PREACHING IN THE MIDST OF CALLS FOR RECONCILIATION CHAPTER 3 Bible Study and Book Study

Text: John 13:31-34 : 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 : Mark 3:20-30: The cross was drawing ever closer. Jesus had just washed the feet of His confused disciples, in an act of gracious love. The kingdom that seemed so promising a few short days earlier was fast fading into obscurity, as Christ talked of leaving them… of going away to a place where they could not follow – and then came the shocking realization of His forthcoming death. It was at this time of intense sorrow and deep, deep passion that the little flock of Christ heard their Good Shepherd say: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, so love you one another. The Sermon on the Mount had catapulted the Law of Moses into the realms of moral idealism, but here was a command for divine perfection - LOVE as I have loved… The Son of Man Whom they now confessed as Son of God was full of grace and truth - and He was shortly to display a love so staggering, that it baffles the minds of disciples – a divine love that they themselves were being called upon to emulate. No one can love as Christ loved in the power of their own sinful flesh – No one can love as Jesus loved by their own imperfect human effort, however hard they try, for the love of man is but a faint reflection of the glorious Sun of Righteousness. But all who trust in His name have been made a new creation in Christ and have the life of Christ living in us and through us – and only as we walk in spirit and truth - in submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit within, can we fulfil this beautiful command to love as I have loved you, until we can at last say with Paul, it is not I that lives but Christ that lives in me. It is not I that LOVE but the love of Christ in me. Jesus said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25 NKJV). Having to choose sides as a house divided by racism is a significant hindrance intended to separate and render ineffective the body of Christ and its mission on earth to make disciples of all nations. Romans 2:11 says, “There is no favoritism with God.” Believing that one race is better than another is self-righteousness. Q1. How does racism affect the brotherly and sisterly love? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Q2. How does the idea of a house divided speak to the concept of race and class in American and in the church? You can get the free Bible Stud by clicking here https://1drv.ms/w/s!Alj4UNXUR9-ki9pQ-ynkUXBy2nCUgw?e=bOYqkXRegister in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkcOygrj0jE9zh9hXLR_4bDCMVqXRAB3cm After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.