UNCERTAIN | Protecting the Image | PART 10

Christianity was birthed in an environment of racial tension that was even more complex than our own. If unity in Jesus was possible in the first century, there’s still hope for the Church today! Series: UNCERTAIN: Discovering Who We are Through Difficult Times, Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge, Scripture: Acts 10:15, Acts 10:20, Acts 10:27-28, Psalm 139:23-24, Acts 10:34-35, Acts 10:28, Video: https://www.facebook.com/avalonchurch/videos/2664655110477146/, Sermon page: https://podcast.avalonchurch.org/sermons/uncertain-protecting-the-image-part-10/, Sermon Notes: 2020-05-31_10_uncertain-part-10_sermon-notes.pdf, Discussion Questions: 2020-05-31_10_uncertain-part-10_discussion-questions.pdf, Notes: INTRO Today we’re going to talk about the results of Pentecost. But before I jump in today, I need to give a little perspective. I grew up in a police officer’s family. My Dad was a cop in Miami for 9 years, and retired from the Lakeland Police Department. My grandfather was the police chief in Miramar Florida. I love police men and women. I’m grateful for all they do to protect us. I respect them. I don’t idolize them, their normal people. But my inclination is to trust them. I don’t worry about my daughter’s safety If she’s pulled over by a police officer. Any conversation about it would likely begin with advice about making sure you pull of the road so you don’t block traffic. Maybe, “Smile. Be nice.” The expectation is, No matter what happens, you’re safe. That’s the experience I grew up with. That is not everyone’s experience. We (tension) – perspective Earlier this week, I watched a young, black pastor share his story. In college, a group of his friends, white and black, went for a drive. The white friend was driving. They were pulled over. The driver respectfully challenged the officer’s reason for pulling them over. The exchange was brief… and cordial. He was given the ticket and they left. For the black pastor, This was eye-opening. He was shocked at the freedom white people felt to question a police officer. As a black man, he never felt that freedom. Never. In fact, he was taught never to reach for his wallet. …To always ask for permission first, …or invite the officer to get it. He was taught to look down, And never look a police officer in the eyes. Years later, he was pulled over for speeding in a white neighborhood. He knew he was doing 27 in a 30, Because he knew he was in a white neighborhood, And that there was an officer behind him. He explained this, And was quickly told to get out of the car, …Because he looked drunk. He got out and quietly explained he was a pastor visiting a family in his church. A Bible was on the front seat. After a very long minute of looking him over, The pastor was allowed to leave. This pastor was scared. That’s not been my experience. And then, this week, There was a story of a black man who, while birdwatching, Asked a woman to leash her dog, …Which was the law. And she called 911 saying her life was threatened. And then, that picture of George Floyd With the officer’s knee on his neck …for 9 minutes. I first saw the picture next to Colin Kapernaek’s Where he was kneeling during the national anthem. It said that if Kapernaek’s non-violent protest gets you more upset than a cuffed man with another man’s knee on his neck. …There is a problem. I saw that picture before I knew Mr. Floyd had died. I was wrecked. This is not okay. This is not just a race issue. It’s an image of God issue. God When Jesus began his ministry, He invited very diverse people to follow him. There was Simon the Zealot who urged for violent rebellion against anything Roman. There was Matthew the tax-collecting traitor A Jew who sold out for Rome. Both invited to follow Jesus as one family. Imagine those fireside chats! After the resurrection, when Christianity was born, Wealthy Pharisees joined the poor Jews they used to oppress, As one united family in Jesus. And as the story of Jesus’ resurrection exploded around the Roman Empire, …the racial and cultural division was off the charts. The Jews believed they were chosen by God, …Which made them better than anyone else. The Gentiles hated the Jews for being so prejudice and judgmental. And there were slaves …who were, well, rejected ...