Courageous Conversations: Racial Reconciliation (Lite)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vj7QSJ7ZRMy6RSSGE3unu_a1KC7jHXSg/view?usp=sharing

Opening Prayer & Check-in
Listen Up: Jesus at the Center
Scripture Texts: Acts 16:16-40
Sermon Preamble: Pastor Tracy began by asking us if we ever had an experience which shifted the trajectory of our lives and listed events such as marriage, the birth of a child, illness, divorce, and the loss of a loved one, as those which qualify. She then recapped the events of 2020, the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the horrific killing of George Floyd as trajectory altering experiences as it relates to race relationships in America. She noted that one could conclude that such events would have solidified our commitment to racial equality and justice. However, it did not. Pastor Tracy highlighted the findings on a Barna poll on racial injustice in America and the numbers are to say the least, disheartening since many who profess to be Christians are indifferent or opposed to engaging in meaningful actions to address these issues.

Finally, she noted that there is a racial divide happening within the big C church yet, the Bible is clear on God’s position on this issue. Pastor Tracy shared that reconciliation with God and reconciliation with one another are inseparable in God’s saving work”. This is most clear in Ephesians 2:11-22 where it shows that “God’s program of reconciliation is not simply vertical (reconciling believers, the world, and all things to himself) but also horizontal (reconciling Jew and Gentile, circumcised and uncircumcised)”.  Christ “has made the two (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14).
 
Racial Reconciliation: Always Requires Mercy and Forgiveness

• Just as Paul forgave the jailer in the Acts passage, we too are to forgive those who play a role in perpetuating racial injustice
• It’s easier for us to show mercy when we remember all the mercy God has shown us
• We must be careful how we treat people for God is a God of justice and we reap what we sow

Racial Reconciliation: Always Requires Courageous Humility

• If those who have perpetrated racial injustice towards us would humble themselves, we must extend mercy towards them
• If we desire to see racial reconciliation we must embrace courageous humility and have a submissive heart and teachable spirit

Racial Reconciliation: Always Requires Jesus

• Reconciliation can and may lead to salvation; we must be ready to share the Good News even with our oppressors
• Jesus should always be the center of our response to any situation, especially when it comes to reconciliation

Racial Reconciliation: Always Requires Washing Wounds

• If we are going to see racial reconciliation, there has to be a commitment to see, understand, and look closely at the wounds of the oppressed, and do what is necessary to help them heal 
• We cannot truly reconcile if we do not look intentionally at the cause of brokenness in our brothers and sisters in Christ

Racial Reconciliation: Always Requires Fellowship

• We must engage in meaningful conversations with those who are different from us and one of the best ways to do this is while breaking bread 
• We may experience racial integration in some of our churches on Sunday, however, the work of real reconciliation is experienced as we seek to build friendship and mutual support while in fellowship with one another

Racial Reconciliation: Always Requires Justice

• We must seek changes in the law in order to effect real and meaningful change in America
• God is a God of justice, racial reconciliation efforts which do not include justice are weak and unbiblical 
• What good is “reconciling” if it doesn’t lead to “rebuilding” ruined communities (Isaiah 61:4)

Reconciliation Affirmations

• Reconciliation confronts and defeats hypocrisy; Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. - Romans 12:9
• Reconciliation confronts and defeats self-righteousness; There is no favoritism with God. Believing that one race is better than another is self-righteousness. - Romans 2:11
• Reconciliation encourages the body of Christ to obey the Great Commission; Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. - Matthew 28:19-20
• Reconciliation encourages the body of Christ to obey the Great Commandment; I give you a new command: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34-35
• Reconciliation honors God’s design; From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. - Acts 17:26
• Reconciliation honors God’s redemptive plan; And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. - Revelation 5:9
• Reconciliation honors God Himself; For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s act of love was for the world, not for one race. - John 3:16

Racial Reconciliation: Some Final Words

• The Oppressor and the Oppressed Must Both be Liberated - Nelson Mandela
• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 22:37-40

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 
Head 

• Set the scene in the prison just before the earthquake. What was happening? Using your imagination, describe what it must have been like? And then do the same exercise after the earthquake.
• From your seat at the proverbial table, what does racial reconciliation entail and what personal sacrifice will it require of you?
• Paul and Silas treated the jailer with incredible grace. Describe a time when someone showed you kindness or mercy when you didn’t expect it or didn’t deserve it. What was that like?
• What person or group of persons will you engage in meaningful conversations with in order to bring about the reconciliation which God requires? How can this small group help?
• Which of the reconciliation affirmation passages is the most difficult for you to live out and how can this small group or our church help you overcome the specific challenges you face?
• Paul’s response to the Jailers question in Acts is “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” The word pairing “believe and saved” is seen often in the New Testament. But it also raises the question, “What are we to believe about Jesus?” 
• Why is “Sirs, what must I do to be saved,” the biblical question of all biblical questions? Why is the answer “to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” both simple and complex to the fallen Man?

Heart

• What do the actions of Paul and Silas say about their devotion to God and their commitment to share the story of Jesus? 
• Why are forgiveness and mercy inextricably tied to justice from both a worldly and biblical perspective? Can you share specific examples of where you have seen this from both perspectives? 
• Based on this message, who is God pressing you to reconcile and share the gospel with? Share and pray that he or she will believe. Also, pray for one another for boldness to proclaim, faith to trust, and strength to endure.
• How does this message impact your understanding of how we are to demonstrate the character of God? 

Hands 

• Is someone today feeling like they are “bound up” or “in chains”? How can we as a group be there for you and support you? One of the things Paul does while chained in prison is pray and worship. Close your group by spending some time praising God in prayer and pray for those in your group who are walking through some kind of difficulty.

 
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT
Head

• Set the scene in the prison just before the earthquake. What was happening? Using your imagination, describe what it must have been like? And then do the same exercise after the earthquake.
• From your seat at the proverbial table, what does racial reconciliation entail and what personal sacrifice will it require of you?
• Paul and Silas treated the jailer with incredible grace. Describe a time when someone showed you kindness or mercy when you didn’t expect it or didn’t deserve it. What was that like?
• What person or group of persons will you engage in meaningful conversations with in order to bring about the reconciliation which God requires? How can this small group help?
• Which of the reconciliation affirmation passages is the most difficult for you to live out and how can this small group or our church help you overcome the specific challenges you face?
• Paul’s response to the Jailers question in Acts is “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” The word pairing “believe and saved” is seen often in the New Testament. But it also raises the question, “What are we to believe about Jesus?” 
• Why is “Sirs, what must I do to be saved,” the biblical question of all biblical questions? Why is the answer “to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” both simple and complex to the fallen Man.

Heart

• What do the actions of Paul and Silas say about their devotion to God and their commitment to share the story of Jesus? 
• Why are forgiveness and mercy inextricably tied to justice from both a worldly and biblical perspective? Can you share specific examples of where you have seen this from both perspectives? 
• How does this message impact your understanding of how we are to demonstrate the character of God? 

Hands

• Is someone today feeling like they are “bound up” or “in chains”? How can we as a group be there for you and support you? One of the things Paul does while chained in prison is pray and worship. Close your group by spending some time praising God in prayer and pray for those in your group who are walking through some kind of difficulty.

CHILDREN
Head 

• Parents, share with your child(ren) why it is of vital importance that we make every attempt to be ministers of reconciliation and the role which at their age they can play.

Heart

• Discuss with your children what it means that God is a God of justice and why mercy is so important.

Hands

• Help your child memorize one of the reconciliation affirmations as part of their being living examples of Jesus