Introduction to “The New Snake”

This sermon was born out of a burden. I could not stay silent while serpents slither freely through our nation, poisoning our faith, our politics, and our common life. Violence stalks us—mass shootings, assassinations, wars abroad and wars at home. But beneath the bullets and the blood lies a deeper venom: the rise of White Christian nationalism, the glorification of guns, and the corrosion of truth.

I preach this message as part of the Black church’s long tradition of prophetic witness. Our ancestors taught us that silence in the face of lies is complicity, and that the pulpit is not for comfort only but for courage. This sermon is an attempt to name the poison clearly, so God’s people will not mistake the serpent for a savior.

But “The New Snake” is not just a warning—it is also a word of healing. Like Israel in the wilderness, we do not deny the snakes, nor do we pretend their bite is harmless. Yet God has given us a way to live: by lifting our eyes to Christ, the One lifted up for our salvation. In a season of venom, the only vaccine is love.

I offer this sermon because I believe the world needs to hear it. Our communities cannot survive on hatred disguised as holiness or nationalism masquerading as gospel. We need a faith that heals rather than harms, a church that resists poison and spreads love. My prayer is that these words help us become God’s factory of peace, justice, and new life in the wilderness of our times.

Here is some of the text:

Sermon Title: “The New Snake” Text: Numbers 21:4–9

Introduction: Church,every day we are besieged with acts of violence across the globe. From Gaza toGoma, from Orem to Evergreen, we watch families, communities, and nationsbuckle under the unbearable weight of grief. Violence leaves behind an emptychair at the table, a silenced voice in the choir, and a wound in the body ofhumanity that will not heal easily.

This past week, the assassination of Charlie Kirkshocked the nation. And whether we agreed with him or not, we must be clear: the taking of a life is never justified. Violence dehumanizes both victim andperpetrator. It eats away at our souls and corrodes the very fabric of our common life.

As Bishop Fairley has reminded us, “We must and we canbe better than this.”

Yet even as we face death, we must not close our eyesto the deeper sickness beneath the violence — the poisonous rhetoric of WhiteChristian nationalism, the normalization of gun culture, and the toxic divisions that are making serpents rise among us.

Like Israel in the wilderness, our discouragement hasbred snakes. And the question before us is: will we keep feeding the snakes, or will we lift our eyes to the One who heals?

This is where we turn to Numbers 21:4–9. The peoplecomplained. The snakes bit. And God provided a strange but powerful remedy: a bronze serpent lifted up, so that all who looked upon it would live.

Today, God is calling us again — not to deny thesnakes, not to pretend the venom isn’t real — but to lift our eyes to Christ, to resist the poison of nationalism and hate, and to take the only vaccine thatheals: the vaccine of love.

“Snakes still bite, but God still heals.” Three pointsand I’m out of your way

I. The Snakes We Invite

The children of Israel were on their way from slaveryto freedom, but in the in-between — the wilderness — they grew discouraged. Thetext says they spoke against God and against Moses. They let their complaintsovertake their calling. And in their discouragement, serpents appeared.

Tuesday Night 3: Rev. Amiri B Hooker at Greater St James AME 

Scripture: Romans 12:9-10

Theme: “Living in Love and Harmony” "Title "Love is Fried Chicken"

Theme Overview: On this night, explore the teachings on genuine love and living in harmony with one another. Challenge participants to embrace diversity, treat one another with respect, and cultivate an atmosphere of love within the community.

The theme "Transformed Living" draws inspiration from Romans chapters 11 to 14, focusing on the Apostle Paul's teachings on God's mercy, living in harmony, and offering our lives as living sacrifices. This citywide revival aims to ignite a transformational journey within each individual, community, and the city of Lake City at large.

The Message

9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Tonight, we gather here to delve into a profound theme - "Living in Love and Harmony.". Let’s shorten that and use instead Love is Fried Chicken. Our scripture passage, Romans 12:9-10, speaks directly to the essence of love, and we will explore this theme in the context of Black Liberation Theology. Let us challenge ourselves to embrace self-love, treat one another with love, and cultivate an atmosphere of love all around Lake City.

In today's society, it can indeed be challenging to see the love we should have for one another. We find ourselves in a world marked by division, polarization, and a seemingly endless stream of conflict. It can be disheartening, but it is precisely in these trying times that we must lean on our faith and persevere in our commitment to love.

Love is not just an emotion; it's a moral and ethical obligation. It's the force that should drive us to challenge injustice, fight for equality, and stand up for the marginalized. It compels us to engage in the work of justice and reconciliation, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable.

In a society where we witness division and hatred, our love must be a counterforce. It's a love that stands up against racism, inequality, and all forms of discrimination. It's a love that seeks to heal the wounds of our communities and bind us together as a people.

Casting Your Cares    1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 5:8 Discipline yourselves, and keep alert. Like a roaring lion, your adversary, the devil, prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 

Sermon: “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7 NRSV).

How many times have you heard that? 

How many times have you said it, or something like it? 

Leave your worries at the foot of the cross, for example. 

Give it over to Jesus. 

There are lots of different ways to say this fairly simple idea. We hear it and say it all the time. 

But here’s the real question – “How do you do it?”  How do we surrender ALL?

Digging a little deeper, we find a number of things in the text from 1 Peter that might help us understand what he is calling us to do and understand. 

1 God is bigger than just your stuff. 

The word that in so many translations is rendered as “anxiety,” but in the King James Version as “care” is, in fact, singular. 

The Text better reads Cast all the stuff that has Us  worried and  Us anxious to the feet of the Cross.  Or maybe even Stop worrying about the Republican and democrats the Proud Boys and Christian Nationalists and Revive your prayer life. We can stop worrying about the governor in Florida and our governor here in South Carolina who said this week at the GOP Convention knowing the history of SC. McMaster repeating one of his favorite GOP lines: "I look forward to the day that democrats are so rare, we have to hunt them with dogs."

Stop trying to make the racial hatred, the size shaming, the LGBTQ hatred, about you. They don’t even know you they are hating Us. They are hating the collective they don’t hate you because you are black, they have been taught sometimes by their church to hate all black, all immigrants, to hate all indigenous people. 

2. Power is the realization of Faith without Fear. It You Believe that God can Act through the portal of holy Ghost Prayer and Spiritual Action.

Peter isn’t suggesting that we should stop caring; the verse itself speaks of how much Jesus cares. 

He suggests instead that we should stop worrying. 

He is remembering, no doubt, when Jesus said the very same thing: “Do not be anxious.”

Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This has been compounded by the tragic deaths of Black men and women — lives cut short at the hands of police and vigilantes. Thus as a church and as a community these days we have some collective cares and or collective anxiousness.

Ahmaud Arbery shot while jogging. Breonna Taylor killed in her home. George Floyd suffocated as the world watched. Rayshard Brooks asleep in a Wendy’s parking lot. Robert Fuller found hung from a tree in Palmdale, Calif. We lament the Black lives lost, past and present.

Repeated trauma and stress have real effects on health, both physical and mental. Though the dialogue surrounding mental health is changing, it’s often it is still considered a taboo subject in the Black community. Navigating the intersections of Black identity has always been layered and complex.

Ok this is a Full  conversation in two parts. This is a  look at King’s doctrine. His influence by liberation theology and his  system of doctrine that places great importance on social justice and reform as a part of the gospel message. The first is between Rev Dr Harry Singleton Professor University of South Carolina who is both a theologian and ordained minister an engages in both academia and the community, state, and nation by writings and speeches, TV apperiences and Podcase. The major objective of this dicussion is to have a  public theological dialogue that will minimize religious intolerance and promote human liberation in all dimensions of existence of liberation theology and Dr. King Hosted by Baba Derrick Jackson host and Pastor of KRST Temple in Columbia SC and one of the leaders in the national Sankofa Rites of Passage Project {Project Sankofa: A Rites of Passage Program is about going back and reclaiming traditions of the past in order to establish new standards of normalcy. A paradigm shift is required, and it must begin in the minds of the youth who will be given new standards of excellence to model. Rites of Passage programs are designed to accomplish that objective.} and leader in thought. Section two brings on Karen Startks Now known as Za Rah Who is   A VISIONARY,  THINKER, Daughter, Sister, Niece,  Friend, WOMANIST, Writer, Ordained Minister, Teacher, Urban Planner, Community Organizer, Singer, Disciple of Christ, Friend of GOD, Lover of all things AFRICAN, I work/pray/hope for the eradication of systemic evils. all this conversation involves Rev Hooker as a repersentative of the traditional Black Church. 

Dr. Bowie has introduced to the SB21 work the Black Church Matters Program with the program the hope is to Experience Vitality, Health, and Empowered Ministry Dr. Bowie is pushing us to Get on board with the Black Church Matters (BCM), a movement to help congregations thrive. We want to help your ministry optimize its effectiveness with our 3 R strategy, ReImagine, ReVitalize, RePurpose.

On July 1, 2014, Dr. Michael L. Bowie, Jr. was appointed to St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in Dallas Texas. He is currently serving his sixth year as Senior Pastor. St. Luke’s vision is…St. Luke is called to be guided by the Holy Spirit. We are prophetic voices that will transform lives by becoming a Christ-centered, Justice-driven, Kingdomminded community pursuing excellence in all we do. Since Dr. Bowie’s arrival, the church has experienced momentum in every facet of ministry. Due to their renewed excitement, members are reengaging, reconnecting and recommitting to St. Luke’s vision.

In the first few months, Dr. Bowie’s preaching, teaching and casting visions increased St. Luke’s attendance by 38%. With the use of technology and the addition of social media, members are more engaged in the ministries of the church.

Dr. Bowie cast a vision that inspired the leadership to identify, equip and develop new leaders to serve in various roles within the church. The Zan Wesley Holmes Servant Leader Institute deployed more than 90 leaders who are now prepared, and 35% are serving. St. Luke remains committed to providing ministries that impact the lives of children, youth, adults, and families in our church and in the community.

Outreach/Mission is another primary focus. Every fifth Sunday, more than 200 St. Luke members deploy to the streets of Dallas, meeting the homeless community’s needs. They serve as the hands and feet of Jesus locally. And globally, Dr. Bowie has led two mission trips to Cuba and one to Puerto Rico with more than 75 members participating.

Dr. Bowie brings a prophetic anointing to see and cast a vision, the creativity to dream and believe God for the vision’s possibilities, and the boldness and courage to implement the vision.

The Reverend Doctor Kevin R. Murriel serves as the senior pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church, a multi-site ministry that includes campuses in midtown and southwest

Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University, his Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, and his Doctor of Ministry from Duke University. An insightful preacher, avid reader, and social activist, Dr. Murriel’s research focuses on translating the methods of the Civil Rights Movement into a modern strategy for social justice. In 2018, he was appointed by Dean Jan Love as Assistant Professor in the Practice of Practical Theology and Director of the Black Methodist Seminarian’s Program at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Dr. Murriel is a community leader and faithfully serves on several boards which include, the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA, the North Georgia Board of Ordained Ministry, Murphy–Harpst, The Foundation for Wesley Woods, and The Joseph and Evelyn Lowery

Institute. Dr. Murriel is a member of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and the Leadership Atlanta

Class of 2019. For leading innovative change and being a conscious voice for social justice, Gammon Theological Seminary named him as the 2016 Emerging Prophetic Leader. In 2021, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers Board of Preachers through Morehouse College, named a Man of Influence by the Atlanta Business League, and inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Dr. Murriel is the author of Breaking the Color Barrier: A Vision for Church Growth through Racial Reconciliation. He is married to Dr. Ashleigh Murriel and they are the proud parents of Scarlett Grace and Anderson Blake.

The Reverend DeLishia Andrea Davis is the distinguished pastor of Calloway United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. She was born in the nation’s capital and has lived in several areas of the United States of America and abroad for the purpose of religious education and evangelism.

Rev. Davis has been formally educated in the areas of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Political Science, and Christian Education. She is a fifth generational clergyperson in her family, and she has served in international missions and local church ministries for twenty-two years.

Pastor DeLishia A. Davis a national board member of People for the American Way Inc., raising awareness for social justice and voter education. She is also the chaplain of the National Council of Negro Women, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, African American Ministers Leadership Council and the National Council of Churches.

Pastor DeLishia currently serves as a senior pastor in the Methodist tradition. Also, she has served as an international missions evangelist in South Africa, West Africa, Haiti and Honduras.

Rev. Davis is the recipient of numerous awards to include the Sojourner’s Award from the International Missionary Society (2009), the Rosa Parks Community Service Award from the Methodist Council (2011) and the Humanitarian Award from the NAACP (2019).

Rev. Davis is the founder of New Beginnings, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to domestic violence victims and their families in times of need in the Washington, DC Metropolitan office. Pastor Davis ministers weekly at the domestic violence shelter, and frequently advocates for victims in Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Prince George’s Counties. In addition, Rev. DeLishia Davis is the coordinator of Prayer ministries and she travels throughout the nation to preach, teach and encourage others. She is also the author of several books to include Word of Life Family Bible Study, A New You: 21 Days of Personal Transformation and Spiritual Success. The latest book “Morning Manna”will be released in May 2021.

Pastor Davis is the mother of Maya Alexis and Mycah Alexandrea Davis. Her favorite quote is “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, Resident Bishop, Richmond Area; Virginia Annual Conference

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, resident bishop of the Richmond episcopal area, became the first African-American woman to be elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 2016.

Prior to her episcopal assignment, she held a distinguished record of service in the North Georgia Conference, including her appointment as district superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District in 2010. In 2007, Bishop Lewis’ remarkable pastoral leadership at Wesley Chapel, a three-year tenure, led to over 600 new and restored members, and worship attendance doubled. While there, her visibility as a strong spiritual and pastoral leader propelled her into numerous leadership roles in the local community, including Hands-on Henry County and Many Hearts, Many Hands McDonough.

is the organized Black caucus of the United Methodist Church. We are one of the United Methodist denomination’s five U.S.-based ethnic caucuses. BMCR represents and is dedicated to more than 2,400 Black United Methodist congregations and approximately 500,000 African American members across the denomination.

And the Southeastern Jurisdiction SEJ hosts programs and facilities found throughout the Jurisdiction. We strive to unify the Jurisdiction as we work with Annual Conferences to improve the quality and scope of our ministries.

Real Talk + Real People + Real Times

This sermon was a great message delivered on the final night of a 4-night community-wide revival with each pastor preaching at a different church. I preached the final night and used the Romans passage I had prayed over all year in preparation for SEJ-BMCR's Annual Meeting in Virginia. 

Romans 5:1-5

Sermon Text: So we got it going on. We found God, not that God was ever lost, but we have felt the move of the Holy Spirit. We know God is real at some point; down on our knees at a revival on a morning bench, Tuesday or a Friday, we saw Jesus. Or maybe, like some of us, it took a little longer for a car accident where everyone wanted to know how you survived or a gunshot in the club, some time in the army or the pen, or a blood clot in the lung or brain.  But at some point, you discovered Jesus. You begin to say, like other church folks, trouble doesn’t always last, God is Good, and all the time, God is good! Or I walk by faith and not by sight! Come on, somebody, you got your church going on, your bible under your arm, your scripture on your desk at work, and a praise Jesus sticker on yours. The car cranks. Everything is going on wife is sweet, the children are successful your mother is healthy. And your president is black and intellectually qualified.

It’s at this point our text picks up in Romans 5 in verses 1 and 2; you got it going on, but verse 3 says there’s more to come, so continue to shout praise, and I’ve come tonight to tell you there more to come to keep shouting praises. When you going through the storm, when you have your lemonade moment, keep shouting praises.

Let me lift 3 points of what I’m calling real things for real-time,  and Lake CITY, WE can get back to doing the actual work of ministry.

1.  Jesus is real for all times

1. Real People Have Trouble

1. Praise is Real Talk for the faithful.

Real talk,  Praise is what you give to God.

·  When you are being blessed,  praise.

·  When you feel Jesus standing in the gap for you,  praise.

·  Oh Lord, when you are in trouble,  praise.

Y’all don’t hear me. Let me see if I can teach you how to fry a turkey.

With All this tailgating right around the corner, there's no better time to deep fry a turkey! When a turkey is deeply fried, it's better able to hold in juices, so the end result is moist, flavorful meat with crispy skin on the outside. If your mouth is already watering, read on for everything you need to know about deep frying a turkey!

The Rev. William Bobby McClain gives a presentation on the "current reality of the black church." McClain is an original board member of BMCR and professor emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington. About 400 members of Black Methodists for Church Renewal looked back at their history during their 52nd annual meeting, held April 3-6, in Atlanta, Georgia. But they also tried to look toward an uncertain future for black United Methodist churches.

Some longtime leaders extolled the caucus’ dramatic birth in 1967-68 — and its goals to confront racism and demand justice and equity in the new United Methodist Church. Others challenged the caucus, and the churches it represents, to change with the times and reset to become more relevant and attractive to younger potential members.

Referring to the decades-old caucus motto, “Our Time Under God is Now,” keynote speaker the Rev. William “Bobby” McClain asked, “Time for what?” He recalled early black Methodist history and the denomination’s “checkered career” in addressing concerns of racial inclusion, especially since 1968.

McClain, a retired seminary professor and organizing member of BMCR, questioned whether “our African American relationship with The United Methodist Church is a genuine relation … or simply a sentimental affair that has lasted because neither could (or dared) to get rid of the other.” Yet, while citing the resilience of racial injustice in the church and society, he concluded, “We are not done yet, BMCR!”