What made Dr. King's vision for racial justice in America so special is not only his commitment to non-violence but also the fact that he wanted something more than just retributive justice, he wanted reconciliation. Dr. King did not only want desegregation to be tolerated, he wanted integration. He wanted Black Americans to be welcomed and accepted into every aspect of American life. This is what he called "The Beloved Community." In this sermon, pastor Joel talks about this vision and God's final goal for there to be reconciliation and peace, not only between races, but also between humanity and God.

The vision for justice that the Scriptures show us goes beyond punishment for a crime, but the reparation of wrongs so that relationships can be reconciled.

How can God’s love, manifested in Jesus Christ, help us both to do justice and find peace in our current moment?” What does it look like to repent, and what does it look like to forgive, and how can we be reconciled? In this sermon, our friend Brian Wade from Centerpoint Church Kent Island is speaking on the idea of this love and how it is Christ’s love what sets the compass for the way forward.

In today's message, we look at how the Bible talks about systemic injustice and what it has to say about systemic racism today. 

On a surface level, the claim that racism is wrong might seem uncontroversial (although the current state of race relations in our country states the contrary). But why exactly is racism wrong? What is the theological understanding of race relations and human dignity? In the Scriptures, it all comes back to the Imago Dei, the claim that all humans are made in the image and likeness of God, all given life by the same breath of God, and all made out of one blood. What infuses equal worth and dignity in a person is not their accomplishments, education, intelligence, skin color or ethnic origin, but the imprint of the creator. Racism is a scandal and an outrage and a theological impossibility because it is not only an attack on the dignity of a fellow human, but by proxy is an attack on God Himself. This fundamental theological truth should lead Christians both to categorically reject and decry and repent of anything that has to do with white supremacy and racism. But in order for that to happen we must first feel the pain that white supremacy and racism cause not only on Black people in America, but also in the heart of God, and only when our hearts break for this issue like God’s does will be able to begin any work God might have for us to do in regards to race relations.

How do we live during this time when we are not in the strict lockdown anymore, but we are also not back to how life was before that. How do we orient ourselves during this time and live a life of flourishing? 

What are we supposed to do when we are sheltering in God, if we are ultimately trusting Him for our protection and provision? What we see in the Bible is that people who trust in God have nothing left to do but sing! When we have nothing left, we worship, that is the response of a heart that has put all of its trust in the Lord.

How can we acknowledge God as a place of shelter and our perfect provider during difficult times and when we need Him.

What does change look like in the Scriptures and how can we live in the tension of working of change and justice while also continuing to long for the coming Kingdom of God where true justice will finally reign?

As a small church, we have been pre-recording our services earlier in the week during the COVID-19 pandemic. This past week's service was recorded after George Floyd's death but before all of the events of the last couple of days. While we prayed for justice for George Floyd, in light of all that happened, the leadership felt that we needed to address the events of this week in more depth, this sermon is the result of that. If you need a place to process everything, we invite you to join us in praying, crying and seeking God.