrate the idea that disruption, though painful, can lead to profound growth and a greater understanding of God’s inclusive love.
The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own moments of disruption—times when their worldview was shaken by new experiences or perspectives—and to consider where God might be leading them. It acknowledges the fear and discomfort that come with leaving behind old paradigms but emphasizes the freedom and joy that emerge when one embraces transformation. By following the Spirit’s guidance, even when it disrupts their certainties, individuals can grow in love, courage, and understanding. Ultimately, the sermon invites everyone to open their hearts to God’s ever-widening, border-breaking love and to actively engage in practices that reflect this inclusive, transformative vision for the Kingdom of God.
Reflection Questions for this Week:
- Can you think of a time when your beliefs or worldview were challenged, and how did you respond to the disruption?
- How can we show God’s love more inclusively to people whose experiences or identities we don’t fully understand?
- What might help us overcome fear or discomfort when faced with change or new perspectives?