Cross

Why is Racism Sin?

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Most thinking people know that racism is wrong but strange to say; not many seem to know why. Even defining racism can get pretty tricky. For example: is racism something only white people can do? Do Asians practice racism? If the inclusion of only certain ethnic groups in an activity is inherently racist then would that include The Sons of Portugal back in my hometown of Danbury Connecticut? Since it is unlikely we can overcome a problem without knowing what it is; why not start with the God who never changes and His word that points both directly to our sin and clearly to His solution?

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But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

“There is only one race…the human race.” Rosa Parks

Racism actually breaks both the sixth and ninth commandments. “Thou shalt not murder.” (included by Jesus with anyone who is angry with his brother.) And – “Thou shall not bear false witness” because anyone speaking and acting hatefully is also believing and propagating a lie. God is no respecter of persons i. e. – He is more concerned about heart color than skin color!

God is not passive. He doesn’t lightly look at the death of George Floyd or any other innocent person. In fact God was so angry about sin that He sent Jesus Christ to the cross to suffer and pay the price with His own blood for our forgiveness. Without the cross there is no hope for any of us..

I draw hope from the story of Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery. It begins with a crowd of angry men dragging a woman into the public square and asking Jesus if He was okay with her being stoned according to the law. Jesus strange response has a lot to do with our situation today. He didn’t say a single word. Instead He stopped down and began to write with His finger in the dirt while the mob continued shouting. Then Jesus stood up and said, “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.” There was suddenly a silence among the men as His words found their mark. What would Jesus be saying today as He looks over America? What would He say about me and you? Maybe He is silently waiting for us to see our need and remember the love of His cross. Maybe He is praying and weeping until we come to Him with our sin and find that at Calvary enemies become brothers and sinners of every color are made true friends.

In Remembrance

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For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you; that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread and when He had given thanks He broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.                                           1 Corinthians 11:23-24 ESV

That night when Jesus sat down for the last supper it seemed that just about everything was going wrong. Judas had gone to the high priest to betray him. The Sanhedrin had decided to have Jesus put to death. The other eleven disciples were spending part of their time at the table arguing over which one of them was the most important. But in the presence of so much going wrong the Bible tells us that on that night when he was betrayed Jesus blessed and shared the bread and then the cup. Not one single detail of His plan was stopped.

In some ways this scene reminds me of what we are passing through now with the Corona virus snatching away from us innocent lives. And in the middle of our own time of testing if we look to the Lord and remember we will find a promise of a rejoicing in faith; hope in the face of any sufferings and most of all the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord even in the shadow of the cross.

KIMG0025

For those wishing to share in an online service that includes communion I invite you to join us today at 9 Am 11 AM and 5 PM Eastern Standard Time. We are Generations Christian Church of Trinity Florida and whether you live in our community of not we would be delighted to have you join us! You can either just click on the link below or look for us online at Generationscc.com  – God bless and have a wonderful Lord’s Day!

Generations Live Worship

The Transaction

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In 1957 Bill Bright wrote a presentation of that Gospel which he called, “The Four Spiritual Laws”. Since then – The Four Spiritual Laws – have been used in tracts, sermons and personal testimonies millions of times the world over to successfully lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The following is a special way of looking at those four core beliefs with just one additional word – the word still.

  • God Still loves you; knows where you are and has a wonderful plan for your life.

For many people in institutions, it is easy to feel forgotten. Their address is no longer 231 Main Street; it is now just room 22 – window.

We are simply sent as messengers to tell folks that just as God watches every sparrow and counts every hair on our heads, he also still remembers where we live.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7 ESV

  • Man is Still sinful even in old age.

We may continue to harbor resentments, anger and bitterness. These can still be the things that separate us from God. Only as we see ourselves as we really are can we see God’s way of forgiveness and mercy.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 KJV

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10 KJV

  • Jesus is Still God’s only provision for sin.

No church no ritual or charitable contributions will cover up our guilt. Only the precious blood of Jesus Christ can buy our pardon. Only the cross is enough to pay for our sins.

 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:10 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV

  • We Still must individually choose to believe in Jesus Christ and receive His gift of eternal life.

This is not only a philosophy. It is a real-time event! In a way salvation is like shopping at Walmart for a hat. We go to that store because we know that the door will always be open. We look through the racks until we find the hat that we need. We try it on and carry it to the cash register.

woman wearing sunhat

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But that hat is still not ours! A transaction still has to take place. Of course unlike at Walmart, we cannot pay for what we need. When we get to heaven’s cash register and God rings up the price it is so high that no one could ever pay. But as we give up and turn to put the hat back on the shelf, Jesus steps in and offers to pay. He empties his pockets and gives all that He has to buy – not a hat; but the salvation that we so desperately need. He gave Himself on the cross that we might receive the gift of eternal life.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 ESV