THE BIBLE, THE CHURCH, & RACE
A Conversation with Pastor Lee Cummings & Pastor James Harris
Speakers: Pastor Lee Cummings & Pastor James Harris
Date: June 6, 2020
As the church, it is our responsibility to confront the silence and indifference concerning racial issues. We need a greater understanding of what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like here on earth and what part we have to play in the narrative.
Join us for a conversation between Pastor James Harris of Trenches Church and Pastor Lee Cummings as they discuss the current events and what the Bible says about division, racism, and the role of the Church in healing and uniting all people.
Focus Scripture
1 John 4:18-21 (ESV)
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
Sermon Highlights
As the church, we need to see each other as family. God has called us to a place to cross over and develop relationships. It may take courage. It may cause you to be inconvenient and uncomfortable. But, it will bring revival.
The body of Christ is like pixels in a TV. Each pixel causes the picture of Christ to be brighter, clearer, and profound, so that He can be put on full display. This is why we have to step into injustice TOGETHER so that God can be seen to the world. We’re the light, and we need to lead it.
We have the ticket to take our rightful place in the spirit. We cannot allow the world to disciple where we should be disciples. We are the ones who know how to bring biblical justice and righteousness to the world. We just have to speak up and do what Jesus has instructed us to do.
God has instructed us to care for one another. We’re anointed and graced for it. You can’t sympathize with others unless you’re in proximity with others.
Gaining information is good to spark change, but alone it will not work. We need to move from information to revelation, where God hits your heart so dearly that it transforms you to do something and to be just like Christ.
Hate doesn’t always look like murder. Hate can be indifference. You can look at someone, and not care. Instead, you can see them as the image of God. You can honor them. You can love them.
We need to learn to lean into each other. We need to move from perimeter relationships to proximity relationships.
We have the opportunity to be a prophetic fore-runner.
Allow God to assess your heart.
LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE.
No one is superior or inferior. God chose no partiality.