Woke, 3- Words Create Worlds
Jim Ladd, June 21, 2020


The Big Idea: Words create worlds.


James 3:2-12

James 1:26-27


Our communication tends to be:

• Inflammatory

• Contentious

• Demonizing


The Power of Words:


Proverbs 18:21


“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit - you choose.”


Proverbs 12:18

Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 15:4


Ask yourself: What is the end game that you want to be about?

Pause before you hit send.

Pause before you hit post.



Four filters to clean our words and guard our souls:

1. Is what I am going to say true?

2. Is what I am going to say helpful?

3. Is what I am going to say personal?

4. Is what I am going to say loving?”

Big Idea: If we think we don’t have any stereotypes, we probably have a lot.


John 4:19-24


Silence speaks.


Implicit bias is the attitudes and stereotypes we don’t realize we have.


John 4:6-9


Racism is based on a feeling of superiority.


Jesus started a conversation.


John 4:17-18


John 4:22-23


Jesus came to bring unity to all people.

Ezekiel 3:14-15

Matthew 11:29


Listen to those in pain and listen to God.


Three goals:

Theology of race

Biblical understanding of racism

Biblical call to civility in chaos


Galatians 3:28

Galatians 3:27


In the beginning:

Genesis 1:26-27

1. We were made. (created)

2. We were made in the image of God.


Searching for purpose apart from a relationship with God is like searching for answers where there aren’t any.

“... There are two types of law: just and unjust.... A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.... Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.


When God created human beings, he intentionally created diversity.


Where does race come from?


When the Bible talks about race, it’s not about the color of skin.


There aren’t multiple races, just one race – the human race.


Acts 17:26

Acts 10:34-35

Genesis 11:8-9


Day of Pentecost - the anti-Babel


Galatians 3:28

Galatians 3:27

Revelation 7:9-10


Shalom: the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment and delight.

It's time we had a much overdue, necessary, and uncomfortable conversation.
It's time we make bridges instead of burning them.
It's time we shake hands instead of beat our fists.
It's time.
It's time we lament.
It's time we seek reconciliation and restoration.
It's time we pray for healing.
It's time we pray.

Join Archbishop Lorenzo Peterson, Pastor Jon Cobler, and Pastor Jim Ladd for a conversation about racism and the gospel. We will engage in an important and uncomfortable conversation in the hopes of moving the Church into action.

Special thanks to all the churches involved:
Living Water - Pastor Jon Cobler
New Life Baptist Church - Archbishop Lorenzo Peterson
Reality Church - Pastor Paul Jones
Harbor Church - Seth Winterhalter
Encounter Life Church - Pastor Courtney Hickman
Capital Vision Christian Church - Pastor Bruce Sanders
New Bridge Community Church - Pastor Mark Colavecchio

Acts 1:8


Every Christian is a pentecostal.


Romans 8:9


The Big Idea: Trusting in self-effort kills the transforming power of God’s grace in your life.


Galatians 3:1-13


We are asked three very powerful questions:

1. Did you experience new birth in Jesus by self-effort or by the Holy Spirit?

2. After being born this way, are you trying to live this new life by self-effort?

3. Does God do miracles and move among us by your self-effort or by the Holy Spirit?



Galatians 2:19-21


I am Barabbas.


2 Corinthians 5:21

The Big Idea: Only the source of all blessing can show us the path to true happiness.


Matthew 5:3-12


True happiness is found in the circumstances God provides through this pathway - through Christ, himself.


Blessings given to every Christian walking the pathway:

• They possess the Kingdom of Heaven

• They inherit the earth

• They are comforted and satisfied

• They receive mercy

• They see God and are called the sons of God

• Their heavenly reward is great.


Every disciple of Jesus should be:

• Absurdly happy

• Completely fearless

• Constantly in trouble

The Big Idea: A relationship with Jesus is built on one, uncompromising decision: obedience above everything.


Matthew 7:21-27


Two unacceptable alternatives:

1. Merely verbal confession

2. Merely intellectual knowledge



A verbal confession without obedience still sounds impressive.



Jesus’ confession is terrifying.



Knowledge with obedience separates the wise from the foolish.



The wise and the fool:

• The outside observer would notice no difference.

• The difference is foundations and foundations are not seen.

• All professing Christians look alike - both appear to be building Christian lives.

• Jesus is not contrasting professing Christians with non-Christians who make no profession.

• Both are members of the visible Christian community.

• Only a storm will reveal the truth

• Jesus is not teaching that obedience is the way to salvation - but that it is the fruit of it.



The Bible is a dangerous book to read and the church is a dangerous community to join.



It is a matter of choice - today and every day. What is yours?