Church's Call to Racial Reconciliation and Unity

 

Summary

In our conversation today, we delved into the pressing issue of racial reconciliation and the church's pivotal role in addressing systemic injustices. The tragic death of George Floyd has reignited discussions about racial inequality, and it's crucial to recognize that the church has historically played a part in both perpetuating and potentially resolving these issues. The church's failure to address racial injustices has contributed to the ongoing division and unrest in our society. It's time for a kingdom reset, where the church not only preaches the right theology but also visibly demonstrates the kingdom of God in action.

The church must lead the charge in healing racial divides by acknowledging its past complicity and taking active steps toward reconciliation. This involves both personal and corporate discipleship, where individuals and congregations work together to build bridges across racial lines. We must move beyond mere theological agreement to practical demonstrations of unity and love. This means engaging in acts of service and building relationships with those who are different from us, thereby creating a visible testimony of God's kingdom.

Furthermore, we discussed the complex relationship between the black community and law enforcement, highlighting the historical context that has led to mistrust and fear. It's essential for white evangelicals to listen and understand these experiences to foster genuine empathy and support. Protests, when conducted righteously, are a legitimate expression of dissent against injustice, but they must not devolve into violence, which undermines the cause.

Finally, the church must strive for multi-ethnic impact, whether through integrated congregations or through partnerships that transcend racial boundaries. The goal is to create deep, dynamic relationships that reflect the unity and diversity of God's kingdom. As we seek to navigate this critical moment, let us commit to being part of the solution, fostering reconciliation, and demonstrating the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Church's Role in Racial Reconciliation: The church has historically contributed to racial injustices by endorsing and legitimizing systemic evils. To address this, the church must lead by example, demonstrating the kingdom of God through visible acts of unity and love across racial lines. This requires a kingdom reset, where both personal and corporate discipleship are prioritized. [03:32]

2. Understanding Systemic Racism: Many white evangelicals struggle to see systemic racism because they haven't experienced it firsthand. It's crucial to listen to and understand the experiences of those who have faced racial injustices, recognizing that these issues are deeply rooted in historical and systemic factors. [09:46]

3. Complex Relationship with Law Enforcement: The black community's relationship with law enforcement is fraught with historical injustices, leading to mistrust and fear. White evangelicals must empathize with these experiences and work towards building trust and understanding between communities and law enforcement. [14:40]

4. Righteous Protests and the Role of the Church: Protests against injustice are biblically supported, but they must remain peaceful and righteous. The church should support legitimate protests while condemning violence, ensuring that the focus remains on seeking justice and reconciliation. [17:35]

5. Multi-Ethnic Impact and Unity: The church should aim for multi-ethnic impact, fostering relationships and partnerships that transcend racial boundaries. Whether through integrated congregations or collaborative efforts, the goal is to reflect the unity and diversity of God's kingdom in tangible ways. [22:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction with Dr. Tony Evans
- [00:51] - Reflections on George Floyd and Racial Injustice
- [01:34] - The Church's Historical Role in Racism
- [02:43] - The Need for Visible Theology
- [03:32] - Kingdom Reset: Personal and Corporate Discipleship
- [04:53] - Spiritual Leadership and National Distress
- [05:54] - Theological Endorsement of Slavery
- [07:22] - Personal Experiences of Racial Exclusion
- [09:12] - The Challenge of Forgiveness and Repentance
- [10:01] - Systemic Racism in Media and Broadcasting
- [13:09] - Complex Relationship with Law Enforcement
- [16:58] - The Role of Protests in Seeking Justice
- [18:28] - Steps Toward Racial Reconciliation
- [21:53] - Multi-Ethnic Impact and Church Unity
- [23:24] - Closing Prayer for Unity and Change

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Racial Reconciliation and the Church's Role

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Chronicles 15:3-6
2. Acts 16:35-40

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what role has the church historically played in racial injustices, and how has this contributed to current societal issues? [01:34]

2. What does Dr. Tony Evans mean by a "kingdom reset," and how does he suggest the church should demonstrate this in relation to racial reconciliation? [03:32]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the black community and law enforcement, and what historical context is provided to explain this complexity? [13:09]

4. What biblical example does Dr. Evans use to support the idea of righteous protests, and what are the boundaries he sets for such protests? [17:35]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. In 2 Chronicles 15:3-6, how does the failure of spiritual leadership lead to distress in the land, and how does this relate to the church's role in addressing racial injustices today? [04:53]

2. How does the concept of a "kingdom reset" challenge both personal and corporate discipleship within the church, and what practical steps might this involve? [03:32]

3. What are the implications of the historical relationship between law enforcement and the black community for current efforts at reconciliation, and how can understanding this history foster empathy and support? [13:09]

4. How can the church support righteous protests without endorsing violence, and what role should it play in ensuring that the focus remains on justice and reconciliation? [17:35]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own church community. In what ways has it contributed to or worked against racial reconciliation? What steps can you take to encourage a "kingdom reset" in your congregation? [03:32]

2. Consider your personal experiences and biases. How can you actively listen to and understand the experiences of those who have faced racial injustices, and what actions can you take to build bridges across racial lines? [09:46]

3. How can you and your family engage in acts of service that demonstrate unity and love across racial boundaries? Identify a specific action you can take this month. [19:32]

4. Think about the relationship between your community and local law enforcement. What steps can you take to foster trust and understanding, and how can your church support these efforts? [14:40]

5. Reflect on the role of protests in seeking justice. How can you support righteous protests in your community, and what actions can you take to ensure they remain peaceful and focused on reconciliation? [17:35]

6. How can your church aim for multi-ethnic impact, whether through integrated congregations or partnerships? Identify one specific partnership or relationship you can pursue to reflect the unity and diversity of God's kingdom. [22:10]

7. What personal commitment can you make to be part of the solution in fostering racial reconciliation, and how can you hold yourself accountable to this commitment? [19:17]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church's Call to Kingdom Reset
The church has historically played a dual role in racial issues, both perpetuating and potentially resolving systemic injustices. Recognizing this, the church is called to lead by example, demonstrating the kingdom of God through visible acts of unity and love across racial lines. This requires a kingdom reset, where both personal and corporate discipleship are prioritized. By acknowledging past complicity and taking active steps toward reconciliation, the church can help heal racial divides. This involves moving beyond mere theological agreement to practical demonstrations of unity and love, engaging in acts of service, and building relationships with those who are different from us. [03:32]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to demonstrate unity and love across racial lines in your community?


Day 2: Listening to Understand Systemic Racism
Many white evangelicals struggle to see systemic racism because they haven't experienced it firsthand. It's crucial to listen to and understand the experiences of those who have faced racial injustices, recognizing that these issues are deeply rooted in historical and systemic factors. By fostering genuine empathy and support, individuals can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent true reconciliation. Listening is an act of love and humility, allowing us to see the world through the eyes of those who have been marginalized and oppressed. [09:46]

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to this week to listen and learn about their experiences with racial injustice?


Day 3: Building Trust with Law Enforcement
The black community's relationship with law enforcement is fraught with historical injustices, leading to mistrust and fear. White evangelicals must empathize with these experiences and work towards building trust and understanding between communities and law enforcement. This involves acknowledging past wrongs and actively seeking ways to bridge the gap, fostering an environment where all individuals feel safe and respected. By doing so, we can work towards a future where justice and peace prevail. [14:40]

"Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place." (Jeremiah 22:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to building trust and understanding between your community and local law enforcement?


Day 4: Supporting Righteous Protests
Protests against injustice are biblically supported, but they must remain peaceful and righteous. The church should support legitimate protests while condemning violence, ensuring that the focus remains on seeking justice and reconciliation. By standing in solidarity with those who protest righteously, the church can amplify the call for justice and demonstrate its commitment to the principles of God's kingdom. [17:35]

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support peaceful protests in your community, ensuring that the focus remains on justice and reconciliation?


Day 5: Fostering Multi-Ethnic Impact and Unity
The church should aim for multi-ethnic impact, fostering relationships and partnerships that transcend racial boundaries. Whether through integrated congregations or collaborative efforts, the goal is to reflect the unity and diversity of God's kingdom in tangible ways. By creating deep, dynamic relationships that reflect the unity and diversity of God's kingdom, the church can be a powerful force for reconciliation and change in the world. [22:10]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can your church take to foster multi-ethnic relationships and partnerships that reflect the unity and diversity of God's kingdom?

Quotes


The unrighteous killing comes George Floyd yes really underneath and underpinning that has never left the the culture this this legacy of the original sin of our country has never fully been addressed the reason it has never fully been addressed is that the church has not sufficiently addressed it if the church had not behaved the way the church behaved endorsing it and legitimizing this unrighteousness whether it's slavery Jim Crow pause from some other proceeding of systemic evils that none of this would happen. [00:01:08]

At the core of all of this is a spiritual problem and that's why the church has to be the leader in fixing it in fact it is the church to a large degree may be the largest degree that caused it. [00:04:03]

Second Chronicles 15 verses 3 to 6 it says because there was failure with the priests and failure with the spiritual leadership there was trouble in the land and then it says for God troubled them with every kind of distress so God takes the blame for the trouble in the land because of the failure of the leadership. [00:04:43]

The black church had to establish itself separate from the white church because it could never be part of it and they had to be a distinction made that impact created a social movement coming out of the black church because it don't the the the cultural Church the white church was not speaking to the implications of what the culture was doing endorsed by the theology of the church. [00:05:57]

I was informed by a number of stations we can't let you want because we because it would offend too many of our white listeners okay that's so these were stations until James Dobson wrote a letter telling stations to open up the operative door of opportunity that door of opportunity was closed in any broad-based levels level okay that was 1986. [00:10:14]

This is the long history of the legal use or approved use of law enforcement to promote the end unjust treatment of minorities and particularly african-americans in particular growing up as a young man I know most times I was stopped because I was perceived to be in the wrong wrong neighborhood why are you all why are you here. [00:14:27]

The Bible allows righteous protests in Acts chapter 16 yes Paul protested be is illegitimate imprisonment he protested it spiritually illegally and so righteous protest against evil is very legitimate what is not legitimate is you committing rebellion against God in the name of a righteous purpose of a protest. [00:17:31]

Personally you've got to establish in your own heart that you want to be part of the solution that if there is any dependence needed by you personally and then I I encourage you to intentionally build a bridge with someone different than you and then the two of you go serve somebody else together in other words reconciliation doesn't start with seminars they start with service. [00:18:48]

We must train our children to judge people like King said by the content of their character not the color of their skin we must connect with other families different than we are and again so another family worse off than you are so that you are being unified in a common purpose. [00:20:05]

Unless the church becomes developed Kingdom citizens who are now culturally effective as followers of Christ in their spheres of influence great work of their workplace their community their their orientation so that the culture sees the church leading the change then we will not see the comprehensive impact that we are long. [00:21:17]

There should be multi-ethnic impact yes and multi-ethnic impact one can be integrated churches but people have choice this is America so you can choose you may prefer certain type of preaching you live before a certain type of scene you had that treat them so so we should be open to all nobody should be discriminated by based on racial class. [00:21:48]

Father thank you for my brother thank you for this great ministry that is seeking to make a difference in the world thank you for the hearts of so many brothers and sisters who want to see right done but to just need guidance and how to get it done in a righteous way would you open up the heart of black and white Christians alike so that we are on the same page achieving the same goal in a righteous and just way. [00:23:28]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jun 05, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?