04.22 Racism

NBC Ministries's Podcast

Growing up in and living in Mississippi for a vast portion of my life, I have seen my share of racism (and sadly and shamefully have participated in it). And, there is no question that racism is still alive and well today, not just in Mississippi but across our country. We may not have separate bathrooms or drinking fountains, and “colored” people no longer have to sit at the back of the bus, but that does not mean that our hearts and attitudes have not changed when it comes to people who have a different color skin than us. I hear it in the way we talk. The way we speak of “them” and “us”. I know I have been guilty of this. But even as Christians we still do it. Our churches are even segregated. And I understand there are cultural differences between different ethnic groups. Every culture has its own identity and that is good, that reflects a creative God. But what is not good is when we think our culture, our way of doing things, is superior and right and their way is wrong. At best, we “tolerate” those people, but inside we don’t genuinely love them. My friends that has to change. And the church has to do a better job on race relationships. Again, in some ways we have improved but in other ways it is as if we are still living as we did a generation or more ago. The gospel of Jesus Christ has freed all men! And it compels us to live as one with one another, regardless of our ethnic diversity. In this week’s message, I want to do two things. First, I want to give a brief history lesson on race based on Scripture. And then I want to show us how the gospel makes all races equal at the foot of the cross.