Unity in Faith: Overcoming Racism Together

I suppose racism that was taking place in the UK—you can imagine how things were back in the fifties. But, you know, as good parents, they shielded us children from all of that, the things that went on.

But I do remember a story that Mum told me. As I say, we lived in Willesden, and after a few years, Mum and Dad decided that they wanted to move to a different part, maybe to the suburbs, a bit more out of the center of London. So they moved to a place called Stanmore.

I remember Mum telling me that in the process of going to the estate agents and looking at various properties, she said to me that the estate agent tried to dissuade her from moving to Stanmore. Stanmore was, and maybe still is, whatever posh suburb. Certainly, back in those days, it wasn't rich, but it was more modern, and it was a place that many of the middle-class folks would move into.

I wouldn't call our family middle-class at that time, but Mum and Dad had an ambition for their family, and so we ended up going there. But I'll never forget that story. Mum wanted us to know that if you want to get somewhere in life, sometimes people will try and stop you because of the color of your skin or maybe the way you look or the way you talk.

Well, Mum and Dad had a clear idea of where they wanted to go, and they're still there to this day. I say that because I want us to remember that this world is not perfect. While a few things may have gotten a bit better, a few things have also gotten a bit worse.

Today, it is a challenge to still be a Seventh-day Adventist and still try to live an impartial life and try to kind of push down those things that sometimes are trying to rise up in our hearts. There is anger around the world as to the scenes of this man being held on the floor and ended up dying. There is anger among all law-abiding people, all decent-minded people.

But today, I want you to know that there is still hope in Jesus. That's the only hope that there is. I don't think there is hope in any other or anything else. I've been studying for ministry in Jamaica. I had the opportunity to study West Indian history and African history, and a certain amount of American history.

During the time that I was in Jamaica, I learned most about myself—who I am, what God intended for my life, what plans God had for me. It was the time that my confidence grew, and I became not only a pastor but I tried to be a good husband during that time, obviously traveling there with my wife.

As we think about these words, "I can't breathe," I want to read a few words to you from the accounts of what happened. These were George Floyd's last words, and it was recorded on a video. A number of people were videoing as he began to cry for his mum, pleading for his life at least ten times or more, "I can't breathe," while a police officer was still kneeling on his neck for over eight minutes. He softly passed away.

I don't know. I mean, I could not watch the video. I only watched it a day or so ago, and it's one of those situations that, especially if you're black, you can, to a certain extent, relate to the uncertainty of life—not sure how you're going to be treated or received by individuals.

Sometimes, you know, it would seem as if black folk have a chip on their shoulder, but it's simply because throughout our history, we have had a lot to deal with, and I dare say still dealing with. I'm happy for my parents that instilled the Word of God in my heart and helped me to grow into someone that is confident, regardless of how people will see you.

But I want to remind you that even though we have to go through some painful times, it's not just us as a black nation. There are many other groups of people that are suffering, many nations that have been abused, many individuals that are going through tough times.

We have to bring it back down to this thing called sin. The Bible tells us about a man called Job, and if we don't know much about that story, then I challenge you to look at Job chapter 19. In fact, go through the whole of Job when it tells you the story of this man that was really going through a lot. He was going through a lot personally and in his family.

He went through a lot, and it came to a head in Job chapter 19, verse 25, when he says, "I know that my Redeemer lives." I think that's the only comfort I can give to you in the world today. Job 19, verse 25: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, He will stand on the earth."

In the midst of Job's despair, in the midst of his despondency and discouragements, in the midst of all the stuff that was going on in his body, in the midst of all of the stuff that was going on in his family—he was losing his children, people were dying all around him, people that were extremely close to him—and then he says these words: "I know that my Redeemer lives."

Let's not be fooled; he went through some times of despondency. When you think of this particular passage of Scripture, the full understanding of it gives you the idea that Job had already expressed his desire to kind of have an umpire, and that's kind of borne out in Job chapter 19, verse 25.

He is kind of having a bit of banter with God, and he's trying to say, "I need an umpire here. Too much is going on in my life; I'm having to deal with too much." But yet still, in his mind, he's still saying, "I know that my Redeemer lives."

Even now, our Redeemer still lives, and He's able to take us through. In fact, in Job chapter 19, verse 25, it reminds us of this idea that Jesus, who was to soon come on planet Earth and be our Deliverer, our Defender, was still kind of working for us even in heaven before He came.

Then you kind of get the idea when you study behind the text. Job chapter 19, verse 25 commentary says this: the Hebrew word translated "Redeemer," goel, is rendered "Avenger" or "Revenger." So even in the midst of the trials and struggles that Job was going through, God was still his Defender; God was still his Revenger.

All I can say to all of the sad episodes that have gone on in our world today, where individuals have been taken advantage of, abused, and murdered in all manner of things, all I can say is, you know, I know—and you need to know—that your Redeemer still lives. He is not missing a trick. In fact, He sees everything; He knows everything; He hears everything. Everything is seen by God; He's not missing anything.

One day, He will come as the Avenger; He will come as the Deliverer. One day, He will stand up and take His stand on planet Earth and bring the reward to every individual, be they good or be they bad. So fear not; worry not; despair not. Understand that God is still God.

I've watched a lot of the discussions taking place in the world and even amongst my church folk, and sometimes I wonder if we have really gotten the message from God. Sometimes I wonder if we really do understand how God is preparing us for this soon future.

I want you to know that these trials that are with us and yet to come are here to make us stronger. When they come, you will know that God has given you a test, but we can pass the test if we hold on to Jesus.

I want to close by speaking about a very prolific writer. Her name is Ellen White, and she wrote many volumes and many books on many different Christian subjects and topics. She had a lot to say about racism, especially back in the 1800s. She wrote a book called "The Southern Work," and in that book, she outlines a lot of the things that are now coming to fruition in the church.

She wrote a lot of things about how racism should be overcome. She was an individual that did not keep silent. In fact, it wasn't only her; there were many other Millerites, and we know that Millerites are the forerunners to Seventh-day Adventists. Many of them stood their ground and stood up for black folk and individuals that were being abused.

I believe today that Ellen White still has a lot to say to us. She puts the crux of what she has to say about the work amongst black people because it was difficult in the time when she was alive. You know, slavery was just being abolished, and in fact, it was difficult because even though slavery was abolished, there were many things that happened to black folk that were difficult to take.

So she had these seven points to say about that. Number one: she says Christ died just as much for the black individual as the white individual because God is the God of all of us.

Number two: there is an equal reward. The black man's name is written next to the white man's name in the book of life. There is no discrimination, and there will be no discrimination in heaven. If we can't live together on this earth, then we won't live together in heaven.

Number three: she says there is equal salvation. Unless God's Spirit is in your hearts, whether you're white or black, you are a slave. I need to be free. So while we can relate to the idea of slavery, especially if you are black, someone whose nation went through slavery, you would be able to relate to this idea that salvation is for everyone. It is not just for one group.

We are still in bondage in some ways, and we need to be free from the bondage of sin that enslaves all of us. So once you think you may be free, but you don't know Jesus, you are in slavery. She was making that point.

Number four: she says there is an equal destiny. We are all journeying to the same heaven. Well, I hope we can relate to that fact. We are all heading in the same place, going through the same gates, and entering heaven as a family of God. God wants us to remember that we are one family.

Number five: equal relations. God makes no distinction between the North and the South. This is when she was writing back in the day in America. Therefore, we must learn to live together here on earth before we can get to heaven.

I've said that before: if we don't practice overcoming our prejudices, if we don't practice having a church where everyone can come to, whether you're black or white or whether you're high or low, if we can't practice that here on planet Earth, then we may forget heaven.

There is going to be no rich quarter or kind of Beverly Hills quarter where only those with a lot of money will live. No, there will be equality in every sense of the word in heaven.

Number six says equal responsibility. This is what she speaks about in "The Southern Work." Ellen White says, "Let none of Christ's children be cowards in regard to the work for the black race."

Well, I mean, she wrote these things in the 1800s, maybe 1890 or earlier than that, and she would never have thought that we would still be struggling with these issues today, where because of the color of your skin, people treat you differently than another.

She said, "Make sure we are not cowards. Make sure we stand up and make sure our voices are heard. Sort of defend those that need defending." Well, I'm just quoting from her works.

Finally, number seven: many more things she says, but I'm just summarizing. She says, "Let there be equal priority." She says the Seventh-day Adventist Church must give the gospel to blacks, and it should be at the top of the priority list.

Well, what does that mean? I dare say she was talking about that particular time when black folk were not seen in the same way as maybe they are today. Obviously, even now, through many laws and through many struggles, we are able to see one another a bit more equally, hopefully.

But certainly, in this day just after slavery, black folk weren't viewed in that way. So she was writing to the Seventh-day Adventist Church to make sure that they put black folk at the top of their priority.

In other words, make sure that we strive for this equality. Is that a church call today? Do we struggle with racism, pride, and prejudices? I dare say we do.

What is the answer? Well, I'll leave that to you. I think we can understand what God's vision is: that we can be one race, remembering that we come from one family, understanding that all of us have red blood and we are all connected, regardless of how we want to say, "I am your family, and you are my family."

So get over it. We're here together, created by God's grace to live on this planet Earth that's falling into sin, and Jesus came to save all of us, regardless of what color we are.

So today, we must remember that we must have equal priority. The church still has a good way to go in understanding these things and being a greater example. But I think the church is doing well. It's definitely not where we should be, and we still have a way to go.

But I am also aware that this issue of racism will be with us until the end of time, and the same writer, Ellen White, says that. So maybe we have to understand that in this world, we will have tribulation, but Jesus has overcome the tribulation, and He is waiting to take us into His world.

When we understand Jesus and His life, then we will understand how to live better with each other.

My final text is taken from Revelation chapter 7, verse 9, where it says, "After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from every tribe, from every people, and from every language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands."

Revelation 7, verse 9. We wait for that day when sin, racism, and the unfortunate situations that we see in our world will be no more.

Hold on to your faith, live a good life, treat everyone equally, be an example. Let Central London Church be the church that bucks the trend.