RACE/FAITH
Listen, Learn and Love
We will examine our biblical responsibility as Christians.
INTRO:
- The vast majority of Christians are not racists.
- Unity in Christ amongst diversity is our goal.
- Unity is always achieved through Christ.
I Corinthians 1:10
- In a time of great cultural division, the church has a grand opportunity to shine.
The Golden Rule is our goal:
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12
Jesus came to part the polarization of culture.
The issue is broader than race.
-Educational Prejudice
-Family Prejudice
-Gender Prejudice
-Monetary Prejudice
-Positional Prejudice
-Prestige Prejudice
-Racial Prejudice
POINT: Putting people down because we think we are better than someone else is not Christianity.
Acts 17:26-28
ROL/Christians stand against:
The church stands against bigotry.
The church stands against racism.
The church stands against prejudice.
The church stands against judgmentalism.
The church stands against misogyny.
The church stands against pride.
The church stands against arrogance.
The church stands against anything that would seek to make distinctions among people.
God’s people display unity and inclusiveness through Christ not bigotry.
God’s people embrace equality in Christ, not bigotry.
PREMISE: There is no institution on earth more equipped or more capable of bringing transformation to the cause of reconciliation than the church.
Revelation 7:9
Heaven is diverse and extremely multicultural.
-We have a sin problem not a skin problem.
-Our faith should integrate every segment of society.
-The salt of our Christianity should affect our culture rather than the culture affecting our Christianity.
-Christians should act the same inside and outside the church
POINT: I believe our individual hearts have the power to make all the difference in the world.
Especially considering the moment we’re in.
QUESTIONS
- What is our individual Christian responsibility regarding bigotry?
- What can the church corporately do to bridge the gaps in our community?
- Share an experience where you were challenged in your Christian experience amid bigotry.
- Share an experience where you defended someone who was being discriminated against.
- How do we love and reach out to the LGBTQ community without compromising our faith?
CONCLUSION:
“Know who you are, and you will like yourself and everyone else.”
POINT: Everyone must embrace who they are, and how God has made them.
No one should apologize for who they are and how they are made. Understanding yourself in the light of the gospel of Christ is a great step towards maturity.
I Corinthians 9:22
A stronghold cannot defeat another stronghold.
If you don’t like yourself, you will never like other people.
Prayer & Communion