Resiliency of the Black Church

The resiliency of the Black Church Jesus said Upon this Rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. (Mt 16:13–20).

The Black Church have come a mighty long way. But, The Black Church still have a long way to go. From the Invisible Institutions of the Bush Harbors to the most Visible Institutions in the Black Community. The Black Church still have a mighty long way to go.

When we view history, our history can be largely viewed through the eyes of the Black Church. We take out this time because we believe History is important. When we look at the Biblical Record we see that History plays an important role in the development of God’s Children. History is a source of Faith. I can still hear the choirs of yesterday singing we come this far by faith leaning on the Lord!

We’ve Come This Far By Faith, Leaning On The Lord. Trusting In His Holy Word. He’s Never Failed Us Yet. Oh, Oh- Oh- Can’t Turn Around, We’ve Come This Far By Faith.

From History we can learn what God has done for others and have faith that He is able to do the same thing for us. When Moses tried to give the Children of Israel reasons to trust God, he begins his writings not with the Exodus story but rather with the Historical Book call Genesis. That tells the story of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

History is also a source of Hope. Daniel, while living behind enemy lines, seeks a reason for hope does not search the future but the Historical Writings of Jeremiah.

History is a source of Understanding. When the Apostle Paul addresses the need for a Savior, he does not use personal or present sins but connects the need of a Savior back to the first man Adam and the original sin.

Finally, History is a source of Vision. The vision of Greater Mt. Moriah is rooted in the historical vision of the church being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The Vision of Greater Mt. Moriah is grounded upon the vision of God for His Church

Not only is History important generally, but Black History is important particularly. Black History teaches us about the numerous contribution made by individuals of African descent. Contributions in the fields of science, politics, world affairs, and education. Lessons about hard work, faithfulness, and “You can make it if you try”. The history of the Black Church can also teach us a lot. The History of the Black church can teach us about faith in God in spite of conditions and situations, about the power in prayer, about holding on to God’s unchanging hand, and the amazing grace that God has shown toward us.

The Black Church was born in the Slavery, reared in Segregation and Discrimination, now in the prime of its life The Black Church is standing at a crossroads, between ways of its former Oppressor and the way of its fore-parents. The choice we make will determine our future. The Black Church is dangerously close to losing its effectiveness. Yet I hold on to the words Jesus said that upon this Rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!

What are we experiencing today? What are we facing as a church? I believe there are too many not connecting the church to their history. We would not have the privileges we have today if it was not for the Black Church.

We can be assured that God sees and knows the works and efforts extended by the Black Church. The Lord watches over the Black Church. He takes note of our works of gratitude. The Lord sees how we work not in order to gain salvation but out of thankfulness for the free gift of salvation. The Lord knows that The Black Church have worked long hours under some of the most difficult situations. He knows our work of faith, our labor of love, and our patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Black Church has been busy working hard in the areas of Evangelism – Spreading the Gospel message to generations after generations. In the area of Mission – by visiting the sick and shut in. By offering Religious Instructions about Love, Forgiveness, Grace and Mercy. The Black Church have told and Retold the Old, Old story about God’s love for Humanity. The Black Church have been busy in Civil Matters such as the Abolishment of Slavery, The Civil Rights movement. The Black Church have organized around Voting Rights and Human Rights, making their members concern and active.

The Black Church have worked hard in the areas of Education, teaching their young to read and by offering affordable Child Care. The Black Church has worked in Personal and Community Development. Developing Faith in times of sickness and death, and Patience in times of Injustices. The Black Church has nurtured marriages, and offered spiritual healing in the times of divorce. The Black Church has been busy working hard training leaders and giving people much need opportunities to develop skills and talents. The Black Church can rest in the assurance that the Lord sees and knows our works.

The Black Church have come a mighty long way. But, The Black Church still have a long way to go. From the Invisible Institutions of the Bush Harbors to the most Visible Institutions in the Black Community. The Black Church still have a might long way to go. Not only must the Black Church be involved in Intercessory Prayer – but The Black Church must also be involved in Intercessory Service. As technology grows the African American community is getting further and further behind. The Black Church must be involved in Intercessory Training. As Education becomes vital to the success of our young people the Black Church must be involved in Intercessory Education. As drugs is sweeping the black community and our young people are going to a Jail campus more often than a college campus the Black Church must be involved in Intercessory Intervention, and Intercessory Rehabilitation.

Simply put the Black Church must stand in the Gap. The Black Church must stand in the Gap for Single Mothers. As the baby boomer become older their will be a greater need for the Black Church to stand in the gap for the Elderly. Stand in the Gap for the Education of our Youth, where we find a growing apathy towards the community. The youth of today have a growing lack of concern, indifference, lack of interest to the development of their own community. The Black Church must stand in the Gap. The Black Church have come a mighty long way but The Black Church still have a mighty long way to go.

The soul of the Black Church rest upon its ability not only to get people out to vote but teaching people the importance of voting and how to vote. Teaching people how to discern between candidates, platforms, and records. Not only telling parents to train up their child in the way they should go, but also, take the lead in Parenting Classes. Not only telling children that Education is important but taking the lead in After-School programs, Tutorial programs, and Computer Classes.

The Black Church must take the lead in teaching its young not only to be consumers but producers. Not only employees but employers, not only spenders but savers, training them about making money but also investing finance. The time has come for the Black Church to move to the next level. YES, The Black Church have come a mighty, mighty, mighty long way, but The Black Church still have a mighty long way to Go.

The Black Church must never become satisfied with just getting out of Egypt of Inequality but The Black Church must continue to strive to reach the promise land of Equality.

Yes Jesus said upon this rock i will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. He had the Black Church in mind when he made that statement.

In our Sunday School Lesson Jesus is referred to rock of offense or a stumbling block to the world but to us He is the chief corner stone! Yes the stone the builders rejected is our stone of surety.

We don’t give our fore parents enough credit. They understood that Jesus is that rock they could depend on! They pursue God in faith. That is