Conversations on Race – “What does scripture say about faith and race?”

Sermon Notes———1. Racism didn’t always existGod is unity in diversity (ie. God is one and exists in three equal and distinct person)The First Commission Gen. 1:26-28God’s people must know and practice unity across increasingly diverse barriers including race and culture—Ephesians 4:1-6Much of our physical nature will be brought into the new creation - including our racial differences—Revelation 7:9———2. Sin distorts everything including how we relate to each otherRacism is rooted in a particularly grievous form of self-righteousness where a person thinks their skin colour or cultural preferences elevates them above the “other” (Luke 18:11)a. Ignorance to the Truth (2 Cor 4:4; Ephesians 4:18)b. Insecurity of oneself (Genesis 11:4)c. Indifference toward others———3. God’s plan to restore humankinda. Choose the Scriptures (counter ignorance)b. Choose the Spirit (counter insecurity)c. Choose to Stand in the Gap (counter indifference)———Conclusion:The gospel says our righteousness can only found in something else: Jesus Christ.We can work toward a future with confidence knowing that we are part of God’s plan to restore the world as he originally intended it to be: a place where people from all nations are connected, not by blood or culture, but by their common union in Christ.