Untitled Sermon (3)

What is Race

The lineage of a family or continued series of descendants from a parent that is called a stock. A race is the series of descendants indefinitely. Thus, all mankind is called the race of Adam. The Israelites are of the race of Abraham and Jacob. Thus, we speak of a race of Kings, the race of Charlemagne, a race of nobles.

b. What is Race? A Generation; A family of descendants.

c. A particular Breed (From the American Dictionary of the English Language – 1828)

2. Is Race an Issue in our country?

There are race problems on all sides, there is so much division, brokenness, hatred, in this fallen world we live in. We hear so much about:

i. Rejection

ii. Injustice

iii. Division/Brokenness

iv. Black Lives Matter

v. George Floyd

vi. Incarceration among Black people at such a higher level, and sentencing/prison times

b. Fathers and mothers must discuss the talk with their sons and daughters to keep them safe. So much racial biases, injustice, based on skin color, physical characteristics, facial features, and stature.

3. Is Race an issue in churches?

Barna study – Do you Think the US has a Race Problem? (The research for the study surveyed 2,889 US Christian adults between July 2019 thru August 5, 2019)

The study in 2019 found that only 38% of white practicing Christians believe our country has a race problem.

78% of black practicing Christians perceive we our country has a race problem.

1. In a 2020 poll, the divide is even wider. If the Christian Church fails to address the complex and thorny issues of racism in our time, we have failed our fellow believers, and our Creator.

b. Zara Barnes – 4th Grader

c. Jerry/Joanie Turbyville

4. What does the OLD Testament Scriptures About Race

a. Genesis 1:27 “So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

b. Deuteronomy 10:17 “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.”

c. 1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

d. Malachi 2:10 “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?”

e. Jewish Bible – Don’t we all have the same father? Didn’t one God create us all? Then why do we break faith with each other, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?

5. What does the New Testament say about Race?

a. John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

b. Acts 10:28 “And he said to them, ‘You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.'”

c. Acts 10:34-35 So, Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

d. Jewish Bible: Then Peter began to speak I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

e. Acts 17:26 “And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth.”

f. Romans 10:12-13 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

g. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male or female, for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one.

h. Colossians 3:11 “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”

i. Romans 2:11 For God judges everyone by the same Standard (Good New Translation)

God does not show favoritism (NLT)

For there is no respect of persons with God (KJV)

God does not show favor to one man more than to another (New Life Version)

j. 1st Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

k. Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.'”

6. As Christians, what are we responsible to do to make things better regarding race?

1. Examine (Search deeply) the condition of your heart?

2. Is it humble and contrite?

3. Would the state of my heart please God?

4. Are there some changes I need to make for my heart to be pure?

5 Choose to not allow our life experiences to override the Life that Jesus lived and Word of God.

6. Stay focused on Eternity. Race is not an eternal issue.

7. Realize that my value is not determined by how another person treats me. Our value is determined by our Creator. We are amazing because we are created by God. Know that God was exactly right to allow my mom to give birth to me. We choose to make a difference in this world as God planned for each of us to do. We are wonderfully and fearfully made.

8. Consider that Racism is not a skin issue, it is a sin issue. Don’t fear having conversation and digging deeper to understand people you don’t usually know much about. Don’t be afraid, when someone calls you racist, or other negative phrases that is part of the narrative today.

9. Have an attitude like Jesus…

i. Philippians 2: 1-11

ii. 1 Peter 2:13-24

j. Live a life of Love, Be authentic with Loving people.

i. 1 Corinthians 13

7. Conclusion

a. Jesus is Bigger than Race – We can choose to Model the example He gave us to follow.