Untitled Sermon (41)

RACIAL HARMONY: THE RELATIONAL RESULT OF THE PICTURE IN THE ROOM WHERE IT’S HAPPENING

INTRODUCTION

PERMIT ME TO BE A BIT BIOGRAPHICAL AT THE OUT-START

I AM CALLED TO THIS GOSPEL OF RACIAL HARMONY. I HAD NOT ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD THE DEPTHS F WHAT THE LORD WAS CALLING ME TO - NOT UNTIL MARCH 3RD OF THIS YEAR.

BUT LET ME GO BACK A BIT

ALMOST LOST MY LIFE AT 12 - TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: THE LORD HEALED ME COMPLETELY

BEGAN TO BE AWAKENED BY THE LORD AT AGE 13 AND BY AGE 15 I PUBLICLY DECLARED MY FAITH IN BAPTISM

AT THE AGE 17 THE LORD BEGAN CALLING ME INTO THE MINISTRY

IN THIS SEASON I HAD A VIVID DREAM (BRIEFLY EXPLAIN)

DID NOT KNOW THE FULL IMPACT OF THIS DREAM UNTIL MARCH 3RD

AT AGE 19 I PREACHED MY FIRST SERMON

IN THAT SEASON THE LORD LAID ON MY HEART A DESIRE - A BURDEN FOR THE ISSUE OF RACIAL UNITY IN THE CHURCH

CALLED A PASTOR AND SHARED WITH HIM WHAT FELT LIKE THEN, AS BEST AS I COULD DISCERN IT - LIKE A CALLING: A SPECIFIC MINISTRY CALLING

HE SAID:

I NEVER QUIT. I KEPT PROBING AND LEARNING AND PLACING MYSELF IN POSITIONS THAT DEMONSTRATED MY PASSION FOR THE GOSPEL OF RACIAL HARMONY.

ON MARCH 3RD ABOUT 9PM SOMETHING HAPPENED IN MY OFFICE. THE LORD WAS INCREDIBLY PRESENT WITH ME

SUM OF IT: THE DREAM MADE SENSE.

THE LORD WAS, AT THAT TIME, SHOWING ME A PARTICULAR CROSS THAT WOULD BE MINE TO BEAR - RACIAL HARMONY

ON THAT NIGHT I FELT A DIFFERENT CALLING: TO GIVE THE REST OF MY DAYS TO THIS TEACHING, WRITING AND COMMUNICATING THE CENTRALITY OF RACIAL UNITY AS THE EXPRESSION OF THE GOSPEL IN THE WORLD

TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING IN REVELATION THAT PROVES THIS IS CENTRAL TO THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CHURCH

I WANT YOU TO SHIFT YOUR THINKING A BIT THIS MORNING AND RECEIVE THE INVITATION THAT CHRIST GAVE TO JOHN IN Revelation 4:1- WHEN HE SAID: COME UP AND.. SEE…

Revelation 4:1 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

I WANT YOU NOW TO HEAR JESUS SAYING TO YOU THIS MORNING: COME UP HERE AND LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING.

I WANT YOU TO RECEIVE THE INVITATION AS THE LORD SAYING TO YOU

I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHO I AM

I WANT YOU TO SEE WHO AND WHAT MY SON DID FOR YOU

LAST WEEK WE SAW THAT WHAT JOHN SAW WAS THAT

NOTHING IS MEANINGLESS – GOD IS IN CONTROL

NOTHING WILL HARM YOU – CHRIST HAS CONQUERED

BUT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE ADDITIONAL REALITY THAT THE LORD SHOWED

I WANT YOU TO SEE ONE MORE REALITY / PICTURE THAT SHOULD CONTROL

OUR LIVING

THINKING AND

THE WAY WE RESPONSE IN THIS WORLD.

JOHN SAW THIS

Revelation 5:9 ESV

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,

JOHN SAW BEFORE THE LAMB A PEOPLE AS DIVERSE AS THW WORLD, THAT INCLUDED PEOPLE OUT OF EVERY

TRIBE, LANGUAGE, AND PEOPLE AND NATION

NOW, SINCE GOD SHOWED JOHN THIS IN THE ROOM WHERE ITS HAPPENING THEN THIS, CLEARLY, IS AS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AS GOD IS IN CONTROL AND CHRIST HAS CONQUERED.

SERMON: RACIAL DIVISION OPPOSES MY ETERNAL PURPOSE: CHRIST DIED TO UNITE THE NATIONS TO THE FATHER AND THE NATIONS TO ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE

HOW IS RACIAL HARMONY CENTRAL THE THE GOSPEL?

I. RACIAL HARMONY: THE FRUIT OF A CRUCIFIED COMMUNITY

JOHN TELLS US THAT JESUS - THEW LAMB SLAIN BUT STANDING IS WORTHY OF PRAISE BECAUSE BY HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION HE HAS CREATED A UNIFIED PEOPLE.

THE CRUCIFIED SAVIOR BECAUSE THE MODEL - THE LIFE PATTERN - OF THIS NEW COMMUNITY WHO, WITH THEIR OWN LIVES, ARE TO BE CRUCIFIED TO THE LORD AND HIS PURPOSES

WHAT IS AMAZING IS THAT THE WORTH AND WORTHINESS OF CHRIST- THE SLAIN LAMB IS

1. THAT HE DIED

2. HE REDEEMED, NOT JUST A PEOPLE, BUT A MULTINATION, MULTIRACIAL, MULTI CULTURAL PEOPLE WHOSE ONENESS IS A VISIBLE EXPRESSION OF HIS VICTORY

The Slain but Standing Lamb is the paradigm of the Standing but Slain church

Luke 9:23 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

JESUS SAID FOLLOW ME:

HE DIED FOR SINNERS

WE CAN’T DIE TO CULTURE

FOLLOW ME: “WATCH HOW I LOVE AND THEN MODEL IT:

John 13:34 ESV

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.

John 15:12 ESV

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

LOVE UNITED THE NATIONS UNDER CHRIST. LOVE ELIMINATED CULTURE AND RACE AS A CRITERIA FOR FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNITY.

JESUS SAYS, I LAY UPON YOU NOW, THOIS BURDEN: LOVE LIKE ME!!

LISTEN TO ME:

RACIAL HARMONY IS NO PASSING FAD

RACIAL HARMONY IS NO INCIDENTAL REALITY THAT WE CAN CHOOSE OR NOT TO CHOOSE TO LOVE, MODEL AND DEMONSTRATE

NOOOO – RACIAL HARMONY IS THE FRUITFUL WORK OF THE REDEMPTION OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

HERE IS WHAT THAT MEANS

WE ARE UNITED NOT BY COLOR -BUT BY THE CROSS

BUT NOT SIMPLY THE IDEA OF THE CROSS BUT THE RE-ENACTMENT OF THE CROSS IN OUR DAILY DEATH TO SELF AND CULTURE

HOW FAR REACHING WAS THE LAMBS LOVE?

Persons of every tribe and language and people and nation were included

THAT’S HOW FAR REACHING MY LOVE MUST BE AS A CHRISTIAN

THAT’S HOW FAR REACHING OUR MISSION MUST BE AS A CHURCH

ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT IS NOT SIMPLY UNCIVILIZED – IT IS UNCHRISTIAN

SO,

IF MY LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN EXCLUDES ANOTHER BROTHER OR SISTER BECAUSE OF THEIR COLOR – MY REACH IS NOT GOD’S REACH

IF OUR PURPOSE AS A CHURCH EXCLUDES ANOTHER BROTHER OR SISTER BECAUSE OF THEIR COLOR – OUR REACH IS SHORTER THAN GOD’S REACH

THE LOVE OF GOD IS A LOVE WITHOUT CULTURAL DISTINCTION AND A LOVE WITHOUT RACIAL EXCEPTION

NOW HERE IS THE DEMANDING REALITY OF LOVE: WE DON’T GET TO BECOME EXHAUSTED IN ITS EXPRESSION

DONT GET ME WRONG, I KNOW YOU GET TIRED - LORD KNOWS WE DO.

I KNOW YOU GET WEARY FROM ACCUSATION AFTER ACCUSTATION

I KNOW GET;’S HEAVY TO SHOULDER OFFENSE AFTER OFFENSE

BUT - MAHALIA JACKSON SANG THE SONG

WHERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?

HERE IS THE ANSWER: YES, I WAS THERE

I WAS THERE WITH MY SIN ALL UOP ON HIM - YET HE LOVED ME WITH THE CROSS

I WAS THERE WITH ALL MY GUILT BORN ON HIM - YET HE LOVED ME WITH THE CROSS

I WAS THERTE WITH ALL OF MY MOCKING SHAME, AND SCOFFING RUDE - YET, IN MY PLACE CONDEMNED HE STOOD

IN THE VERNACULAR OF OPRAH, YOU WERE THERE, YOU WERE THERE EVERY BODY WAS THERE

BUT WHAT I HEARD ON THE CROSS WAS NOT A RUNNING DOWN OF WHAT WAS DONE TO HIM

WHAT I HEARD ON THE CROSS WAS NOT A COMPLAINING TO THE FATHER OF HOW HE DID NOT DESERVE THIS

WHAT I HEARD WADS THIS: BLOODIED, BRUISED, MOCKED AND SHAME: I HEARD THE LORD SAY

Luke 23:34 ESV

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

CAUSE HERE IS WHAT HE KNEW: THE CROSS - HIS DEATH - WAS OUR HOPE

HERE IS WHAT WE SEE IN THE ROOM: LOVE EXPRESSED BY A SLAIN LAMB AND JOHN IS USHERED IN TO A REALITY TO SHOWS HIM THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ADVANCED BY A PEOPLE OF GOD WHO LOOK LIKE EVERY TONGUE TRIBE PEOPLE AND NATION ALL BECAUSE THEY ARE CHOOSING TO DIE, DAILY, FOR THE HONOR AND GLORY OF THE ONE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN

YOUR CROSS - YOUR DEATH - IS NOT ONLY SOMEONE CROWN

BUT YOUR CROSS IS THE LOVE OF GOD MADE VISIBLE .

SO YES, LOVING ACROSS CULTURE IS HARD

BUT HARD IN NOT A HANDICAP: ITY IS YOUR HOLINESS

II. RACIAL HARMONY: THE FRUIT OF A CONTRAST COMMUNITY

We are the kingdom of priests from heaven whose reign on earth is to show what heaven looks like

WE ARE, AS A CHURCH, AN EMBASSY OF HEAVN ON EARTH, PLACED HERE TO SHOW WHAT HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE RULED AND GOVERN BY THE LORD.

PAUL PUT IT THIS WAY

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

NEW CREATION: GOD HAS SET UP ON EARTH THE NEW CREATION OF HEAVEN

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

JESUS SHOWED JOHN THIS PICTURE OF THE CHURCH BECAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW THAT EVERYTHING ON THIS EARTH WILL GO AGAINST THIS RELATIONAL DESIGN OF THE KINGDOM

HERE IS THE REALITY

RACIAL DIVISION EXISTS WHERE A CHRISTIAN OR THE CHURCH DOES NOT

FOR WHEREVER THE CHURCH IS THERE IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE LOVE AND LOOK OF HEAVEN

WE ARE A CONTRAST COMMUNITY MEANING THAT WE ARE TO BE THE

TO REJECT A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST BECAUSE OF THEIR COLOR IS TO REJECT ONE WHO REIGNS IN THIS KINGDOM OF GOD AS A PRINCE. -THEREFORE, YOU ARE OPPOSING THE KINGDOM RULE OF GOD.

THEREFORE, ANYONE WHO REJECTS A PERSON BECAUSE OF THEIR SKIN COLOR CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE THEY ARE OPPOSING THE RULE OF GOD. A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT STAND

RACISTS ARE DIVIDED PEOPLE; CONFUSED PEOPLE; EVIL PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE CLAIMING GOD BUT BEHAVING GODLESS

NOW, IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO ME AND THINKING ABOUT ALL THOSE OTHER FOLKS OF DIFFICIENT CULTURE THAN YOU ARE WHO FIR THIS DESCRIPTION THEN YOU MIGHT BE ONE OF THEM

RACISM MAKES YOU ANGRY BUT IT SHOULD EQUALLY IF NOT MORESO, BREAK YOUR HEART

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS MISREPRESENTED BY DIVISIVE FOLKS AND MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE DISGUST AND OR HATRED OF PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR CULTURE IS CONTRARY TO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT IS GODLY.

CONCLUSION

JESUS IS SAYING TO JOHN, “ I WANT YOU TO BE I THE ROOM WHERE ITS HAPPENING BECAUSE THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH WILL BE THREATENED BY SIN, POLITICS, AND ??? SOME MIGHT BE DETERRED BY THIS AND FALL AWAY WHILE OTHERS MIGHT EMBRACE IT AND FUIRTHER THE DIVIDE. BUT QWHAT I NEED YOU TO SEE AND ALWAYS REMEMBER IS WHAT THE CHURCH LOOKS KIKE THAT I DIED FOR AND BUILT.

IT IS NEITHER ALL BLACK

ALL WHITE,

ALL HISPANIC,

ALL CARRIBEAN,

IT IS MADE UP OF EVERY TONGUE TRIBE PEOPLE AND NATION.

THIS MEANS THAT EVERY CHURCH MUST HAVE AS IT PASSION, GOALS AND MISSION TO REFLECT ON EARTH WHAT HEAVEN WILL LOOK LIKE.

BUT IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN CHRISTIAN’S NEED TO POSSESS A HEART THAT IS LIKE THE HEART OF JESUS. ‘

WE NEED TO POSSESS AND DEMONSTRATE THE LOVE THAT IS LIKE THE LOVE OF JESUS

WHEN YOU GO INTO THE ROOM WHERE IT’S HAPPENING CULTURE SUCCUMBS TO CHRIST.

WHEN YOU GET INTO THE ROOM WHERE ITS HAPPENING IT BECOMES CHRIST ABOVE CULTURE

WHEN YOU GO INTO THE ROOM WHERE ITS HAPPENING:

· CULTURE DOES NOT DRIVE OR DICTATE: CHRIST DOES

· RACE DOES NOT GUIDE OR GOVERN: CHRIST DOES

· HERITAGE IS NOT FIRST OR FINAL : CHRIST IS

OH, IN OTHER WORDS WHEN YOU ARE IN THE ROOM WHERE ITS HAPPENING

1. Blackness is guided by the Biblical

2. Whiteness is informed by the Word

3. Hispanic is consumed with the Holy

4. Latino is laid low by His Lordship

5. Carribean is captive to Christ

IT’S NOT ABOUT

· Malcolm nor Martin – It’s about the Master

· White Nationalism – Word for the Nations

SO LET’S MAKE IT PLAIN

· If you don’t like worship and get annoyed by going to worship – you can’t go to heaven

Last I checked, that all they do in heaven

· If you got a problem with people of a race different than yours – you cant go to heaven

Last I checked every nation was hanging out in the vestibule of heaven, in the courtyard, at the Starbucks,

I mean, in heaven, everybody that you don’t like is everywhere in heaven