A Biblical Perspective on Racism (full service)

Sunday August 7, 2016
Speaker:

(Tongues and an interpretation were given: God’s heart is for us. He raised us up to be His warriors. Will you take up the challenge to do His Word? Will you take up the challenge to speak to others about Him?) (Levi Lapp shared about an upcoming mission trip to Guatemala in December.) Sermon: There is really one race, the human race, but there are many ethnicities. The problem of racism cannot be fixed by government or other natural means. There is currently more focus on racism, which brings fear and makes it more of an issue. [What you fear, you empower.] Racism is a sin issue. People need the love of Christ. We are made new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God set apart the race of Jews to be priests, but Jesus made us one in Him. Galatians 3:28 says that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, or male nor female. All have equal rights to the kingdom of God. Prejudice can be based on ethnicity, race, or income. The problem is based on sin. It must be addressed at the root. Jesus died for each person. We need to focus on bringing the Word. See people as God sees them. Our instruction on how to walk in these times is found in Philippians 2:3,4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.God is not a respecter of persons but a respecter of faith. Prejudice is also a result of selfishness. We are to honor everyone (1 Peter 2:17), forgive those who have wronged us with words and attitudes of prejudice, love others without hypocrisy, detest evil, cling to what is good, look for truth, serve the Lord, and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9-21).